Appt with NS is feb 18. Meanwhile my balance is getting worse-holding onto walls, etc. does anything help with balance? Thanks in advance.
I use a walker. Feel like your drunk ALL the time....
Hope you can stop your world from spinning!!
Hi
I really sympathise with your balance issues! Mine has gradually got worse over a 10 year period. I have recently started using a balance board (Amazon !!), and doing balnce re-hab exercises in the despersate hope they will help. Apparently you can re-train your brian to compensate for dizziness / balance problems wheter they are neuroloigical or vestbular.
Also, one of the many neurologistsI have seen told me ' if you don't use it you lose it'...patronising I know when you can't even stand up for 2 mins without alomost falling!
Good luck!!
Helen xx
Primitive reflex exercises for Chiari related balance issues work great - like completely gone. Please not that I am post surgery but was told that these exercises work for pre surgery as well, they just need to be done more regularly. These are not for people who have vestibular problems - you need other exercises for those!
Tonic Labyrinthine
ATNR
STNR (including lateral component)
Hand Supported
Moro/Startle
That used to be my #1 problem...especially at work! I bought wider sports-type shoes (Mary Jane's from Merrell)...and bought the generic stuff from WalMart for travel...can't remember the name...it's for inner ear issues in airplanes...the pharmacist can point it out. It makes life easier on two fronts...helps your inner ear (balance) issues from making you go SPLAT...and keeps the nausea down. Good luck!
Hi again Nikki
Just wondering if you've ever lsot your balanced completely, ie just fell over...if so how do you cope?? I have almost totally fell a few times and dreading if it happens when I'm out!!
Also, do you have trouble with everyday tasks ie ironing, cooking etc??
This is also my main problem, I am hoping that surgery will be able to help. I also walk into the door frames at home and wonder how it happened, I feel that people must judge and think maybe I have had a drink or two, or four some times when I am out and about. It is nice to not I am not alone but I am sorry that all of us are going through our own struggles, with surgery approaching for me I am getting more anxiety than normal as well, I hope that some of the things people have listed are able to help you.
Re: Description of exercises
I would suggest that seeing someone to help you with them would be your best bet. Movement in the States is for different types of therapists to have programmes for children with primitive reflexes (with wild claims of turning your underachieving child into a genius!). But they might have programmes for adults to or be willing to take on adults with reflex-related balance issues.
I would have contact information for a health care providers if they are stuck and want more information. No, it is not "Buy this programme for the low, low, price of only $2000!) but actually useful information to help adults with Chiari-related balance problems.
Please keep in mind that brain research indicates that primitive reflexes have a tendency to pop up in anyone where the brain is stressed through whatever disease/injury mechanism.
I should would like to hear that someone else has given them a try and been successful as it is very sad to read all of the posts where people are suffering with balance issues. Drugs and wide-bottomed shoes can only take you so far...That used to be me and now it is not.
If anyone has found something that improves balance I sure would like to hear about it!
PT was ordered after shoes & otc mild drugs...each individual has different needs; so the movement you are recommending is not for all patients, as you stated. My PT was to relearn how to centralize my center of gravity & how to recognise when that shifting was necessary. Sometimes, it isn't about what your body can do, as to the fear you develope because you're afraid of falling.