Next month will be the sixth anniversary of my wife, Ruth’s rupture and coiling. She was walking quite well unless in unfamiliar or challenging surfaces. Walking at home was quite normal. But lately, in the last couple weeks, her ability to walk has diminished so that walking at home is even difficult, even on smooth and level surfaces. She can get around by walking slowly with small steps. She tried a walking stick, and that didn’t help much. Holding someone’s hand, however, does help her to walk almost normally.
We are just wondering what is happening. Has anyone experienced this after a long period of time? Does anyone have understanding of this?
One of her doctors mentioned a referral, but that would require going to Phoenix three hours away. We may be able to do that after Christmas. We live in southern Arizona.
I would check out walking imbalance physical therapy videos on Youtube. I had issues with walking up the stairs in my first 2 years after my rupture as I lost 40% right side vestibular functions. It is more of a central nervous system issue rather than physical inner ear. The videos were very helpful as I can demonstrate to my physicians what “imbalance” looks like as it only happens with certain situations. These videos are also helpful for some DIY imbalance PT exercises especially with people who suffered from strokes or Parkinsons. I would get a consultation with a Neurologist. If you live in AR, Barrows Neurological Institute may be a great resource. It may or may not be related to her aneurysm rupture. Did she have a stroke as a result of rupture/SAH? Does she have problems standing? Good luck with your wife. Great that she has a great provider like you.
I’m not sure how to answer whether she had a stroke. Her left side was impacted, but she got back all functions (eating, speaking, playing piano, etc.) except not total function in her left leg/foot/ankle.
Thanks for the response and for the videos. They look like something that might help.
Good to know that she does not have issue with standing. I was surprised with my Neuro-PT evaluation as the therapist showed that I had a slight gait where I lean toward the left to compensate for my imbalance. With feet together and standing, I would wobble similar to a baby learning to walk. Over time, I was able to compensate and no longer have a balance problem through Neuro-PT. Her issues may be related to motor coordination issues. Best of Luck
Hello ADRauch,
As you mentioned that your wife RUTH was walking quite well unless in unfamiliar scene surfaces. that she was not able to walk on her own is that what you intend to tell us?
If is so, May I ask you is she had have an operation or shall we say surgery in the head? if that is the case,
my intial answer is" that is normal it will just depend on how long does she is in the bed"
many like I had and still under process of “balancing” like walking on my own two feet this is because our toes and muscles are at rest during the “procedure cloiling” sometimes its much helpful for the patient to exercising our joints"toes,knees or all the lower muscles of our body if you are far from any PT CLINIC.
If you have any question I`m here to answer it.
She was walking on her own quite well. Now lately she has been doing worse. She walks well when holding someone’s hand, but without another hand she takes very tiny, slow steps.
She had the SAH coiling almost six years ago. That’s why we were asking about doing worse now after such a long time. Of course, after the surgery she could do nothing and had to relearn everything. But that has been a long time ago.
okay, since I have some researches"with our disability, sometimes though we can make movement on our own’ there are times that our muscles needs to be stretch with the help of someone"
like her toes,leg,ankle and feet specialy the palm have to teach to react …because our nerves is still on process of adapting to heat & cold by our senses and "balancing is really a big inpact to us. I’ll give you some of my home exercise this is done together with a partner or some one because you have to stretch her and lay flat on your bed on all fours. then massage her from the waist down to the edges of her toes. this is done slowly and always ask her if she’s comfortable (if she feels dizzy or having a hard time doing this just let her feel relax doing and show that you are enjoying too giving some home remedies) /doing this regularly and by hot compress on the waist down it will get her back to walking again until the time you can bring her to your PT.
Hope you can relate to what am I telling.
Please feel free to ask if you have any question I’m free to answer it on this platform
by the way “I’m Maes not a Dr”. all of my answers are only base through my EXPERIENCE.