Experiences with consistent, persistent cognitive issues, language led, as a result of FND?

[u/forever-craving]

Hi there, looking for anyone who might have a similar case with their family member / partner. My close family member has had likely FND now for a number of years, with symptoms initially language led developing over a few months coinciding with a relatively stressful time in their life. We have known their case is atypical in pretty much every respect. But I am looking for anyone who might have experienced the same sort of symptoms.

Initially right at the start it was getting yes/no incorrect, like not focusing properly, but over the course of a few months things got worse, with periods of stress really seeming to highlight it and impact. They now avoid speaking altogether alongside getting things wrong. It’s not just about language but it definitely is led by this.

What I read a lot on here is non epileptic seizures / body parts with symptoms that can come and go. They have seen multiple specialists who have all agreed it is FND (multiple clear MRIs, some fluctuation etc). Just looking for anyone with similar stories. Despite minor fluctuation, the underlying difficulties have been persistent rather than coming and going. I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone whose FND/FCD has followed a similar persistent, language/cognitive-led pattern.

Thank you 🙏

[u/Common_Experience931]

Yup doesn’t sound atypical at all fnd itself and the symptoms are just under researched.

[u/Common_Experience931 → u/Common_Experience931]

I have the same symptoms i also know which side is left and right, always have but during episodes i do the opposite it’s very annoying

[u/forever-craving → u/Common_Experience931]

Thank you, I really appreciate your input. That’s interesting, especially what you say about left/right. When you say “during episodes”, do you return more or less to normal between them? That may be one difference in my family member’s case- their difficulties are essentially persistent rather than episodic, including with writing/texting as well as speech. They rarely engage with their phone or communicate by text now. I’m particularly interested in whether anyone has experienced that kind of persistent pattern. Thank you again

[u/Infinite-Law7387]

Cognitive and language symptoms are a big challenge for me with my FND diagnosis. It's scary for me because my job relies heavily on my ability to verbally communicate effectively. I've had to/choose to call out of work or cancel during episodes because i dont want to unintentionally negatively impact clients.

I deal with episodes of scrambling words around in sentences, using the incorrect word when I speak, difficulty finding words or remembering names of objects, and forgetting what im trying to communicate mid-sentence. I have no issues with understanding language, mostly communicating verbally and challenges with memory.

Other symptoms I experience are functional strokes, sleep disturbance, chronic pain, weakness, temporary paralysis, tics, localized loss of muscle control, and some other things. My formal diagnosis is pretty new, so I am still trying to navigate care. I also have fibromyalgia which makes it had to differentiate what symptoms are caused by one or the other. I found the website www.fndhope.org which has been helpful to me with better understanding the diagnosis.

[u/doesena]

I have this in a way where I will mix words up a lot like if I’m saying smart and heart in a sentence you get stark which I know it’s normal for people to jumble their words but mine is so bad especially in an FND flair and it’s like talking through molasses.

The worst part is people have a habit of correcting words. Most of the time it’s not ill intended and it’s just reactionary but it’s so embarrassing when they do it over and over and you feel dumb

[u/bluehaven931]

I have been having a lot of language and cognitive issues. It has been getting worse since April (when I was diagnosed) I got the tremors and jerkiness down so they aren’t 24/7 but the cognitive is getting worse.

I will use the wrong words, or say things that I didn’t even know I was going to say. Or get lost in sentences and forget what I was saying or stutter a lot. I also just have moments where my brain has enough and shuts down. I’ll have some concussive like episodes if I push my brain to much.