Country singer Lisa McHugh diagnosed with functional neurological disorder

Country music singer Lisa McHugh has been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) after a “very difficult couple of weeks in hospital”.

Posting on social media on Tuesday, the singer said that after “multiple CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, lumbar punctures and every kind of test you could imagine” she was diagnosed with the condition.

FND is a condition that affects the way the brain and nervous system work, leading to a range of neurological symptoms such as limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, sensory issues and cognitive problems.

The County Fermanagh-based mum of two said she is taking time off to “concentrate on recovering fully”.

She said that she was also diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia earlier in the year.

Trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, severe facial pain. It is often described as a sharp shooting pain or like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums, according to the NHS.

“The specific cause for FND is unknown but one of the main triggers is stress, trauma and anxiety,” McHugh said.

“And while there is no cure, it is treatable providing you adapt your life as much as possible to manage it.

“I guess the stress and trauma of this last year and everything we’ve went through has finally caught up with me and my body and it’s now decided to make me physically stop, process and heal from everything properly.”

Earlier this year, McHugh told BBC News NI her baby daughter spent 10 “horrendous” days in hospital after contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Speaking of her own recovery, McHugh said: “I’ve a good bit to go on the healing front, going from walking into hospital with a very bad headache and severe facial pain, to losing function in both legs and then trying to walk again using a zimmer frame.”

She said that she needs to “drastically adapt things” to “reduce the severity of the symptoms in any future flare ups”.

McHugh also thanked the staff at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) for the “care and first class treatment” she received.

“With all of that said, I’m going to sign off and take time out from everything for a while to concentrate on recovering fully,” she said.

“In the meantime, I’d really appreciate all of your prayers and I’ll soak up this time with my beautiful family and be grateful for every day.

“Sending you all lots of love, I’ll be back soon.”