(seemingly) blaming all on tc

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Your blanket statement: " It seems that in (sic) this forum someone will try to

pin everything on TC. " was an unnecessary put-down to all members (my viewpoint

of your statement). There have been members that have been diagnosed with other

neurological disorders that have distinctive symptoms that cross over to tc yet

need a different treatment plan. We've had a member pass away from Lou Gherig's

disease, I know we have at least one member that has MS and tethered cord (MS

dx'ed long after the tether), along with a host of other seemingly non-related

neurological diseases.

Chiari can cause eye problems and when you are beginning your learning curve for

this condition, it is overwhelming and not everyone is able to weed through the

host of problems that can arise from a tethered cord, especially when

complicated with other conditions such as Chiari. A simple question was asked

and your answer with sage advice that it may be age-related is suffice.

What may seem obvious to us as age-related or how someone lives (eg: very

overweight with increasing back pain) may cause someone else undue stress and

worry. Instead of making a nice comment that is only masked condemnation, why

not just leave it at the help and also add your view in a positive tone?

I think it's great that you shared that you have age-related eye floaters and

suggested that this may be the cause vs. Chiari or tether, but the statement

that members of this " forum " tend to blame all on their problems on their

diagnosis goes overboard. Empathy and education is key along with calm

assistance to someone that there could be many other benign reasons for symptoms

they are experiencing.

We don't all blame everything on our medical dx of tethered cord and/or Chiari -

some go the other way and blame truly related symptoms on other issues;

ignorance is bliss theory. I just believe the person concerned was sincere and

we don't know where they are with their education of their condition. We can do

more by helping than demeaning with this situation. My patience runs short at

times, but if someone is truly trying to educate themselves, making the member

try to feel small or a hypochondriac is not going to help anyone.

Kathy

<Snip> It seems that in this forum someone will try tp pin

everything on TC. Some things as just the natural progress (or regress) of

aging. I also have cataracts, but would certainly not try to blame them on TC.

________________________________

To: tetheredspinalcord

Sent: Sat, April 9, 2011 12:34:18 PM

Subject: Re: Eye issues and Tethered Cord

Generally speaking, I do have to say that it does point to more of a Chiari

isse rather than Tethered Cord. Because

with alot of the eye issues with Chiari, it isn't that there is a problem

with the Eyes themselves, it is more that

the Brain is intrupting things different and it mimics an eye issue (Hope

that made sense). However, I do have

to say, I can see how it could be a Tethered Cord issue as

well......especially if it was a very tight Tether, more of

an extreme case.

Brande

mymocha@...

> In response to Brande and the question with eye issues and tethered

> cord... I started seeing black floaters at the same time that the pain in

> my heels and arches started. Both started at the exact same time, and the

> floaters are black squiggly/cobweb type things.

>

> Given my connective tissue disorder, I went to the ophthalmologist to rule

> out a retinal tear, and the ophthalmologist said that my eyes could not be

> any healthier. So, my question to the group is, is this more of a Chiari

> symptom, or more of a cord symptom like Brande was wondering?

>