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Balance Issues and Muscle Strength, Cant figure it out
Looking forward to this opportunity to share my story, as my issues have continued to progress with no clear resolutions.
It started months after the initial COVID-19 lockdowns. During that time to avoid gaining weight and help with mental health, I started to walking, ending up to be around 5 miles a day, along with resistant band workouts and healthier eating. About 6 months into this, I started to notice that I would lose my balance when stopping at road crossings. I also noticed that while attempting to walk fast across a street I running stance was gone. I was not able to do it.
My primary suggested going to a ENT, where they were not able to locate anything. I started to notice I was not able to stand easily from a chair, and would lose my balance at times getting off chair. It has continued to progress over the years.
Over the past 3 years, I have done a number of MRIs (with confirmation of my bulging disks in L4, L5 and P1 with arthritis), physical therapy, neurology consultation, neuromuscular consultation, needle ENGs.
My symptoms seem to be progressing with additional items (loss of grip in hands, difficulty processing how to pick up things with hands, loss of strength in legs, aggressive tremors in legs while laying down or sitting, continued balance issues and randomly falling down). I now walk with a cane from time to time, especially when its cold. More over, my depression had greatly increased mainly due to not being able to feel comfortable doing things I am used to because of these issues. Im not able to lift anything, and walking down steps has become a challenge.
At first, I thought this could be MS. Although I had a 4 small spots in my MRI, they have not progressed.
Turning 50 in a couple of months. I am becoming quite desperate for next steps or the beginning of an understanding of my situation. Looking forward to your thoughts.
Im
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@mikeybear
I too started with unbalanced walking about 2 year's ago and also had covid for 23 days in 2022.
I started walking to the right in isles and would have to stop and regroup and start again it continued and I was checking my blood sugar to make sure it wasn't too low no I'm not diabetes.
And started feeling faintish and my legs get so heavy after standing on them for 10 hours a day and I would come home and almost go to sleep after 8 parked the car because I was sooo tired 😫. We'll in December of 2023 I 2as at work packing bread and nearly collapsed and then I was so dizzy and went to my Dr's next door to my work with the help of my friend walking with me.
So she done an ekg and said im referring you to a ear Dr and neurologist and a heart dr so it began.
Ear Dr said nothing but tinnitus hello I knew that
But the neurologist said neuropathy and done a cat scan and a VNG cat scan was ok.so he sent me to physical therapy 🤔 🙄
So I have vestibular hypofunction. That's what they say.
I walk with a staff but being around lights in a store or a lot of people is too much for me.i use a Buggy.
Can't stand loud music so 8ve had to stop driving for now because of the motion believe me it's been life changing I'm only 59 and tooooo independent but it kills me to have to have help 💔.
At home I'm ok I have chairs everywhere outside.
Waiting on mayo to call me with an appointment to see me.
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3 Reactionsmikeybear, have you had autoimmune testing-- ANA and ANCA. They are both blood draws. Small lesions in the brain could be MS and your symtoms suggest that might be the case. But you deserve to know and to have any available treatment. It can be so difficult to fine even a even a diagnosis. I'm sorry for your struggle. This is a great place to connect.
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news
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2 ReactionsHi @mikeybear. Believe you will find many here that have these similar experiences that are so well described by @blessedsista24 and me to a tee. I do want to share I still do not drive and experience these various symptoms everyday, yet I now pace and utilize the physical therapy tools so I can maneuver and do something for me each day! It is hard, being the very active person I was, yet focusing on the small things each day is allowing to see/find joy, accomplishments, and caring relationships. The next chapter of life may be different than anticipated yet still fulfilling and heartfelt. Hope this came across in kind inspiring light and wish the quickest healing possible🌈
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3 Reactions@law59
Yes it Did .
And yes we have to continue to do the best we can .
Because life is going to throw rocks but every now and then we may get hit but we heal and move on .
Prayers for all..
Have a Blessed life and I'm glad we have chat or information groups that we have others that are going through this as well .🙏❤️
You should ask for a spinal punture for testing of all... much luck !!
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2 ReactionsIn my experience of over 81 years, I've found life responds well to healthier habits -- in foods and drinks, variety of physical activities that strengthens and increases range of motion, and of course a sound sleep (with a 30 min nap), and not the least a few friends with whom one can have a meaningful connection (This last one, I'm trying full-time to develop.)
So how good I feel? I do have moments of pain when carrying heavy groceries thru steps, can do many floors up and down in my bldg and tried to see other day how many push-ups and at the seventh I was teetering!.
But the good thing is our bodies seem to get better to reach optimal level for OURselves. That means I don't have to compare myself with others, just for myself a fairly fit body is a vehicle for pleasure and work I want to do with my life.
Hope you find your balance...50s seems too early for your symptoms.
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1 Reaction@sisyphus
You are very Blessed 🙌
And I'm changing eating habits because the first 6 months I was scared to do anything fear of falling but I'm learning to adjust. I wish I could do stairs 😪 I've tried but not happening. YET .But in time maybe thanks for the extra little push I needed 🙏 🙌.
Hello, I have balance problems - I had cancer of the brain - post-chemotherapy - MRIs have been negative for past five years, as of last couple of months. I have had three surgeries on my right knee as of last year due to a nasty fracture, due to a fall. I am a retired nurse, and I walk alot, trying to keep my legs healthy. I am trying to figure out why I have some complications with balance. Or should I consider it normal, due to age, and circumstances?
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