off-balance, throat problem and weakness
Posted , 5 users are following.
So basically this is what I've been going through the past 2 months.
About 2 months ago I started to experience this feeling of being off balance, initially I didn't think much of I think because I had experienced the same thing a few months previously, but on that occasion the feeling went away after a couple of days. I thought I would go to work, come home and get some sleep and it would be fine, however the feeling was still there the next day and long story short it has persisted ever since, along with this off balance feeling in the days after its onset I developed some muscle weakness in my legs, my legs sometimes shake when I attempt to exercise them and my knee joints have began to click a lot more, interestingly though it is not the strength of my legs per say I feel have been affected it is mainly when I bend my legs for example when I am doing a squat they tend to shake but when I straighten them I have no problem. I have also noticed some micro shakes I have developed in my body when I bend back or my legs, you cannot physically see the shake but I can feel them, however when I do straighten them I get this feeling like my whole body gets shot up almost like I have lost strength in my hamstrings and that strength has gone to my quads, I just feels unnatural. I also experienced some weakness in my hands where simple tasks like picking up a glass or brushing my teeth were taking more effort than they should but this has since subsided and my hands feel normal. In the weeks after I have developed this feeling in my neck where if I move my neck to one side My whole neck rips to that side, it feels like my neck is to loose if that makes sense, I have also had this annoying throats problem which doesn't seem to be going away, it I said affecting my speech and the way my words flow as I stumble across my words sometimes. I also developed some muscle twitches which have not happened as often as the used to but come around some times. All symptoms have been somewhat manageable but this off balance feeling in my body (neck, upper body in particular) are quite troublesome and is starting to really affect my quality of life.
I have been to see my GP countless times and he referred me to a neurologist and he did his tests and observations and said he couldn't identify anything but he booked me in for a brain MRI which I had and came back normal, However I will be asking for a cervical spine scan. If it is not a neurological problem I do not know what it could be, I have read a lot online and it could be anything from BPPV, blood clot in the neck, heavy metal poisoning, degenerative disc disease and Anxiety and Depression. My symptoms are not as severe as others have experienced as I am able to work and do everything for myself however it lingers at the back of my mind as I do not k ow what it is and how I can treat it.
I must also say that my symptoms began two days after I had a binge which I do not have often, the neurologist I went to see mentioned that may have been a contributing factor, does anyone know if this is true?
I know this is a long post, but does anyone have any idea what could be the problem and possible treatments?
1 like, 19 replies
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
I don"t know about the binge. Can't really comment on that. But some of your symptoms sound similar to my story at the onset of a firm if vasculitis. Took a ling time ti diagnose. I would say the bit that sounds different is tremors. Not sure about that being similar but there are so many symptoms it is hard to say.
Neuro couldn't diagnose me. I git a diagnosis after seeing a rheumatologist and an immunologist.
Definitely not saying you have vasculitis. I think your symptoms could be a lot of things. But in terms of where I would go with it I would ask fir full bloods to be done including esr crp and ana and I would ask to see a rheumatologist to try to rule out anything auto immune. Look out for any new symptoms developing. Keep a diary. If you notice anything like tummy /bowel problems or joint pain I would keep a record of that too.
I don't want to contradict a specialist but to suffer all that for a long time after a drinking binge.....not totally convinced by that.
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
I to thought that the relation to alcohol was far fetched, I am actually going to see my GP tomorrow so I will certainly ask him if I could see a rheumatologist, what do they do in particular and do you mind kind off talking me through what vasculitis is? as I have never heard of it
Thanks
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
Well it is a complicated area. There are different disorders that come under the heading vasculitis like Sjogren's Lupus Behcet's and more. They are a type of auto immune disorder. It is believed to be caused by certain faulty genes. Many could have that gene and never suffer. But others...like me...can suffer because that gene is 'activated' and starts on it's course causing inflammation. Sometimes that inflammation can affect the central nervous system as it did with me.
There are basically so many symptoms it would be impossible to list them. Some people have only a few symptoms others have a lot. It is very difficult to diagnose. Tennis player Venus Williams suffers from a form of vasculitis...Sjogren's.
Because symptoms can be so similar to other illnesses and so varying for sufferers diagnosis can be difgicult. Often bloodwork and scans show little.
I was seen by an immunologist for a year before being diagnosed. My illness was systemic so affected me in various ways.
Oh and if you read about vasculitis it will sound very scary. Some of what is written is very true but the worst symptoms you can imagine!
And as I say....you may have nothing like that going on. I assume you have checked all the basics like thyroid and vitamin b12...anemia...all the usual stuff your doc should look at?
Some of these disorders can make you feel awful. Low potassium also springs to mind. Feel certain your gp would have done that but do check to be sure that all of that is being looked at first. If all is clear I would ask for a referral on. It is not right to feel like that constantly.
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
Did you have potassium checked do you know?? I have had low potssium a few times. And not that low it has to be said but felt dreadful with it. Muscle cramps and weakness.
When you have the neck pain do you have migraine or headache with it?
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
there was one thing, over the past 2 months or so I have had to have repeat amylase blood tests because my amylase level had ever so slightly raised, however the last time I had it, it was back fine, I have also has an ultrasound scan on my stomach and the surrounding organs which all came back fine.
?I'm not 100% sure about the potassium I will have to check that, I don't really have neck pains, I work out so any pains in my neck is probably caused by that and I don't have migraines, I occasionally have headaches but they are quite mild and don't last long, it's just this damn off-balance feeling, without it I would be fine and could manage the other symptoms. couple days ago I had an earache but again that lasted for about half an hour and has stayed away since.
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
I see from google that high amylase levels can be a problem in conjunction with alcohol. So that could make you feel off kilter. But if it is normal now that seems to be not quite the answer either.
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
margaret22116
Posted
Have you ever had problems with your pancreas? Problems with your diet? React badly to fatty foods? Is your diet normal/healthy?
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
I too am starting to doubt the answer is in my spine but I will get it checked out still.
?I've never had problems with my pancreas before, or with my diet. I don't recall ever reacting badly to fatty foods and as of right now, my diet is pretty normal and healthy. it's all quite mystifying, I do remember however for a while before this all started I had some strange episodes where my neck would get intense pins and needles it felt like and mad my neck very itchy, it happened a few times but it never concerned me enough to get it checked out, I'm wondering now if that is somehow related.
margaret22116 kelvin91301
Posted
When you have a range of things going on all unexplained and maybe related maybe not....it always brings me back to auto immune issues as they 'mimic' other disorders. I do hope you get answers and hope it's something simple. Do update us on what you find if anything. But as I said earlier, if you get nowhere with any of the investigations your gp can do, ask for a referral to an immunologist or a rheumatologist. It's not always easy as some gp's are very resistant to these referrals but I would be pretty insistent. I am not sure where you are based in the country but if you have difficulty getting a referral and can afford a private consultation I can recommend a great doctor you could see but definitely go down the route of GP referrals to begin with. Good luck with it.
kelvin91301 margaret22116
Posted
I'll talk to my GP and take a look at my options, he's pretty good with referrals so it shouldn't be a problem, thanks for your input, i'll certainly give an update in a few days time.
liz82526 kelvin91301
Posted
Hi kelvin you sound like me . I started the same way off balance , walking off to one side . If I stop my left leg would shake. Sometimes I feel lightheaded like I was drunk . Sometimes I feel like I was going to pass out but I don't . Sometimes felt pressure in my head. Went to every dr took all the test everything ok. I do have some herniated disc in neck lower back. I was sent for vestibular therapy . It seem to help but at times I still get off balance. Sorry for the lengthy post. I hoping to get some answer through this page. Please let us know if you get any answers . Good luck
kelvin91301 liz82526
Posted
Hi Liz, I don't understand how the off balance feeling could just begin like that it's baffling, especially when every test I do comes back as normal, I have been reading his more and I think my neck muscles could be damaged I'm not sure how it's just a guess, I will look into vestibular therapy, what does it consist of?
liz82526 kelvin91301
Posted
Vestibular therapy is series of exercises . First you do exercises where you follow an object with your eyes back and forth for 30 seconds 3 sets . Than you do it up and down. After you continue with similar exercises . After you stand with one foot in front another like you walking across the balancing beam close your eyes try standing in that position 30 seconds 3 sets and continue with similar exercises. Not easy at first might feel dizzy but it does get easier. Sorry for long message figure I give give you some idea. With me the first symptoms was lightheaded and dizzyfeeling than the shaking of the leg and not able to walk being off balance.
margaret22116 liz82526
Posted
hi Liz, interesting reading your story which is also quite similar to mine. I had herniated discs in my neck and lower back and went for back rehab. Had little impact. The rheumatologist I was seeing at the time said the herniated discs couldn't account for my symptoms but thought the rehab might help a bit. As I say it did but in a minimal way.
As with all my problems over the last 13 years or so it turned out to be caused by inflammation. I got complete remission from symptoms with a long treatment. Stopped that last year and so far none of the neuro type symptoms have returned. Seriously praying they don't.
But I am starting to have other problems with inflammation. A return of sinus issues and also inflammation in my stomach and my feet. The feet thing is causing me issues as I fell really badly recently. So this is a new turn for me. Joint problems were never significant before. But what has helped me has been Plaquenil which my specialist prescribed to try to deal with the inflammation in my feet. It is helping a bit at the moment.
I wonder where you are being seen and what attempts have been made to establish an underlying cause of your health issues.