Hi Forum Friends,
Let me start out by saying I put this post in Post-Treatment because it fell into different categories. Last week, I was beginning to wonder if the wonkiness in my head was something just I was experiencing. I would share that I felt either like a bobble-head, under the influence or just wonky. But I never really knew if what I was feeling was what others were feeling too. I then ordered the Improving Balance booklet from the ANA. The booklet arrived in the mail on Friday. On Saturday, I decided to read it.
All I can say is that I was so elated after reading the booklet. I couldn't figure out why no one has explained why we feel wonky. It was chalked up to being off balance. I tried to explain to my physical therapist that my balance seemed fine, but my head was bobbling around. They looked at me like I was an alien. Even my friends and family would get this puzzled look on their faces.
Okay, so here it is in a reduced version from the booklet. The vestibular system(VS) in the inner ear is responsible for detecting movements of your head through space. When you turn your head to the right, your VS on the right turns "on" and tells your brain of the movement, and the VS on the left turns "off" so as not to confuse your brain. While turning your head, your brain moves your eyes the exact same speed as your head in the opposite direction so your eyes and head are moving as one, keeping your gaze stable. This is referred to as vestibular ocular reflex (VOR). After removal of (or while the tumor is pushing on the vestibular nerve) an acoustic neuroma, the VOR loses its accuracy. As long as the head is moving slowly, the visual surrounding environment stays still. If the head is moved quickly, the surroundings slip a bit. It is as if the visual world does not move quite as quickly as the head and has to catch up.
After acoustic neuroma removal, people tend to use their vision as the primary mechanism for balance. This is where I felt like my balance was fine. When this occurs, you need to start doing things with your eyes closed or on uneven surfaces. In order for recovery to be complete, the VOR needs to be made as accurate as possible. Going through vestibular/balance and gaze stabilization therapy helps to regain this. However, a person needs to challenge themselves by making themselves feel dizzy or off balance. Your brain needs to be challenged and a correction made over and over again. Your brain then develops a strategy of correcting the balance problem. Just don't overdo it!
Lastly, I was under the impression that with my left vestibular nerve cut, my right vestibular nerve would compensate. According to this booklet, after your nerve is cut on one side, the other side is shut down to make the two sides more similar. As a result, there is little activity of the inner ear system to direct the eyes to move in a perfectly coordinated way with the head. As you go through vestibular therapy, you should use your vision and proprioceptive senses less to bring your vestibular system back to being the primary mechanism for balance.
I would recommend to all of you who are experiencing the wonkiness feeling to order this booklet from ANA. It will only cost you $3.00 and is well worth it.
Have a great day!
Lisa
