Recover from Functional Neurological Disorder!

Hi, my name is Astrid (as you likely know) and I am raising money to be able to treat my recent onset of Functional Neurological Disorder (which you may not know I have). The treatment process is incredibly pricey and I am out of work due to my symptoms. I am hoping that you can help ease the financial stress of being ill! Any little bit counts :)

I started experiencing neurological symptoms on January 30th. About 15 minutes after lying down to bed that night my legs started convulsing uncontrollably. This lasted for about 20-30 minutes and was accompanied by dizziness, nausea and confusion. Ultimately, the movements stopped on their own and, already being very exhausted, I decided to sleep it off and pursue medical attention if it came back in the morning. I rested a lot and didn't experience any more symptoms for the following two days and thought I was okay. However, on February 2nd I experienced another episode. This time my entire body was convulsing and I was having difficulty speaking along with a severe lack of strength or control over my body. We went to the ER and ran all the usual tests which came back normal. I was told it was stress-induced and would go away on its own. Here I am, almost a month later and it has not!

Since February 2nd I have been experiencing these seizure-like episodes almost once daily. Throughout the day I also experience tremors/shakes in my full body every time I exert myself. This could be anything from sitting up for an extended period or doing a basic task like heating leftovers or even just walking from my couch to the washroom. I have also been experiencing debilitating fatigue, brain fog and occasional difficulty with speech. My tremors/tics range from my abdomen spasming and causing me to lurch forwards and backwards, to my head nodding for several hours, to my hands just not doing what they're told and dropping/spilling whatever they are holding. I can't lift heavy things, I can't walk long distances, and while I can technically do a lot of things, they all cause tremors/shakes which is incredibly exhausting and painful.

After several doctor's appointments and many tests coming back 'normal' a doctor at my local GP clinic suggested a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). He described it as a condition that concerns the function of the nervous system and how the brain and body communicate; if your brain is a computer my hardware is all working well but my software is malfunctioning.

Unfortunately, all of the programs for Functional Neurological Disorders require a diagnosis from a neurologist and the waitlists to see one in both Canada and the UK are months to a year long. After that appointment, I would then have to wait several more months to a year before I would get accepted into an FND program (which would be free).

Ultimately, I am still trying to see a neurologist and get into a program. But I don't want to wait that long to heal! I have come up with a three-month treatment plan based on the advice from the doctor who diagnosed me, as well as advice from others who have dealt with FND. This treatment plan includes a mix of physio, talk, massage and even hypnotherapy. It includes me returning to Toronto for a month (potentially longer) to receive treatment from FND specialists. And unfortunately, the total cost comes to a whopping $3000.

Because of the state I am in, I am completely unable to work at the moment and don't know when I will be able to return to a steady job. I have been working while living in England over the past several months but I haven't lived here long enough to apply for benefits and won't be in Toronto long enough to qualify there either. I'm pretty tight financially at the moment without having to deal with a life-changing health issue- this is where you come in!

I have started this GoFundMe in the hopes that I can gather financial support to help pay for these treatments. I have done extensive research to choose which professionals to seek treatment with, and am hoping that after the next three months, I will be self-sufficient once again!

At the moment, I have to choose how to spend my energy during the day. Activities like showering, cooking, and going for a short walk to sit on the bench across the street from our apartment are all incredibly taxing. I have decided to return to Toronto for a month to see all the professionals I need to see and get 24-hour care from my lovely parents. My spirits are high but this has truly been a challenging start to a new year!

If you can spare the price of a coffee, a meal, or something bigger please donate whatever you can! I know times are tight and I feel so weird being in this position and needing to ask for support, but if there was any time I needed to lean on my community it is definitely now. I appreciate you even just taking the time to read through to the end :)

Live freaking big folks, you never know when your body will make you involuntarily nod for hours on end!

Love,

Astrid