Start of Health Issues:- Fractured Foot (September 2023)

My health issues started when I fractured the navicular bone in my right foot during a mountain biking event. It took over a month to get a correct diagnosis. I had an X-ray that showed nothing, an MRI that suggested a problem, and a CT scan that confirmed the fracture.

Healing was slow due to limited blood flow to the bone. By February 2024, I could walk 20 minutes pain-free.

Health problems continue:- 2nd Degree Burn by Physiotherapist (February 2024)

During diathermy treatment on my foot, the physiotherapist accidentally caused second-degree burns on my right leg. I had to go to the burns unit for damaged tissue removal, and a nurse visited daily to monitor the wound and change dressings.

New Health Issue:- Urinary Tract Infection (March 2024)

In early March 2024, I had severe pain and diarrhea. I planned to see a doctor, but was rushed to the emergency department at night with a high fever. I was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and given antibiotics plus two weeks off work.

Burn-out diagnosis received – (April 2024)

I visited accident and emergency again after collapsing at the doctor’s. They did an MRI on my vital organs, which was clear. I’d been having severe stomach pain and blurred vision, feeling my body slow down—like a Duracell rabbit before the batteries die.

I tried to return to work three times between March and April, but each time I lasted less than two days. After the third and final attempt, my doctor diagnosed me with burnout and advised that I needed time to recover.

First Hopitalisation – April (2024)

My health was declining, so I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital specialising in burnout. I stayed two weeks before being discharged to go on holiday. In hindsight, I left too soon, as I had many panic attacks during the holiday, with noise as a major trigger.

Second Hopitalisation – June (2024)

In June 2024, I was admitted into a different psychiatric hospital and it was here that I reached the lowest point in my life.

• A typical day consisted of me having 4 to 5 attacks per day where I could not move and these lasted between 30 mins to 2 hours and I had no idea what was causing these attacks.
• The psychiatrist accused me of faking my symptoms, claiming it was all in my head and that I was able to walk.
• On one occasion, after collapsing to the floor and being temporarily paralyzed, patients and nurses laughed at me instead of offering help.

Hospital Transfer and signs of improvement (July 2024)

Finally, I got a break and began to feel better. The new psychiatrist changed my medication, and after six weeks, most of my symptoms went away, except I still had some trouble concentrating.

Positivity and Holiday (September 2024)

After leaving the hospital, I felt hopeful and excited for my 10-day Greek island cruise. I walked 10-15 km daily but struggled with movement in the evenings due to fatigue.

Relapse and return to Hospital (End of September 2024)

On my flight back home from Athens, I began experiencing complete body paralysis lasting between one and two minutes, which continued intermittently for about 30 minutes.

Once home, my ability to walk declined, and I began using crutches for short distances. Finally, I returned to the hospital to recover, confident after my previous swift recovery. However, FND had other plans!

FND Diagnosis received (November 2024)

By November 2024, when I saw the neurologist, I had lost control of my legs and kept falling, even with crutches. I also had full body paralysis 2-4 times a day, trouble focusing, and constant tiredness.

I felt relieved when the neurologist confirmed my FND diagnosis and assured me it is reversible. She gave me documents to share with my physiotherapist and recommended the Neurosymptoms website, a great resource for understanding FND.

Frustration and new hope (December 2024)

This was an eventful month with many positives and some negatives as started with new FND symptoms.

Positives

• I saw a specialist to check my trouble walking. Tests usually take 30 minutes, but I was too tired to finish. Still, the test went on for more than an hour.
• The neurologist recommended that I attend a re-education center to relearn how to walk.
• I recently had my first visit with a psychiatrist who treats Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). They suggested Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Click here to learn more about TMS.

Negatives

• I developed new FND symptoms, specifically Functional Dystonia, causing both feet to turn inward. Also, while eating, one or both hands would turn inward, making it hard to eat.
• My hospital psychiatrist insisted my chronic fatigue was due to stress. In the end, I had to tell him he was my biggest stress source.

New Beginnings – Start of Re-education (March 2025)

I finally arrived at the re-education centre 3 months after the Neurologist recommended this treatment.

My typical weekly programme

• 5 Sessions of Physiotherapy focussing on equilibrium exercises.
• 3 Collective Sporting Activities Focusing on Muscle Reinforcement
• 3-4 sessions on the Anti-Gravity Treadmill

Next Chapter

• Finish my re-education and return home
• Return to work
• Complete my charity walk in September 2025 for FND hope International

So..You would like to know more.

• I want more details on your charity walk this September