Idiopathic Cerebellar Ataxia

[BobR47]

I have been off my Venlafaxine 75 mg for 12 days. I still feel foggy brain, not thinking/performing at 100%. I thought it was caused by the meds for depression. But now feel it is ataxia that causes cognitive issues. Any comment?

[penelope2]

Hi Bob. Have you ever thought about gluten causing your "foggy brain"?When a friend who also has ataxia mentioned gluten ataxia I did a lot of research and then went gluten free.

Well just 2 days into this the brain fog lifted.which I didn't know I even had!

Then a private blood test and dairy and rice was implicated in causing the cerebellar ataxia as well.

It will take another few months to see if there is an improvement but as this stage the ataxia symptoms have stabilised.

So I would say to anyone who has ataxia to do research and then if you are happy with trying gluten free then do it. Because there is nothing to lose, yes it is difficult but there are lots of gf foods available.

Even less doctors have heard of gluten ataxia and may not believe you.

But surely it's worth a try!

Best wishes

[BobR47 in reply to penelope2]

Thought about that, they told me 3-4 months to find out. Couldn't cope with strict diet and no booze for that long.

[Hidden]

Hi Bob. I have Idiopathic Cerebellar Ataxia with 'Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome'. CCAS was diagnosed about a year after my Ataxia. I don't feel like I have a fuzzy brain but sometimes I find it difficult to understand things. I also get very emotional at times.

[BobR47 in reply to Hidden]

Boy that sounds familiar. How did they diagnose the CCSA? I just had an appointment with my neurologist 2 days ago. He is Dr Terry Fife, Barrow Neurological Institute, only doc listed on National Ataxia Foundation (US) for Arizona. I asked about foggy brain because I thought it would go away when I quit meds for depression, it didn't! Dr Fife said I might experience confusion as I tend to multitask and keep multiple things in my head at once. I'm going to ask about CCSA at next 6 month check. The check the other day was as expected, getting worse as advertised. But have also been very emotional off the meds, prone to tears at times. That's OK, beats being a zombie. Thanks for the tip on CCSA, more info if you have any?

[Hidden in reply to BobR47]

My Neurologist referred me for in-patient Rehabilitation at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital. I was in the rehabilitation ward for five weeks receiving intense physiotherapy and various mental stimulation tests. I had previously been diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia and after my stay in the Physical rehabilitation ward was also diagnosed with CCAS. There is information somewhere on the National Ataxia Foundation website about CCAS. Haven't used this site for a few years now so I can't give you the link but the information on CCAS should still be there I would imagine. It was very informative and easy to follow reading. I found it very useful. Hope this might help?

[Sailor_Girl]

I'm a late onset idiopathic cerebellar ataxian

[Hidden]

My ataxia is late onset too