Anyone else out there been dx'd with Transverse Myelitis? - Military Health Issues Message Board

littlemacr · 08-28-2002, 08:29 AM

In Aug. 01, I was dx'd with MS, by a MS Specialist. In Dec. 01, I had a bad relapse and was being treated for it as MS until my insurance ran out due to not being able to work.
I started going to the VA Hosp. in Jun. 02 and was seen by MS Specialist from Yale/New Haven Hosp., they see pts. at the VA. He ordered new MRI. He said that the MRI's I had brought with me were normal. That's when I told hiim that another neuro had shown us the MRI and pointed to 8 lesions. His reply was,"yes, I saw those but want to make sure they are not veins." So had new MRI head with contrast and went back to theVA for another appt. on the 22 Aug.02.
Of course, there was another neuro there that day, also from Yale/New Haven and MS Specialist. Another exam, checked the new MRI and came back in and said that MRI was "normal". She then said that I have Transverse Myelitis of unknown origin to come back in a yr. for a follow-up. If I had a relapse or worsening of bladder problems to come back sooner. She did order PT for me and suggested an area rehab. center that is excellent but I don't know if VA will pay for that or not.
So I am looking for others who have been dx'd with this since the gulf. Yes, I am a gulf vet.

Thanks,
Rae

billsjared · 03-20-2005, 02:59 PM

I was dxed with devic synrome in 02 I think its the same was denied disability from v.a. appealing though was with 24th Id 1st Bde FSE think I was exposed to gas from Khamasiya plus had the shots pb pills etc.

dee88 · 05-29-2005, 05:19 AM

I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis first in 2000 I think. They told me there was a good chance it could be a form of MS and I would probably get ms. Well in 2003 I was diagnosed with MS. I often wonder if it was from when I was in the military. I was in during the gulf war. There is not 1 person in my family, distant family, history of my family that we know of that has had anything similar to ms. I know allot of folks I served with that have one weird ailment or another that were stationed at the same place at the same time. I do think its more than a coincidence sometimes. I've never came out and said it was the military (or gulf war) but my bet is that it has something to do with it. I bet there are allot of folks out there the same way.
I've often wondered what the statistics were on autoimmune diseases and people serving during the gulf war.