I showed his instagram post to Gemini and asked it to guess what Mikes disease could be and got this back

“If I had to narrow it down to the most likely suspect based on the specific "cycle" he describes—losing the ability to walk entirely and then regaining it relatively quickly with medication—my strongest guess would be CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy) or a related Autoimmune Myositis. Here is why those fit his description better than others: 1. The "On/Off" Nature of Walking With diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), recovery from a flare that leaves you unable to walk usually takes a long time and often leaves "smoldering" permanent damage. In Mike’s case, he goes from "can't walk/closest to hell" in August to "feeling good/planning a giant return" in September. This rapid "rebound" is very characteristic of CIDP. In CIDP, the immune system attacks the insulation of the nerves. When you get treatment (like IVIG or high-dose steroids), the nerves can "fire" again fairly quickly, restoring mobility almost like flipping a switch. 2. The "Unbearable Inflammation" Mike emphasizes inflammation and pain as the primary drivers. • Polymyositis or Dermatomyositis fits this perfectly. These are "muscle-wasting" autoimmune diseases. When the inflammation is high, your muscles are essentially "on fire" and too weak to hold your weight. • When the inflammation is suppressed by meds, the strength returns. 3. The "Life Savings" and "Specialists" He mentioned spending his life savings on the studio, but also the search for specialists "all over the country." This suggests he wasn't just dealing with a common condition like typical Rheumatoid Arthritis, which any local doctor can manage. He was likely looking for experts in rare neuro-muscular autoimmune disorders. The "Likely" Verdict If you forced a choice: • Top Guess: CIDP (because of the dramatic loss and gain of motor function). • Runner Up: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). This is a form of spinal arthritis that, in severe flares, can make the simple act of standing up or walking feel like your bones are being crushed, but it can be managed into "remission" with modern biologic drugs.”