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Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) in the media

Discussion in 'Other psychosomatic news and research' started by MEMarge, Mar 19, 2020.

  1. MEMarge

    MEMarge Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Hospital, BBC 1, 19 March 2020 FND not ME

    On now, this is covering FND
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 23, 2020
  2. Invisible Woman

    Invisible Woman Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Drat! Missed it. Anyone manage a synopsis?
     
    dangermouse, DokaGirl and Esther12 like this.
  3. wdb

    wdb Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    There is a detailed synopsis here
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000ggj6/hospital-series-5-episode-6

    It doesn't look promising, seems as usual they are reasoning not being able to find something equals something not existing.

    Although 66-year-old Pauline has been left severely disabled by her FND, like in all other cases, there is nothing physically wrong with her body. Instead, the shocking seizures Pauline experiences, and which can take hold without warning, may be linked to psychologically traumatic events in her past.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2020
  4. wdb

    wdb Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Well I've watched it, it's every bit as bad as it sounded. It's utterly one sided, these poor people suffering seizures that are ruining their lives are delighted to finally get a diagnosis only to wait 18 months to see an FND specialist who informs them that in most cases the cause is psychological and they do not have much to offer them other than if they are very lucky a week on a physiotherapy trial.

    Cue footage of a man struggling to walk unaided, sad music and a voice-over 'the more David focuses on his symptoms the worse they become'.

    The only tiny shred of balance was a neurologist at the beginning saying there is still so much we don't understand (yet somehow the FND expert knows exactly what the cause is) and the hospital bean counters (the baddies of the story) who questioned if they could fund an expansion of the physiotherapy service without better evidence it was effective.
     
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  5. Invisible Woman

    Invisible Woman Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    I got to about 20 minutes or so in.

    The neurologist came across as very earnest and genuine. Having stated clearly they don't know the cause, the focus then narrowed to the psychological and that some people process emotional or psychological trauma that way.

    Nothing proven and, of course, unfalsifiable.

    The bit I saw, had an older female and a male. Both patients just desperate to get some of their independence and lives back. It would be interesting to see how they feel in a years or 5 years down the line.

    I suspect many of the ME patients that attend CFS clinics are equally desperate for help to stay functional, regardless of why they are sick.
     
  6. wdb

    wdb Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Another depressing thing is the FND expert is likely earning £100k to dispense her wisdom, though it probably has a good ROI as once she confirms an FND diagnosis the patients are mostly denied any further costly neurological services.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2020
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  7. MEMarge

    MEMarge Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Now watching Jo Daniels on BBC news talking about mental health during CoVid probs.

    ETA: That was the 6pm news.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2020
    ladycatlover and Invisible Woman like this.
  8. Simbindi

    Simbindi Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    My young Bengal cat started having seizures. He underwent extensive neurological testing (over £3500's worth) at a specialist veterinary centre with world class equipment. They were pleased to be able to tell me his scans and lumber puncture were all clear, with no signs of neurological damage. The result - he has a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy...not FND!
     
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  9. JemPD

    JemPD Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Exact same thing happened to me @Simbindi. After extensive testing the neuro said it idiopathic epilepsy... I asked, oh are you going to be recommending her to see an animal behaviourist now then? He looked at me like I was insane & asked why on earth I would ask that - "because in humans all unexplained symptoms are assumed to be psychosomatic"... he rolled his eyes & said "cough couch well that's because they haven't the courage to admit they don't know".

    After another symptoms developed (something on her spine) I happened to consult another neurologist who also specialised in spinal issues.... who just happened to be a published researcher on the newly recognised conditions of FARS Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures. Which he promptly investigated & diagnosed.
     
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  10. Arnie Pye

    Arnie Pye Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Just out of curiosity, does standard epilepsy treatment help the cat?
     
  11. Simbindi

    Simbindi Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    I'm so glad I took out a top of the range insurance policy for him! I have 3 older British Shorthair females, that aren't currently insured (but super healthy). I wrote about my Bengal's experience on the cat thread - the specialist vet centre is incredible, attracting international trainees and specialists (the young vet who cared for Loki was Australian)
     
  12. Simbindi

    Simbindi Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    I've not put him on the medication because it would require me to dose him every 12 hours and this has to be timed exactly. That's completely impossible for me as I can't even remember to take my own medication daily (at any time of day, much less on the hour). It's not the cost of treatment (that would all be covered on his insurance, including 6 monthly blood testing). Medication is only expected to reduce the amount of seizures by half on average. So I'm just monitoring him and at the moment he only gets a seizure (all lasting less than a minute) about every 6 weeks, which is no more than they would be aiming for if he were on the medication. If things change I would have to reconsider whether to let my daughter take him on.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2020
  13. JemPD

    JemPD Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    yes.
    well I believe so - Levetiracepam all but "cured" it - ie seizures disappeared on treatment.
     
  14. Simbindi

    Simbindi Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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  15. DigitalDrifter

    DigitalDrifter Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    FND symptoms are seen as inconsequential. For example: Exercise can't harm you. That's why I think it can be a dangerous diagnosis for ME patients.
     
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  16. Mithriel

    Mithriel Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    Noises set off seizures for me as do certain patterns of light and shade. Strange music can do it, had a bad attack due to Classic FM playing and experimental modern piece and rap music rhythms set me off too. :)

    I also have sudden movements in response to a loud noise which is an accepted part of paroxysmal dyskinesia.

    All these things will now be covered by FND. It feels like a thick layer of black oil oozing out, stifling and suffocating medicine and the poor patients.
     
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  17. Invisible Woman

    Invisible Woman Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    I sometimes wonder if they trawl through patient websites, especially websites for conditions like ME, and search and locate descriptions and symptoms they think they can appropriate to add to their ever-growing list.

    I have no idea why the powers that be cannot see that this claptrap is just progress in reverse. Maybe they do and just don't care.
     
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  18. large donner

    large donner Guest

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    I dont know about that, but cats tend to spend alot of time of on their own and come back late. I have a feeling they are going to discos that have strobe lights. Maybe put a curfew on them and ask them who they have been with.
     
  19. Sid

    Sid Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    So basically cats get better healthcare than humans with unexplained neurological symptoms.
     
  20. chrisb

    chrisb Senior Member (Voting Rights)

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    They even have there own, new, special therapy CAT. Cognitive Analytic Therapy. No expense spared. Although sparing expense was probably the object of the exercise.
     

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