My Functional Neurological disorder

[FNDfighter2005]

Hello! My name is Liza.

when I was 14 I was put in the hospital by a boy that liked me but got carried away, and he slammed me down. I tried to stop the fall with my leg. It’s got jammed and it started to hurt like hell. And four days later I started to limp on it. I woke up and took my dog out. It was hurting way worse than ever. I look down and I see that my leg is purple. I rushed my dog inside and asked my grandma that I live with if she thinks my leg looks fine. She’s told me not to walk on it! And wait until I get the car! We got there. It took about 4 hours until I found out I had blood clots in my whole left leg. I spent 6 days in the hospital.

As soon as I got out, the next day I went to a family party, i told my grandma that my chest it really hurt. She just told me to breathe in and out. I got to the party everyone was happy to see me and asked me if I was okay? Then all the sudden, I felt really shaky and my throat felt like there was a big not in the middle of it.

My eyes got huge! They called 911. They gave me panic attack meds and said that was it was. It kept happening for a while until! This one day my parents found me in the bathroom have a “seizure” . They look in EKGS and took so many blood tests. They found nothing. It’s been 3 years now and I finally got an answer. I have FND!

I’ve been looking at a Functional dog, to help me. I told my consoler about it and she’s like that’s a good idea. My grandma said it was a good idea too, but we don’t have the money for one. And I’m scared to bring it up to my doctor. Because of this disorder I haven’t been in school for a year now. And I’m almost a senior. I’ve been doing my research about them, and they seem very nice to have, because I can and sometimes can’t tell if im going to have an episode.

Right now I’m only 17.. should I be scared to ask my doctor about getting a Functional dog?

[NEADtoraiseawareness]

Good Morning/Evening Liza, firstly I’m so sorry you had such an awful experience with that boy and now have NEAD which is under the umbrella of FND. I think it can do no harm to ask your doctor about an assistance dog if you think you can manage to look after one and if you think it will help and not hinder your illness. I don’t know how things work in the US I think you have to pay for your medical bills, but you could explore all your options, talk to your doctor and see if it’s a possibility, that won’t do any harm. Maybe you’ll be put on a waiting list

I also have non-epileptic seizures and I already have two dogs of my own before they started, most of the time it is great because they bring me a lot of happiness and a purpose every day. Every day I get out into nature with the dogs whether it’s raining or sun shining because they need it but it helps me to keep moving and remain grounded. I can tell when I’m starting with a seizure though, I get some warning signs which are helpful, I realised these whilst I was laid up having a seizures every day and began to notice how I felt before one started. So this allows me to get to a safe place, alert someone if possible and try to prevent the seizure from happening at all. I hope in time this is something you are able to do as well 🤞🙏🏻

Hope this helps 🙏🏻

Gemma (UK)

[angel-7]

Dearest Liza,

Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about it. Blessings Liza

[Electricmayhem]

No not at all. You should ask and take someone with you for back up. You have your whole life ahead of you. You need to find solutions so you can lead a better life.

[LouBL0u]

Hello and I’m sorry this has happened. I acquired my FND via a bad blow to the head. I would strongly suggest seeking a therapist with EMDR skills as they helped where other therapy hasn’t.

I had a dog until it sadly passed and the joy, comfort and support it brought was worth all the effort.

Good luck 🤞

[Brokendeer]

Hi I only have Motor FND which affects my movements, not seizures. But from your earlier description of what happened with being prone to leg blood clots (on impact) and following symptoms at the party, I would say it sounds very much like another blood clot travelled up to your chest - causing a temporary Pulmonary blockage - this would most definitely affect function of your legs and oxygen levels in your whole body.

A neighbour I knew had this and had to wear knee high surgical compression stockings all the time for the rest of her life (to improve blood flow) due to a late diagnosis of this very thing!

A friend I know has a genetic blood condition which means they are more likely to get blood clots (from impacts or when flying) because their blood is thicker than normal -opposite to Haemophile- which was only discovered ages after a leg blood clot through a special requested blood test and was called `Factor ?' something; sorry cannot remember exact name.

As for a Functional Dog, I am from the UK and we define Assistance or Support Dogs in different ways i.e Physical Assistance, Seizure, Medical Alert, Autistic, Hearing and Depression/Mental Support dogs.

What I can tell you is that these special dogs (whatever their trained purpose) usually require some kind of Charity funding, you to be legally 18 yrs old and a solid medical reason for needing their help. Apply early, there is always a waiting list before getting partnered with a dog, in the UK it can be 2+ years and they will need to assess your home environment and facilities available for the dog including toileting and exercise areas etc.

Assistance Dogs are strictly monitored here in the UK with training, assessments and reports needing to be done by the owner/guardian of the dog regularly, to allow them to be licenced in Public Areas . It will involve hard work keeping up training your part and loads of responsibility on top of the big costs of food/vets bills/insurance etc.

However, the benefits can be life changing - if you get the right dog and have sufficient human support with the dog at those times, when the dog is sick or your too sick to walk them etc.

Pace yourself and remember that doing things in a different way to achieve your goals, that maybe different to others, is actually ok!

Look for the calm in the Storm!