Gabrielle’s Story
I’m Gabrielle, I’m 39 and I live in Oldham near Manchester.
My Neurological symptoms started in 2016 when I started to have severe migraines and started to pass out a lot. Doctors said that it was the pain from my migraines and intracranial hypertension causing me to feel unwell and have neurological symptoms. They reassured me that I would be given medication and things would be ok again. That never happened, the medications didn’t help and I was left bed bound most the time with severe migraines.
In 2018, four months after the birth of my twins my seizures started. This was a really scary time for myself and my family as they suddenly started and I was in and out of hospital several times. At that stage I was diagnosed with Non epileptic attack disorder. There was no mention of FND at this stage. I have continued to have seizures ever since.
In 2021 following a stroke like episode I was taken to hospital as a suspected stoke. This happened twice and I spent weeks in hospital. I was given a diagnosis of FND and discharged when symptoms had settled a bit.
I have lived with symptoms for many years now, I have noticed over time I’ve developed more symptoms. Fortunately my migraines are under control with injections. I have found that pacing and taking rests and reducing stress can help my FND but does not stop all the symptoms.
My advice to anyone out there is, you are not alone. I spent many years isolating myself feeling lost and grieving my old life. Living with FND is tough but it’s about adapting to your new way of life. Find joy in the smallest of things, praise yourself for the small wins and enjoy the simple things in life that really do mean the world.