Dad never got proper diagnosis for his severe headaches—then a car crash finally led to life-saving MRI
No one would guess that something as simple as a headache could lead to something life-altering. A dad named Matthew Campbell had been having severe headaches for a while and was unable to figure out the cause of them, Newsweek revealed. Despite visiting doctors and trying to learn of any possible factors, he remained in suspense. When he was asked to get an MRI done, the results revealed a devastating diagnosis that broke the family’s hearts. His wife, Michelle, documented his journey on TikTok (@campbellchaos) as he, together with the family, braves through it all.
Michelle recalled that other frustrating symptoms later followed the severe headache. “His first issue was extreme head pain that would not go away with medication and sudden loss of vision and double vision, which was followed by extreme pain and weakness in his entire body eventually leading to complete paralysis from the waist down,” she explained. In a video, the woman mentioned that he used to get headaches that “only got worse." She added that he’d wake up with a migraine and proceed to go to work as usual while on Tylenol throughout.
Initially, the couple thought it might have been vertigo. Despite visiting doctors, they were unable to figure out what the problem was and one symptom was growing into another. “On the final trip to the ER, we were hit by a drunk driver. Even though I sustained most of the head on impact, I was able to go home that night but because Matt was not able to see or walk and was in extreme pain, he was finally admitted to the hospital for over two weeks,” Michelle revealed. One of the doctors finally suggested the man get an MRI done and they were heartbroken at the result.
Matthew was diagnosed with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder. According to Mayo Clinic, it affects the nervous system and causes different confusing symptoms. While there is no cure for this condition, there are treatments to help heal from the attacks. The family was devastated but also had a bittersweet relief to know they could now help Matthew with the right treatments.
@campbelllchaos I wish we knew what we know now, looking back it’s all so clear, we just needed ONE doctor who was more educated than us to connect the dots & get him in an MRI. Thankfully that happened before it was too late but it definitely took a lot longer than it should’ve & Matt was in pain a lot longer then he needed to be, not to mention answers were delayed. Although we can’t go back in time to tell our past selves what we know now we can share our story in hopes it helps someone else. 🙏🏼🤍 #ChronicIllness #invisibledisabilities #invisibleillness #mogad #brainlesions ♬ The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd
“Thankfully, that happened before it was too late,” Michelle wrote in the caption. Matthew suffers from several symptoms, including losing balance, feeling heavy, splitting pain throughout his body and more. Nevertheless, the family is determined to fight it together. "Some days are better than others, but the disease has been life-altering. He remains strong and continues fighting through each challenge," she remarked. The woman has since posted several videos of Matthew fulfilling his role as a dad and husband while fighting MOGAD.
@campbelllchaos These words still echo in my head sometimes & we’re still processing the trauma that came with this diagnosis, even years later but I’m so thankful that through it all he’s somehow never lost his light, through the chronic pain, the no answers, the scary answers, the procedures, the new symptoms, the medication with insane side effects, through it all he some how still has so much strength to push & advocate & im so thankful & proud of him for that. Your mindset is half the battle in anything you do in life, don’t lose that battle & you’ll never completely be down 🙏🏼 #campbelllchaos #ChronicIllness #mogad #invisibledisabilities #advocate ♬ Iris The Goo Goo Dolls Full Slowed Lyrics - S O U N D L Y R I C S
A clip showed the man fighting with a smile to hide his fatigue. In another video, Matthew is seen getting through treatment, one step at a time. Through it all, “he’s never lost his light,” Michelle gladly said. Their clips also spread awareness to be serious about even the simplest symptoms. "The journey has been exhausting and often overwhelming, but it has also brought us closer together as a family,” she explained.
@campbelllchaos My heart hurt watching this back 🥺 I could see how tired he is & how he is trying to disassociate from his pain 💔❤️🩹 #campbelllchaos #invisibleillness #fyp #autoimmune ♬ DIM - Yves
You can follow the Campbells (@campbellchaos) on TikTok for more content on healing, health and family.
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