Mum who was yawning 100 times a day told it's symptom of a devastating illness
A mum's worst fears were confirmed when doctors told her that her excessive yawning was a symptom of a devastating disease.
Nickie Davies began feeling exhausted after suffering from Covid last year and noticed she was yawning up to "100 times a day". The 47-year-old knew something wasn't right and went to her GP, who initially thought her symptoms were related to sleep apnoea and referred her to an ear, nose and throat doctor, who suspected she simply had allergies.
But after researching her symptoms, Nickie soon came to realise she had symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). On July 20, her worst fears were confirmed when she was diagnosed with the rare condition which affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that worsens over time.
Nickie, a keen horse rider from West Kirby, Merseyside, told how, in just two months, her symptoms have already progressed. She said: "I'm now getting a lot of pain in my arms and legs, which I've been told are cramps they feel more severe than cramps but that's what they tell me they are. I get tired more and things I've not had trouble doing are now a struggle."
She added: "Stairs are a real problem as I feel so sore in my calves after just going up one flight of stairs. I am also now unable to work because of tiredness and also the pain, anything like typing would leave me aching afterwards."
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Nickie discovered she had Motor Neurone Disease after a bout of Covid left her yawning up to 100 times day (Nickie Davies)Speaking previously, Nickie said her neurologist couldn't tell her how long she had left as everyone suffering with the condition was different. "I felt claustrophobic my worst fears had come true," she told the Liverpool ECHO.
Despite her diagnosis, Nickie remains positive. She said it has "changed" her and her family are coping better with her diagnosis. "Don't get me wrong I still have blips when I may cry for a while then I pull myself together again," she said. "I don't want to be negative, so it doesn't keep me down for long."
Nickie has started an Instagram page, @mndridingwarrior, to raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. She also encourages people to "bank their voice" in case they face a similar situation.
She said: "When I was diagnosed it was too late to save my voice and I feel anyone with a slurred speech should be offered a service to enable them to bank their voice in case their voice doesn't return and if it does, then great."
She added: "To look at me you wouldn't know I had a disability, but as soon as I open my mouth people react differently to me I've had people talk slow and loud to me, I've had people try to do sign language, I've had people treat me like I'm stupid and even one person asked my daughter Elle do I understand."
"I know this is lack of understanding but being a person this affects it goes beyond this as when I've typed out I can hear you and I can understand perfectly," she added. "Why do people still feel the need to talk slow or try to sign/act out what I'm saying?"
Nickie added: "I feel all those with MND or ALS around the world need to be treated like the person they are. All we ask is a little patience so we can either type or write what we want to say. Luckily for me I have my Elle with me who has stepped up like no daughter should have to at the age of 16 and be my voice."
"She is truly my world and I'm so proud of her for that. However, I want to keep my independence for as long as possible and not have to be reliant on others to be with me 24/7 to speak on my behalf."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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