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Functional Neurological Disorder Diagnosis
After MRIs, a lumbar puncture, and lots of bloodwork, my neurologist diagnosed me with Functional Neurological Disorder. My tests came back as normal, except for unexplained lesions on my brain and elevated c-level proteins.
My neuropathy has become progressively worse in the last two years. I now have braces on both legs and a walker. The neurologist has referred me to physical therapy and psychology.
I feel as though this may be a diagnosis made because he doesn't know what's causing the neuropathy and thinks it's, at least in part, psychological. Has anyone else received this diagnosis? Or do you know about FND?
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They just don't know and to keep seeking is crazy. Been there done it and you r on your own. Doctors went to school but they have no clue. Personal opinion after too many consults. It is something we get and to seach and seek and find nothing. Call it life............
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2 ReactionsI will agree with you somewhat Josie. That’s why they call it a medical practice. They are constantly discovering new ways to do things. Could you image if you had kidney stones say 150 years ago. How about a tooth pulled? Yes, they have come a long way, but if I could come back say 500 years in the future, the first place I’d check out is a hospital. They have so much they don’t know about the human body. There are many inventions still to come I believe. Especially with the brain and central nervous system. It’s like the bottom of the ocean.
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4 Reactions@imagine1, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Functional Neurological disorder next steps: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/functional-neurological-disorder-next-steps/
-Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/functional-neurological-disorder/
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2 ReactionsThey did check for Vit B12 and D deficiency, right?
Thank you, Colleen. That's very helpful.
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1 ReactionYes, they did. I'm not deficient in either.
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2 ReactionsI am no expert in this at all. I know very little. I’m still struggling for a diagnosis myself after 2 years of seeing experts and finally getting Vit B12 deficiency diagnosis by my second neurologist. (First neurologist dropped the ball.) Still…..much is a mystery, however….is there some downside to a functional diagnosis? Can’t it still be treated? It’s real and valid as any other medical condition, right? Maybe, I’m off. I’ve done some reading and watched a couple of documentaries about it. If treatment helps, does it matter the name it’s given? I’m asking because I really am curious. Does insurance still cover treatments?
Does anybody that was diagnosed with fnd had any luck with treatments or drugs?
That's essentially what my neurologist's PA said at the last visit. There's just too much they don't know at this point in time, but doctors will probably figure it out in the future.
Your answer of “Doctor’s went to school, but have no clue…”, is perfect! Thanks for sharing that thought! I have had neuropathy in all limbs, for years, dealing with numbness, pain etc. and no matter whether I talk, or go through testing, with a family doctor, internist, or neurologist, none of them have come up with an answer as to why, and none have come up with any good solutions that help, in any way, to ease the discomfort! I’m at the point now, after 40 some years, living with gradual ascending neuropathy, that the doctor’s don’t have an answer to my neuropathy problem, so I don’t even bring the problem up, at my ‘annual medicare wellness check-up “! Whatever, seems to be the answer I give, if questioned!
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