I have two ataxia symptoms - imbalance and dizziness. Some times these symptoms increase and other days, these are normal. When it is increased, I get mild pain on back side of head. I feel difficult to walk when symptoms increased. If anyone has these oscillations of ataxia, please advise me and also for medications for dizziness
I deal with dizziness/lightheaded all the time also. Some days it seems worse than others. I've been taking a Clariton (allergy over the counter med that helps some but doesn't take it all away). It started to effect my eye's as well with watering and just not focusing as well. So I went to the eye Dr. He said I have inflammation behind my eye's. I think it's allergies that I never had before. I'm going with that for now. :0)
The heat seems to make it worse for me too. On the bad days I just go with it and I'm conscience so I don't do anything really just go along and don't move as much as other days.
I don't think there is a magic pill for this I could be wrong, but I don't like side effects of brain fog that most meds seem to give me so I try to do things as natural as I can. Others might have more thoughts on this though.
I do get lightheaded/fuzziness but not dizzy.. I usually treat this same as fatigue and have a 'proper' rest. Sometimes it just takes 10 minutes others it takes forever.
My optician told me to ask GP for dry eyes drops [gel] which I use every morning.
I have a few repeat drugs for high blood pressure, reflux, muscle rigidity plus supplements but I try not to take anymore drugs. Having said that I have just taken 2 ibruprofen as I had unusual heachache. Thought my head would explode. They worked a treat thank goodness.
Hi Raghu, What type of ataxia have you been diagnosed with? I was thinking episodic ataxia, as you say you only have balance/dizziness symptoms some of the time. I have my ataxia symptoms 24/7, as it effects my gait/balance, dexterity, speech and swallowing. I also have muscle rigidity/spasms. I experience blurred and double vision, although usually only when I'm tired. I don't have dizziness as a rule, except if I'm over-tired. I currently don't take any medications for ataxia, just some vitamins, supplements and CoQ10 (per my neurologist). If I do get dizzy, I just lay down and rest for a while, although this rarely happens. Sorry I can't be of more help to you, as I'm sure that's frustrating! Hopefully others on this site can help..., ;o)
Hi,
I have the imbalance but can't really say dizziness. The feeling is more of being on the deck of a boat and it is rocking in the ocean. I find it hard to focus on objects. This struggle causes a lot of fatigue and if I do anything in the morning or early afternoon, I have to nap in the afternoon. My gait, dexterity, speech and sometimes swallowing are all affected. I cough a lot. My neurologist said there is nothing to take for this , just find ways to cope! It is important to find some kind of exercise that you can do - the senior center in my town had a gentle yoga class and quickly adapted to my imbalance and had me doing exercises from a chair. Brilliant! My latest and more concerning symptom is a feeling of heaviness at the base of my skull and at the top of my spine. I guess that's the spino part of spinnocerebellar. Can't wait for my next neurolist's appointment.
Hi Rose,
I have been tested for SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. It is negative. How do I get tested for episodic ataxia?
rose said:
Hi Raghu, What type of ataxia have you been diagnosed with? I was thinking episodic ataxia, as you say you only have balance/dizziness symptoms some of the time. I have my ataxia symptoms 24/7, as it effects my gait/balance, dexterity, speech and swallowing. I also have muscle rigidity/spasms. I experience blurred and double vision, although usually only when I'm tired. I don't have dizziness as a rule, except if I'm over-tired. I currently don't take any medications for ataxia, just some vitamins, supplements and CoQ10 (per my neurologist). If I do get dizzy, I just lay down and rest for a while, although this rarely happens. Sorry I can't be of more help to you, as I'm sure that's frustrating! Hopefully others on this site can help..., ;o)
Hi Raghu, Do you have a neurologist? If so, they could order genetic testing for EA2 (Episodic Ataxia). Of course, you'd want to check with your insurance to make sure it's covered, as any genetic testing is quite expensive. I'm sure you already realize this, as you have already been tested for SCA 1,2,3,6 and 7. Also, you'd want to ask your neurologist if they think testing for EA2 would be beneficial. Good luck!..., ;o)
There's also EA1..., sorry, I couldn't edit my answer..., ;o)
EA test is not available in Hyderabad, India where I live. Is there any benefit if I get tested - any cure?
rose said:
Hi Raghu, Do you have a neurologist? If so, they could order genetic testing for EA2 (Episodic Ataxia). Of course, you'd want to check with your insurance to make sure it's covered, as any genetic testing is quite expensive. I'm sure you already realize this, as you have already been tested for SCA 1,2,3,6 and 7. Also, you'd want to ask your neurologist if they think testing for EA2 would be beneficial. Good luck!..., ;o)
neurologists must be nearly extinct in this area, I have never seen one!
rose said:
Hi Raghu, Do you have a neurologist? If so, they could order genetic testing for EA2 (Episodic Ataxia). Of course, you'd want to check with your insurance to make sure it's covered, as any genetic testing is quite expensive. I'm sure you already realize this, as you have already been tested for SCA 1,2,3,6 and 7. Also, you'd want to ask your neurologist if they think testing for EA2 would be beneficial. Good luck!..., ;o)
No Raghu, there's no cure. The only benefit would be knowing what you're dealing with, and symptoms for any medications that might help. For some reason (?), I've always been curious as to why I have ataxia, and if it's hereditary, even though there's no cure. I have Sporadic Cerebellar Ataxia (supposedly it's non-hereditary/unknown cause). I had genetic testing for the known recessive types of ataxia, which was negative. I may have genetic testing for the known dominant types, although my juries still out, as the possibility is only 10% Also, some people have genetic testing to see if their ataxia is hereditary, as they want to start a family, or already have children and grandchildren (like me). Although I don't see much benefit in telling them, if it is hereditary, as at this time there's no cure for most ataxia's. Hopefully, some day there will be! It's all a matter of how one feels about it, as it's complicated.