Suggestions for terrible balance caused by neuropatht? (pain, ankle, pregnant)

[Alicia64]

I'm finally seeing a neurologist who is doing mutliple tests: ENG, EMG and an MRI. But he seems to think I have neuropathy in my feet (doubt it's from pre-diabetes).


I don't have any pain at all, but my balance is terrible! And that's what I'm trying to get fixed.


I'm slim, workout, eat well and so forth. Oh, and I'm 54.


Any suggestions are very, very appreciated!


Alley

[jaminhealth]

OP: Do you know what caused the neuropathy. I have developed some from OA issues in knee and hip and from other things I suspect related to the burn/tingle. I do have nerve damage from hip replacement in 2010 and that's a whole new issue which caused the nerve issues..Never had it before and I'm now 80. This surgery was at 72.

A friend suffers with it and talks about her balance and it's from statins she took for years. She's off a lot of the drugs she has been taking for a long time and takes a supplement I directed her to..she's improved a lot. I'll talk more to you. Others may offer you some help.

[Alicia64]

At this point, the dr. and I have no clue. But I'll tell you what I'm suspicious of: IVF drugs I took when I was trying to get pregnant.



Two years after my babies were born, my big toes hurt with white-hot pain if touched. I saw a podiatrist who asked me if I'd use chemo for cancer (I hadn't).


She was no help and the pain eventually went away. My nails looked weird and even that eventually cleared up.


So, yeah, I think it might have been the IVF drugs. (And, yes, it was worth it, but I'm still trying to figure out how to deal w/ my bad balance).


Alley

[jaminhealth]

OP: I'm guessing the IVF drugs where via an IV. After I went thru 2 months of IV abx drugs I ended up with more burning/tingling in my feet. My unstable body is due to hip replacement imbalance of the body. So so many have this neuropathy stuff going on. Maybe the balance issue could be helped with Physical Therapy. Sorry.

You say you have no pain. Do you have burning/tingling which is a pain. Or just the balance issue.

[mike1003]

Check with local Physical Therapist that specializes in balance and falls

Balance and Falls

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

I'm finally seeing a neurologist who is doing mutliple tests: ENG, EMG and an MRI. But he seems to think I have neuropathy in my feet (doubt it's from pre-diabetes).

I don't have any pain at all, but my balance is terrible! And that's what I'm trying to get fixed.

It could be peripheral neuropathy.


Mayo Clinic says...


Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from:

• Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head, and unsteadiness in the dark.
• Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy). The damage can lead to difficulties with walking.
• Joint, muscle or vision problems. Muscle weakness and unstable joints can contribute to your loss of balance. Difficulties with eyesight also can lead to unsteadiness.
• Medications. Loss of balance or unsteadiness can be a side effect of medications.
• Certain neurologic conditions. These include cervical spondylosis and Parkinson's disease.

I have the first: a vestibular problem resulting from an inner ear infection that went untreated. I also lost 90% of the hearing in that ear. I cannot maintain my balance in the dark.


If you work out, emphasis on the core is important and should help you maintain your balance.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

If it's neuropathy, treating it should improve your symptoms.

Have you tried having shoes fitted that will keep your ankles from rolling when you walk? I got some at the New Balance store and they helped a lot when I was having balance issues because of neuropathy from surgery on one ankle.

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

I'm finally seeing a neurologist who is doing mutliple tests: ENG, EMG and an MRI. But he seems to think I have neuropathy in my feet (doubt it's from pre-diabetes).


I don't have any pain at all, but my balance is terrible! And that's what I'm trying to get fixed.


I'm slim, workout, eat well and so forth. Oh, and I'm 54.


Any suggestions are very, very appreciated!


Alley

I am 56 and got peripheral neuropathy in my feet last year. Extremely painful. I am also fit, eat healthy foods, work out, etc... This knocked me for a loop. I was tested by a neurologist and an endocrinologist for everything under the sun. My neurologist thinks its from small bone spurs in my lower spine that are effecting neural pathway. I take amitriptyline and now I am finally at a dosage that for the most part keeps the pain at bay. Sometimes I get breakthrough pain. I have some edible marijuana that can help and if the pain is really bad a take Norco, but I try and avoid that because I hate the side effects.

I hope you can find the cause of your imbalance and you can get it treated. If it is PN it cannot be cured, just managed.

[nobodysbusiness]

While you're doing your investigation, look into gut health. I had a naturopathic doctor tell me that gut health can affect all kinds of things (including balance - don't recall specifics).

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by jaminhealth

OP: I'm guessing the IVF drugs where via an IV. After I went thru 2 months of IV abx drugs I ended up with more burning/tingling in my feet. My unstable body is due to hip replacement imbalance of the body. So so many have this neuropathy stuff going on. Maybe the balance issue could be helped with Physical Therapy. Sorry.

You say you have no pain. Do you have burning/tingling which is a pain. Or just the balance issue.

IVF is in vitro fertilization. Nothing to do with IVs, the process involves shots you give at home and pills.