My Medical Journey
In 2015, I went through a life changing experience!
It is difficult to explain what I was feeling at this time. My symptoms were unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life. The most frustrating of all was that no one could explain what was happening to me or why. Every medical test (and there were a lot of them) came back normal. Over time it became clear to the doctors that I simply had a case of conversion disorder.
Conversion Disorder – a mental condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurological) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation.
(Nov 18, 2016 – https://medineplus.gov, updated to FND in 2022)
Symptoms of conversion disorder usually begin suddenly after a stressful experience. This would make sense for people who witness traumatic experiences or are under a huge amount of stress. I was not convinced this was the case.
My husband and I compiled a detailed account of my early symptoms by piecing together several text messages, emails, and conversations. I also began a diary of my emotions, symptoms, test, and anything else I thought was relevant in hopes it would provide more answers that medical tests couldn’t find. Over time this diary became a 72 page medical journal.
To this day, not even the most educated doctors have been able to medically explain my symptoms. It was my children’s principal who recommended that I start a blog to share my experiences.
My intentions for this blog are simply to share my experiences in hopes that it will help others.
…
UPDATE: I recently googled my symptoms and I found another explanation called Primary Periodic Paralysis. I have decided to revisit my blog and update the content. I will be going in for genetic testing August 2024 which will hopefully give us some answers.
Primary Periodic Paralysis is a group of disorders whereby patients become temporarily paralyzed due to triggers such as rest after exercise or certain foods.
(Apr 2024 – https://periodicparalysis.org/)
In 2015, I went through a life changing experience!
It is difficult to explain what I was feeling at this time. My symptoms were unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life. The most frustrating of all was that no one could explain what was happening to me or why. Every medical test (and there were a lot of them) came back normal. Over time it became clear to the doctors that I simply had a case of conversion disorder.
Conversion Disorder – a mental condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurological) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation.
(Nov 18, 2016 – https://medineplus.gov, updated to FND in 2022)
Symptoms of conversion disorder usually begin suddenly after a stressful experience. This would make sense for people who witness traumatic experiences or are under a huge amount of stress. I was not convinced this was the case.
My husband and I compiled a detailed account of my early symptoms by piecing together several text messages, emails, and conversations. I also began a diary of my emotions, symptoms, test, and anything else I thought was relevant in hopes it would provide more answers that medical tests couldn’t find. Over time this diary became a 72 page medical journal.
To this day, not even the most educated doctors have been able to medically explain my symptoms. It was my children’s principal who recommended that I start a blog to share my experiences.
My intentions for this blog are simply to share my experiences in hopes that it will help others.
…
UPDATE: I recently googled my symptoms and I found another explanation called Primary Periodic Paralysis. I have decided to revisit my blog and update the content. I will be going in for genetic testing August 2024 which will hopefully give us some answers.
Primary Periodic Paralysis is a group of disorders whereby patients become temporarily paralyzed due to triggers such as rest after exercise or certain foods.
(Apr 2024 – https://periodicparalysis.org/)