Assessing and Managing Functional Neurologic Disorders

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We're going to be talking about a really hot topic: functional neurologic disorders, and more specifically, functional movement disorders during the pandemic. There's been an increased attention focused on this at the American Academy of Neurology. There were some presentations on tic disorders that were functional that had arisen during the pandemic.
We're so excited to have my co-host, Dr Kathrin LaFaver, join us from Saratoga Springs, New York. She's a movement disorder neurologist in private practice there. She's found an amazing speaker today whom we will both interview on this topic: Dr David Perez.

[@liaperth]

I presented in ER's and at GP's to be told for years it's in my mind. Only since having an episode at work witnessed by an ER clinic when I was misdiagnosed with Hemiplegic migraine with Aura and prescribed NSAIDs meds which I only took once and stopped coz it made me sick. Recently seen a neurologist who diagnosed FND after asking the right questions. When he showed me a pamphlet with the symptoms, I couldn't believe it and burst into tears. I'm not crazy or acting or seeking attention. I am scheduled for EEG next Monday and other tests. I am relieved and curious now and live each day as it comes. Strangely enough at times it makes me giggle a lot.

[@loribethartist6353]

I was just diagnosed today after being in and out of the hospital since December 30th… I sometimes can’t walk without using a walker or even lift a cup to my mouth without spilling it. I have severe double vision, dizziness, and ticks. I’m just so happy to have a diagnosis after being passed from ER to ER. I had to fight my way to get an appointment before 2024! I love my doctor and I’m so relieved to know what’s going on 😊

[@johnmcbride1773]

@@loribethartist6353 it's coming up to 12 months now since being diagnosed with fnd. I'm struggling so much with trying to understand this. I was taking 27 tablets a day, and the reason for this is because my gp deals with my condition on pain structures. I got to see my fnd specialist last week , and it made so much sense about my condition. She told me to wiend off the pain tablets, and the reason for this was quite simply, it's not helping whatsoever, it's neurological condition and not physical or muscular condition. I struggle so much with mobility and pain ,but excepting this condition for the root cause will make things easier and manageable. For example I asked if a foot brace would help with my deformed right foot, and the response was simply no , because it's neurological and not physical problem. It made so much sense to me, because understanding this condition, and what it is all about will get me better.

[@stuartburns8657]

​@@johnmcbride1773 My Daughter in the UK (16) was diagnosed with FND in October 22. We ended up paying for private rehab via Motionrehab. They specialise in neurological rehabilitation. Got her back on her feet again and walking

[@francoisrobillard3164]

its so frustrating to be told "its in your head" .. my answer was "yea, thats where my brain is.! " even with a diagnosis they still tell us its in our head, we have trauma,need a psy etc. i jest left the dr office telling they were wasting my time. today i manage it on my own and when ask by the dr there is ony one answer "its all under control" 🙂

[@josepontes3849]

Physiotherapy does not work for myself as i freeze when i walk over a period of time then my whole body locks down . Unable to speak or move my limbs.wich could last from 20 minutes to hours or days. No meds help.

[@SacredKaw]

I notice that on certain videos Medscape turns off its comment section. As a rule of thumb if a channel practices censorship I question their credibility.

[@AndreaJ9x]

Literally, same. It’s like a natural reaction.

[@johnmcbride1773]

My name is John McBride, and I have been living with fnd since February 2022. I was in hospital for 4 1/2 months and struggling so much with trying to understand this disorder. Iam so isolated, and feel trapped inside my body. I still have involuntary movements, and have balance problems along with joint pain. I lost the ability to speak, also when I stood up I would have double vision, to the point I would go blind. Those issues are now gone, but I have the fear of them returning. I struggle so much, trying to understand this. Can anyone please help me?

[@tamb7587]

John did u have dry heaves or facial numbness by any chance?

[@johnmcbride1773]

@@tamb7587 I have numbness in both hands. The little finger and the one next to it, I struggle to hold a knife and fork properly. It's nerve damage due to fnd. Also the tips of my fingers and thumb are numb!

[@tamb7587]

@@johnmcbride1773 thank u for your response, thinking my daughter may have this.. We r having a hard time finding a neurologist who even takes us seriously.. All I can offer you John is prayer , I can totally empathize with your situation..

[@stuartburns8657]

​@@johnmcbride1773 My daughter used to experience similar with her legs, feet and toes whilst she spent nearly 3 weeks in hospital. All nerve conducting tests can back fine, but once we understood it was FND it made sense, and also why ever other test came back normal. She was discharged as medically fit, despite being able to barely walk. Once we paid for a private diagnosis and was told in the 1st consultation it was FND, it seemed to help, just the fact of knowing what it was.

[@johnmcbride1773]

@@stuartburns8657 iam pleased that you have a good knowledge and it seems things are working. I was in hospital for 41/2 months and made good progress. Unfortunately when I came out of hospital, it seemed to go backwards. The chronic pain and limb weakness is destroying me. It gives me great delight, that your daughter is beating this horrible condition! Kind regards John McBride

[@EpiicxFuziion]

SO, ACTUALLY THERE IS NO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENTS.