The start and end.
It all started 7 years ago. Fibromyalgia Anxiety Depression Ptsd All at once my world was rocked with stress hives, meltdowns, chronic pain... I was 23 when I was given my first slew of diagnoses. Over the years I learned to cope with exercise, diet, distraction, and work. But that all came crashing down this year. It started with a tremor in my fingers. And I noticed my blood pressure was off. Brushed it off... I mean, we were mid-Covid and I worked at an assisted living facility. The stress and exhaustion alone could have caused it. Then it spread... up my arm and in my leg. So I went to the emergency room. Parkinson's and MS were the thought of doctors. I spent months testing and waiting for the neurologist. I was put on leave from work and terrified. I had tremors everywhere. I couldn't stop any of it. In April, I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). My brain wasn't communicating with my body. I spent weeks in therapy and PT. And then I lost my leg function.... partially in one and completely in the other. I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user now and I struggle with depression and anxiety more than ever. I was shortly after diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrom (PoTS) which explained a lot of GI issues over the years. But I have learned more about myself in the last 8 months than I ever thought possible. And I couldn't be more thankful for that opportunity. I am more myself. Happier. My life may not be the same, and it may be hard, but what I gained was invaluable.
