gradual drifting when walking

[jean_619]

Hi all,

Today I started having an odd issue -- when I walked I would gradually drift to one side.  It wasn't very pronounced, but it was enough that I noticed it, and I had to correct it and aim myself back on the right track.

I have no other walking issues.

Is this related to MS?

Thanks,
Jean

[jean_619]

Shell -- yes, I was just dx'ed after an episode in late February.  

That issue in February was one of double vision, but I have also had balance issues as well during that time and shortly after that.  Those balance issues were more of a feeling that I was unsteady and going to fall down.  So my way to compensate for that was to hold onto walls.   =)     Over the last 2 months my balance has improved significantly.

But Monday was the first time I noticed that "drifting" behavior.  Today (Tuesday) it wasn't a problem.  So I will just keep an eye on it and see what happens.  

I'm seeing my doc on Thursday anyway, so I will mention it to her, even if it hasn't come back or gotten worse.

I have several lesions in my brain, but I'm not sure exactly where except I know there is one in the area that controls vision.  So I'm guessing one of the others is in some area that controls balance.

Thanks all!
Jean

dx epi 19994
dx MS 2010

[Wobbly]

I have days when I would walk into the doorways wall instead of the open doorway.  It doesn't happen everyday, only on my off balance days.  

what you have may be from inner ear or MS or other things...let your Dr know..

take care
wobbly
dx

[jensequitur]

I've had the same problem - like my steering was off by 45°.  I would head for the door and end up running into the wall.  The doc thinks this was because of the lesion in my cerebellum.  I'm not sure if that's the problem, though.

[sllowe]

Hi Jean,

Welcome!

During my 1st attack, I had so much drifting, I really didn't even know how to explain it, but drifting is a good descript.  I had to constantly recorrect to stay on a sidewalk, not to bang into walls, etc.  It was as if I was sideways to tilted, weird.

Are you dx'd with MS? I'm sorry if you've posted and I've missed it.
Like mentioned above there can be other causes. I did not have vertigo or spinning w/mine.

-Shell

[lovemy6monkeys]

I'm in Limboland, but I just got over a bout of vertigo, and it started out with me drifting to the left as I walked. By mid-afternoon I was also feeling like I was spinning. My neuro told me that MS attacks will usually progress over a day or two, so if you get worse then I think it could very well be an MS thing.

~Jess

[Lulu54]

Jean, it could be related to your MS but could also be an issue with your inner ears.  Balance problems can come from a wide variety of sources.  

But back to the MS - I definitely list to one side when I walk and I am constantly focusing to keep on a straight course.  That is part of what can be so exhausting with MS - we continually try to correct the faulty signals our brain is putting out.

stay the course, Lulu