About tandem Ataxia and vertigo

[Polly101]

What does tandem Ataxia mean exactly?

Also, does anyone else have vertigo attacks that last 2-4 hours when you can't move because of the spinning sensation, and what medication can help this?

[wobblybee]

🤔 Tandem gait is a gait (method of walking or running) where the toes of the back foot touch the heel of the front foot at each step. Neurologists sometimes ask patients to walk in a straight line using tandem gait as a test to help diagnose ataxia, especially truncal ataxia, because sufferers of these disorders will have an unsteady gait. However, the results are not definitive, because many disorders or problems can cause unsteady gait (such as vision difficulties and problems with the motor neurons or associative cortex).

In the past, before I was diagnosed, I experienced similar vertigo myself. It’s possible that specific medication could ease your symptoms, speak to your Neurologist.

[Polly101 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you very much for your very prompt reply and explanation.

I have been given umpteen different medications, all seem to be based on travel/sea sickness which so far (over approx 3 years) don't seem to do any good at all. I live alone and will be 90 this year so I can quite see that my age isn't helping but it would be wonderful to overcome the vertigo attacks and get my confidence back.

[wobblybee in reply to Polly101]

🙂 I empathise with you Polly, the vertigo attacks are very challenging to say the least. Sometimes mine would last most of the day, and I only got relief by sitting absolutely still. This symptom is often mentioned by other people, and it is worth speaking to your Neurologist. Of course it all depends on current medication if any, and whether there could be side effects.

🤔 How are you managing on your own, I hope you have a good support network for food deliveries etc. I’m usually alone too, but my husband has been working from home now for about 2mths, I’ll really miss him when he goes back to work next week. We’ve been staying at home, just leaving the house for the occasional walk 🙂 Luckily my daughter lives close by, she’s been shopping for us and leaving bags on the doorstep.

🙂 It’s been a welcome relief to have good weather, just to be able to sit out in the sunshine has been a welcome boost 🙂 xB

[Polly101 in reply to wobblybee]

Many thanks for your interesting message.

I had a Clinical Pharmasist visit it me today as I couldn't go to the surgery due to self isolating, she is going to refer me to a neurologist

(I saw one privately in 2018 who diagnosed the Ataxia) when the current troubles are over. The most recent medication I have had for the vertigo is Betahistine Dihydrochloride in tablet form and Prochlorperazine tablets neither helped, I don't yet know what next will be prescribed.

I'm coping ok, I live in a small village with no shop so have been ordering supplies online and have two good neighbours who shop for me too if I run short. I agree this lovely weather is a blessing.

Kindest regards,

Polly101

[Episodic_Ataxia]

Hey I was diagnosed with Episodic Ataxia type2 and this is a symptom of that.. so yes I’ve had vertigo that would last a few hours. I was prescribed a medication called Diamox (commonly called another long name I cannot spell lol) and it had helped my vertigo but doesn’t help my periodic balance problems.

[Polly101 in reply to Episodic_Ataxia]

Many thanks for your reply.

It's interesting to know that Diamox helped the vertigo, I haven't been prescribed that , does your vertigo happen frequently, recently I've been having up to 4 attacks a week.

When you read up about Ataxia there seems to be different types, I'm not sure which category I'm in.

Thank you for the information.

[Episodic_Ataxia in reply to Polly101]

To be honest.. You sound like you have the same type as me. On average, people with episodic Ataxia type2 have episodes 3-4 times a week. They are longer episodes, vertigo, in coordination, imbalance, and ect. Look up information on Episodic Ataxia type2. If that helps.. and bring it up to your doctor. I was having the episodes about daily though because at the time, I was under constant stress. These episodes can have triggers such as caffeine, physical or emotional stress and physical exertion. I also use a wheelchair when I go out, for long distance as it can provoke my condition and now it’s been a little while since I had a vertigo episode, with imbalance and ataxia.

[Polly101 in reply to Episodic_Ataxia]

My apologies for this late reply.

Many thanks for your comments, I have noted down the details.

Kind regards,

Pollie101

[suzie44na]

Hi Polly101, I have dizziness and balance problems all the time. I could not walk tandem when I was tested, not sure why. The only thing that was found was brain dysfunction on my MRI spectroscopy which causes my balance problem. Hope you get some answers when you see the neurologist.

Best wishes, Suzie

[Polly101 in reply to suzie44na]

Hi Susie,

Many thanks for your reply.

Your comments are very useful and I will certainly mention them to the Neurologist when I can see them.

Kind regards,

Polly101

[Crochetkatt]

I was also diagnosed as having episodic ataxia type 2. I've had it for over 40 years. Misdiagnosed for over20 years. Vertigo attacks lasting up to 30 hours. I was put on Diamox (Acetazolamide), which had a HUGE difference. I've not had any vertigo attacks for over 6 months now. May be worth mentioning this to your doctor, or asking to see a neurologist off you haven't already done so. Hope you feel better soon.

[Polly101]

Thank you very much for your interesting reply.

I will certainly mention those tablets to the doctor.

How pleased you must be to not have had any attacks for over 6 months, a confidence booster apart from the terrible sensation when an attack suddenly s tricks.

Kind regards,

polly101