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Has anyone had to deal with a functional neurological disorder?
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: 18 hours ago | Replies (58)Comment receiving replies
For 3+ years, I have been dealing with the following daily, numerous debilitating symptoms, which were diagnosed in 2/2025 as Non-Epileptic Spells (NES) - Functional Neurological Disorder (FND):
1. Shortness-of-Breath, followed by
2. Total body weakness, followed by
3. Tightness in throat & face - difficult to speak, followed by
4. Chills
5. Pain in back between shoulder blades
- Headaches
My spells occur out of nowhere all day and evening long, even during sleeping hours.
Does anyone know of a treatment program for NES?
Or has anyone had these symptoms and it was diagnosed as something else?
I would greatly appreciate any help, information, guidance, etc.
Replies to "For 3+ years, I have been dealing with the following daily, numerous debilitating symptoms, which were..."
@whs2026
Hi,
Im sorry to see your dealing w/ so many negative symptoms...have you had any double or worsening vision, trouble swallowing & extreme weakness of the extremities, trouble swallowing, difficulty lifting your head, shortness of breath upon exertion, these are symptoms of myasthenia gravis, which I just found out I had in Jan this yr, mine started w/ the vision issues & when I was diagnosed by a blood test my neurologist ordered.
Not to say that you have MG which is rare, thankfully!
I hope n 🙏 you get some answers soon!
Michelle
On October 7th, 2025, my life changed when a box fell on the back of my head. I sent my system haywire because 30 years ago, I was in a car accident that put me in a two-week coma. I have seen many specialists and feel lost. I have been diagnosed with FND along with many other diagnoses. I have all of your symptoms plus more. You are not alone. It is actually nice to hear from someone experiencing similar symptoms. This is my first time saying something on Mayo Connect. I am a little nervous. I'm not sure if anyone understands because I have felt so alone and that no one believes me. Also, my brain understands everything going on around me, but it is like it's offline, where I lose the ability to connect and do other things, like speak or move/control my arms and legs.
Connect
@whs2026 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I wanted you to know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others who've talked about functional neurological disorder (FND), such as @papa58 and @astaingegerdm:
- Has anyone had to deal with a functional neurological disorder? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-to-deal-with-a-functional-neurological-disorder/
I'm also tagging @amber3212 @redhead63 @purpleturtle @bhill92 @tywebb @katcollins, who have also mentioned FND or versions of it and may have comments on your spells, shortness of breath, total body weakness, chills, tightness in the face and throat, pain in the back and shoulder blades, and headaches.
They also may have thoughts about other diagnoses they may have been given with similar symptoms or FND treatment programs they'd suggest. I'd also like you to meet @jenniferhunter.
whs2026 - when you mention spells, are you talking about a combination of all the symptoms you listed, or are you talking about something different that occurs? Will you explain this a bit more?