Looking up and back

[neta]

Hey there old time Ataxians,

I find when I look up and back or just from side to side, the dizziness gets worse. Is there an exercise for this? In other words, two days ago, I was somewhere and the number screen (meter) was just above my head. When I looked up and behind from a sitting position to see if it was my turn (number), a wave of dizziness came over me. I was better off standing and looking at the meter full face frontally. Also when crossing the street (there are often no traffic lights) checking quickly from side to side, is problematic because I cant come to a full stop to check .I alo asked this question on the USA website, Living with Ataxia. N

[Razzy]

I have that problem and was prescribed Betahistine (vertigo tablets) to help and was told to move the whole top half and not just the neck when looking side to side , looking up is just not an option for me unless it is just 2-3 inches above eye level . I did not find turning the whole top half of my body helpful as it really threw me off balance I do hope someone has an easier way for crossing roads etc .

Have a good week Helen (razzy)

[neta]

Thanks Helen,

I will mention the Betahistine to my doctor. I try to move my body from the waist. and not just from the head and neck when I want to look from side to side. Sometimes it's okay. Some angles though, especially is I am on a hill outdoors at the same time, cause me to stagger and fall or almost fall.. N

[neta]

Thanks Helen,

I will mention the Betahistine to my doctor. I try to move my body from the waist. and not just from the head and neck when I want to look from side to side. Sometimes it's okay. Some angles though, especially is I am on a hill outdoors at the same time, cause me to stagger and fall or almost fall.. N

[neta]

Thanks Helen,

I will mention the Betahistine to my doctor. I try to move my body from the waist. and not just from the head and neck when I want to look from side to side. Sometimes it's okay. Some angles though, especially is I am on a hill outdoors at the same time, cause me to stagger and fall or almost fall.. N

[neta]

Thanks Helen,

I will mention the Betahistine to my doctor. I try to move my body from the waist. and not just from the head and neck when I want to look from side to side. Sometimes it's okay. Some angles though, especially is I am on a hill outdoors at the same time, cause me to stagger and fall or almost fall.. N

[jonbon]

Hi Neta,

I have the problem as well, I find it very hard to move my head quickly in any direction, the dizziness is terrible. I cannot walk in front of anyone and turn to talk to them as I lose balance and wobble all over the place!

I attend balance physio every month and do exercises daily which involve simulating walking and turning which I can just about do when done slowly but it's hard to react slowly in real life!

I walk with a stick and my neuro physio has told me to form a 'triangle' with my legs and stick when crossing the road to give better balance and support ie stick and opposite leg forward and leg on same side of stick slightly back. It works and makes me feel safer.

I just try and do things slowly to minimise dizziness, might look like slow-motion but it helps.

Take care

Nicky

[neta]

Yes, thanks Nicky. I move slowly when turning and now understand that I cannot/should not look up and back. I was also given related exercises in physio but find them hard to use in real life. I try to cross exclusively at the traffic lights but here in Israel, they have this policy of just installing lights at major crossings, the rest of the streets have special cross-walks where pedestrians always (supposedly) have the right of way. Nevertheless, I wave or signal the moving cars to stop with my hand before crossing. Of course when I walk with someone, I do whatever they are doing and sometimes I cross "with" other people.

Best,

N

[wibblywobbly]

Hi Neta, I also can't look up, makes me really dizzy. Looking from side to side is something i do very slowly and definitely cannot move at same time. Sorry I've no other tips

[neta in reply to wibblywobbly]

btw, I just remembered that my physio gave me an exercise for this: It is hard and so far I haven't seen dramatic results but who knows. Stand behind a stable chair or anything you can grab onto. Close your eyes. Put your feet as close together as you can. Move your head from side to side as if saying "no". Do this everyday for five minutes. In case of emergency, just open your eyes and grab. Good luck!!!

[wobblybee]

Unfamiliar surroundings can throw me into turmoil, particularly if the light is poor, and if outdoors the ground is uneven at all. Yesterday I had a hospital appt, there was a

sloping path up to the door and I mis-judged the kerb almost falling. Once inside I was dismayed to find it poorly lit, it was an old building with oak panelling, staircase etc. Beautiful really, very well looked after but the worst possible conditions for me to negotiate. I almost

fell again after mis-judging the stairs, kicking myself for not looking for the lift!

It's horrible when this feeling of disoriention decends, logic flies out of the window.

[neta in reply to wobblybee]

I know what you mean. I can't understand why these places aren't more ataxia-friendly Like don't thy know???. I just finished reading the very long breast cancer article in the New York Times, and I wrote about it on the other site. It really makes one wonder: what is going on?