Support for my lovely Mum

[Totoro123]

Hi,

My 63 year old Mum had a stroke last year caused by a venous anomaly in her brain (very rare!). Is has caused atrophy in her cerebellum and she has been left with ataxia. She has vertigo and ataxia affecting her mobility quite significantly. She feels pretty miserable and has recently had 2 falls which have knocked her confidence. She was an incredibly independent and sociable person and this has affected her in so many ways. I am supporting her with keeping motivated in regards to her physio. However I know she is fed up and so frustrated.

I am just reaching out for some support and ideas as I think she feels quite alone with is.

Are there any tricks or strategies to help with the vertigo?

Anything I could say to her from other people with ataxia that could give her some strength and hope?

I wish everyone here the very best and I am in such admiration of you.

Thanks, L

[wobblybee]

🙂 If she lives either here or the US, it’s possible to go online to find Ataxia Support Groups. It can be be incredibly supportive to talk face to face with people coping with similar challenges. And, it’s possible to have laughs along the way 🙂

ataxia.org.uk

ataxia.org

[Totoro123 in reply to wobblybee]

Thanks so much. I’ve got in touch with a few of the UK based Ataxia support groups. Thanks for your reply.

[Dolly63]

I’ve had balance/vertigo issues I found vestibular rehabilitation exercises helpful but unfortunately they make you worse before you see any improvement.The theory is to make your self more dizzy so your brain get used to it and grows new neuro pathways.you need to start slowly and build up and also desensitize yourself.im in Uk and got mine from vestibular physio.if I can remember the name of them I’ll let you know.if you google vestibular rehab exercises or you tube there are lots.But I did feel awful before I saw An improvement,I still do them now .I started out 3 times a day small amounts and increased to faster longer and more difficult.I will say that a lot of people don’t understand how ill balance problems can make you mentally and physically

[Totoro123 in reply to Dolly63]

Thank you for your reply. I will search for some vestibular physio exercises. She is feeling fed up so open to any suggestions of things that might help. Thanks again.

[Dolly63 in reply to Totoro123]

Crawford cooksey is the name of vestibular / dizzy rehab exercises.hope this helps

[Totoro123 in reply to Dolly63]

Thanks so much, I will look them up 😀

[auntiesally]

My thoughts are with you both, has she got a lap top? opens up a new world surfing the net!

[Totoro123 in reply to auntiesally]

She struggles with her eyes. She has nystagmus and vertigo so finds it hard to focus on a screen unfortunately. Thank you for the suggestion.