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Strange Cross-eyed Feeling causing Loss of Balance

Posted , 86 users are following.

katewarn39
katewarn39

For about the past 2 years I have suffered from a sudden feeling of visual imbalance or cross-eyed sensation (although not actually cross-eyed)! This in turn causes a type of vertigo involving loss of balance accompanied by nausea. This lasts for approx 10-15 minutes before my vision returns to normal. I have had 2 eye tests which confirm nothing untoward (I have replacement single vision lenses in both eyes following cataract surgery). My doctors have given up trying to diagnose this condition having carried out blood tests for Pituitry, thyroid, diabetes, anaemia and infection which are all perfectly OK. I would be interested to know if anybody has suffered similar or knows a possible cause. I have not been rfeferred to a neurologist or recommended for CT or MRI. I am female aged 65

3 likes, 125 replies

125 Replies

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  • lljames59
    lljames59 katewarn39

    Posted

    hi I'm 58 years old and I have been having these episodes since 2004. They only last for about a minute and I don't have any nausea symptoms or any other symptoms before or after. The episodes are intense I have to stop whatever I'm doing and hold on to something. I would say I have had approximately 10 episodes since 2004. I did have one while I was driving but luckily I was pulling up to a stop sign so I just sat at the stop sign until it passed. I asked my doctor about it on multiple occasions and he really just didn't seem interested. I never had any testing done to find out what it is. I'm very pleased to see that there are so many people with the same symptoms because I was beginning to believe that I was all alone the way my doctor acted. I thought he never heard of anything like this so evidently it's not as rare as I thought.

    • provocals
      provocals lljames59

      Posted

      I went to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary they INSISTED it was a TIA (mini stroke) scared me to death Now I'm reading all this I begining to wonder if ANY medical professional actually knows what it is !!!

  • jo46107
    jo46107 katewarn39

    Posted

    Interesting reading! I have the same thing happening. It seems everyone is surprised to see how many folks have the same problem and how no one actually knows what causes it. 

    The diet issues seem to offer a clue.  The topic is perfect for some proper medical research. 

    Anyone have an update?

    • TobyLarue
      TobyLarue jo46107

      Posted

      In my case it turns out it is Menieres Disease. Fluid builds up in the left ear and causes a form of vertigo. There is no cure. Allergy reactions to either food or airborne make symptoms worse.
  • Uguessright
    Uguessright katewarn39

    Posted

    Yes I have and I have been wondering too. I am 75 and take no medicin at all. I do feel also that the outside of my right foot (little toe) feel sort of numb when I lay in bed.
  • kandy51115
    kandy51115 katewarn39

    Posted

    I have had the same thing .I went to the eye doctor. Several times and all my doctor keeps saying is your eyes are very healthy I see no issues .but I also see little tines floaters in my eyes but still my eyes are fine😩

    • lljames59
      lljames59 kandy51115

      Posted

      Yeah I don't think it is actually an eye issue. It feels bigger than that.

    • Jalexa
      Jalexa lljames59

      Posted

      Both of my Opthalmologists say my vision is fine after cataract surgery on both eyes, but that the strange feeling still exists.  I failed my driver’s license eye exam after having surgery on my worst cataract and had to return with a letter verifying my vision was fine (although it really wasn’t!)  I finally researched and discovered a condition called Photophobia, which I believe I have.  My NP thought an antidepressant would help, and it did, along with amber lenses inside stores with flourescent lighting.  I’m experiencing different polarized lenses that help my condition.  Flourescent lighting definitely affects my vision, which is why I didn’t pass the eye exam at the driver’s license bureau. 
  • Uguessright
    Uguessright katewarn39

    Posted

    I have since shortly used an alternative natural product that has helped me and I am still waiting if these eye symptoms are coming back. So that feels great :-D

     

  • allen67485
    allen67485 katewarn39

    Posted

    I just got my first cross-eye today cross-eyed for a few minutes. Im 47 had 6hours sleep .

    Has anyone link tiredness to this problem?

    When I'm tired I can't think properly either.i get the flu easier but if I get my regular 8hours sleep I don't get the flu

  • karen96413
    karen96413 katewarn39

    Posted

    I'm 47 years old and this has been happening to me for at least 10 years. Docs can't figure it out.

  • Gabenkylersmom
    Gabenkylersmom katewarn39

    Posted

    I have had the same things happen. I have had tingling, numbness in my face, extremities, etc. major headaches centered in the back of the head and radiating up my scalp and to my eyes along with what felt like a stiff neck and shoulders. I was diagnosed with atypical migraines 10 years ago. 

    In November of 2016 I had a hysterectomy which went wrong (no one can tell me how, but I almost died).  Cue the every day headaches, extreme fatigue (way worse than before), trouble swallowing and gait disturbances. Lightheadedness, vertigo, ringing in the ears. Headache made worse by coughing, laughing, bending over, exercising, or going from laying to sitting. Oh it’s difficult to live like this. 

    December 2017 doc finally did another MRI. It was discovered I have something known as Chiari malformation type 1. It was missed on my 2011 MRI. Symptoms can increase from triggers like surgery, accidents, pregnancy, even riding a roller coaster. 

    This is what I’ve had all along. Many neurologists don’t even know what the condition is. 

    I was told I had bradycardia, atypical migraine, possible lupus, etc. I encourage anyone who is having similar symptoms to either ask about this condition (to rule it out at the very minimum), or ask a neurosurgeon to review your MRI to make sure you do not have it. It can be easily missed if the doc isn’t looking for it. 

    Another thing that docs don’t like to look for is IIH (idiopathic intercrainal hypertension). 

    Good luck to everyone. Head issues suck!!

  • william_42504
    william_42504 katewarn39

    Posted

    I have experienced the same vision problem. It felt as though I was looking cross-eyed and on one occasion I asked the individual beside me if my eyes looked crossed or had a strange appearance, but to my surprise, she informed me that she couldn’t see anything unusual. It feels really weird when it happens and I can’t see well during these episodes and have to wait for it to pass before moving. By the way, I am 61.
  • sarah81489
    sarah81489 katewarn39

    Posted

    Hi Kate, im 31 and this has been happening to me for over 3 years now. I also have a lot of confusion and the dizziness/vertigo can come after blinking even when sitting down. Have you found any solutions?
  • allen67485
    allen67485 katewarn39

    Posted

    I think it's the lack of sleep for me . Lack of sleep I think is the worst killer .too many studies show it now

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