Author Topic: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are  (Read 20009 times)

Omaschwannoma

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Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« on: July 28, 2007, 06:56:46 am »
I put this in "Balance Issues" as I'm unsure if it's something other than balance issues.  I'm 2.5 years post surgery patient.  A newer development has started that I've never felt before and has me concerned.  Before I put a call into my doctor and face another embarrasing moment of being yelled at or told to stop worrying nothing is wrong I thought I'd start my search for answers here.

Has anyone ever had the perception of being taller than you really are?  Lately it is happening everytime I walk outside.  I try shifting my eyes to forward and walk a bit then look down in hopes it has gone away, but it doesn't until I reach home and sit down where the symptoms go away.  Guess the solution is "Just don't walk or sitting down takes it away so why worry?" 

1/05 Retrosigmoid 1.5cm AN left ear, SSD
2/08 Labyrinthectomy left ear 
Dr. Patrick Antonelli Shands at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
12/09 diagnosis of semicircular canal dehiscence right ear

Boppie

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2007, 12:59:48 pm »
Karen, I think I know what you mean.  I believe this is your visual balance system adjusting to the periphery.  At 20 months out I still walk with my eyes on the horizon and just glance at the ground minimally, especially in bright sun.  I have developed a habit of walking heel to ball of foot in a smooth stride.  When I allow my heels to bang down heavy I get the visual distubance problem.

I have a story,  Lately, I have been thinking my posture had improved, my back was straighter, and was taller due to the extra walking and improved post op balance.  Osteo runs in my whole family, and so I am conscious of my back and posture and walking style.  But, alas, my recent bone densitometry says I've lost an inch of height over the past two and a half years.  So, I might feel taller but I'm not.  Curses! genes can't be avoided.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2007, 02:18:23 pm by Boppie »

Omaschwannoma

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2007, 01:08:46 pm »
Yeah curses to genes, especially when they don't fit  :D  Thanks for the response.
1/05 Retrosigmoid 1.5cm AN left ear, SSD
2/08 Labyrinthectomy left ear 
Dr. Patrick Antonelli Shands at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
12/09 diagnosis of semicircular canal dehiscence right ear

Betsy

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2007, 03:06:16 pm »
I have physical proof that I'm taller in the morning!  When I drive to work I always have to move the rearview mirror UP.  When I leave work, I have to adjust it downward.  Either there's a gnome driving my car at night while I'm asleep, or I'm taller in the morning, right?!

Boppie, are you considering taking Fosamax or Boniva or one of the bone strengthening medications?  My Mom started shrinking but she's actually building bone now that she's taking Actonel once a week.  She won't get any taller, but it might keep her from breaking any more bones.

Karen, my AN plays tricks on me and I "feel" things that aren't really happening too.  I can be sitting securely at my desk, and still have the sensation that I'm falling.  Does it help to wear a visor?  Maybe limiting your field of vision a little will make a difference.  Who knows?!  This is a very strange and puzzling journey we're on!

Betsy
15mm left side AN, diagnosed 4/25/07, radiosurgery via Trilogy 8/22/07.  Necrosis & shrinkage to 12.8mm April 2009

Brendalu

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2007, 04:31:49 pm »
My therapist says wearing a ball cap or visor when you go into a store like Fry's or Sam's Club helps ADD people.  I don't know if my problem with high ceilings and walking outside was because of the AN or ADD, but at any rate I wear a visor now and even though the noise drives me crazy in those stores (I wear ear plugs)  I am not as floating feeling as when I don't.  I don't know that floating is such a good discription but if it happens to you you know what I am talking about.  My bone density test this year showed that I am 1 1/2 inches shorter and I really didn't need to know that.  No one in my family has or had osteo so I wasn't worried about it until now!  Just one more thing.
Short people got no reason...................................
Brendalu
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
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Chester Strunk, ENT

Dana

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2007, 06:19:15 pm »
Arushi,
Just my two cents to add to everyone's thoughts -- I've had odd perceptions of empty spaces, or separation between parts of my body, so I know what you mean.  I had GK only a week ago, so we certainly might have different reasons for the feelings.

One little 'exercise' I learned as a meditation teacher decades ago, --In order to make sure students were "earthed" (ie focused) before they drove off in a car was to have them focus their attention in their feet for a minute.  We're all so focused in our heads that it's easy to start "floating", which might be similar to your feeling taller....?

But I certainly wouldn't discount a balance/medical cause either.  As a long-time patient advocate for family members, and now myself, maybe consider finding another doc?  One about who you don't automatically think, "He/she is going to dismiss what I say....etc."   Or, forcefully reeducate your current doc......

Story:  I live in a small town, albeit with some good doctors around.  Even the one my husband and I see took a full year or more to finally listen to my husband about his symptoms, which ended up being Multiple Sclerosis.  Now, a few months later, she's already recognized the symptoms of MS in another patient. 

And I was lucky - right before my MRI/ AN diagnosis she'd had another patient nearby with an AN, so I benefitted from Sharon being first.  (BTW, Sharon -- somewhat of a non-internet person -- and I now have our own local AN Support Club!  We'll probably be meeting at one of the Casinos.....(!)   So, Raydean, there's two of us in western Grays Harbor County now, three of course including you!)

Anyway, I have been complaining of balance problems for the three years I've been seeing my doc.  It hasn't been that serious, so I never pushed it.  But then hearing loss, the MRI, the AN diagnosis and I start reading.  "Research shows that 90%+ of patients present with hearing loss, not balance problems, blah, blah...."  That's what I read.  So I relay this to my doc, and mock-shouting add, "THAT"S BECAUSE YOU DON"T LISTEN TO US!"  And she wholeheartedly laughed and agreed.....

That's the kind of doctor I need; one who will listen if only eventually!   I also make sure she is aware -- and I'd like to make the younger folks on this board aware -- of how recently "It's all in your head." was a prevalent mantra of doctors.  It profoundly affected the welfare of my mother (and me)  in the 50s and 60s and 70s.   Medical education has changed dramatically since then (at least that's my amateur patient observation), but it's one of those things I don't want people to forget because Doctors Listening is an important component of modern health.

Sorry I get carried away; it's just that these things are important to me.
Hugs,
Dana
1.5 cm AN diagnosed June 2007.   GammaKnife July 19, 2007 at Univ. of Washington/Harborview GK Center, Drs. Rockhill, Rostomily. 
After yearly MRIs for 5 years, it hadn't died. So I'm now leaning strongly toward surgery.

Captain Deb

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2007, 11:27:26 am »
I can't go anywhere outside without my ball cap. I feel like my head's going to float away without it. I even wear it to the gym, which has really high ceilings, and shopping and just about everywhere where I can't see the ceiling line.   

I finally found a Pirates of the Caribbean one, but what I want is a pink one with a  black Jolly Roger on it. Or a black one with a pink Jolly Roger. With a bow. Or whatever. Keep a lookout, crew.

Capt Deb 8)
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nancyann

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2007, 04:53:07 pm »
This subject reminds me of a cute joke:     A woman goes for her yearly physical.    The nurse asks the woman her height:  "5 feet 6 inches" says the woman.   The nurse measures her height & informs the woman she's 5 feet 2 inches.   The nurse then asks the woman her weight:  " 117 pounds" says the woman.  The nurse weighs her & informs the woman her weight is 145 lbs.   The woman starts crying.  The nurse asks what's wrong.  The woman replies : "  I was tall & thin when I came in here,  now I'm short & chubby!!!"
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Boppie

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2007, 08:37:52 pm »
So much for perception, eh?   ;D

Joef

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2007, 11:38:26 am »
I can't go anywhere outside without my ball cap. I feel like my head's going to float away without it. I even wear it to the gym, which has really high ceilings, and shopping and just about everywhere where I can't see the ceiling line.   

I finally found a Pirates of the Caribbean one, but what I want is a pink one with a  black Jolly Roger on it. Or a black one with a pink Jolly Roger. With a bow. Or whatever. Keep a lookout, crew.

Capt Deb 8)

Capt. I bet we could find a place that makes hats per you order...
4 cm AN/w BAHA Surgery @House Ear Clinic 08/09/05
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger, Dr. Stefan and Dr. Joni Doherty
1.7 Gram Gold Eye weight surgery on 6/8/07 Milford,CT Hospital

OTO

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2007, 08:56:55 pm »
Regarding wearing ball caps or visors...  I remember reading a longtime ago, that the color of the underside of the visor affects you.   Green is good...  One of the major league baseball teams, did a study and from then on specified to the manufacture that the color should be green.   Something to do with focusing attention and visual effects...   

Soundy

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Re: Perception Of Being Taller Than You Really Are
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2007, 04:55:57 am »
I can't go anywhere outside without my ball cap. I feel like my head's going to float away without it. I even wear it to the gym, which has really high ceilings, and shopping and just about everywhere where I can't see the ceiling line.   

I finally found a Pirates of the Caribbean one, but what I want is a pink one with a  black Jolly Roger on it. Or a black one with a pink Jolly Roger. With a bow. Or whatever. Keep a lookout, crew.

Capt Deb 8)


Do you have a Claire's nearby ? they had pirate themed hats ,belts , scarves and jewelry about 2 weeks ago...
they change stuff out fast  so may be gone ... but worth a look



As to subject ... When I walk outside I have to look out in the distance ... if I focus on stuff near
or look to ground it looks like the ground is far away... I guess that would mean I was feeling taller just a
different interpretation

Also when riding in truck I put little card stock blinders on my glasses to block out peripheral vision or
I get the feeling that what is in front of me is moving away from me
3mm AN discovered Aug 2004
Translab July 2 ,2007
3.2cm x 2.75cm x 3.3cm @ time of surgery