Functional Gait Disorder

[GardenPlant]

I have had Functional Gait Disorder now for three years. I find that upon waking in the morning my symptoms are mild but as the day progresses the symptoms get worse. I do exercise daily, but they do not seem to affect the daily progression. Does anyone who has this disorder experience the same progression. My doctor has not been able to address and provide an explanation as to why the symptoms progress - could it be a condition that has been undiagnosed?

[lorettapalmer]

hiya, I have had FGD for over 10 years now, and find that tiredness always makes my walking worse. As you say, it gets worse through the day and exercise doesn’t help either. I’ve just learnt to live with it unfortunately, relying on mobility scooters and wheelchairs go get me about.

Have you tried swimming, as this is the only exercise I find that I’m normal in the pool, my phiso said it’s because the water holds my body up so I don’t need to think about moving in the water. Saying this the next day a do suffer with a bad day and can hardly move.

Happy to answer any questions you may have, I’ve found that living with the symptoms and doing what I can on a daily basis helps, don’t over do it!

[Borrow]

Hi,

Yes I also find my gait gets worse as the day goes on! I find the more I do or tired I am , the more it gets worse. I also find cold/damp weather makes me worse. I find the best way to keep going is to pace and take regular breaks and not wait until it hurts to rest. All the best!

[Sugartime]

Hi our daughter has had FND for 3years and she had a functional walking gate we. had appointments with a neurophysiotherapist and with her assistance she assisted in our daughter to walk properly. We also went swimming regularly in the pools . The biggest issue for her is fatigue but if she paces her days she can handle this debilitating illness.

[Eunomi]

Hi, I was diagnosed with FND, also I have an ataxic gaite. However this is also due to ankle replacement 6 years ago. I find my fatigue levels are impaired the more I do.My neurologist , physio , and OT, suggest trying pacing , to prevent boom and bust. I am reducing my activities to allow me to rest.I also find meditation helps.

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[Fighter_B]

I had to check your name to make sure it wasn’t something I posted. Lol. Yes, mine gets worse as the day progresses. My back always hurts, but gets worse upon standing or walking. After a couple minutes, or sometimes right away in the afternoon/evening, my shaking kicks in and I have to sit down or get help from someone. The Dr prescribed me forearm crutches and a wheelchair. I only use the latter if I know I’ll be going more than 30 yards or so. The forearm crutches are what I mostly depend on. When the shaking kicks in, even with the crutches, it’s a huge taxing on my body. I feel like it’s an insane workout and my pain increases much more.

[Brokendeer]

Hi Yes and Yes, milder mornings and FND does progress in the day and years.

I find the mornings on the whole are easier to coordinate than the afternoons/evenings (very dependent on previous day activities), but I also think this is down to the Spine physically compressing during the day (a normal natural function and dramatic shift I believe of around 2 inch height?) .

I have Motor FND, which means limbs/joints and walking coordination is random daily.

When your brain and body have to concentrate on performing what should be a natural and instinctive movement, but it is not instinctively correct due to FND nerve signal feedback issues, fatigue will set in earlier than most people.

Somewhere I read once that just using crutches uses like 300 calories a day more than walking normally? So any inefficient walking style will make a negative impact on energy levels.

Pace yourself and accept that things will take longer to do than for other `normal' people, fighting it or getting frustrated about lack of movement will make things twice as bad, it just raises the Adrenaline levels and causes the brain more signal overload and stress to prioritize `normal' functions etc.

Look for the calm in the Storm!

[Bulldog07]

Hi , I was diagnosed 3years ago , my walking his terrible , loose balance n trip over things , stairs are hard too, I find that the more walking n standing I do n more tired I become my limp is worse n my legs just go stiff n can’t bend at the knees , people say walk more u will loosen up but it just gets worse n painful 🙄