Met with the Neurologist yesterday. Went in very nervous but was hoping for an answer regarding my PN and balance issues. Turns out that the diagnosis at this point is cerebellar ataxia. The MRI of my brain showed a shrinking/smaller cerebellum. Typical causes are Hereditary or Toxin exposure. Waiting to hear if insurance will cover the DNA testing to determine the exact type of Cerebellar Ataxia. At this point I am scared, confused, and just unsure if I really want to know whats going on. The more I read on the subject I realize that there is no "cure". This can not be reversed and may progress overtime. They can treat the symptoms and thats it. What scares me most is that over the past 8 or 9 years I have gone from skiing, hiking (climbing 14'ers in Colorado), and snow shoeing to having to use a cane to walk, my balance has gone downhill, and it is very painful to walk. I noticed that in several of the tests with the neurologist that I had difficulty following her finger, mirroring some of her movements, fine motor skill issues.

I am afraid that things will continue to go downhill.....who knows where I will be in 5, 10 or 20 years. How do I deal with this? I am a mess today and have to find a way to get through work. I know there is nothing I can do so even if I worry and work myself up it will do no good....... I can't help it though, I'm just trying to make it through the day. Seems PN is the least of my worries.