Cerebellar damage

Has anyone had a brain injury resulting in permanent cerebellar damage?

[randomphantoms]

Hi Iain and welcome.

Sorry I can't help with the cerebellar damage but you could ring the Headway helpline. They will have more information.

If it's any help at all my damage is in the pons and sometimes it is referred to as brain stem damage.

You can message me if you like or if there is anything in particular you would like to ask we will do what we can to help.

Love n hugs

Xoxo

[Matt2584]

Hi Iain,

I have cerabeller damge.

In 1996 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. There is more to add to that but it's not relevent right now.

In 1998 I was diagnosed with a cyst which is the equivalent of a tumour. I had radiotherapy on the cyst. Six weeks or so of being zapped in the back of the head.

I was being checked up with scnas too to see if the radiotherapy was working and the scans were actually showing that the cyst was throbbing, getting bigger and smaller, bigger and smaller. This throbbing was putting pressure on my cerabellum, the part of the brain that controls balance, and it was around this time that my balance was terrible.

My mum and my dad had to hold me upright just to walk!

I have had further surgery since then and my balance is not perfect, I still have trouble with balance, but it is a lot better than what it was. I can walk around unaided now. Well, I say 'unaided' because I was for quite a few years but now I am at the point where my left leg is not as good as it was so I am now using a walking stick.

Have you had cerabeller damage then?

Take care,

MJ

[Hidden]

Thanks for both your replies. I suffered brain damage when I was 6 years old due to a road accident. Only a few years ago I had an MRI scan which showed shrinkage of my Cerebellum which explained my balance and co-ordination problems. I have a diagnosis of Cerebellar atrophy/ataxia. I have joined the Ataxia section on HealthUnlocked which is helpful. I was just curious to know of anybody on the 'Headway' site who I could share it with. Thanks again

[Nutkin33]

I had an accident 3 and 1/2 years ago, and had damage to my cerebellum.

I still suffer from bad balance, and coordination. When I walk my dogs, I am worse when I start, to when I finish. Or if I sit on a bus, I am always wobbly on the first few steps.

I have improved a little over the past 3 years, but assume I will always be a bit that way. Or if I am tired, or ill, I am worse. My speech also gets very slurry.

There is actually no time, when I don't have to really think about how I'm saying words, or how my right leg is going to work, I have to tell it to step.

All the best!

Debs

😉😊👍

[Hidden in reply to Nutkin33]

I can relate to your symptoms Debs. Do you know if your cerebellum damage is permanent? If you wish to you could have a look at the HealthUnlocked/Ataxia page. One of the administrators on the site is a fully qualified doctor who has cerebellar/ataxia damage herself. Hope you're symptoms improve. Iain

[Nutkin33]

Thanks Iain

I think my damage is a permanent feature, but I try and continue to improve it!

I will read up on the page you suggested. Everything is worth a try!

All the best.

Debs

[lloydyuk]

Hi Iain

I have cerebellar damage caused by a haemorrhage on New Year's Day 2013. It occurred as a result of an underlying blood condition (APS) which for reasons unknown turned into a catastrophic event (CAPS).

I also developed ventriculitis & hydrocephalus through infection. I required several revised shunts eventually resulting in an ommaya reservoir (also revised! because of infection).

Anyway my balance and coordination is shocking, much better than it was thankfully as I couldn't sit on a bed without falling.. I lost my 'midline' I was told. My left side limbs in particular are still clumsy and shaky. I had numerous falls in the rehab unit I was fortunate to to be treated in often resulting in dislocated fingers due to slow reflexes and even acquired a nice carpet burn on my forehead!! I regularly used to scratch chunks out of my face and head through incoordination. I remember being terrified to get about, then one day through pure stubbornness and angry determination I had enough of being scared and wanted my life back in some way....I can't explain what happened but I lost some of my fears and got on with sorting myself out with support from a local outpatient rehab unit.

I'm still no where near where I once was however I'm a million miles from a few years back & I'm a better happier person for it.

Danny

[Hidden]

Must have been awful for you Danny. I hope you make as full a recovery as possible. Neurologists don't know the cause for my shrinking cerebellum but at least I know why my balance and co-ordination is poor and getting slowly worse.