Woman had to quit job due to ‘mystery illness’ that doctors couldn’t identify—6 years later, a neurologist solved the case
A prolonged illness can tragically change the trajectory of life. Plagued with the symptoms, pain and confusion, one is forced to leave their old life behind and focus on finding healing, even before an accurate diagnosis sometimes. A woman named Maureen Henry was burdened with a “mystery illness,” CBS News reported. For six years, she ran around doctors and hospitals, trying to figure out what was wrong with her, but in vain. Her symptoms and unknown ailment forced her to leave her job and life started to get bleak. Finally, after the long wait, Dr. Christian Amlang, a neurologist and movement disorder specialist with Maimonides Health, had some answers.
Henry was suffering from various symptoms of a condition she had no idea about. She experienced cognitive problems, fatigue, face and body tics, among other inconveniences. It all started after she lost her parents to different illnesses on the same day. "Living with a mystery illness, it's very isolating," she remarked. Over time, things got even more challenging and she had to quit her job as a photographer for newborns. Things went even more downhill thereafter. "They were constant, relentless. It was really hard. Once I stopped working, things got worse,” Henry explained.
She had been to seven doctors, tried everything in her power to get a diagnosis and find a shot at healing, but in vain. The question of what was wrong constantly flooded Henry’s mind for years. Finally, Dr. Amlang was able to give her an answer. The woman was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, or FND. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explained the condition as one that affects the functioning of the brain network. Symptoms for this disorder vary and work differently. It is not intentionally produced and can increase when paid attention to and vice versa.
"It is a condition that affects the brain's communication. So there's a breakdown of certain, we call it, networks in the brain, and the result is that there is a disconnect between different parts of the brain, and the brain and the body," the neurologist explained. There’s no definite cause of FND but issues like trauma, psychological triggers and so on could be a factor. The woman was relieved to finally get a grasp on what the problem was and immediately look for remedies. While there is no certain treatment to take for FND, people have to follow a multidisciplinary approach, including psychotherapy and neurological physical therapy.
There is no certain period of recovery and it takes time for changes to show. Months after the woman began her committed therapy, she started seeing improvement. "The point is not to necessarily be right or be good at these [exercises]. It's to be super engaged, mind and body. It's not a quick fix. It takes a lot of work,” Henry explained. While she is still on her road to recovery, she is getting better with time and is grateful for the diagnosis. She credits Dr. Amlang and his professionalism, which helped her continue to live life to the fullest.