Conversion Disorder or not?

[stkersch]

I am 47 white female and have been diagnosed with Conversion disorder.  I had menegitis about 5 years ago, while working full time, going to school, and taking courses for work as well as being a mom and wife.  I never seemed to get any strength back after having the menegitis.  About 3 years ago I had a head tremor that eventually turned into a walking/gait disorder.  It actually slowed everything down in me.  I spent a week in hospital, mri, eeg, ct, blood, spinal tap, all came back negative.  Was told this was conversional.  Was out of work for approx. 6 months resting and slowing get back to full schedule again.  Was put on amatidine for the fatigue and other anti-anxiety, depression (lexapro) meds.  I felt good some of the time, but if I did just a little bit more than usual my body would start to slow down, including my thinking ability.  I have seen several specialist (MS), psychiatrist, psychoanalysts, but still say it's conversion.  The psychiatrist has stated that I was psychologically sound and I should get feeling better soon.   However after 3 years I am still unable to walk very far distances  15-20 yds before slowing (I use to run and walk everyday prior to hospital stay).  I have had to resign from a very good job which would have put me into a total depression however, I am more concerned now about getting my life back to normal.  I was prescribed Provigil and about 4 days later I started having what was later called psuedo-seizures.  I am scheduled to go in for extensive in hospital therapy for this type of stress disorder.  Can you tell me if there is a difference between the Stress Disorder and Conversion Disorder.  Any help you can give me would be appreciated.  Wracking my brain to resolve this and get the old S   back to normal.

[stkersch]

Thank you for your input.  I have been making changes in my lifestyle for the last three or so years.  First not being able to walk long distances was the first step, and at that time I was working on getting my weight down, which was working I had lost 20 pounds and was eating good meals.  Then the next thing happened which was the lack of energy, problems walking and thinking clearly.  I realize I'm not looking for a diagnosis at this time, what I am looking for is for someone to give me a good plan to make the proper changes without going backwards each time I work out or read or walk.  It's been frustrating and I've always been someone who takes care of herself and use to run & walk all the time.  I've been told in the past to become a couch potato and sit around doing nothing at all, that will help heal my stressed body, some how that works for a short period of time then when I start to "live" again it all comes back and I start over being fatigued, and frustrated.  I did have a therapist that totally understood my frustration and was working with me, then she had to leave the practice.  I will be seeing a new one next week so I hope that she will have the same abilities the other one had.  

Thank you again for your input and I look forward to any other feedback you may have.

[uberadtx]

I think the difference between stress disorder and conversion disorder is blurry.  What I can tell you is that stress manifests itself in many different ways.  And its going to take a lot more than a few pills and hospital stay to get better.  I think you need to focus on a solution rather than the diagnosis.  The problem here is that you are dealing with a medical community that is ill equipped to handle this. I believe you need to make some lifestyle changes, dietary changes and find a therapist who's primary practice is PTSD treatment.  You HAVE to look outside the box in your scenario because thats where the answers are.  You are seeking answers and solutions from the wrong people.  They will not turn you away because as long as you have this diagnosis, they can bill your insurance.  It sounds crude but its the truth. I don't doubt that medication will help you but you need more than that to get you well.  Keep me posted.