Bouncing off walls / Veering

Hearing Loss
#8

LOL Kem103. You should see me from 1am to 5am! Every single night (and once in a while during the day) I am AIMING for the destination (bathroom being the nighttime route), and as you describe, veer to one side, “pillar to post”. I do that stone cold SOBER, aids usually out, but like I say, sometimes if they’re IN.

I chalk it up to normal aging for me. Hearing + Balance go together like “pina” and “colada”, and that’s why so many audis specialize in both. Part of the sensorineural hearing issues.

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#9

It could be the hearing loss is a symptom of something else, not the end issue at all. Make sure they evaluate you for a variety of vestibular issues like balance disorders, Meniere’s, etc. You might even just have fluid or crystals in the wrong place and that can be relieved with the Epley maneuver.

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#10

I do wonder about that one. Luckily I’ve only had dizzy spells like 3 times in my life, but I’m thinking that’s where the crystals are tumbling around.

#11

How do they evaluate for crystals or the other items you mentioned?

I found a site that may help answer my question

#12

Vertigo? Not uncommon for people as they get older. There’s a prescription med called anti vert thats available. But as you can see all you’re going to get here is a lot of guesses.

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#13

Balance

I worked for a consulting engineering firm, and a colleague had one cochlear implant. Hehad severe balance problems. He had to touch the wall with his hand as he walked down it’s length. Told me that the cause was a single hearing aid.

I’ve had my own experiences with balance problems, while wearing a single hearing aid. I believe he’s right.

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#14

I have an update. Had an MRI with and without contrast. I had a scheduled appt with my GP and she said I have tumor (did not specify except to say it was a schwannoma). I have an appt on August 31 to review the tests and a tentative appt with the ENT on Sept 2. I assume that if there is nothing that they can address, the appt is cancelled. The MRI report says “punctuate enhancing focus within Meckel’s cave on the left is nonspecific, though may relate to a schwannoma”. I said that it says “may be related”. She replied that it is a tumor, that I should insists on seeing the ENT and also tell him I have balance issues (I fell on the floor, etc.). I wish I knew if it is a acoustic neuroma because I think that they can be easier to remove and possibly have an implant.

#15

The only thing productive I have to offer is how to deal with this until you see the ENT. You don’t have the answers you want and won’t until you see the ENT. You will be thinking about this a lot. Trying not to doesn’t work. Acknowledging that you’re thinking about it and moving on can work. It takes many repetitions and after awhile one can see humor in the minds ability to return to a thought. Reading up on mindfulness can be beneficial.

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#16

There is a prescription medication for dizziness and balancing called antivert. It’s basically a antihistamine. I use it as necessary. My Dr feels my balancing problems are seasonal. Meaning allergy related. But I wonder

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#17

Thanks. Excellent idea.

#18

Are you taking medication? Blood pressure? Check side effects for your prescriptions…
I am taking some; dizziness is a side effect.

DaveL

#19

Did you google this stuff up? From what I just read, it seems unlikely to be an acoustic neuroma as I don’t think the auditory nerve goes through meckel’s cave. The trigeminal nerve goes through there and my bet would be the tumor is on that nerve. But all this is from a quick google search based on what you wrote. I am not a medical person. But I encourage everyone to do as much research on test results and conditions so you can be a more informed participant in your treatment. I certainly wish you the best outcome in this!

WH

#20

Although I don’t discourage Google Medical searches, (I do it all the time), I don’t encourage it either. I think it largely depends on personality and ability to judge validity of material. There’s a lot of garbage out there, and all of it designed to make a certain amount of sense.

#21

Well, I just fell again tonight. Head landed n the marble on the fireplace. Thank you all for your help. Have been referred to a neurosurgeon.

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#22

Just an update. After all the tests, it was discovered that I was overdosed on one med. they don’t know why it happens with Lamictal, but was switched to a regular Lamictal instead of extended release. It may be due due to recent surgery. Sure is nice to walk a straight line or as Johnny Cash sings “I walk the line”. Thank you all for your support and feedback. If anyone has similar problems, checking med levels may be one thing to consider.

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#23

So glad this isn’t a tumor. Blessings!

WH

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#24

Glad you never seriously hurt yourself

#25

@Kem103
Good to hear that you could solve your problem of balance with a little help of your doctors. I was reading your post of August today.

You described or reported a part of a radiology report on a MRI with and without Gadolineum also. I was wondering/ am curious what happened with this “tumor” finding. Or was it just a misinterpreted thing?

Just wondering while the report as such was not complete, a part of the necessary information you did not show or was not reported lege Artis.
For interest in Meckel’s cave I found this clear informative publication: ( Neuroimaging of Meckel’s cave in normal and disease conditions | Insights into Imaging | Full Text )

#26

Hello, Emile. I am not receiving notifications of responses to my posts even though I have set “watching” on the thread and verified my email. So, I am late in responding. Thanks for the link it was very informative. A second MRI was performed last week with the same results. Per your observation, the report does seem incomplete. However, that is all that I have access to on the portal. I noted that it said “abnormal brain”. Now that is comforting, albeit not clear. Lol. I have an appt with a Neurologist in 3 weeks. Perhaps he will explain further.

#27

Although I was a ski instructor for over 35 years, after I quit I had an accident myself.

Skiing in heavy snow, I fell. My right foot went backwards. Patrol straightened it on the hill, and I went to hospital. I still have 2 plates and 14 screws in my right leg.

My friend with the balance problems talked to me when I returned to work on crutches. Retrospect: I had one hearing aid then and was wearing it. He said that was the cause, as he had one cochlear implant that caused his balance issues. Was he right? Darned if I know.

I have 2 Phonaks and will never wear a single hearing aid again.