Balance Issues - anyone else like this? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

jbrady33 · 04-24-2007, 10:53 AM

Hello All,

My wife has MS and would like to know what some other people go through with Balance issues. All of the literature describes dizziness and vertigo as "spinning sensations" but that doesn't quite describe what she has. she decribes it as being almost pulled to the floor, not spinning. It can happen while walking, standing still or even sitting. She can be sitting at a table and will grab for the edge of the table as it feels like she is being pulled to the floor. This doesn't seem to be a weakness issue, it is the actual sensation of being pulled even if her body doesn't move. Does anyone else go through any sensations like this? What are your balance issues?

She does also fall to one side sometimes, but it doesn't always happen with the sensation described above.

Thanks,
JB

duttin · 04-24-2007, 01:17 PM

JB,

I exactly understand what your wife is going through.

I have had periods of time where I have experienced what seems to be a gravitational pull to the side for no explained reason.

I have literally fallen off the computer chair with no for warning.I have fallen down stairs,boom sense of balance gone.

I do have occasional vertigo and the ringing in my ears,but never do I have both symptoms at the same time.

The symptom of falling over and losing my balance has subsided and mostly gone for the most part.

Hopefully for your wife this is just a wacky symptom that will be short term.

jbrady33 · 04-24-2007, 02:00 PM

Thanks for responding, unfortunately this is a very persistant symptom for her and is with her all the time.

Would love to hear from more people what your experiences are.

unclesam612 · 04-24-2007, 05:01 PM

Dr. use words like vertigo and dizzy in the same sentence. Sort of redundant being that they mean the same thing vertigo is Latin for dizzy. It isn't the same all the time as . kind of lightheaded weak on one side but the other is OK bounce off things some time fall sometime not It is just the body wanting to be difficult. MS is a strange thing it makes the body do things that is just not normal and that you would never believe it could. I use a Cain for just that reason it hurt my feelings when I had to start with one but not as bad as the ground. Mine went away but it still comes back every now and again. Just one of those things we have to deal with daily. My nero gets mad at me because I joke and play with it he said it is a serious thing and I should show more concern. I ask him if I were more concerned will it go away? We all learn different ways to cope with our problems Mine is humor(most of the time) Hope your wife feels better soon

tiredbunni · 04-24-2007, 05:24 PM

Hi, I have MS and have delt with balance problems for a long time. Since 1991, I have tried to keep my balance. First it was a swaying motion so severe I had to hold on to something so I wouldn't fall. My doctor said it wasn't true vertigo but then what was it. Klonopin is the only thing that helps it. I know an ENT had me to the Romberg test and I failed. I fell over in a few seconds.

When walking I can be feel fine and the next thing I am on the ground. I just lost balance. I have to deal with drop in blood pressure and dizziness and then balance sometimes all at once. I have breakthrough with the swaying motion and then my neuro increases the dosage of meds. I now deal with double vision which brings new problems to keeping balance. However, not ever time I losing balance is double vision involved.

A couple of days ago, I was fine and talking to my son and next thing I couldn't stand. It wasn't dizziness but I couldn't stay on my feet. He helped me into my room.

When I fall I fall to the right side most of the time. I can't afford to fall anymore as I was dx with Osteo at the same time as MS. I use a walker it helps but not when dizzy or losing balance. I don't know if I would say it's a sensation but I really never thought about it but I will just lose balance and it can be so severe where I have crawled to my room (no one at home). It does feel like I been held to the carpet.

The Klonopin keeps that swaying motion in check. I think in a way that is a balance problem because ever try to balance on those carnivals sliding floors. Well, that is what it feels like.

I hope this helps. And I hope you wife feels better soon.

Bunni 53yrs in SC
dx 12/06 RRMS
Avonex, Klonopin, Flexeril