unbalanced
 

Today I feel like a klutz! I've been so unsteady on my feet. Anyone else have equilibrium problems that come and go with MG?

I have had that for sometime since my MG has gotten progressively worse. I think mine is related to weakness in my legs.
Mike

Oh my gosh, yes. In fact, my first (mistaken) diagnosis was an inner-ear virus because I told the doctor I was having balance troubles. It took me months to understand that the whole balance problem was caused by weakness in my lower back and sides.

Here's how it seems to me: when you walk, the top half of your body normally sways a bit to the side with each step. Then your muscles tighten up to stop you from swaying too much. But if those muscles are weak, they don't contract properly, and you sway a bit more than you meant to. That throws off your balance.

In the beginning, the only symptom I had to report to the doctor was that as I walked, I found myself having to take an extra step to the side to "catch" myself a few times a day. The doctor wrote "ataxia" on my chart.

I also kept falling over the gate we were using to keep the dog out of the kitchen (stupid dog--I once tripped carrying a bowl of cereal, and did I get any sympathy? Nope. He just happily ate the cereal I'd spilled). I didn't realize my leg muscles were weak, but they were just weak enough not to lift my leg as high as I'd intended. Again, it felt like clumsiness, but it was a result of weak muscles. Now we have no dog-gate. Instead, the garbage can is bolted to the wall just out of his reach.

If your muscles aren't moving your legs as high or as far as you're telling them to, you'll feel clumsy.

Abby

Yes, I've notice my MG worsening and my balance seems to be following along. It's not just my muscles, I actually feel stiffness...kinda like I'm froze. I'm hoping that when I see my neuro come Monday that he will tell me it's a product of not sleeping as much as I should. Silly prednisone.
Stellatum...as least the cereal didn't go to waste! ;). My dogs follow me every where. They know things tend to slip out of my hand! They are the only ones who enjoy my not so good days!! Lol

I had waves of dizziness and poor balance for a while. It is better for the most part now. I never really got a good diagnosis for the balance issues. The only neuro diagnosis that I have is MG so I am thinking it is all related.

I think the sleeplessness, stiffness of joints, and unbalanced body are the top three things I'll be bringing up come my appt. Monday.

As an audiologist and MG pt I want to answered you from both aspects.

First as the pt:
YES!!! Before I was diagnosed (but what I now know was a period of exacerbation) I saw a otologist (ENT who specializes in ears/balance) because I was losing my balance and rolling my ankle from it. After I was diagnosed I realized it was muscle weakness and that I needed to stop wearing heels and switch to flats, which has helped a bit.

Now as the audiologist:
1) Absolutely share this feeling with your neuro on your next visit (or call the office and give them a heads up if it is impacting your life significantly and your next appointment isn't for a while) and make sure you explain the feeling descriptively- the terms "dizzy" and "off-balance" are extremely vague and can refer to a problem in many different systems- i.e. a pt can be dizzy because of low blood pressure.

2) Know that the term "vertigo" means a sensation feeling like your body is actually spinning in a room. This is usually associated with a vestibular (balance) issue, not muscular- if you have vertigo say VERTIGO!

3) Unfortunately pts with autoimmune diseases are at higher risk for other autoimmune diseases so if you experience constant ringing in your ears (tinnitus) with the onset of dizziness/vertigo and/or a sudden hearing loss (with or without tinnitus) call your doctor IMMEDIATELY. He or she will send you to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat/ Otolaryngologist). It's important though that you see an otologist- an ENT that specializes in ears or a neurologist, if there is one in your area as they will be most familiar with MG and treatment do's and don'ts.


Hope you found this helpful!!!!

My balancing problems occur when I feel like my head is in a bubble, like slow motion, or my legs are shaky. That's the two biggest sings of my unbalancing issues.

I am not sure that I can classify my "dizziness" as vertigo or as weakness. It happened the other day again. I didn't fall or anything. I just felt a brief moment of a feeling like my head was not correctly attached. It only took place for a second and it happened in response to sudden movement.

I do have problems with my right ear stopping up severely. It is also my right eye that has the ptosis.

Is it possible that what you were feeling was weakness in your neck muscles?

Abby