Balance Issue

[Ellimaey]

For the past couple of years, I've had issues with my balance  and it's been getting worse.  I lose my balance if the ground is not even; if someone runs across my path.  I can't use stairs unless I hold on. I can't go shopping alone anymore. I've also had pulsating sensations, which can be seen,  in different areas of my body at different times but mostly at night.  I thought of RLS but I don't have the urge to move my legs or feel creepy crawlees per say.

I've seen a neurologist and at first he said I had  damage to the vestibular nerve in my ear.  I didn't think that was it .  Now he says I have compressed nerves in my spine and again I doubt that's not it because it doesn't explain the other symptoms.  Sometimes I feel sluggish and my words sometimes slur; I feel "slow" and I can't maintain a rhythm (footsteps or clapping). Now, I'm really worried because naturally you think of MS, parkinsons and other neuropathys.  When I express these fears to my Drs., they rule them out and say there are no indications of these diseases and I'm just nervous and depressed which aggravates the symptoms.  They're still sticking with spinal stenosis.  They completely ignor me when I try to describe the pulsating sensations which feel like eye twitches
but in different spots on my body but not constant.  I am a 62 year old woman with a heart condition.  Has anyone gone through a similar situation?  Your input would be apreciated

[vicki281]

do you still have this problem?  I have this and was diagnosed with brain atrophy  caused by  hardened arteries not letting enough blood through to the brain    It was found by a cat scan with dye

[Ellimaey]

I do have a rhythm disturbance (AFIB).  I have 2 metal heart valves which rules out MRI's.  I'm on coumadin, toprol, prinizide, lanoxin.  In addition to my other symptoms, my legs feel "woody" at times and stiff but I think I've adapted to the near falls by not bending them too much at the knees because if I walk too "bouncy" - if that makes sense - I feel like I'm going to fall.  My neurologist thinks that because my gait is "stiff", it's a further indication that my spine nerves are compressed, but I see it as my adaptation to keep from falling.  Anyway, thank you for your input, I will definitedly follow up on your suggestion and have my heart re-evaluated.
This is the first time I've used this website and was so happy to get a response so soon.
I'm really at my wits end, trying to explain my symptoms to my Drs., and as I sit here typing, I can feel the pulsation in my pinky finger and it is jerking sideways.
Thanks again

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

These symptoms are indeed very hard to evaluate, and I agree with your neurologist that there is some amount of anxiety or depression involved, though not solely the reasons for these symptoms.

Spinal stenosis can indeed give you these symptoms, and for severe cases, some would recommend a surgical intervention.  

Your heart condition, if it is unable to pump blood effectively (or has rhythm disturbances), can cause decreased blood flow to some parts of your brain, and therefore cause these symptoms.  For this reason I suggest that you have your heart re-evaluated since this can be a source of your present symptoms.

Regards.