Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Is it normal to lose your Balance?
        
(Message started by: NYRenee on Feb 13^th, 2004, 1:46pm)

Title: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by NYRenee on Feb 13^th, 2004, 1:46pm

Hi I'm a newbie to the boards, my boyfriend is the one who has the clusters...I've been very concerned because lately he has been losing his balance especially when he has to bend over to tie his shoes or picks something up. Is this normal? I mentioned it to his doctor at his last visit and he didn't seem overly concerned?

Thank you...oh and this website has been wonderful in giving us much needed information to take to the doctor(s).

NYRenee

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by JDH on Feb 13^th, 2004, 2:03pm

Is he on any medication that could be causing this?
When I was on Verapamil there were times I became light headed because of low bp.

Jim

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by 357Mag on Feb 13^th, 2004, 2:07pm

Renee, Check your email please.

Peace,
dan

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by AlienSpaceBabe on Feb 13^th, 2004, 2:20pm

just after a cluster headache i have a hard time balancing ... but this sounds like something else.... i suggest he let his doctor know, and make sure to tell the doctor everything he's taking as medications.

good luck!

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by NYRenee on Feb 13^th, 2004, 2:36pm

I would have to get back to you on the meds he's on...I can't keep track...I know he hasn't been on the Verapamil although I have given him a lot of info from the boards on this med.

The last time we were at the ER he mentioned he felt like there was a "bucket of water"sloshing around in his head. Of course the ER doctor just looked at him like and what do yo want me to do about it? They did a blood test to make sure an artery was okey-dokey and then gave him a shot of demerol and that was it. At least he was able to sleep a couple hours.

Thanks for the info, for some reason I wasn't thinking it could be meds? I will make sure I mention it to him.

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by eyes_afire on Feb 13^th, 2004, 6:04pm

No, it is not normal.

Has he ever been to a neurologist and had a neurological exam?

Every time I go to the neurologist, he tests my balance. I assume it is to rule out degenerative nerve or muscle disorders. Whether your boyfriend's lack of balance is clinically significant or not... only a trained neurologist can determine. On the other hand, it could be something such as fluid in the ear, or a sinus problem. Get it checked out.

--- Steve

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by Edski_1 on Feb 13^th, 2004, 7:23pm

I'm gonna bet that a lot of us have had HA's that have left us hurting in many different ways, and moving this way or that way might give us a bad sensation...so maybe it was just a case of bending over and a rush of pain or disorientation or vertigo or something transient...

or maybe something more sinister. if it happens again it has to be lookd into more deeply, becasue it certainly is NOT a common trait of clusters. then again, on the whole, there is little about clusters that can be said to be "common"...

your boyfriend is lucky to have you looking after him, Renee. do stick around here and read up...there's a lot of experience on these boards. at the very least there are ears willing to listen. :)

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by bobkip on Feb 14^th, 2004, 7:32pm

Not normal for me tho I have done some bouncing off the walls while walking the beast.
Kip

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by NYRenee on Feb 17^th, 2004, 12:08pm

Thank you everyone for your input, much appreciated....he was recently on something called methadose? Sometimes it helped, sometimes it didn't. I mentioned to William about possible ear or sinus infection but since we made another trip to the ER on Sunday, we quickly found out that it wasn't an infection causing his loss of balance, they also did blood work - so far we haven't heard back on all the tests, and they did another CScan, nothing unregular found.

The doc is taking him off the methadose (thank God) and putting him on Topomax (thanks to this website)...maybe it was the methadose making him dizzy/lose of balance or maybe it's the general lack of sleep or combination? Oh and even though he had a very bad experience with the last neuro he's going to give it another shot with much prodding from me. A big Thanks to everyone ! Many prayers to you all !

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by 357Mag on Feb 17^th, 2004, 1:05pm

Renee,

Thanks for the update. Hope William gets the meds he needs and feels better soon. The offer I sent you via email still stands, the number I sent is toll free. Call anytime!

Peace and PF vibes,
-dan

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by Mr.Happy on Feb 17^th, 2004, 1:41pm

Just looked up "methadose".........

Methadose
Active Ingredients: Methadone Oral
Representative Names: Dolophine, Methadose
Available Product Images:
Generic Available? A generic alternative may be available. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
For general information on generic drugs click here.
Who is this for?
Methadone is used to relieve severe pain. It also is used in treatment programs for people addicted to narcotics. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

No WONDER he was losing his balance.......he was jacked up on methadone! That's a piss poor choice for treating CH.
Topomax is gaining a lot of acceptance for treating CH......but unless it's ramped UP and DOWN properly, he _may_ have a bit of a hard time remembering that.......remembering that........(what the heck WAS he trying to remember?)
Good luck with the Topomax, and _remember_ to let us know how he's doing.

Free Willie,
RJ

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by henzey on Feb 17^th, 2004, 3:33pm

Topamax also can make you feel a little off-balance....it did that to me somewhat.

Title: Re: Is it normal to lose your Balance?
Post by BlueMeanie on Feb 17^th, 2004, 6:34pm

Losing his balance ? Bucket of water swashing in is head ? Doesn't sound nothing like clusters. I can't believe the doc didn't seam concerned. Check the meds board. The kind of meds he's taking is NOT for clusters. Find another doc.