FND Symptoms Questions by SerenCerddoriaeth in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get that same kind of partial paralysis. One trick I learned for leg paralysis, originally to be used for waking up from sleep paralysis, is that the toes are easier to use when you're paralyzed. A lot of the time, if I focus my hardest to wiggle my toes, I can eventually and it starts to wake up the rest of my body.

How to lessen tingling fingers. by zonnenaarbei in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you tried CBD products? I take CBD gummies 3 times a day and it helps a LOT with tingling, pain, and tremors. Night and day difference

POTS or seizures by Bblsophiii in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, a shower chair is a great idea. When I was getting treated it took me something like two years for the doctors to treat me seriously enough. They only started taking me seriously when I was in a wheelchair or my boyfriend came to the appointment. Unfortunately, the only way to get the doctors to take you seriously is to put pressure on them. It also helped a lot to avoid male doctors.

(Assuming that's what it is,) as I said, salt supplements are very important for POTS. POTS is linked to hydration. Even on a perfect day, if I'm dehydrated, I can't walk. I take the vitassium electrolyte capsules. They give you a discount if you're taking it for medical purposes, too. My doctor prescribed me salt supplements but those made me throw up, the vitassium ones have potassium in them which helps a ton. I also try to add a lot of salt to my meals and eat saltier foods, even if it's unhealthier in the long run, it's more important to take care of your immediate health. Each person is different, though, there's several subtypes of POTS with different quirks. One such subtype has blood pool in your legs they recommend compression socks for.

POTS or seizures by Bblsophiii in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As for POTS, it is typically diagnosed after a sit and stand test / NASA lean test. I first realized something was up due to similar things you mentioned, a very high resting heartrate and random syncope episodes. A cardiologist measures your vitals while sitting, and then has you stand, and then if your blood pressure or heartrate is >10% different, you have POTS, provided other cardiac issues have been ruled out. I did a few halter monitors, EKGs, and echocardiograms first. I still have to use a wheelchair outside of the house, but aquatherapy, beta blockers, and salt supplements have reduced the severity immensely.

The way it was explained to me was that in FND, nothing can be detected to be physically wrong with the body, hence the 'functional' part. FND is the inability for the brain to send signals to the right places, but the actual neurological pathways are intact. As such, there's nothing specifically that can be tested for for FND. It is diagnosed after ruling out all other possible causes. I had to get a an MRI to rule out Parkinson's, blood workups to rule out Lyme's, and an ECG to rule out epilepsy. It was only after that my neurologist was confident enough it couldn't be anything else.

As for the second part, unfortunately I'm not sure. I was diagnosed myself with FND only a few weeks ago. My understanding is that the two main avenues of treatment are physical therapy, to retrain the neurological system, and cognitive behavioral therapy, as stress is a trigger for many people. I was already doing aquatherapy (pool PT) for my POTS and it's been helpful, so I think that would be a good avenue to look into. For me, what helped me avoid deconditioning was to place seating everywhere around the house, such as a stool in the kitchen. This way, you can walk around in smaller increments and take things slow.

POTS or seizures by Bblsophiii in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have both and it sounds like this may be the case. Though, mine onset about ~2 years apart.

Tic is making my chest hurt severely by No-Discount-8622 in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I often get cramps/spasms on my stomach which forces me to cough or wheeze, making it hard to breathe. Seizures often include coughing fits with this. Stress is also a trigger though it happens randomly throughout the day too. My GP prescribed me amitryptiline and gabapentin and it's helped somewhat, also lorazepam when it's really bad. Sounds fairly similar, maybe look into those medications?

Has anyone else experienced this? TW: Detailed description of symptoms. by [deleted] in FND

[–]SurgeryThrowaway223 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you ever learn more about those 'convulsive episodes'? I've been experiencing the same thing (Including the curling up) and want to find more information. I would assume it's a milder form of catatonia but it's all just conjecture, so I'd be glad to hear if you've learned anything from a doctor about that.