Ataxia

I have always been told that Ataxia is always a way to describe an underlying condition that isn't or can't be diagnossed and doing some checking on the net.... it is used to describe symptoms of an underlying condition that isn't or can't be found.....I know that some even say that Ataxia is and or can be a stand alone type of desease....But how can all this be true....?The doc's say you have an Ataxic gait...or your balance is one of an Ataxic type condition....I have found out there are over 47 differant types of Ataxia and if all are just used to describe an underlying condition why are there so many types...and how come all seem to cover all the symptoms we are all haveing...not just certian symptoms with individual types... but all types have all the same symptoms...Just strange....

Hi Ken, I am certainly no expert but from my research this is what I make of it all. Ataxia is a term that is used to describe symptoms that can be primary to a particular disease/disorder for example symptoms of one of the many known genetic disorders which have been labelled with ataxia names because they have discovered the genetic defect believed to cause the symptoms or it can be used to describe symptoms that are secondary to or arise from another primary disease/disorder that has other primary symptoms for example MS, Parkinsons and a range of other things. The way in which Ataxia conditions have been classified over time has changed and it will I imagine continue to change over time as more becomes known. This I suspect is why there are so many difficulties with diagnosis. Not sure this helps much.

Hi Ken - As I understand it, ataxia is a symptom of known conditions such as MS.

However, ataxia can also be a definitive diagnosis of many types. MSA is a type of ataxia http://www.msatrust.org.uk/

as is FA http://www.ataxia.org.uk/pages/friedreichs-ataxia.html

Sometimes ataxia can be diagnosed as Cerebellar Ataxia.

There are both genetic and non-genetic forms of Cerebellar Ataxia. It sometimes can be caused by a faulty gene that is passed down through generations of a family. If a parent has inherited Cerebellar Ataxia, it does not necessarily mean that their children will also develop the condition as sometimes it is also non-genetic. There is sometimes no explanation for non-inherited Ataxias. However, it can be brought on by serious damage to the brain which may be caused by many things, including: head injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, a brain tumour or viral infections (such as chicken pox).

Yes, I find it difficult to understand too.

Take care, Patsy

CA/70/UK

I am also confused. My family doctor told me that Ataxia is a symptom. Then I read on the internet of various hereditary conditions or diseases that I thought were called ataxia--SCA-? and Friedricks ataxia, gluten ataxia. I guess I sort of understand that the gait and balance problems are symptoms. At this point neither the GP nor the neurologist can offer any insight into the cause or underlying disease in my case. I wonder if it even matters, except for the kids and grands to know if it is hereditary. And even if it is, there is nothing they can do now about it. I was almost 70 when symptoms appeared, and I know of no others in the family who had it. My mother had some type of nerve disorder when she was very old--near 80. But, I was only aware of her losing feeling in her legs.

My ataxia appears to have been a result of my aortic valve replacement heart surgery. During the surgery my cerebellum blood flow was interrupted for too long resulting in damage to the small blood vessels and subsequent inability to speak, walk, maintain memory/balance, can’t drive, on disability, yada yada yada! The Ataxic symptoms are a diagnosed result of the damage to my cerebellum. As for the variety of types I think they result from the underlying cause of the expressed ataxic symptoms, if even determined.

There are really many different "Ataxias", i don t think it is write that all Ataxias are based on an underlying condition. E.g. Ataxia can emerge from getting poisened or in the elderly.

Prof. Susan Perlman said in her interview given to Living with Ataxia some weeks ago that in the clinic where she works she has seen patients with so 50 different forms of ataxia..

i myself am not sure if there is only "one ataxic gait" existing in the sense of walking style caused by a special form of ataxia, or not. Maybe only truncal ataxia is meant when somebody talks about "ataxic gait"...

Kind regards, Akita

Not wanting to get involved, as I know little, but was told by my neurologist that there are approximately 150 known variants of ataxia, mine is unknown as is the reason why I've got it. My biggest problem is that it isn't going to get any better, only worse. I find this hard to deal with personally. Thankfully my lovely wife Eileen stands proud beside me, bless her.

Looks like we have allot in common.Ataxia symptoms and a wonderfull wife. I am blessed to have a compassionate yet strong wife.

Donnybluewayne said:

Not wanting to get involved, as I know little, but was told by my neurologist that there are approximately 150 known variants of ataxia, mine is unknown as is the reason why I've got it. My biggest problem is that it isn't going to get any better, only worse. I find this hard to deal with personally. Thankfully my lovely wife Eileen stands proud beside me, bless her.

We are indeed blessed !

Hi Donnybluewayne,

have i understood you correctly, in that you have got your symptoms since only two months ?

.. and that you have already got a part of your diagnosis? Is it possible to get a part of a diagnosis? And when you would have got these, why is this part of diagnosis not helpful for you?

Kind regards,

Akita

--

From your introduction:

Please share your story with the community...(even a few words helps us know you are not a spammer. :))
Had MRI Scan, part diagnosis, not sure what type yet. Nervously awaiting specialist neurologist apt but told it could be 12 weeks.
Only known 2 months or so, but speech, balance, touch/feel etc deteriorating apace. Worried, very worried.

Part diagnosis was possible ataxia, knew less about ataxia then, don't know too much now haha

2 weeks was how long I knew for sure I had a problem

In a nutshell...still don't know type or cause and unlikely to find out, one thing is for sure, work is tougher, voice and walking seem to be on the decline, shopping for Xmas is all but impossible, on the upside, can't write cards out these days or wrap presents.

BTW, I'm not a spammer

Akita said:

Hi Donnybluewayne,

have i understood you correctly, in that you have got your symptoms since only two months ?

.. and that you have already got a part of your diagnosis? Is it possible to get a part of a diagnosis? And when you would have got these, why is this part of diagnosis not helpful for you?

Kind regards,

Akita

--

From your introduction:

Please share your story with the community...(even a few words helps us know you are not a spammer. :))
Had MRI Scan, part diagnosis, not sure what type yet. Nervously awaiting specialist neurologist apt but told it could be 12 weeks.
Only known 2 months or so, but speech, balance, touch/feel etc deteriorating apace. Worried, very worried.

and I am blessed to have a loving and supportive husband.



Mark Groenwold said:

Looks like we have allot in common.Ataxia symptoms and a wonderfull wife. I am blessed to have a compassionate yet strong wife.

Donnybluewayne said:

Not wanting to get involved, as I know little, but was told by my neurologist that there are approximately 150 known variants of ataxia, mine is unknown as is the reason why I've got it. My biggest problem is that it isn't going to get any better, only worse. I find this hard to deal with personally. Thankfully my lovely wife Eileen stands proud beside me, bless her.

Me too, my husband is amazingly supportive, even though he doesn't "understand" it all (neither do I sometimes!)

Faye Mays said:

and I am blessed to have a loving and supportive husband.



Mark Groenwold said:

Looks like we have allot in common.Ataxia symptoms and a wonderfull wife. I am blessed to have a compassionate yet strong wife.

Donnybluewayne said:

Not wanting to get involved, as I know little, but was told by my neurologist that there are approximately 150 known variants of ataxia, mine is unknown as is the reason why I've got it. My biggest problem is that it isn't going to get any better, only worse. I find this hard to deal with personally. Thankfully my lovely wife Eileen stands proud beside me, bless her.