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What does having ataxia do to your life?
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Feb 28, 2024 | Replies (67)Comment receiving replies
@wittmack
Hi there,
As you probably know Ataxia is an inability to properly control your muscles, primarily or at least in my case walking. Sometimes people have more fine motor control issues like picking up an object.
I imagine you have already had an MRI and or CT. Did you have a fMRI (Functional MRI) by chance, it shows blood flow in your brain. Sometimes Ataxia can be caused by a blood clot. If you had any scans what did they show.
Ataxia can manifest itself in various ways. In my case I was walking up a sidewalk to see a friend and I couldn’t get up the step. Then as I tried to walk straight with each step I would turn to the left. I couldn’t get to my friends door or back to my car. I was walking and very awkwardly at that in a big circle always going to the left. I yelled for help and someone got me back to my car and I drove to the hospital where I was admitted. Only my legs were affected.
Here is a link to information on Ataxia from Mayo Clinic,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ataxia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355655
Best of luck,
Jake
Replies to "@wittmack Hi there, As you probably know Ataxia is an inability to properly control your muscles,..."
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@jakeduck1
.....I too have ataxia but it is after a large cerebellar stroke. It's like my left side has a mind of its own. My strength is good, but control poor. I assume your ataxia was not brought on by a stroke. I have freak sympathy. My left hand doesn't know what my right hand is doing. I know how frustrating that can be. Much sympathy. Do you find your body acting up when you begin a particular task, but while still, no one would even know? When I try to hold a drink, my hand goes all stupid, spilling drink all over. But....unless something is in my hand, the hand stays relatively still. Though I do find the arm, shoulder blade and leg likes to do major ongoing twitching. Do you have that? Ataxia is not typical after a stroke, but I can see how a clot may bring it on. Was that your case? Sounds like it hit you out of the blue. Sorry to hear that. Do they have you in therapy, and if so, is it helping? God bless you!
Oh, and what is your prognosis? Thank you jakeduck!