Cara's Story

[Amy Beaver]

Cara was a happy, healthy, athletic, outgoing, over active student until October 1, 2010. On this day, she was getting ready for night classes when she noticed her legs felt weak. She was home alone and decided to go to her room to "rest". As she exited her bathroom and entered her bedroom, she collapsed onto the floor and could not get up. Fortunately, she had her cell phone and was able to get help. 

 

She was taken to our local medical center with the initial thinking being Guillian Barre'. She was admitted, an LP was done and MRI's as well. They treated with IV Ig initially but when she had foot reflexes, they thought TM. Even though her MRI was clear, they treated with IV steroids and dishcarged her on the 8th day still unable to walk.

 

She worked at home with PT and in two more weeks was walking on her own and getting back to her baseline. All seemed to be going according to plan. In fact, when we followed up with her neurologist, he found what he thought to be the cause of her TM, elevated SSA which was diagnosed as Sjogren's.

 

We then went on to the Rheumatologist who prescribed Plaquenil. We were going along and although Cara was back walking and back to school, I as her mom knew she was not completely right. And so, on February 22nd, the same thing happened. The weakness of the legs returned and back to the hospital we went.

 

Three days, two MRI's, multiple tubes of lab work only to be told, "We don't know."

 

We are now in the process of seeking a second opinion.

[Alain Dumas]

Best of luck to Cara.