Sleep & Balance

[gman100]

Hey Everybody,

I was just noticing if anybody else noticed anything like this. I would say my dizziness is so-so. When I get up in the morning, or stand-up/sit-down, or turn my head or body quickly, my balance tends to be the worst. However, my girlfriend bought a sleeping mask the other day, which I gave in and tried after a couple days. I tend to probably get 1-2 more hours of sleep a night, which I usually don't get because light creeps around the blinds and just tends to cut my sleep a little short. Anyways, I noticed my dizziness is drastically better, even overnight. Now when I say 1-2 more hours that's really on top of what would already be considered normal, like 8 hours, so like 10! That's probably not an option for many people, but it seems to do the trick for me. I can work out now without complaining and my morning dizziness, which was my absolute worst, is tons better.

-Chris

[nancyann]

Hi Chris:  I always find when I have a great night's sleep, my balance is definitely better - since it's been more than 3 1/2 years since surgery,  my balance is pretty good, but better with more sleep too ! !  Sweet dreams...
Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[leapyrtwins]

Fatigue has a huge effect on balance.

My balance is generally very good - has been since a few months post op - but any time I'm overtired I notice that I tend to stumble.  The wonkyhead also reappears.

Jan

[painter]

I finally figured out that sleep does indeed help with the dizziness.  At night after a day of working I notice it getting worse. So I lay on the couch and "rest" while watching TV, but when I go to get up I'm really wonky.  I'm still exhausted by evening.  So it's off to bed, ambien, and a good night's sleep.  By morning I start again with a pretty clear head.  I don't need the sleep mask, but my wife needs earplugs.

[Tumbleweed]

Hi, Chris:

There's no doubt in my mind that a good night's sleep is a tremendous help in reducing the severity of all AN-related symptoms, except for hearing loss (which tends to be more or less permanent unless treated immediately with steroids). A great night's sleep seems to be especially helpful for my balance. Eating a balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables seems to be equally helpful to me.

Turn off the alarm clock if you can, and continue with your successful sleep routine. It's great medicine!

Best wishes,
TW

[jchughes68]

Thank you everyone for the comments.  This site has been amazing by showing me everything I am experiencing is happening to others - that's comforting ~smile!  My balance continues to be bad when I'm tired but much better when rested in the a.m.  Chris

[Kaybo]

Chris~
I would agree whole heartedly with everything that everybody already said - esp. Tumbleweed's assessment that EVERYTHING is affected by how much sleep you get.  When I taught full-time, the principal said she could tell what day of the week it was by how droopy my eye was and my speech - I literally went home & went straight to bed on Friday afternoons!  I have been told by various Dr.'s over the years that "I will always be better in the mornings" and that "you spend double the amount of energy as everyone else, just trying to stand up straight" - the body does compensate but at a price and that is fatigue.  Some don't have near the compensation as others, but I bet EVERYBODY has some.  I have just learned my limitations - to me, that is part of the way my "new life" (after AN) is.  I try to schedule important, thinking things (like a test today for a job) in the mornings. I would say that I am VERY active - I am on the go all the time, either running from meeting to meeting or driving 3 curly girlies all over town - you should see my list today and that doesn't even include grocery shopping or laundry - both of which I HAVE to fit in sometime!!  For instance, this weekend, I had a Style Show/Brunch at church that I was coordinating so I knew that I would not get any extra sleep Saturday morning - I PLANNED to get to bed early Friday night.  Also, I HAVE to get a nap in on Sunday afternoons - if I do that, the whole week just seems to go better.  Sometimes thing happen that don't allow for "planning" but the more you can look at your week ahead, the better it will be.
Good luck - you are NOT alone!

K   

[Jim Scott]

Chris ~

I know the subject has been pretty well covered and your questions answered but I just wanted to jump in at the tail end of this thread to reiterate much of what has been posted, especially Kay's ('Kaybo') post regarding fatigue. 

I find that when I have a busy day, be it from physical work or, more often, just being in stress-inducing situations, I'm very tired at night and sleep like the proverbial baby.  As Kay's doctor stated, I find I'm much more energetic in the morning hours.  I had attributed this to aging but now I believe that while my age (67) is a factor, my body working hard to keep my equilibrium functioning close to normally is a much larger factor in my noticeable lack of late-day stamina.  As Kay wisely suggested, I've learned to organize my schedule so as to keep fatigue at bay most of the time.  I'm not a night owl and don't mind being tired at night, but I don't wish to be so tired as to be basically useless after 7 P.M. I can usually avoid that although I often doze off for short periods while watching TV in a semi-dark room, no matter how interesting the show.  I can do that and still go to bed and sleep soundly for 7 or 8 hours.  Like Kay, I plan my days and allow for my limitations.  Fortunately, unlike Kay, I don't have small children or, like others, a job to deal with.  Then again, I have 27 years on our mutual friend, Kaybo - and I wouldn't trade them for the world.     

Jim