Ataxia: Ataxia USA? Looking for American... - Ataxia UK

Ataxia UK

4,021 members4,557 posts

Ataxia

swtb profile image
swtb
48 Replies

Ataxia USA? Looking for American residents with ataxia

Written by
swtb profile image
swtb
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
48 Replies
NPJOSEPH81 profile image
NPJOSEPH81

You found a 37 year old GA resident with sporadic cerebellar ataxia.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to NPJOSEPH81

Thank you for your reply. There are no ataxia support groups in my area so I joined a PD support group.

kathie29 profile image
kathie29

HI i have cerebellar ataxia I live in CT USA

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to kathie29

Thanks for replying. I joined a PD support group as there are no ataxia support groups in this part of so. cal.

popepjp profile image
popepjp

I have Episodic ataxia and I'm from Indiana USA

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to popepjp

I have cerebellar ataxia. Have met only one other person in my PD support group with ataxia. There are no ataxia support groups here .

Frankfort profile image
Frankfort

Hello! I have CA from Ohio, USA

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to Frankfort

I also hv CA and still trying to tweek my diet and supplements, besides following Anthony William, Medical Medium.

maxco profile image
maxco

recently diagnosed with it last week. In Oklahoma

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to maxco

You're a newbie. Diagnosed 5 yrs ago and still researching anything that might delay symptoms. Walking at least a mile every day, with my dog on one side and my cane on the other. Following diet protocol by Anthony William, and getting good info on this blog by sunvox. Hope this helps.

Namitaytrev profile image
Namitaytrev

Hi, I have early symptoms of SCA3 and live in San Antonio, Texas.

Anyone else in Texas?

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to Namitaytrev

I live in very Southern CA, where there are no ataxia support groups. Joined a PD support group for the information.

Jujubeelu profile image
Jujubeelu in reply to Namitaytrev

Sca3 In California

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to Jujubeelu

I live in SD, CA. No atax support group in this area. Joined a PD support group 4 more neuro info. Following Anthony William diet protocol (8 mo) and this has helped with other symptoms. Good info from sunvox on this blog. No matter what, get your body healthy.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to swtb

I, too, have just started following the Medical Medium's diet of anti-inflammatory dairy-free and gluten-free. So far after 2 months, no changes. I hope to see SOME improvement, as I have always been healthy and hearty.

sonofapeter profile image
sonofapeter

51 year old in Seattle, WA with SCA 3.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to sonofapeter

Seems that any one with any type of ataxia are few and far between. I live in SD, CA.

Namitaytrev profile image
Namitaytrev in reply to swtb

We are few and yes, far between. There are 2 if you in Southern California though. I’d think worthwhile to see if you are close.

Also, Dr. Susan Pearlman is the Director of the Ataxia Clinic and ataxia clinical trials at UCLA which is about 2 hrs north of San Diego.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to Namitaytrev

Thank you for this info. I hv looked at Dr. Pearlman at UCLA. Excited to know that this research is happening. Anyone you know of near SD?

romain8 profile image
romain8

50 year old,unknown ataxia in Snyder county ,pa.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to romain8

I have CA and live in SD, CA. No support group here so I joined a PD support group for the information re neuro disorders.

february profile image
february

I have what I thought was Sporadic Cerebellar Ataxia (unknown cause - 20+ years), but found out through genetic exome testing in 2017 that I have ataxia due to adult-onset Niemann Pick C1 disease (NPC). I live in the USA in the State of Michigan. ;o)

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to february

Thank you 4 reply. I hv never heard of NPC. I hv CA and can't find a support group here, so I joined a PD support group and getting good info re neuro disorders.

dennisataxia profile image
dennisataxia

I live in Sherman Oaks,California,USA. Desperately seeking advise and interaction with others in my area.Anyone out there,please contact me!

Also, are depression,anxiety and insomnia symptoms of ataxia?

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to dennisataxia

Hi. I am looking 4 anyone in my area also, SD, CA. I hv experienced each symptom you mentioned plus fatigue and p. neuuropathy, in addition to balance issues. Following Anthony William diet, (8 mo), and no more neuropathy, anxiety, fatigue. Muscle cramps gone with magnesium, insomnia gone with herbs and medical cannabis. Good info by sunvox on this blog.

dennisataxia profile image
dennisataxia in reply to swtb

Thanks for your response. What herbs have helped with your insomnia? I am also badly affected by claustrophobia....Good luck!

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to dennisataxia

Hi. The herbs that I take for insomnia are ashwagandha, passionflower, skullcap, (good 4 brain as well), Lemon Balm, and always 3mg melatonin. I take these in a tea with honey. Honey is very relaxing. This will sound counterintuitive but I also eat a few dates 1/2 hour b4 bedtime, and then medical cannabis. No more insomnia.

cghere profile image
cghere

ataxia in Palm Springs .

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to cghere

So close and so far. I live in SD, CA, and for such a large city there are no atax support groups here. It seems there are a lot of us with varying types of ataxia, but spread out all over the US.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka

I have (unspecified) cerebellar ataxia, late onset. I live in Sausalito California. Just north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. There is only the National Ataxia Foundation in this country. I believe it's in Minnesota. Way far away.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

Thank you. I am a member of NAF, get the newsletter. I believe the last newsletter mentioned a mutant protein found in PwA, and researchers are looking at ways to degrade this protein. Not sure this was the source or possibly a post by sunvox on this blog. There seems to be chapters in other states but very few in CA.

Cubsfan profile image
Cubsfan in reply to ninotchka

Hello all and especially ninotchka! I too have unspecified late onset cerebellar ataxia. I am currently in Marin General Hospital after a slip and fall left me with badly bruised tail bone and elbow. The neurologist here says the best place for ataxia information and sufferers is UCSF. So I am trying to transfer there to help get specific diagnosis. You are the only other person I've heard of in N California suffering similar problems. If you'd like to communicate more please let me know! I was diagnosed 3 years ago and have been doing research ever since. This group has been valuable. I also find physical therapists very valuable. Exercise, proper vitamins, supplements and healthy diet are best I've found to arrest further progress of symptoms. I'm a Marin County resident and would enjoy communicating with you more. All the best!!!

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to Cubsfan

Wow. aren't these message boards fantastic! I do know about UCSF but since I am a Kaiser member, it is difficult to go there, unless they are doing a relevant trial. Last I knew, there was a trial, but not for me. It was for specific SCA numbers which I do not have. If you are lucky enough to qualify for one of these, go for it! I do trust my neurologist at Kaiser because she is new and not yet jaded. We communicate by email frequently. I am practicing good (anti-inflammatory) nutrition, etc, and I am buying a Tall Rollator this week from amazon so I can walk these hills. I know walking is imperative, and hopefully will help my legs as well as my mood. As far as stem cells go, they are not there yet, unfortunately. I, too, have been doing lots of research. Don't fall for those stem cell centers!

Cubsfan profile image
Cubsfan in reply to ninotchka

Please be careful walking those hills around Marin/Sausalito in a rollator! I had to come to MGH as result of slip & fall 2 weeks ago. I know it's really dificult but I'm going to try very hard to obtain specific diagnosis of my ataxia. They say I can get clinical diagnosis here, and I've had a few MRI's. To obtain genetic diagnosis at UCSF and hopefully more? I hope to know more in the next few weeks.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to Cubsfan

How did you slip? I am quite strong, but now spastic and uncoordinated. I do have a really strong core so that helps. I have had MRIs so I know what I'm dealing with. My heart has even stopped, as the nervous system plays a big part in my ataxia. I have a pacemaker. Also peripheral neuropathy. Nystagmus in the eyes. Lack of proprioception...you know the drill.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

hi ninotchka, I also had peripheral neuropathy, but I believe that my diet, detox, juicing and exercise regime of the last 8 months has somehow taken care of that. It very rarely affects me now. I eliminated dairy, grains, sugar, soy, eggs, coffee, etc., for mostly fruit and raw veggies, plus celery juice and cucumber juice. I also take a boatload of vitamins and special nutrients. I've heard from 2 sources that I need to get my body healthy first, then go after the chronic illness. Makes sense to me.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to swtb

I deleted dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, corn. I tried that celery juice but eeuuuww, hard to get down! I bumped up my fruits and veggies, all the plant protein I can handle, including the marvelous jackfruit. I still eat grass-fed beef, but not very often. I love fish, esp. wild-caught. Now I'm wondering if I should give up chicken because they eat corn right? And what about wine with dinner? And coffee??? If I give those up too, I may feel suicidal. I am basically oh-so-healthy and have never had any nutritional deficits. No reactions that I know of to any foods. I do take certain vitamins and also collagen powder. My ataxia is at least partly genetic, but I have read that it (and other genetic disorders) can still be lessened by diet.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

I also loved my wine with dinner but gave it up too. No corn, even my beloved popcorn. From what I hv read, Epigenetics, including diet, turns on and turns off genes. What is jackfruit and where do yu find collagen pwd?

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka

Yes! Saw the post. Whenever I find something, I send it to my neurologist at Kaiser. UCSF is doing trials for ataxia, but for only very specific SCA types. I never qualify.... I stay defiant.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

STAY DEFIANT! My PD support group leader sent an article on skin pluripotent stem cell therapy for PwP. The scientist applying for IND beginning trials this fall is a national stem cell expert from Scripps La Jolla. This is exciting to me bc maybe skin stem cells will show promise 4 us ataxians. You never know what may work for us.

Cubsfan profile image
Cubsfan in reply to swtb

What is a PD support group? I've also been trying to find stem cell info. I am in Northern California.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to Cubsfan

I couldn't find an Ataxia Support group here in SD, Ca, so I joined a PD group, Parkinson Support group. Pluripotent stem cells become any tissue in the body, and can now be made from the patient's own skin, so no shutting down the immune system and no rejection by the recipient. A scientist at Scripps, La Jolla has applied 4 IND approval and will start 1st phase of clinicals this year with 2nd phase for 2019. and full approval hopefully by 2020. Congress is being asked to expedite treatment for rare diseases. This is monumental 4 other neurodegenerative diseases, and could help with Ataxia one day. Keep the Faith.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka

Yes! We must stay open to new ideas, etc. . BTW, I am not sure what all those terms mean... "PD", "PwP", "IND". Sorry.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

PD= Parkinson Disease PwP= People with Parkinsons and IND= Investigating New Drug

I am glad you asked bc sometimes I think up a short version and it isn't always accurate.

I still don't know a short version for ataxia. AD? PwA?

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to swtb

Thanks! Don't think Ataxia has an abbreviation....

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka

Jackfruit is some magical fruit that tastes like meat. I recently bought a "BBQ Beef" package of it at Whole Foods, or Sprouts, not sure which. Absolutely DELISH. It is approved by the nutritional gurus. As for the collagen powder, it's from Amazon. I use the bovine which is the more common and higher in protein. There is also marine, which costs more. Since I'm not vegan, using collagen from cow bone marrow doesn't bother me.

swtb profile image
swtb in reply to ninotchka

Thanks 4 sharing. I hv 2 go there soon 2 stock up on Wild Blueberries. Highly recommended by my nutritionist 4 any type of condition. After watching the docuseries, The Truth About Cancer, I will be investing in Frankincense Ess. Oil. That and diet healed an 11 yr. old with a tumor on her brain stem. I am very willing 2 try what has healed others.

ninotchka profile image
ninotchka in reply to swtb

Trader Joe's has great frozen Wild Blueberries from Canada. I buy them all the time.

That is interesting about the Frankincense oil.

You may also like...

Ataxia

Hi I'm new to this I have ataxia and I'm wondering if there any other people out there with this...

Ataxia

neurological conditions and there was not one about Ataxia.

ataxia

Before I knew I had ataxia my Dr. said a knee replacement was necessary. How do I know what is...

Ataxia

drinking.I had to explain and spell out the name ataxia to him.Do these people ever read our...

ataxia

I have the same ataxia as yourself and therefore suffer the same symtoms as you do, I am now 61...