ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Balance Issues => Topic started by: MikeC on July 28, 2009, 11:48:15 pm
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Nice to use terms I cannot find the definition of. Best I found is Australian slang for a broken head.
Another web site uses the term, "Wonky eye", for his droopy weak eye.
http://wonky-eye.com/?page_id=9
Is there a difference between a Schwannoma an an acoustic neuroma ?
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Hi Mike
"Broken head" may just be a good explanation. Ever seen those bobble-head celebrities and sports figures? That's pretty much what we are talking about. It's a post-surgery thing where it feels like your head is on a spring bouncing around as you try to function in daily life. I'm sure that it's related to balance. It's just that reference that everyone seems to agree with.
David
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by ANA its an enhance state of dizziness with head detachment....My definition is head swirl (like having one to many to drink) without the alcohol effect on the brain.
JO ;D
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Mike -
wonkyhead is a term we use here on the Forum. I'm not sure you'd find a definition in a dictionary :) David's comparison to a bobble-head figure hits the nail right on the head.
Vestibular schwannoma is just another (harder to pronounce) term for acoustic neuroma.
Best,
Jan
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How about, the feeling of trying to balance a bowling ball (your heavy head) on your shoulders or
fishbowl head, where your head is the fishbowl, and your eyes are the goldfish sloshing around
patti ut
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After reading these definitions of WONKY HEAD I would say that I have never had one. I have had very slight dizziness after surgery and sometimes I still feel a light head feeling. I find that if I make a quick turn to either side it takes me a moment longer to orientate myself but this nothing like feeling like a bobble-head toy. While lying down I can lie on either side without any pain but I feel more comfortable keeping my AN side up--not sure why. So I guess I never had a WONKY HEAD or my WONKY HEAD is different. :)
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Me, too. Never had it.
Compensating for seven years of wait and watch probably circumvented the issue.
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In addition to Australian slang for broken, "wonky" is also a British slang term meaning shaky, groggy, or unsteady.
That seems to sum it up pretty well.
Sara
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After reading these definitions of WONKY HEAD I would say that I have never had one. I have had very slight dizziness after surgery and sometimes I still feel a light head feeling. I find that if I make a quick turn to either side it takes me a moment longer to orientate myself but this nothing like feeling like a bobble-head toy. While lying down I can lie on either side without any pain but I feel more comfortable keeping my AN side up--not sure why. So I guess I never had a WONKY HEAD or my WONKY HEAD is different. :)
I feel more comfortable sleeping with my AN side up also. ??? I guess deep down I afraid I'm going to upset whatever is holding my skull, titanium mesh etc.. together if I put too much pressure on it. I'm slowly overcoming it.
You are lucky you never had Wonky head. ;)
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My experience is somewhere in the middle of the Austrailian and Engish versions of wonky, just depends on the day. But those versions sure hit it right on the mark. For those of you who don't know what we are talking about, Thank Goodness!!! I'm glad you don't have it. Not much fun.
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Love all of the definitions of "wonkyhead." When doctors ask me if I have vertigo or dizziness, I always say no because it is more like a disorientation ...... but wonkyhead is so much more descriptive. I, too, would agree with JO that it feels like I've had one too many, without having had any.
Clarice
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Some times don't you just wish you had that one too many ;) I think it would make it all worth while.
Last night my husband and I played euchre at our friends house around the corner from us. I had one glass a wine the entire evening. Walking home, holding Louie's hand, my balance goes for a nose dive and I twisted the ankle I broke and had surgery on four years ago. I have some swelling, a bit of bruising and I'm limping. So I guess that was my one too many ;D
Anne Marie
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"Is there a difference between a Schwannoma an an acoustic neuroma ?"
Mike,
A Schwannoma is a tumor composed of the swann cells that form a sheath around nerves. An Acoustic Neuroma is a Vestibular Schwannoma. Not all Schwannomas are Acoustic Neuromas, since they can also form on other nerves besides the acoustic (vestibular)nerve.
The general term is Acoustic Neuroma, and Vestibular Schwannoma is probably the more technical term.
Regards,
Rob
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HUGS Anne Marie
DHM
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I have "Wonky Head".
I will use some of these desciptions when i talk to my physical therapist on Friday.
I tried to describe the bobble head thing to her but she didn't get it. Now i have other options.
Thanks. ;D
Patrick
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Patrick,
Isn't it nice to finally find people who know how you feel? And have all kinds of fun definitions for it. Welcome to the group.
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Hi Mike,
I haven't been treated yet but I had a couple of bouts of wonky head. One this morning. It feels like you are trying to balance yourself in a canoe or paddle boat. Not pleasant.
Anne Marie,
Sorry to hear about your ankle. Last night I tried to walk into my room in the dark. I totally lost direction. I didn't even have a drink! I used to be very balanced in the dark before. I guess it's all part of this journey.
Vivian
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I'm so glad it turns out I don't have wonky head.
Just some basic disequilibrium/balance problems with some brain farts too! (lots of those).
We all have to deal with our own little demons, don't we?
Hang in there all you bobble heads ;)
Maureen
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bumping this thread because my son describes a feeling, when he turns his head from side to side, of dizziness followed by what he calls a spasm. when i asked him to explain, he said it feels like his head is dancing around.
is that wonky head? or something else?
he's alarmed by it, but if this is what everyone else is referring to, it might help him to know that (unfortunately), it's part of things. if what i'm describing is different than what others experience, any thoughts on what it could be/how to better describe it to the docs, perhaps?
thanks in advance!
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Probably each of us could come up with a variation of how we would describe the "wonky head" feeling.
From your description, it fits that his remaining non-AN side vestibular nerve is still adjusting to being the only one working. For anyone with two normally working vestibular nerves, it is hard to understand.
Many of us benefitted from professional vestibular therapy post-AN treatment. There are a number of web sites that give good vestibular exercises to do at home that will assist the brain in making the adjustment to one working nerve. Just do a search on vestibular exercises. Tai chi is also an excellent way to regain balance. I started with walking back and forth in the hallway of my home (where I could easily touch both walls), while turning my head from side to side and then up and down while walking ..... increasing my speed as I was able to do it without touching the walls.
If his symptoms persist in spite of walking daily in a safe environment, he should mention it to his doctor, who could order vestibular therapy.
Clarice