12/03/2026
I hope the learn to follow their own guidelines especially when diagnosing .
I have two upper motor neuron signs which were ignored. I have a positive babinski reflex and positive Hoffmans sign. South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I also have a neurogenic bladder since my thunderclap headache and a weak left knee. I have daily focal aware limb seizures which have been ignored since August 2024. Body wide fasculations included. Teesside Live. I was not scanned when I had my first thunderclap headache and was not scanned for my second sudden severe headache and given naproxen by a doctor who didn't have a clue. I was near death and ignored and instead put on a mental health list accusing me of fabricating. I've been to A&E over 150 times. One doctor said "I'm not just going to admit you for pain" another said "I could give you a lumbar puncture but it would be pointless now, two weeks have passed since your thunderclap headache" although my symptoms still remain 22 months later but not as bad but this was only two weeks after my thunderclap headache (worst headache of my life). The neurology team did not offer anything but a couple of scans which found nothing so they went on scans alone. I wasn't offered a contrast MRI. I had the worst double vision of my life and constant vision loss for many months. When this all started North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust told me to just take paracetomol for my first thunderclap headache. I did complain and they did apologise and said the lad was in training. The second, sudden severe headache which was the real start of my pain, stiff neck and head pain like I've never felt in my life. The Ambulance crew did turn up and said it was just anxiety and drove off leaving me having a full body tremor in front of my wife on the sofa with a tachycardia episode that didn't settle for over 20 minutes. My heart rate was 167 and climbing well before the ambulance turned up with a confusion episode leading up to the head and neck pain. That same night my heart crushed in pain. I thought whilst clutching my chest it's pointless calling an ambulance because they will tell me it's anxiety. So May 2024 till now I am still suffering with no clear answer as to what caused my thunderclap headaches and what caused the prolonged pain and neurological issues. I had to travel to a different hospital to see another Neurologist and I noticed something before I left that Neurologist, he seemed reluctant and almost as if he didn't want to diagnose FND but did anyway. I'm very observant and noticed he got sweaty under the collar.
Where I am at now. Well still in pain and still walking up my stairs like a 90 year old with weak legs. I've worked out that steroids do wonders for my neck pain, my legs and energy. My mother reminded me that I looked like a ghost 10 months ago.
I know exactly what is wrong with me but again the local services are not taking me seriously. My wonderful GP found a few things and then it hit me after working everything out of course. I have hashimoto's- encephalopathy. It's a form of encephalitis from autoimmune thyroid. My Tpo antibodies are extremely high. If they had only done a lumbar or still can and an EEG. My most recent visit to muscoskeletol services said my shoulder pain is neurological.
Do not let them diagnose you with FND until they have done contrast MRI, lumbar puncture and a full neurological exam including eye tests and an eeg. As I say to people now have you had your thyroid checked?
The whole experience has left me with a view that South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust just don't give a s**t about my health and I felt attacked rather than listened to and cared for. They let me down on every single attendance. They let my family down. They left me to suffer in immense pain. After all the multiple visits I would rather get a taxi to York or Newcastle if I ever have to use A&E again.
They still haven't apologised or offered further investigations. The neurology team, are only able to diagnose off scans which is very poor doctoring. Nuffield Health Tees Hospital
