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What Causes Difficulty In Moving Around And Balance Issues?
Question: Hi. My name is XXXXXXX
I've been suffering from a condition that my doctors can't seem to diagnose. I've had MRI of my head, neck; CT scans, blood tests, etc. Been to MDs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, ophthalmologist, gynocologist (for hormone tests), ENT, allergist. Except for BPPV and arthritis around my neck area, all the doctors say I am healthy.
I am 61 years old. I do not drink or smoke. I do daily aerobics till 2 months ago - have to stop due to my condition. I am not on any drugs or meds. I eat healthy - no processed foods, lots of protein, vegetables and fruits.
My symtoms are: I am unsteady when I stand or sit. Have difficulty moving around since I can't seem to focus when I move. My head feels heavy as the day wears on. When I shake my head, it temporarily goes away and I feel better. Sometimes I have vertigo...doctor diagnosed BPPV. When I am in the car or walking, I have a hard time with my eyes - can't focus...I have better focus when I close one eye. Also very sensitive to light...sunglasses help but hard to focus when outside the house. Also sensitive to bright light inside the house. Sometimes I get night sweats - not really bad. I have dry eyes...always use Refresh. I have dry skin, brittle nails and dry hair. I seem to react to strong spices like cayenne pepper. No headaches. I have a little arthritis on my neck area.
Can you diagnose my issue? I am at my wits end. I am usually very active but this condition which I have for the last 4 years is really impacting my activities.
Thank you. XXXXXXX
I've been suffering from a condition that my doctors can't seem to diagnose. I've had MRI of my head, neck; CT scans, blood tests, etc. Been to MDs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, ophthalmologist, gynocologist (for hormone tests), ENT, allergist. Except for BPPV and arthritis around my neck area, all the doctors say I am healthy.
I am 61 years old. I do not drink or smoke. I do daily aerobics till 2 months ago - have to stop due to my condition. I am not on any drugs or meds. I eat healthy - no processed foods, lots of protein, vegetables and fruits.
My symtoms are: I am unsteady when I stand or sit. Have difficulty moving around since I can't seem to focus when I move. My head feels heavy as the day wears on. When I shake my head, it temporarily goes away and I feel better. Sometimes I have vertigo...doctor diagnosed BPPV. When I am in the car or walking, I have a hard time with my eyes - can't focus...I have better focus when I close one eye. Also very sensitive to light...sunglasses help but hard to focus when outside the house. Also sensitive to bright light inside the house. Sometimes I get night sweats - not really bad. I have dry eyes...always use Refresh. I have dry skin, brittle nails and dry hair. I seem to react to strong spices like cayenne pepper. No headaches. I have a little arthritis on my neck area.
Can you diagnose my issue? I am at my wits end. I am usually very active but this condition which I have for the last 4 years is really impacting my activities.
Thank you. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Needs evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your query.
Well going through your entire history it seems that you have been extensively evaluated . It will be very difficult to put forward a diagnosis for you bet we can discuss. First thing is your vitamin B 12 Levels need to be tested , their deficiency can give rise to unsteadiness .
Next you should be evaluated for Sjogrens syndrome , dryness of eyes , skin and unsteadiness due to nerve involvement can result in this syndrome . You should get ANA , ENA profile , RF , Schirmers test done for the same .
Next the diplopia can also be due to this condition . You can discuss with your treating doctor regarding the same .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Needs evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your query.
Well going through your entire history it seems that you have been extensively evaluated . It will be very difficult to put forward a diagnosis for you bet we can discuss. First thing is your vitamin B 12 Levels need to be tested , their deficiency can give rise to unsteadiness .
Next you should be evaluated for Sjogrens syndrome , dryness of eyes , skin and unsteadiness due to nerve involvement can result in this syndrome . You should get ANA , ENA profile , RF , Schirmers test done for the same .
Next the diplopia can also be due to this condition . You can discuss with your treating doctor regarding the same .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your recommendations.
I sent you a follow up email right before you sent your response. Have you had a chance to read it? Are there other possible diagnosis/recommendations?
Thank you. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your recommendations.
I sent you a follow up email right before you sent your response. Have you had a chance to read it? Are there other possible diagnosis/recommendations?
Thank you. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back.
I didnt get your email . Well since you have been investigated extensively this is the only thing that comes to my mind for which you havent been investigated. So I think you should be evaluated on these lines .
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back.
I didnt get your email . Well since you have been investigated extensively this is the only thing that comes to my mind for which you havent been investigated. So I think you should be evaluated on these lines .
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
I looked up on the different medical terms in your recommendation.
Diplopia - I do not have double vision. I have a difficulty focusing both eyes together especially when I am walking or in a moving car. So I tend to get dizzy and unfocused. Closing one eye does help with vision. Bright light really hurts my eyes. Low light makes me unbalanced thus hard time walking. Do you still think I might have Diplopia?
I looked up on the different medical terms in your recommendation.
Diplopia - I do not have double vision. I have a difficulty focusing both eyes together especially when I am walking or in a moving car. So I tend to get dizzy and unfocused. Closing one eye does help with vision. Bright light really hurts my eyes. Low light makes me unbalanced thus hard time walking. Do you still think I might have Diplopia?
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
It will be difficult to comment on this as neurological examination is needed to establish whether diplopia is present or not . But still I think it can be diplopia or may be refractory error . Without examination it will be difficult to say whether the issue is just related to eye or may be higher up brain centres are involved .
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
It will be difficult to comment on this as neurological examination is needed to establish whether diplopia is present or not . But still I think it can be diplopia or may be refractory error . Without examination it will be difficult to say whether the issue is just related to eye or may be higher up brain centres are involved .
Dr. Shruti
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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