ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: b28 on November 03, 2011, 01:59:21 pm
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Does anyone experience noticeably worse unsteadiness while walking in dark environments?
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I believe it is pretty common for those with damaged/severed vestibular nerves.. the eye's are one of the tools the brain uses to help compensate for the lack of balance input from the damaged nerve.
A couple of strategically placed nightlights is all I need at my house, if I'm elsewhere I use my phone as a flashlight
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Oh yes, balance in the dark is a real issue. I'm sharing a link to an article that has been posted through this site previously. It really helped me to understand this issue. I hope it will shed some light on things for you as well. Thanks to all who have posted and re-posted when I needed this.
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/balancesystem.htm ~ Kathy
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Yes and my surgeon said that usually never gets back to a normal feeling after the surgery. There have been a few here who said they have, so can vary per person.
Cheryl R
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Yes, it was pretty bad the first year post-op. Now its still a little off in the dark, it feels like my body is starting to sway.
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Absolutely, I find walking in the dark extremely challenging even a few steps.......it is so odd but understandable as we use our eyes in the light for balance and we are even sure most of the time where we place our feet but in the dark.....watch out
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Yes, according to the doctor your balance has three separate parts involved. If one is compromised the other two usually take up the slack. Your balance has 1)vestibular, 2)muscular, and 3) eye sight. So in dark places your balance is going to be off a bit.
TJ
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Kathy you are wonderful to recommend that article!!! Here's a quote I found in it that's encouraging to me because I've been struggling with words for a long time now....and all the docs have assured me that my struggle with words has NOTHING to do with my AN!
"Unlikely as it seems, vestibular damage can cause memory problems. Here is why. When you damage your vestibular system, keeping your balance is now largely a conscious effort, not the automatic effortless procedure it once was. Consequently, those areas of your brain that you once just used for thought and memory, now must constantly work on keeping you balanced. As a result, your memory may suffer. You may grope for words when talking. You may easily forget what is being spoken about during a conversation. You may be easily distracted. You may have difficulty comprehending directions or instructions. You may have trouble concentrating and may feel disoriented at times."
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In my personal experience, no. My eyes have become hypersensitive to most lightsources, due to the fact I was unable to close my left eye completely for over a year.
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That was a great expert!!! So true. I tooooo have trouble in the dark, although the night lights help!! My memory definitely stinks... & sometimes the words aren't there!! Glad there is some sort of explanation!! I was beginning to think I had Alzheimer's!!!
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I am so glad that there is a place to share our stories. I had 30 radiation treatments -- was doing great right after that, but now I am NOT. My balance is off and my memory is terrible. If I don't act on a thought -- it is gone. For example, I am out of town with my husband - his work convention. I meant to bring extra contacts, but when I was thinking about them -- didn't pack them. Now I don't have a new one. That is just one example. I too was afraid that there is something else going on. I am not getting any info from my Drs. Great info from friends on here. I will be seeing anew Dr at the Mayo Clinic in Dec. lots of questions to ask him. I have to write every thing down or I will never remember it. Thanks everyone.
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Wow! My Dr. told me my AN had NOTHING to do with my memory problems! Right in front of my husband, who then said I can't use that as an excuse anymore! I am going to make him read this!
Thanks,
Rosemary
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Balance worse in dark places? Absolutely.
Also worse when very fatigued.
Both are common.
Jan
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Does anyone experience noticeably worse unsteadiness while walking in dark environments?
Balance is definitley worse for me in the dark.
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I just read some of the responses on this post and thought I'd share a laugh. This one's on me... One evening, on the way home from having shared Thanksgiving celebrations with my extended family, my immediately family stopped at a cemetary to change out the seasonal adornments for my parents and grandparents gravesites. Having indulged in round 2 of all the Thanksgiving delicacies, we departed later than expected. This resulted in our arrival at the cemetary in the dark. So for those of you who can relate to walking in the dark and on uneven ground you can probably guess what a challenge I had before me. At my parents' gravesite I nearly met my maker. I stubbled over the headstone and my husband caught me. He made some comment about my sober/drunk walking abilities and we headed to the next gravesite. My teenage son held on to me and encouraged me not to bump my head on one of the stones along the way. Who knew there could be so many laughs in a cemetary.
Kathy
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b28:
I left night lights on in my house for about 2 years post-op. Also, I always carry a small flashlight in my purse for those times that I'm out & about at night. I don't need the night lights at home anymore & am much more steady on my feet in the dark most of the time. Unfamiliar places are the biggest problem. That's when the flashlight comes in handy.
Syl
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i carry a small torch in my handbag too! now i don't feel quite so odd...