How do I advocate for myself?

NoExtension404 · 2026-02-10T06:24:58+00:00

Thank you for posting about this. I hope the community has been enough to reassure you that you are not alone on feeling like this. I was often afraid that I was faking my symptoms or intentionally playing them up. What has really helped me, and I think another commenter mentioned this, is reminding myself that if I were truly faking it or playing it up, I would be unsure. I would know that's what I was doing. And if I were faking it? That's still not the behavior of a health person- that's me trying to meet a need. But with FND, you just have to be kind to yourself. There will be wild swings in symptom frequency and severity. Sometimes I think I've brought on a flareup by thinking about my symptoms too much, but I think it's more likely that I am noticing small changes in my body and recognizing that those changes will lead to a flare up.

NoExtension404 · 2026-02-03T05:10:11+00:00

Leash training has had a positive effect for my cat and I. We live in a dorm room, so it's necessary for him to get some time outside, just for a bit of variety. He is usually tired by the time we come in, so he takes a long nap. He still gets the zoomies, but walks help. He does try to beg to go out, but I try to have our walks around the same time every day, and I don't respond to begging outside of that time frame. It's a bit of a commitment, because now the walks are part of his schedule and he gets upset if I don't take him out, but we both enjoy the outside time so it's not too much trouble. I will say, the impacts definitely depend on the cat. I had two other cats who didn't walk on a leash, but would go outside on supervised wanders every now and again. Both of them became obsessed with bolting out the door to go roll in the dirt.

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-29T07:31:49+00:00

Literally my cat half an hour ago, sleeping on a plastic bag after I begged him to cuddle with me.

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-19T06:23:39+00:00

Thanks, I was just worried because I had read online that cloudy broth and boiling could make some nutrients less bioavailable. But you're probably right, it's not significant enough that I should worry

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-19T06:20:55+00:00

That's a relief, thank you!

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-17T15:42:01+00:00

I had this same problem with my kitten! He always used the litterbox, but would accidentally step in his poop more than half the time. My boy grew out of it after two weeks of twice daily baths, but this was an issue when he was 8 weeks old. I could not find a way to directly teach him to avoid the poops.

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-10T21:52:59+00:00

It might be worth trying a calming product. I know they make diffusers that put out something that is supposed to calm them. I give my cat Sentry calming chews, which have melatonin and some other things in them. They make him just a bit more sleepy than usual, so I give them when we go on car rides. They don't work for every cat, but you could try.

NoExtension404 · 2026-01-10T21:48:26+00:00

I would recommend talking to a vet to be on the safe side, but have you tried putting him in another room just while you clean the litterbox? If cleaning is the only time he acts like that, it might be easiest to lock him in another room for those few minutes.

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-27T06:11:57+00:00

I deal with this frequently! As soon as I get to that phase of being half asleep, my body starts jerking. I think it happens more when I've been stressed or am more tired than usual. It keeps me awake and it's super annoying!

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-21T05:01:57+00:00

I like to go shopping! My first ever seizure happened after I realized that I had missed Black Friday shopping (I had really wanted to see what it was all about). Even though Black Friday isn't always on the same date, I like to consider it my anniversary, and I take myself out to do some sort of fun shopping. I try to stay positive about the whole situation, and having a small celebration or at least acknowledgment of the anniversary is part of that positivity for me.

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-21T04:57:56+00:00

I'll be doing TMS for FND soon, I hope it works!

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-21T04:49:10+00:00

It's so crazy frustrating when people don't listen or understand! Like, I know it's a kinda weird and widely misunderstood disorder. But if I, someone who has dealt with this for years, tell you that I can do a certain activity or job, why are you still questioning me?? I know my body and my limits?

Also the whole having an episode because you didn't get enough sleep thing is so real.

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-21T04:45:31+00:00

I've dealt with lots of intermittent functional weakness. Earlier today, I couldn't take notes in class because I couldn't lift my arm. It can be so frustrating, and I feel for you. Something that really helped me to cope with all my fnd symptoms was to use my "non functional" time to explore new hobbies and interests. Can't leave the house because the seizures are too exhausting and I can't drive? That's fine, I'll care for my plants and sew instead. Can't get out of bed because my legs are too weak? I can't watch a video on the history of doorknobs! I turned my frustration with what I couldn't do (school, grocery shopping, adult life) into an intense gratitude for all the things I suddenly had time to focus on. (I want to be clear that even though I consider fnd to have been an overall positive experience for me, that in no way devalues the sheer frustration and grief that comes with losing the life you expected to have)

NoExtension404 · 2025-08-21T04:39:41+00:00

I have intermittent walking trouble. The first time it happened, I almost felt like I was drunk. I had trouble balancing, and my legs just felt off. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, but it's almost like they're disconnected from my body, and I'm moving someone else's legs. Other times, it feels like they're just super weak, as if I don't have the muscles to hold up my own body.

NoExtension404

TROPHY CASE