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What Causes Loss Of Balance With Double Vision?
Question: I have a balance issue beginning about a year ago where I also had double vision at that time, with a prism on my glasses it went away but balance remains off and becoming worse, After some testing they did not come up with anything specific for the cause, except the eye doctor commented about something on the pituitary gland possibly.
I do have Fibra Myalgia for many years and have a bone spur on the front of a hip that isn't operable.
I have had no change in meds. I take b/p, cholesterol, and for pain tramadol for the Fibro for a long time which has worked fairly well for me. I have tried lyrical for the Fibro but it made my mind feel funny.
I am 80 years old and have always been very active, live on a ranch in Wy.
My question is my balance issue something that I will live with or should I have further testing?
XXXX
I do have Fibra Myalgia for many years and have a bone spur on the front of a hip that isn't operable.
I have had no change in meds. I take b/p, cholesterol, and for pain tramadol for the Fibro for a long time which has worked fairly well for me. I have tried lyrical for the Fibro but it made my mind feel funny.
I am 80 years old and have always been very active, live on a ranch in Wy.
My question is my balance issue something that I will live with or should I have further testing?
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Further history necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Looking at the clinical symptoms and present query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Balance issues are common in the elderly. Before I say anything further, I have a few queries
a. Are there any specific precipitating factors. Time, place, looking up, down or sides
b. Have you fallen due to loss of balance?
c. Do you have any muscle weakness on any sides?
d. Is it outside or inside the house, where you have balance issues?
e. More during day or night?
f. Due you have any loss of sensation or pain in extremities, lower limb, foot etc
g. Any ear pain, ringing sensation in ears
h. Do you feel dizziness when you wake up from sitting to standing or sleeping to standing position
i. Are you able to walk in a straight line.
j. Is it related to diet.?
k. How much is your weight and height?
l. Any alcohol, smoking
2. There are numerous causes related to balance, vestibular, or neurological or gait disorders. If you let me know answer for the above queries, I can try to help you more. However, try to use walking stick for support and avoid falls in mean time.
Will wait for answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
Further history necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Looking at the clinical symptoms and present query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Balance issues are common in the elderly. Before I say anything further, I have a few queries
a. Are there any specific precipitating factors. Time, place, looking up, down or sides
b. Have you fallen due to loss of balance?
c. Do you have any muscle weakness on any sides?
d. Is it outside or inside the house, where you have balance issues?
e. More during day or night?
f. Due you have any loss of sensation or pain in extremities, lower limb, foot etc
g. Any ear pain, ringing sensation in ears
h. Do you feel dizziness when you wake up from sitting to standing or sleeping to standing position
i. Are you able to walk in a straight line.
j. Is it related to diet.?
k. How much is your weight and height?
l. Any alcohol, smoking
2. There are numerous causes related to balance, vestibular, or neurological or gait disorders. If you let me know answer for the above queries, I can try to help you more. However, try to use walking stick for support and avoid falls in mean time.
Will wait for answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
1.
a.turning around corners, standing still, feel like I could fall backwards, walking on uneven ground.
b. yes, outside
c. both arms feel tingly and heavy
d. both but more on uneven ground
e.day
f. pain in back and sciatica and down leg, more so on right leg--probably from bone spur on spine that affects my rt side more.
g. yes, mostly left ear, ringing and feeling of fullness
h. no
I. not well
k.5ft 9"
I. no
2. Sorry not responding sooner, finally went to bed last night. I use a cane whenever I
am outside or doing a lot of walking or standing, like grocery shopping or in the garden. Thanks XXXX
a.turning around corners, standing still, feel like I could fall backwards, walking on uneven ground.
b. yes, outside
c. both arms feel tingly and heavy
d. both but more on uneven ground
e.day
f. pain in back and sciatica and down leg, more so on right leg--probably from bone spur on spine that affects my rt side more.
g. yes, mostly left ear, ringing and feeling of fullness
h. no
I. not well
k.5ft 9"
I. no
2. Sorry not responding sooner, finally went to bed last night. I use a cane whenever I
am outside or doing a lot of walking or standing, like grocery shopping or in the garden. Thanks XXXX
Brief Answer:
Require vit B12, balance exercises, hemoglobin lev
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Looking at the answer to the questions I asked,
I think it could be related to
1. Vestibular degeneration
2. Cerebellar cause.
Both appear to be age related degeneration.
You can follow the following:
Balance exercises could help you improve.
Meet a physiotherapist and get help with balance exercises.
Use protectors for hip to avoid hip fracture.
Vit B12 supplements needs to be taken to improve nerve sensations.
Try to move around slowly.
Check your hemoglobin levels. If it is reduced, it could make you weak. Needs improvement.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Require vit B12, balance exercises, hemoglobin lev
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Looking at the answer to the questions I asked,
I think it could be related to
1. Vestibular degeneration
2. Cerebellar cause.
Both appear to be age related degeneration.
You can follow the following:
Balance exercises could help you improve.
Meet a physiotherapist and get help with balance exercises.
Use protectors for hip to avoid hip fracture.
Vit B12 supplements needs to be taken to improve nerve sensations.
Try to move around slowly.
Check your hemoglobin levels. If it is reduced, it could make you weak. Needs improvement.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
As I looked up the word "vestibular", it seem to be a canal, are you saying a canal near the ear, otherwise it suggests a canal near the vagina. I don't know what the word means so I have no idea what you are telling me. I do know what degeneration means
".Cerebellar" pertaining to the brain?
".Cerebellar" pertaining to the brain?
Brief Answer:
yes, its in ear.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Yes, its in the ear. Vestibulo cochlear apparatus which helps in balance. Age related changes in this can affect balance. At this age, difficult to medicate as it could cause side effects.
Cerebellar is posterior brain. It is also important in balance. It's disease is the main reason, you are not able to walk in a straight line.
Balance exercises will help.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
yes, its in ear.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Yes, its in the ear. Vestibulo cochlear apparatus which helps in balance. Age related changes in this can affect balance. At this age, difficult to medicate as it could cause side effects.
Cerebellar is posterior brain. It is also important in balance. It's disease is the main reason, you are not able to walk in a straight line.
Balance exercises will help.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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