Balance issues come and go

[Nancy Drew]

Hi!  I didn't have balance issues before GK.  Started having some balance issues come up around four months after GK.  It was a gradual thing, not overnight.  Balance test said 71% of balance nerve had died.  I have periods where my balance is pretty good and then something will crop up.  Is it normal for balance problems to come and go?  Maybe the rest of my nerve is dying....possible???  Just curious because when I think everything is on track, boom here come the balance issues again.  The balance issues aren't terrible, just bothersome.  Thanks for any input.

Nancy

[Soundy]

I had translab July 2007 ... and still have balance changes fairly often ...

surroundings can toss me as well as if I have slept enough (which is a rare thing in it's self ) ... noisy places like the
basketball games at school would make me wobbly ...long halls , low light , stores with high ceilings , wind , and other
things that just won't come to mind ... and as you said , they are more bothersome than anything

some things that I have found to help me ...at school I walk near a wall in the halls , cover my hearing ear in wind , wear
a cap with a brim in stores that bother me , and when I get funny looks from people when I am wobbly I just smile
big at them and make them wonder ...

sorry not mush help but to let you know you are not alone

[LisaP]

Hi,

I have balance issues and I am still W&W,  I have noticed lately that being a passenager in a car that makes a lot of stops and goes makes me a little car sick at times.  This is new for me over the past month.   So when and if I have to seek treatment it will be interesting to see how my balance will be then.

LisaP 

[Nancy Drew]

Thanks for the input.  A lot of what both of you described fits my situation.  I did vestibular therapy for a while, and it was helpful, but it made me sick after a session and after doing the home exercises.  I have stopped going for a while to see if things will get better on their own.  My AN doc said in time the balance issues would get better especially if the whole nerve would just go ahead and die so the other one can take over.  Guess both nerves are fighting each other right now.  Lisa P., my AN doc said there is about a 15-20% chance that the radiation would compromise my balance nerve.  Maybe someone else can confirm this info.  I have good hearing and no facial issues so this is a positive.  I get angry at this AN a lot, but I guess it is normal to feel this way sometimes.  Maybe as time passes I will have less anger....especially if the stupid thing dies or stops growing.  Radiation is a waiting game, and it is hard on me because I want results "NOW"!!!  Take care everyone.  This a a process for sure!

Nancy