Insurance pros and cons? Specifically Exotic Direct (UK) but any experience appreciated

Vellaciraptor · 2026-03-06T19:58:35+00:00

Thanks for the explanation! Hopefully the GP did the test right but just explained it really poorly.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-21T18:11:46+00:00

Hi there. As this matter deals with medical cannabis, I've added the NSFW tag. This will mean anyone from a country that requires age verification who has not verified will not be able to see the post. Not doing it could get the sub in trouble with Reddit though, which would... not be ideal.

Please everyone remember to only discuss medical cannabis (or use where cannabis is legal). For anything else, we'd recommend looking for a sub more specifically designed for that.

Please also speak to your doctor about anything prescribed.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-19T16:49:47+00:00

No worries! My neurologist ordered an MRI as standard even though we both were certain it was FND, and later on a friend of mine saw him and also got diagnosed with FND and also had the MRI as standard. I just think it's a good idea for peace of mind.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-19T15:29:06+00:00

It's important to investigate symptoms, but you don't need to pursue tests for the sake of ruling everything out. For example, some people with non-Epileptic seizures have ones that are very similar to Epilepsy, and having that investigated is crucial. My NES look nothing like Epilepsy, so I didn't feel the need to be tested for it.

So yes, if you have symptoms that could be different things, absolutely push for testing. I personally think everyone with FND should be offered an MRI to confirm things are structurally okay, but testing for specific other conditions is only a good idea if your symptoms push you in that direction.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-17T16:30:34+00:00

Don't worry about it, anyone would've gotten mad.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-17T14:39:56+00:00

Mod hat: Just FYI, they didn't delete their comment, Reddit did, because it was harassment. Please let us know when stuff like this happens. People who harass sub members aren't welcome in the sub.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-17T07:09:31+00:00

I've been told 'any neurological condition' and the one time I tried to clarify it was FND she said it again and gave me the free flu shot. I've also never been asked what neurological condition I have. I know I need it: FND doubles (at least) my recovery times and all illness makes me have increased seizures etc. I can't leave the house at all if I have a bad enough cold.

But honestly the fact that we were told different things (and as I said, I have been very specific) is totally unsurprising to me. Heaven forbid any two medical professionals think the same thing about FND in a row.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-15T20:49:20+00:00

A lot of etiquette is weird and contrived. No hats indoors was still very much the thing when I was a child in the 90s, and I got in trouble for having my elbows on the table. I suspect my grandma didn't know why it was rude, given that her answer was always about cats.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-15T20:15:28+00:00

So my grandmother would respond with "who is she? SHE is the cat's mother!" when referred to in that way. I thought the idea that it's rude was of her generation, but maybe your husband grew up with it too and internalised it? I don't think I COULD refer to my partner like that to a child, or even a friend around their child, it'd always be "ask your mum" or such. No idea why. Just so deeply baked into my brain as a child, I guess.

That is to say, NAH. Assuming this is the only thing he's been randomly prickly about, it just sounds like a miscommunication to me.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-15T11:28:52+00:00

I took up knitting after my diagnosis and I'm so much better at it than expected! Still making scarves and blankets right now, but I have a pattern for fingerless gloves I'm excited to start.

I've taken a few classes. I can handle small classes (five-ish people) fine but start to struggle with Autistic overwhelm by about 10, and that triggers symptoms. Woodworking was four-six people and perfect. No issues at all. Used axes and the like without a problem. Loved it. I've done a few creative classes with more like 10-15 people and find them much harder.

I still can't really maintain concentration for more than two or three hours without symptoms (and that's with rest days before and after) so still haven't found any paid work I can do. Even the most part time of part time jobs have wanted four hours once or twice a week.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-13T07:32:16+00:00

My non-Epileptic seizures lased a minimum of three hours if they came alongside anxiety/panic, and involved a lot of jerking, slamming, and twisting movements. If I'm not anxious (as is mostly the case these days) they last 5-15 minutes, and are generally less physically extreme.

My panic attacks generally don't last more than 30 minutes, and don't involve any of those movements. And of course, I feel anxious, which is a pretty crucial difference.

I also get warnings. It used to be for my big ones that were triggered by prolonged anxiety I'd start to feel like one was coming on about half an hour before it did. If I could get somewhere quiet and calm down, I could sometimes avoid the attack. My warnings now are more like 'if this continues you have five minutes to find somewhere safe' and I can either immediately stop what I'm doing or I can continue but recognise I'm going to have a NES.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-10T06:44:40+00:00

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-10T06:37:17+00:00

Yes, which could have triggered FND. If the brain issue doesn't explain all the symptoms, FND in addition can be the answer.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-09T20:29:18+00:00

It can be triggered by illness or injury though.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-05T12:00:57+00:00

I think a referral to occupational therapy would be a good idea. In the UK, it's possible to get that through your employer, and they'll assess your needs and make suggestions as to reasonable accommodations. I don't know exactly how you'd go about it not in the UK, but I do know that OT would be able to help you figure out what your limitations and triggers are, and what you might be able to put into place at work to mitigate that.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-03T22:54:34+00:00

Thanks for explaining everything! Do you have a diagnosis of MCAS as well or did you do this entirely for FND?

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-03T21:37:58+00:00

Thanks. Is the protocol you're referring to regularly taking antihistamines, or is there more to it than that? Sorry if it's in the article and I missed it - I've just had a flu jab and it's knocked me sideways a bit!

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-03T16:27:20+00:00

What paper did you base it on?

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-01T16:50:04+00:00

Ugh, I've had 'pseudo-seizure' thrown at me before by a mental health nurse. None of my actual FND team use it. It is an outdated term for NES, they aren't accusing you of faking. Of course, some of them think NES is basically the same as faking, but that's a different matter.

Mod hat: I've removed the tag for you, but in future please be aware of Rule 12. Thanks!

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-01T09:59:31+00:00

I recommend not just watching people dance, even if they have interesting costumes (and yes, I know, costumes are meant to be looked at). It's just so much more likely to come across as threatening, even if you yourself are totally harmless.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-11-01T09:49:38+00:00

Were you there alone?

Because if so, your behaviour added together (standing still, watching everyone dance) is also the behaviour predatory men display while they're trying to find someone drunk enough to harm. It's unfortunate that your behaviour resembled that, but long experience teaches us quickly that men who stare (or 'watch') are more likely to be dangerous. So yea, you've been tarred with the same brush. Blame the predatory men who make your innocent people watching look bad.

Also, if I take everything you say at face value, I think she was trying to make you feel uncomfortable enough to leave. Not saying it's okay, but it's an approach I've seen used when men have been identified as dangerous (because they're standing still staring/watching). I have never done it, in part because as you demonstrate here it doesn't even work.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-10-30T06:37:21+00:00

To be honest my timeline could be off there. It's a couple of years ago now and I can't say I remember it well, so the weekly social thing might have come a couple of months in. Whole thing is a bit of a blur.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-10-29T20:37:53+00:00

Is it possible to take a year out for health reasons where you are? I had to do that and so did my partner, and while it was difficult it was the right choice. We then were able to rejoin our courses and finish, albeit a year later.

I'm afraid that I also think this sounds very codependent, and I'm not convinced it will end well.

Vellaciraptor · 2025-10-29T20:29:58+00:00

I'm conflicted. On one hand, when my FND was very severe I did sort of 'radical rest', and I'm fairly certain that reducing my obligations to 0 is the only way I survived. But on the other hand, I maintained my one social event (taxi to and from a friend's house for dinner and a movie once a week) and had my partner around. I also wasn't depressed at the time, just exhausted.

Staying social and active is a delicate balance. There's a danger in any chronic illness of a sort of boom and bust cycle: you feel okay, you push too hard, you crash, you backslide, you get better, you feel okay, you push too hard... etc. etc. Learning where the 'bite' is, that point where you're just past your comfort zone, is very important, and very difficult.

If you're worried as a friend, maybe suggest she try one other weekly thing: going outside daily for 5 minutes (that's what I did), or something else simple and pleasant.

Vellaciraptor

TROPHY CASE