Functional neurologic disorder/conversion disorder is Not Parkinson's

[Bolt_Upright]

So... I was looking at this paper: The Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Functional Motor Symptoms: A Preliminary Open-Label Case Series sci-hub.ru/10.1097/JCP.0000...

And I started looking to see what "Functional Motor Symptoms" were and they turned out to be a "Functional neurologic disorder": Functional neurologic disorder (FND), also known as conversion disorder and functional neurologic symptom disorder, refers to a group of common neurological movement disorders caused by an abnormality in how the brain functions. FND is not caused by another disorder and there is no significant structural damage in the brain. The exact cause of FND is unknown. FND was thought to be a “conversion disorder” by Sigmund Freud because he believed a psychological disorder converted into a neurological one.

Someone with FND can function normally, they just can't at that moment. Their brain is unable to send and receive signals properly and there is a disconnection in the function of the lobes and emotional processing. Memory, concentration, cognition, and the processing of sensations also can be affected.

Functional movement disorder (FND) affects movement of the body. Symptoms may include:

Leg and arm weakness or paralysis

Tremor

Sudden, brief involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle or group of muscles (myoclonus)

Involuntary muscle contractions that cause slow repetitive movements or abnormal postures (dystonia)

Problems with walking motion (gait), posture, or balance

Spasms and contractures (in which the tendons become fixed in awkward or uncomfortable positions)

Muscle stiffness

Tics

Symptoms that affect other brain functions may include:

Speech difficulties, such as sudden onset of stuttering or trouble speaking

Problems with seeing or hearing

Pain (including chronic migraine)

Extreme slowness and fatigue

Numbness or inability to sense touch

So we have a Functional neurologic disorder that is not organic and per the internet might be able to be cured.

Now it get more odd: "Patients with Parkinson disease are prone to functional neurological disorders" ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Until recently the management of Parkinson disease focused almost entirely on the triad of bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor. It then became apparent that there are many non-motor features as well, and management of these is often as important as the motor symptoms. The work of Onofrj et al. first reported that functional symptoms are also frequent in Parkinson disease.1 In a large study of 488 patients with Parkinson disease, 7.5% had some “somatoform disorders,” both motor and non-motor in type. They also noted that these symptoms could precede the motor and non-motor symptoms. The paper by Wissel et al. on p. xxx describes details of functional symptoms in 53 patients with Parkinson disease which should help in diagnosing them."

[Somatoform disorder, also known as somatic symptom disorder (SSD) or psychosomatic disorder, is a mental health condition that causes an individual to experience physical bodily symptoms in response to psychological distress.]

So what is my point?

A) It seems like a person could have a number of PD like symptoms without having PD.

B) It seems that a person could have PD, and have symptoms that look like PD symptoms that are not part of the PD.

For instance, I have had myoclonus for over 10 years. Myoclonus does not seem to be a symptom of PD (I have not been diagnosed with PD). I just kind of thought the random movements were a sign of PD.

To circle the rest of the way around, this article The Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Functional Motor Symptoms: A Preliminary Open-Label Case Series sci-hub.ru/10.1097/JCP.0000... says intranasal oxytocin might help with Functional neurologic disorders. I have been digging into intranasal oxytocin for a few days now.

[rescuema]

"I have had myoclonus for over 10 years. Myoclonus does not seem to be a symptom of PD (I have not been diagnosed with PD). I just kind of thought the random movements were a sign of PD."

No, it's not a sign of PD but it could be related to dopamine function.

The times I experienced myoclonus is when I drank excessive coffee, drank some alcohol, have low BP (possible bioavailable copper deficiency or anything else that interferes with red blood cell formation, such as B2 shortage), low in potassium/minerals (avoid diuretics), and when short on methylation to contribute to the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters. I by a chance noticed taking SAM-e 200mg first thing in the morning helped to get rid of myoclonus. Taking citicoline in the AM also could help. Try removing all offenders, such as coffee/tea cold turkey, and try SAM-e along with citicoline while avoiding dehydration by drinking lots of water.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to rescuema]

Thanks Rescue. Good info.

[rescuema in reply to Bolt_Upright]

I know how terrible myoclonus is. It's the devil and I call it Funky Chicken. I hope my suggestions help you, Bolt.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to rescuema]

Actually, my myoclonus is very very minor. Maybe a few jerks a day most days. Much like my RBD, it only bothers me because I know it means something is wrong with me.

Good luck and may God bless you.

[Stillstandingstill]

It's a worry when PD testing is often subjective, patchy and not definitive. I spend half my time in denial about my diagnosis and I'm three years in.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Stillstandingstill]

I think denial is probably a good thing. I've been getting into a lot of woo stuff about reality being a product of consciousness so maybe reality can be tweaked? I started journaling positive affirmations.

As Jackson Browne sang in "The Only Child" (Take Good Care of Your Mother): Let your illusions last until they shatter.

Good luck and may God bless you.

youtu.be/c66VqKb6jCI(Not working as expected?)

[Stillstandingstill in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Thank you. I like that idea.

[JayPwP]

Bolt, similar to FND, there is also MND, Motor Neuron Disease, though I have not studied the parameters.

[JayPwP]

Intranasal oxytocin séems interesting

[mhberman]

You are encountering the Dynamics that made Wilhelm Reich which question Freud's definition of libido when he saw that peoe suffering from hysterical paralysis saw the symptom resolveb after psychoanalytic therapy. He also noted voltage increases in their muscles after therapy. I think the separation of psychology from neurology has caused more harm than we realize. Read the body keeps the score by Bessel Vander Kolk or Bioenergtics by Alexander Lowen.

[Stillstandingstill in reply to mhberman]

Yes. I think I would be much better if my brain didn't get in the way 😄 The consultant sees the worst me as I'm aware he is observing and judging. It's almost as if my left arm feels self conscious. I forget how to move. I suppose it's the conscious brain trying to fill the gap left by the disrupted unconscious movements/postures.I'm tempted to try hypnotherapy.

[mhberman in reply to Stillstandingstill]

Neurofeedback training may be a more direct route four motor function improvement.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to mhberman]

Interesting: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score...

"Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives."

Bioenergetics: The Revolutionary Therapy That Uses the Language of the Body to Heal the Problems of the Mind amazon.com/Bioenergetics-Re...

" Bioenergetics is the revolutionary new therapy that uses the language of the body to heal the problems of the mind. This exciting body-mind approach to personality has a liberating and positive effect on emotional, physical, and psychic distress. Dr. Alexander Lowen, founder and prime mover of this fast-growing therapy, writes that increased joy and pleasure are possible in every day life through an understanding of how your body functions energetically: how it determines what you feel, think, and do. Dr. Lowen points out that lack of energy is the result of chronic muscular tensions, a condition caused by the suppression of feelings. These tensions can be dissolved through the direct body work in bioenergetic exercise, which restores the potential for living a rich, full life. Dr. Lowen analyzes common physical ailments like headaches and lower back pain and shows how they too can be overcome by releasing the muscular tenstion that create them. Generously illustrated with line drawings of bioenergetic exercises, this book is sure to bring freedom, confidence, and pleasure to thousands of men and women."

[mhberman in reply to Bolt_Upright]

these are very useful tos to help expand the range and variability in our capacity to efficiently respond to our present moment experience.

[Ghmac]

is this intranasal Oxytocin the same nasal spray they are recommending for Covid?

[gomelgo]

Also read anything by Dr Gabor Matè if you like Bessel's work. I too refuse to believe my diagnosis. no definitive tests, so no definitive diagnosis ... I'd LOVE to know more about the intranasal oxytocin. May just buy some and try it. What harm can it do right?

[gomelgo in reply to gomelgo]

Has anyone here ever tried it?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to gomelgo]

I have no idea if Oxytocin is helpful for anything but you are welcome to my notes and links: Oxytocin.pdf

drive.google.com/file/d/1A-...

[JayPwP in reply to Bolt_Upright]

I remember reading somewhere that oxytocin prevented cognitive decline

[gomelgo]

Thank you for sharing! HAs anyone here ever tried it? And if so, what was your experience?

[LauraYu]

where to buy this intranasal oxytocin? I am in Canada, and I have just asked pharmacist, she has no idea what I am talking about

[Bolt_Upright in reply to LauraYu]

I have no idea if Oxytocin is of any benefit. These are my links and notes on this drive.google.com/file/d/1A-...

They sell it online at Walmart.

Here is a video:

youtu.be/L5auH-Ev4jQ(Not working as expected?)

[LauraYu]

thank you for the information . I have ordered one bottle from the US, it will take a couple of weeks to arrive Canada. From my research, the small dosage ones like used in the study, I.e. 12 IU, do not even need prescription in the US. It is labeled as dietary supplement. It is available on Walmart website. It doesn’t hurt to give it a try .