First I would just like to thank everyone for their comments on this site. I was recently diagnosed with TN and I am still learning! It is so nice to realize I'm not alone and to get answers to the numerous questions I keep having. One of the struggles I have had from the beginning is a constant struggle with balance. I have taken physical therapy but continue to have this issue. When I stand my ear pain begins, the rushing sound and pressure starts, and I feel like I'm on a boat walking side to side instead of forward! Does anyone else have this? Any ideas how to help it?
Virginia-girl:
I understand how you feel. When I am going through my severe episodes it happens to me too. I have Atypical TN. What works for me is breathing exercises similar to Tai Chi. Breathe in thru your nose slowly to a count of 7-10. Then let the air out thru your nose to a count of 10. Do this several times it should bring your sense of balance back. You can also treat the symptoms like when you get pressure in your ears on a plane… Hold your nose and yawn and swallow. This is part of your new normal with TN and ATN, for whatever reason pressure builds in our ears and head making us feel dizzy. Good luck and let me know how the breathing works. It also works to help deal with pain. HMB
I have ATN as well and just thought the dizziness was unrelated! I'm a chronic insomniac as well so being dizzy has just been normal for me for a long, long time! There's so many variables in ATN, I can't keep up.
I think it was the carbamazepine that did that and other weird stuff to me.
I have had issues as well since this stated for me a month ago. Some of it is the meds for me while other times it is also pain flare up or just a spell. I have oxygen when the dizziness gets really bad, and whenever I leave the house I take my walking stick with me to keep myself steady.
The only tip that works for me, and it's rather lame :(, is to take a little longer with all my actions. Sorry cannot offer the magic bullet!
HMB said:
Thanks for the advice. I will definitely try this! Virginia-girl:
I understand how you feel. When I am going through my severe episodes it happens to me too. I have Atypical TN. What works for me is breathing exercises similar to Tai Chi. Breathe in thru your nose slowly to a count of 7-10. Then let the air out thru your nose to a count of 10. Do this several times it should bring your sense of balance back. You can also treat the symptoms like when you get pressure in your ears on a plane.. Hold your nose and yawn and swallow. This is part of your new normal with TN and ATN, for whatever reason pressure builds in our ears and head making us feel dizzy. Good luck and let me know how the breathing works. It also works to help deal with pain. HMB
I am learning to take it slow too! It's hard but whenever I'm with someone and have to stand up I just say "give me a minute" until I get a little more stable.
Jackie said:
The only tip that works for me, and it's rather lame :(, is to take a little longer with all my actions. Sorry cannot offer the magic bullet!
You just kind of learn to do everything at a different pace. Drives my boss nuts though. : )