Author Topic: balance issues and radiation  (Read 5623 times)

davjack

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balance issues and radiation
« on: November 19, 2009, 11:28:51 am »
Has anyone who has had the radiation treatment had success with balance exercises? Will my brain eventually compensate after the tumor is zapped and isn't growing anymore?
DJ
Lumpy is 1.3cm...am now in W&W mode since Dec. 2009

foodsmarts

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2009, 02:44:07 pm »
Hi. I'm currently in vestibular therapy. Six sessions of nine have been completed and I have improved. The therapy consists of various exercises which challenge your balance system. For instance, they have me focusing on a letter about 1" high. I stand at a distance so that I can see it clearly with my feet slightly apart and then I shake my head from side to side, attempting to maintain the focus. I do that until I am dizzy or need to quit. Once I can do that for a minutes or so without getting dizzy, I stand with my feet together, to make the balancing harder. Again I repeat the head shaking. The next level is to stand with feet tandem.

Immediately after doing these exercises, the horizon is more stable for me. One of my immediate needs was to get stable while I turned my head to check the lane before changing lanes on the freeway. The exercises are helping.

They have also analyzed my gait extensively and given me pointers for helping me balance better. I practice walking while shaking my head also - shaking fairly
fast to the beat of "Stayin Alive".

I'd encourage you to get into vestibular therapy or if that's not possible, check the many sites on line which outline these simple methods which for me at least, have
helped. Move as much as possible because every time you get up and down, walk, use stairs etc. you are challenging your balance system and teaching your brain.

Hang in there - you will improve.

Helen





5.4mm X 3.2mm X 3.88 mm at diagnosis 8/28/08; 1.1 cm X .5 cm 6/16/09; CK Stanford Drs. Chang and Soltys 8/19/09

Dr. Dean

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2009, 04:34:42 pm »
DJ:

If you want balance exercises that really work (5 minutes a month does it) go to

http://www.personalityfinesse.com/pdfshow.php?pdf=12  and download the pdf.

You will be happy you did.

Dean

davjack

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2009, 02:27:11 pm »
Thank you for that! I will read this and try it out
DJ
Lumpy is 1.3cm...am now in W&W mode since Dec. 2009

Nancy Drew

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2009, 03:28:05 pm »
This is a good topic and thanks for posting DJ.  I am in vestibular therapy (about two months now), and I have been doing a lot of the same exercises Helen described.  I am having some success....although a slow process.  I have had four balance tests in the past (2 pre-GK and 2 post-GK).  About three months after GK I noticed some slight balance issues (i.e., running into things, tripping), and I had a balance test.  It came out normal.  However, I have always failed the eye tracking test, but the doc attributed this to medications I take.  Balance issues kept getting worse, and I had another balance test 9 months post-GK.  Results showed that 70% of my balance nerve had been compromised as a result of the radiation.  My AN doc never mentioned vestibular therapy, but I decided to give it a try after reading about it on the AN board.  The Vestibular PT said my eye tracking was way off, and she sent me to a vision specialist.  He said I have convergence insufficiency and pursuits saccades.  Perhaps I've had it since a child, but now that the balance nerve has been compromised, the vision issues might be making my balance worse.  He prescribed glasses with prisms.  I have good eye sight, so I might not need to wear these glasses forever.  They are supposed to train my eyes to track better and strengthen them in the process.  I've only had the glasses for a week.  They are hard to get use to, and they are driving me crazy at this point.  But, I am going to hang in there and see how it goes.  I also got prisms in my reading glasses, and they are easier to get use to.  I definitely think you can train the brain to deal with balance and eye issues.  Also, I have read on the board that folks learn to compensate over time.  Best wishes DJ.  And, thanks for recommending that site, Dean.

Nancy
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

stoneaxe

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2009, 01:47:51 am »
I had an increase in balance issues post-radiation. As it was explained to me the nerve is still firing but sending false signals so your system has a hard time finding what the new you is. I did the vestibular therapy exercises but saw only slight improvement. It wasn't until I REALLY started pushing myself with standup paddleboarding that I saw a big improvement. Even then it wasn't perfect...still good days and bad days, but definitely better. My advice is to find something you can enjoy that seriously challenges your balance (while still being safe) and put everything you have into it.
On another note..post-surgery (ended up having to go back 5 years later since tumor was growing again) my balance is more steady state...still not perfect....but I don't have the sudden losses of balance that I used to have. Its also getting better with time as my body gets used to the new me. I had difficulty surfing in the first few months after surgery, especially on choppy days. Recently i've had it much better...even outperforming folks without balance issues..... ;D
Bob - Official Member of the Postie/Toasty Club
6mm AN treated with Proton Beam Radiosurgery in March 2004
at Mass General Hospital, Dr's Loeffler and Chapman
Cut the little bugger out the second time around in 2009..translab at MGH with Dr's McKenna and Barker.
http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Nancy Drew

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2009, 07:01:24 pm »
I have been faithful with doing the home exercises suggested by my physical therapist in vestibular therapy.  I have seen so much progress, and I can highly recommend vestibular therapy.  Although things aren't perfect, I can honestly say that I am now doing things that I haven't been able to do for a while.  I can actually walk a straight line now.  I am so happy to see such great success in such a short period of time....about 2 1/2 months now.  Best wishes to all of you struggling with balance issues.  I think you have to find out what works for you, and I have gotten some really good ideas from this message board.

Nancy
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs

Anomar11

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2009, 08:59:31 pm »
Nancy,

Glad to hear this is working so well for you.  This is encouraging.  I may consider this in the near future.  Take care. 

Mona
L An diagnosed 5/08 2.0 x 1.1 x 1.3 cm.  Cyberknife Stanford Drs Chang and Gibbs Nov '08.  One yr: 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.6, Two yr: 2.2 x 1.5 x 1.8, Three yr: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.5, Four year 1.6 x 1.1 x 1.1, Six yr: 1.4 x .7 x .9

Nancy Drew

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Re: balance issues and radiation
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2010, 03:53:04 pm »
OK, I have a new issue.  After bragging about how well I was doing with the vestibular therapy, I quit going because the PT said I was doing great.  So, I got lazy and quit doing the home exercises because I thought I was "cured"....and it felt like everything was on the right track.  For the past week, the balance issues have popped up again.  Dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, falling and walking like a drunk.  I am just wondering if this is because I quit doing my exercises or if it is possible that my balance nerve in continuing to die and causing these problems.  The end of June showed that I had lost 70% of my balance nerve.  I am confused about the whole situation.  Can someone chirp in with any info or ideas.  Thinking about calling the GK center or my doctor, but I am going to you guys also since all of you have "been" there.
12/05 AN diagnosed left ear 4.5mm
06/08 6mm
Gamma Knife 10/21/08
1 year MRI  6.8mm x 5.5mm
2 year MRI  5.9mm x 4.9mm
3 year MRI  6.5mm x 6.0mm 
Slight Hearing Loss Post GK

Swedish Gamma Knife Center
Englewood, CO
Dr. Robert Feehs