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Neuropathy, vestibular issues and chronic falls after GLP-1 use
Hi everyone. I'm new to this site but would really appreciate anything support or insight. My name is Kristie and I'm from Kansas City, Missouri.
I have been taking Tirzepatide since early 2024. In June 2024 I started experiencing numbness and tingling in my feet. By September 2024 it was effecting my gait and I was stumbling around. My numbness got worse and I began using a cane in early 2025 after several falls.
I saw a neurologist in April 2025 who said he was 95% certain I had MS. He then ordered 5 MRIs and a lumbar puncture to confirm. My results came back clear - no sign of MS. My EMG showed nerve issues in my legs, resulting in peripheral neuropathy. He also sent me to the Hearing and Balance Center for vestibular testing because I was and still am experiencing vertigo and chronic falls. They found I have a 40% right vestibular nerve compression.
After 2 years of physical therapy to keep up my strength, working on vestibular exercises, I have graduated to a rollator 100% of the time. I have been referred to Hughes Hospital in St Louis but was denied because they felt I was already getting adequate care. I was then referred to Mayo and heard this morning that request has been denied.
I am still experiencing severe numbness and weakness in my feet and lower legs. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and am surviving on cortisone injections. Urinary incontinence has become an issue in the last four months. I now have a prominent right foot drop and am finding it harder to drive on some days. I am using AFO braces on both feet, compression sleeves on both knees, and a rollator 100% of the time. The room still spins unexpectedly daily and I still have regular falls when turning and while showering.
It is all getting a bit overwhelming and no one seems to be able to figure anything out. I have stopped taking Tirzepatide because that seems to be when all my problems started. I lost 80 pounds but now can't walk or get around without assistance.
Has anyone else experienced this and if so, has anything worked for you?
Thanks!
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Was your MRI just brain or did it include your spinal column?
@sandy8043 It was brain, neck, cervical spine, thorasic and lumbar.
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1 ReactionFor a year, I have been affected by neuropathy, determined by an EMG test. My tibial and peronial nerves are damaged beyond repair. My right leg is dropped and walking is very difficult for me. I am wearing an AFO brace that helps me walking around the house, but I am afraid it helps but maybe it doesn't cure.
My balance is extremely bad. I have fell several times at home.
I have installed holding bars in the bathroom. At 80, a fall can be the beginning of my end.
I have been suggested many medications from my primary doctor and my neurologist as well, but since I am not feeling any pain, the only thing I am doing is having daily therapy and taking Alpha Lipolic Acid.
You didn't say anything about pain.
Good luck
Check your spine with an orthopedic surgeon. Make sure your problems aren't emanating from compressed vertebrae/disc problems pressing on your nerves exiting your spine.
It sounds like you have a lot of symptoms with no clear debt overarching diagnosis and so I'm not sure if you've seen the right doctors for example When you say vestibular nerve compression, is that one of your cranial nerves? and is there any way to decompress that? Is there a reason that this happened ? And is there a reason that the doctors think you have peripheral neuropathy? And for the urinary incontinence? Has there been any potential causes for that? Is it from the medication? Has someone attributed this to medication? I don't know enough about the medication however it seems to me that there's a lot of unanswered questions.