conversion disorder question

I have conversion disorder. I'm afraid to even go any where for fear I will have an episode. I can't even imagine having an episode while driving.

I have Myasthenia Gravis (sero-negative). My diagnosis came about as a result of a positive Tensilon test, family history, SFEMG (occular at the time) and clinical symptoms. I also have Graves Disease.

My symptoms include muscle weakness in my extremities after prolonged use, occassional dysphasia, slurred speech (again after extended periods of talking) as well as double vision. When I do present in the ER, it is because I cannot swallow without choking on my own saliva and I can feel myself going limp. Most of these symptoms occur over a period of weeks.

I do not lose feeling in any part of my body. I do not go blind. I do not have seizures.

I am currently on Synthroid for my thyroid and MG meds include Prednisone, Imuran and Mestinon.

My neurologist decided that I should have psychological testing, because she felt I had some psychological functional overlay. After 160+ T/F questions, the diagnosis was Conversion Disorder. I was prescribed Wellbutrin by my psychiatrist and see him every 5 to 6 weeks.

At one point my neurologist felt that I displayed drug seeking behaviour (going for big guns instead of taking an aspirin), however, I have since found out that things like the awful pain and swelling in my wrists and hands are a direct result of osteoarthritis. My rheumatologist has prescribed stronger painkillers.

I am also on a Bi-Pap machine whenever I lay down for a rest and my neurologist has said that she only wants me to use the machine at night. After an in hosp sleep study, my Pulmonologist wants me to use the machine whenever I lay down, in case I fall asleep. Without the machine, I end up with wayyyy too much carbon dioxide in my blood.

I have nothing against the psychiatric field, but I also wonder if maybe the T/F test and my admission of being molested as a child are enough to warrant such a diagnosis? Or, perhaps I didn't answer the questions properly or, perhaps I shouldn't have said anything about being molested?

Most times, when I see my psychiatrist, we usually just shoot the breeze. For instance, how's the family, what's happening in your life, etc. Sometimes I feel I get more out of talking to a close friend.

yes I just recently stopped taking my medication. I feel numb on it like I can't feel anything. the doctor says that it's probably just me and that I should continue taking it. My therapist says something different she says I don't need it and that the other medication which is for my other problem. I won't say what it is.Is what i should be taking? so two doctors are telling me different things it's very confusing. My aunt whose bipolat says if I start losing my legs again more often. that's a sign to start taking the medication so I don't have those symptoms. but right now I'm just trying to learn how to cope with this thing better by myself my family and the help of my friends

yes I just recently stopped taking my medication. I feel numb on it like I can't feel anything. the doctor says that it's probably just me and that I should continue taking it. My therapist says something different she says I don't need it and that the other medication which is for my other problem. I won't say what it is.Is what i should be taking? so two doctors are telling me different things it's very confusing. My aunt whose bipolat says if I start losing my legs again more often. that's a sign to start taking the medication so I don't have those symptoms. but right now I'm just trying to learn how to cope with this thing better by myself my family and the help of my friends

Passionfruit, those symptoms seem very common on the sites I listed. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with multiple problems. Are you being treated for your depression? Do you take medicine for it?

From passionfruit: It feels kind of like pins and neddles. And I was in physical therapy but they thought I wasn't trying hard enough. So they said they wouldn't help me till I could walk across the room by myself. And then we switched insurance so now to get a physical therapist I have to pocked and prodded again by more doctors. Because I have a lot of other aliments along with this. the poor cordination, difficulty walking diffuclty swallowing sound like me though. I also have a therapist and they say it's triggered by my major depression but they haven't told me really how to stop it from happening

Hi, passionfruit, and thank you for your question!

Here's what the Mayo Clinic says about conversion disorders:

"Conversion disorder is a condition in which you show psychological stress in physical ways. Conversion disorder usually appears suddenly after a stressful event. For example, your leg may become paralyzed after falling from a horse even though you weren't hurt. Conversion disorder signs and symptoms appear with no underlying physical cause, and you can't control them.

"Signs and symptoms of conversion disorder typically affect your movement or your senses, such as the ability to walk, swallow, see or hear. Conversion disorder symptoms can be severe, but for most people, they get better within a few weeks."

Numbness and paralysis are common symptoms of this disorder, and may explain the sensations in your arms and legs. Can you describe the sensations better? Are they like pins and needles, or is it a dull throbbing, or is it more like pain?

The Mayo has a good list of symptoms and they do include some that sound like yours:

* Poor coordination or balance
* Paralysis in an arm or leg
* Difficulty swallowing or "a lump in the throat"
* Inability to speak
* Impaired vision, including double vision and blindness
* Deafness
* Seizures or convulsions
* Loss of balance
* Numbness or loss of the touch sensation
* Inability to feel pain
* Hallucinations
* Difficulty with walking
* Urinary retention

Are you under a doctor's care? Have you been able to identify certain stressful events that trigger your disorder? Has your doctor suggested therapy or physical therapy?

Here's a link to treatment possibilities for you:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/conversion-disorder/DS00877/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs