New. Confused.

[Russ DB]

I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis about 2 months ago. I'm still new to this and I do feel quite lucky compared to the research I've read. During that the time of the doctor visits and trips to the neurologists I begun to improve on my own. I was able o start walking and I was able to urinate. I still struggle with balance among other things. I still feel some tingling and I cannot feel my feet any longer. The pain has even subsided.

Through my research I learned that the lower back pain I was feeling was actually a symptom. However, now I struggle to find the answer to my current inquiry. My lower back pain has begun to return. It's not as severe as it before this all happened, however I fear the worse may yet to come. Should I worry about this pain becoming as bad as it once was or is this something I should expect? Should I consult a doctor or neurologist about this now? I fear this could lead to MS or another neurological disease especially when I feel I've been lucky enough to improve a small, yet great portion.

I'm lost and confused. I'm not sure if this is a symptom I should worry about immediately or wait to see if it worsens. I've never had a medical problem until now, so I'm not positive how to handle this.

[Kevin Weilacher]

Russ,

First let me welcome you to the TM Network. We appreciate you joining us.
I am sorry it has to be under the circumstances that it is, but it's still nice to have you as a member of this extended family.
In regards to your question about the back pain....the first thing that comes to mind would be to ask you if the pain you're having feels like nerve pain, or does it feel like something else, such as muscle pain.
What does the pain feel like...is it a tingling, prickly, burning type of pain..?   Or is it some other type of pain..?
If it is a prickly, burning type of pain, more than likely it is one of the residual symptoms of your TM onset and there is a chance that the pain will continue on.
I'm only basing this on my past experience since I also have severe pain in my lower back/tailbone area...but my pain is from the TM.
My best suggestion would obviously be to go and see your doctor and perhaps have an MRI done, just to either rule out or confirm anything.

I would also like to invite you to my group on Facebook....https://www.facebook.com/groups/TMFolk/
That group is a very active group and you would be assured of getting some suggestions....there are even some nurses on the group that have TM and are more than willing to offer their help and suggestions.

This website is more of a resource website and sometimes the activity to get a question answered isn't as active as the Facebook group is.

I do check this website every day and try to help out and answer questions where I can, but the majority of people in the TM community are connected through Facebook.

Let me know if there is anything I can do, or if you have any questions about anything at all...

Take care,

Kevin
Head Admin