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Balance issues!

Posted , 5 users are following.

ksills04
ksills04

Hello!

I’ve had issues with my balance for a few years now, but never this bad. Before, it was mostly going up and down stairs, but I was careful, and didn’t have any issues. In July, I took a bad fall- cut my chin open, and ended up being off work most of the summer with BPPV as a diagnosis. When I fell, things were spinning, like I couldn’t get my footing at all. I was feeling better, but still having issues. I’ll be walking along, and I’ll get stopped right in my tracks- like I just can’t move. It’s not vertigo- more of a lightheaded/can’t move bc I feel like I’ll fall feeling- it’s awful! I also have trouble when walking turning a corner- usually have to hang onto something. I’m 31, and this is embarrassing to deal with. I feel like my life is being slowly taken away from me. When I’m tired it takes everything for me to just stand up, let alone walk too far- very frustrating. I had VNG/ENG testing done a few weeks ago, and I see the ENT specialist next month. I also have been to physio, who tell me I no longer have vertigo. I agree, but I definitely feel like this is vestibular! Feedback from people who are going through something similar/know someone who is going through it,  would be so much appreciated!

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • lily65668
    lily65668 ksills04

    Posted

    Definitely sounds vestibular to me. I'm assuming the physio would have done the Dix-Hallpike test (you can google it to check) and established you don't have BPPV. Physios are usually the experts in the BPPV field, provided they've had proper training.

    By all means go and see the ENT, but be aware that not all of them are very knowledgeable about vestibular issues (though it would seem logical that they should be!) If you can get yourself referred to a neurotologist or a vertigo/balance clinic, that would be the best option.

    I hope you get some answers soon. I've had three attacks of BPPV in my life, so I know how horrible vertigo can be.

    • ksills04
      ksills04 lily65668

      Posted

      Hi Lily- thanks for your reply! Yep, I actually went to 2 physiotherapists, both who specialize in vertigo. 

      Thanks for the heads up too! That’s a great help, and I’ll definitely do that. Should I wait until I have my results of my testing, or, try and get referred now. Not sure where you are from, but I live in Canada and the wait times can be up to 6 months sad

      Sorry to hear you’ve had 3 episodes! I’ve only had 1 big one, but many little ones. I feel like they last forever, but in truth, only 5-10 seconds

      Again, thanks for getting back to me! I appreciate it!!

    • lily65668
      lily65668 ksills04

      Posted

      Since you've had the tests, I'd say you should wait for the results before going any further. Will you be able to ask for a copy of the report or does it have to go via your GP? It's clear from the nature of the tests that some kind of vestibular disorder is suspected.

      I don't know how things work in Canada as I've lived in Belgium for most of my adult life (though worked as a nurse in the UK system for 10 years as a young woman). Over here, I'd opt to wait till the results came through, insist on having a copy myself, then self-refer to a vertigo clinic, where they'd have all the appropriate specialists, including a neurotologist.

      Many people on these vertigo boards (including myself) have had very unhelpful experiences with ENT doctors, though there are some exceptions. It would seem logical that they'd be the specialists to go to for vestibular problems but it appears that some of them get only minimal training in this area. A neurotologist, however, would have a much better overview.

  • victoria78511
    victoria78511 ksills04

    Posted

    Do you feel like you are moving when you are walking not the spinning Sensation? Do you have a feeling like you are walking on a trampoline? ENT Told me to do this stand on the spot with your eyes closed with your arms out straight march on the spot at all times count to 30 when you opened your eyes you should stop in the centre? You try it see what happens? When I opened my eyes i turned to the left the ENt told me I've got a weak balance system he said it not my ears it's anxiety what's causing it

    He sent me for vestibular exercises they did help..

    • ksills04
      ksills04 victoria78511

      Posted

      Hello- thanks for your reply! Kind of yes- that’s a good way to describe it! I will absolutely try that; at this point, I’ll try anything lol! Did you find the ENT was able to answer your questions/explain your issues. Mine is mostly the balance. I did forget to mention that I had a MRI of my brain and it was normal. Also was seen by a neurologist specializing in MS - thankfully both tests were normal! 

      Thank you again for getting back to me! 

       

    • victoria78511
      victoria78511 ksills04

      Posted

      Ent told me it's anxiety and stress causing the balance problems l feel like my ears are creaking. I'm worse when I'm in supermarkets all round alot of people. I'm still in the chair l feel like it's moving when I go to bed l feel like I'm on a water bed the ENt sent me to see Audiology vestibular exercises to do they did help. Get a pen arms length look at the tip of the pen keep looking at the tip of the pen more your head left and right still looking at the tip of the count to 30 do the same up and down. Google vestibular exercises. What are you like walking in the dark?

    • ksills04
      ksills04 victoria78511

      Posted

      I do work in a high-stress job, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t stressed out. That said, I don’t feel I have anxiety per se. Occasionally I will take a .5 lorazepam if I feel like I need to settle my brain down, but that would be quite rare- once every 2-3 months at the most. 

      I’m bad in crowds too- like if get nudged in the slightest bit, I’ll topple right over! 

      Good suggestion for the exercise- I will definitely try that!

      Walking in the dark when this first started was next to impossible. However, it has gotten better over time. Absolutely more confident walking in the day through. 

    • victoria78511
      victoria78511 ksills04

      Posted

      It's stress is causing your balance problems that head exercises I've just sent you do it 3 times a day and if you are swaying stand on the spot with your eyes open count to 30 then do the same with your eyes closed then do the same on a cushion twice a day in the morning and evening it's help you to stop swaying 👍

  • walter98524
    walter98524 ksills04

    Posted

     I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THRU, I WAS THERE FOR 10 YEARS. I HAD EVERY  TEST THE

    ​DOCTORS COULD THINK OF. TILL LAST MONTH I DECIEDED TO SEE ONE MORE ENT DOCTOR. HE IS 75 YRS OLD. SO I TOOK A CHANCE I DIDENT HAVE ANYTHING TO LOOSE, HE SAID I HAD (ANXIETY

    ​ISSUES) HE PERSCRIBED (ALPRAZOLAM .5 MG AND THAT HELPED ME ALOT. I DONT FEEL DIZZY

    ​ANYMORE.  IM (OCD) AND I KNOW THAT I THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY BUT NOW I FOUND MY CURE. SEE A ENT DOCTOR IT MAY BE YOUR PROBLEM TOO.

    • ksills04
      ksills04 walter98524

      Posted

      10 years?! Oh my goodness!!i hope you are now on the mend. I see the ENT specialist soon, next month, so I hope I get some answers then! Did you have issues with your balance?
  • walter98524
    walter98524 ksills04

    Posted

    YES I HAD BALANCE ISSUES BUT NOT WHEN I WAS DRIVING A CAR. YOU BODY STAYS STATIONARY

    ​WHEN YOUR DRIVING. WHEN I WOULD GO TO A GROCERY STORE, I HAD TO ALWAYS USE A CART TO

    ​STEADY ME. WHEN SITTING NO PROBLEM OR LAYING DOWN. AFTER TAKING THE MEDCINE HE 

    PERSCRIBED IN 2 WEEKS I FELT ALOT BETTER EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT BUT I WORKED FOR ME.

    ​I NEVER THOUGHT THAT (ANXIETY) COULD CAUSE BALANCE PROBLEBS. ARE YOU A OBSESSIVE

    ​COMPULSIVE DISORDER PERSON I AM. HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU,  LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR ENT DOCTOR SAYS

    • ksills04
      ksills04 walter98524

      Posted

      I still can’t believe you went through this for 10 years!! How did you cope!? I’m exactly the same though- sitting down I’m fine, but usually need a cart. Sometimes if I’m having a ‘good balance’ day, I don’t use one. Even walking down ramps is a struggle sad 

      I’m not OCD, no, but as I said in a previous post, I do work in a very high stress job, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t stressed out. I try and deal with it via meditation, etc, but it doesn’t always work!  I know going to a gym would help, but I’m afraid that I might fall there if I lose my balance.

      Are you feeling better now though? Like is your balance at the point where you don’t need to push the cart at the grocery store?

      Thank you for your feedback!! smile

    • ksills04
      ksills04

      Posted

      Whoops I’m sorry- you did say you felt better.. that’s great! 10 years is too long with this!
    • walter98524
      walter98524 ksills04

      Posted

      I HAVE BEEN ON THIS NEW ANXIETY MEDICINE FOR 3 WEEKS AND IT SURE HELPS. NO II DONT NEED A CART WHEN SHOPPING FOR A FEW THINGS, BUT A CART HELPS WHEN IM DOING A LOT OF SHOPPING. A CASE OF BEER GETS PRETTY HEAVY HA HA. I DO EXERCISE AND RIDE 

      ?A BIKE EVERY DAY 7-8 MILES. THE BALANCE DOESN'T BOTHER ME WHEN IM RIDING.

      ?MY FEET ARE DOING THE PEDDELING MY HEAD IS NOT MOVING AS IF YOU ARE WALKING. LET ME KNOW WHAT THE ENT DOCTOR TELLS YOU WHEN YOU SEE HIM. I HAVE 

      ?FOUND OUT AFTER SEEING 6 DIFFERENT DOCTORS THEY (ALL) HAVE A DIFFERENT

      ?OPINION OF WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE.  GOOD LUCK

    • walter98524
      walter98524 ksills04

      Posted

      REMEMBER ONE THING, (EVERYBODY) HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION ON ANY SUBJECT

      ​YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, AND SO DO DOCTORS. TRY AND SEE A ENT DOCTOR 

      THAT IS ABOUT 50 TO 60 YRS OLD, BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE MORE EXPERENCE THAN

      ​A YOUNGER ONE. I HAVE FOUND THAT OUT FOR MYSELF.   ESPECIALLY  IF YOU ARE

      LOOKING FOR A GOOD (DERMOTOLIGIST) HOPE I SPELLED IT RIGHT

    • ksills04
      ksills04 walter98524

      Posted

      Hi! I saw the ENT last week- not vestibular. At a loss now! Not sure how to feel better, other than continue w physio exercises. Sending me for cardiac testing, which I’ll happily do, but I don’t think that’s the culprit! Diagnosed me with orthostatic hypotension - I have balance issues all the time when I’m standing, not just when I first stand up. Sigh- feeling a bit defeated at this point! 
    • walter98524
      walter98524 ksills04

      Posted

      SINCE IVE SEEN MY ENT DOCTOR AND HE IS TREATING ME FOR ( ANXIETY) IM FEELING 

      ​ALOT BETTER. BUT STILL HAVE SOME ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN ON ANXIETY MED. FOR ABOUT 1 MO. NOW. DO YOU KNOW THAT ALOT OF THE MEDCINE YOU TAKE DOES GIVE YOU

      ​BALANCE DIZZYNESS PROBLEMS. EVERY TIME MY DOCTOR PUTS ME ON A NEW

      MEDCINE I ALWAYS GO ON LINE AND FIND OUT WHAT THIN MEDCINE IS USED FOR

      AND SIDE EFFECTS BEFOR I USE IT.  THATS ME

                                              GOOD LUCK

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