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Long term undiagnosed illness

(28 Posts)
Whiff Sun 03-Apr-22 06:25:17

I just want to give anyone who has a long term undiagnosed illness hope. I became ill over night in 1988. Went to bed a normal 29 year old and woke unable to control my 4 limbs and in agony with my left arm and leg.

After years of testing won't bore you with the details. It was a neurological condition. I knew all the things I hadn't got but no one could give me a name. Because of no name could never claim benefits. But I was lucky I had a wonderful husband who said we will live our life to do what you can do. Our daughter was 4 and our son 6 months old.

Unfortunately my husband died aged 47 with malignant melanoma grade 4. I was 45 our children 20 and 16. That was 18 years ago.

I have over the years seen the top neurologists and the tests in the late 80's and early 90's where quite barbaric but I didn't care what was done I just wanted to get better and have a name.

But as a family we lived a full life. Because of my wonderful husband I have coped since his death in 2004. I looked after both my parents and mother in law until my mom was the last to die in 2017.

I moved to live nearer to my children and am under the care of a brilliant neurologist. He had my blood genetically tested which it had never been done before. Genetic tests has come a long way especially in the last 5 years.

On Friday after 34 years I finally know what my neurological condition is and it's rare. It's a hereditary condition. My wonderful neurologist put me on a tablet 2 years ago to stop my seizures and it was like a switch had been turned off and made my life so much better. Still have all the other problems but it was the seizures which effected my life the most.

So anyone who has an illness that has no name never give up hope. Medical science has come on so much in the last 34 years. My condition wasn't know off all those years ago. I am now 63 . I always knew what was wrong with me wasn't killing me as I would have died years ago. Also 2 years ago found out I was born with a heart defect. Which is separate from my neurological condition.

The health care I get here in the north west is excellent. And I can never thank my neurologist enough for having the tests done.

I could write more but you don't want to hear my horror stories.

If you are ill never give up hope and live your life to the full and never let anyone tell you you can't do something. Because of my wonderful husband we lived our life to the full and because of him I still am.

MissAdventure Thu 07-Apr-22 18:31:55

Ah, thank you. smile
I can only hope so, too.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 07-Apr-22 18:08:09

So sorry MissA. I hope things improve and you are treated fairly.?

MissAdventure Thu 07-Apr-22 16:12:17

The system hasn't changed much then, whiff, in terms of their treatment of people who dare to apply.

I certainly hope you get yours, after all those years. flowers

Whiff Thu 07-Apr-22 16:07:51

My daughter filled in the PIP forms yesterday for me. And I have photocopied it all along with all letters to do with it from over the years Hopefully I will finally get some payment . As got turned down years ago when my husband was alive and we had to go too a tribunal they treated use like we where criminals and I was telling lies. Pity they can't back date it for all those years.

MissAdventure hope you get your PIP.

rafichagran Thu 07-Apr-22 15:52:58

Very happy for you.

mokryna Thu 07-Apr-22 12:15:31

Thank you Whiff for taking the time to write your inspiring story.

MissAdventure Thu 07-Apr-22 12:03:04

Watch this space, then.
I've been really, really poorly for 2 years now.
I have just applied for pip on the basis of "he said" and "under investigation".
No definitive diagnosis, just the results of whatever it is that is attacking my body...

annodomini Thu 07-Apr-22 11:32:06

Whiff, thank you for your inspiring story. I am so pleased for you that a neurologist finally got the right diagnosis. How shocking it is that if your disability doesn't have a name, you can't claim a benefit. I assume that this injustice has been rectified for you, if not for other people who have an un-named disability. Your post has made me give myself a good talking-to!

Whiff Thu 07-Apr-22 10:20:23

Thank you all for your kind words. Luckily I have found a support group on Facebook with people with the same illness . Not just in this country.

When my husband was told he was terminal and given 4 months to 2 years. We knew it was months. He was a very wise man and knew what I needed to live without him and made me promise a lot of things which I have kept as they are important to me. But the main one was live the best life you can. That's what we all must do. We are born we die and it's up to us to make the most of the time in between. Covid was a wake up call to a lot of people. It's here to stay and like any virus will continue to mutate.

I am an atheist but the only saying I can think of to cover how I feel is count your blessings. I feel lucky I wake each morning with a day of possibilities ahead of me.

Take care everyone and stay strong ?

baubles Sun 03-Apr-22 17:40:19

Pleased to hear that you have had a diagnosis and the support that you need. You are an inspiration.

maddyone Sun 03-Apr-22 16:23:27

Whiff and Liz, thank you for sharing your stories and your courage. I’m pleased things have improved for both of you.

Serendipity22 Sun 03-Apr-22 16:19:07

Wow Whiff what an inspirational post, what an inspirational YOU, thank you so very much for sharing this with us all.

There is positiveness there, there is inspiration there and there is hope....

Thank you

flowers

Callistemon21 Sun 03-Apr-22 16:14:49

Whiff thank you for sharing your story and for the miracles of genetic testing and your eventual diagnosis and treatment.

The research being carried out and still being done on illnesses, hereditary conditions and new treatments brings hope to so many.

Jaxjacky Sun 03-Apr-22 16:03:30

Crumbs Whiff I won’t even try to understand what you’ve been through, but your relief from that knowledge and your treatment to stop seizures is palpable.
It’s amazing the research that’s going on in the background, we’re mostly blissfully unaware until it touches us.
Thank you for sharing and here’s to you ??.

grannyrebel7 Sun 03-Apr-22 15:41:53

So happy for you smile

Whiff Sun 03-Apr-22 15:29:06

Thank you all for your words and experiences. And yes I am under the care of the Walton Centre. Health care up here is amazing.

Liz that was some time ago. Glad I helped.

Life is for living and we have to live it to the full no matter what life throws at us. We are born we die. But we have a lot of living to do between those times. No what's if's. ❤️ To you all.

Elless Sun 03-Apr-22 09:40:41

You must be so relieved Whiff, literally just knowing what exactly is wrong with you is half the battle. I am so pleased you have received good service from the NHS, I have recently had my faith restored in the North West NHS after nearly dying through a medical blunder, there are certain departments that excel. Take care ?

Marydoll Sun 03-Apr-22 09:23:19

It is heartening to hear your positive news, after such a lengthy and difficult time, Whiff.
I hope you continue to keep well. ?

In my late fifties, after 35 years of chronic lung problems, resulting in hospilisations, the hereditary cause was discovered through genetic testing of my son, for a completely different health issue.
It had never been picked up, in the multiple tests, I had done. It was a shock, but such a relief to find a reason.

I can empathise with how you feel and can only marvel at how much genetic testing has moved on from its early days.

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 03-Apr-22 09:22:58

I admire you very much Whiff. Such positivity. Thanks for sharing. Carry on living life to the full.

Shandy57 Sun 03-Apr-22 09:22:48

Wow Whiff that's amazing you finally know what it is! Great to have some happy news for a change.

Kim19 Sun 03-Apr-22 09:10:11

I am in awe of you ladies' fortitude. Thank you so much for sharing. Totally heartwarming and inspiring.

LOUISA1523 Sun 03-Apr-22 09:01:13

Are you in NW England? If so I'm thinking you will be under care of one of the Walton Centre neurologists? The Walton Centre is amazing...such a Centre of excellence...lucky to have it on my doorstep

Luckygirl3 Sun 03-Apr-22 09:01:12

That is a long time! I am so glad you got there in the end.

Liz46 Sun 03-Apr-22 07:26:35

Whiff, I am also in the north west and eventually had an unusual lung condition (NTM) diagnosed and treated. My GPs had just kept increasing my asthma medication until I did some research and found which one of them had an interest in respiratory problems. I made an appointment with her and said 'I am ill and am losing weight without trying'.
She looked up from her computer and made an appointment for a CT scan.
All hell broke loose then and I was tested for lots of things.
I remember that you saved us having to pay VAT on our new bathroom because I have a disability. I hadn't known about that and am still grateful.

Juliet27 Sun 03-Apr-22 07:22:00

My goodness Whiff what you’ve been through!! I admire your stoicism, gratitude for your DH, and advice for others.