I had a clipping of a non-ruptured aneurysm back in February 2023 ever since my surgery my balance is totally off has anyone else experienced this I go to the neurologist tomorrow hopefully he has some answers.
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Balance issues often involve the vestibular system in the inner ear connection with the brain. There is a test that some neurologists like to perform to diagnose if this is the case. It is called the Videonystagmography (VNG) [https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/videonystagmography-vng/].
I experienced some balance issues prior to the endovascular procedure (stent assisted coiling in an unruptured annie) and it was helpful for my neurologistâs diagnosis. The addition of Vertisil [https://vertisil.com] to my supplements also took the edge off my intermittent balance issues [with the neurologistâs blessing, of course].
Best of luck with your neurologistâs visit tomorrow and remember: no question is a silly question.
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Iâve not had a craniotomy and hope the members who have can offer some experience. I also popped my pipe (ruptured) so not much help with one that hasnât. Just a guess, but it may be due to the anesthesia, Iâve been under several times and my brain doesnât like it one bit, I often start walking like a drunken sailor for a month or more. Please tell us what the Neurologist has to say
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Ohh yea, my balance is a mess, but it fluctuates something terrible. Sometimes I can stand and be okay. Sometimes I go to stand get dizzy, see floating stars flashing and if I donât brace myself I can find the floor with a thud. My wife has had to catch me a few times.
Some medicos are often of the opinion that balance issues are ear related or an ear issue. Within our ears are some small crystals, itâs the movement of these crystals that informs our brain of our positioning. These crystals set upon a flexible stem and sometimes they get out of position and our brains get mixed messages. There are some exercises which can assist in recorrecting the crystal positioning known as the âEpley Manoeuvreâ.
For some people these manoeuvres can be beneficial, but they donât work for everybody and for some people it just takes time. My last major neurosurgery was in '13 and still today there are times when my balance is just awful. I now try to be aware. Upon standing I need assess âAm I OK?â then move.
Now, a craniotomy, Iâve had a few and the after effects can be nasty. I had all of my senses go into a type of hyper-drive. If someone touched me, Iâd recoil like an electric shock. My hearing was another issue, with every step I had this noise like I was wearing wet boots. My eyes have always been an issue, for which Iâve had all sorts of âguessesâ from medicos on from nystagmus to occipital migraines. It took some time for my taste to return too, but the medicos all told me that was âunrelatedâ.
Sensory wise, things did settle, somewhat anyway. I say âsettleâ but I think it was more that I leant to adjust or (more like) I was forced to adjust. As I said earlier, if I stand and move all in one motion I can find myself on the floor with a thud. Do that a couple of times and youâre forced to change 
Best of luck with your appointment. Please do let us know how it all goes.
Merl from the Modsupport Team
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Everything you just described is happening to me and I agree itâs more of adjusting than getting better. So I went to the neurologist yesterday I was there for a good hour and a half and was pleased that they finally listened to me I have an MRI scheduled and they are now looking into my spinal cord behind my neck thinking there might be a problem there I will let everyone know and thank you for responding everything you said is happening to me everything including taste.
Dawn
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Well, thatâs a plus, and Iâm not being flippant in saying that. My post op symptoms were repeatedly minimised. I was just being overdramatic, seemingly. âOhh it canât be THAT badâŚâ I was told. "ohh that just canât be happeningâŚâ but it was. So when you say ââŚthey finally listenedâŚâ yep, sadly, I know what you mean.
Itâs great that they are investigating, BUT, hereâs my suggestion:
When you go along to your next appointment, do not go in having expectations of obtaining answers.
Treat it like any follow up appointment. If you get an answer, thatâs great. But going into an appointment with an expectation only for it not to be met, can be soul destroying. This is a hole I fell into early on. I wanted answers, but instead of answers I got blame and the medicos blamed me 
Like I was in this position by choice. I didnât choose THIS.
Merl
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Thatâs great news! Anytime we have someone who is actually listening and not just hearing us is priceless. I had five of the seven cervical vertebrae dislocated back decades ago and theyâve given me some really aggravating symptoms over the years. Common ones like headaches, dizziness, weakness in arms and hands. One of the symptoms that no doctor could figure out was the pain in my back right along the bra line. My Neurologist had a full spinal MRI done and the thoracic area wasnât near as bad as my cervical and lumbar areas, just a bit of arthritis. Iâm in PT now for my neck and the exercises theyâve taught me has diminished that constant pain! Apparently the muscles, tendons, etc in my back were too tight due to my vertebrae in my neck. If you get an option for PT, I say go for it. Fingers crossed your Neurologist can figure it out for you!
Iâm glad they are following up. I had my Annie clipped in 2015 and I still have balance issues. Sometimes worst than others. I too stand up slowly and access my balance before moving. I also have a call out word that my friends and family know to come quickly to assist me when I get to off balance. I have been to the ER four times and been checked by various different specialists. It doesnât appear to be vertigo so they are still checking.
I recommend keeping a log of your symptoms and the environment you are in when it happens so the doctors can get a better picture of whatâs happening. Mine often occur when in a warmer environment. Take care!
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Thank you for your response keeping a log is a great idea thank you!
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What did your Neurologist say?
They are currently doing test to try and figure out what might be going on with my neurotransmitters. I had an EMG yesterday and will have a QSART test in May. Until then they recommend physical therapy to strengthen my muscles.
I have my last session with PT today. Iâm a frequent flyer to PT. Mostly for spinal issues. When we moved I opted to go to rehab closer to our home. The people are great where I go now. I thought Iâd miss the old place and I did but most of the PTs I had there retired. Lou was my favorite, he wouldnât let a PTA work with me after I ruptured. He was my PT when I started having lumbar issues. The two PTAâs now, have both been doing it for 30 + years! Itâs hard work and youâll have homework to do (exercises). Please make sure you do them faithfully.
Another thing that helped me with my balance was going to Tai Chi believe it or not. I started in a chair because my balance was so bad. I understand yoga can help as well, but Iâve never done it.
I ruptured and had a SAH stroke. I fall all over the place. I find it âamusingâ because years ago my nickname used to be âWeebsâ short for Weebles wobble but they donât fall down.
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