Anyone Having Trouble with Balance Since Chemo?

Pbrain

I'm almost 2 years out from my last Herceptin and I'm still struggling with balance. I have no confidence walking on tile floors. I always need to hold onto something or lean if I can while standing. I think it is just from the neuropathy in the balls of my feet, which is slowly going away, but of course I start thinking brain mets.

Anyone else with this issue? I need to bolster my confidence that I can walk and stand in any situation. Is there physical therapy for this? Any thoughts?

SpecialK

pbrain - I don't have this problem but it seems like the type of PT that would be used for stroke patients might improve your balance - a lot of balance is actually a strength issue - so, maybe? I am getting PT for a hip injury now in a university based setting and see lots of balance type rehab going on. It would be worth a try. Good luck!

Alicethecat

Hi Pbrain

I had this during chemo and afterwards for quite a few months. Kept standing up and going around in a circle. Stopped about 18 months ago.

It doesn't happen now.

Good luck!

Alice

Pbrain

Thanks guys! Special, I do think it is likely a strength issue. I have not really gotten myself back in shape since the diagnosis, and I did get really weak during the treatment year. I was so anemic I could barely walk from the parking lot to my job.

I see my MO next Tuesday, and I don't want to go in there yammering about how I'm afraid of brain mets. They'll throw me in an MRI! I know I'm at a big risk for that, but I don't want to focus on it.

I just...I don't know, sometimes I take a step wrong and I look like I'm drunk or something. I kind of list to one side if I'm carrying heavy groceries. I can't stand very long on any sort of incline down, my legs start shaking and I feel like I'm falling forward. I can't really stand unless I lean. I lost 22 lbs on Weight Watchers, and that seemed to help. I'm pretty overweight these days so I need to keep going. I could stand to lose about 20 more pounds.

Hmmmm, I think I need PT.

SpecialK

pbrain - ask your MO for a referral for PT - it can't hurt, and if you don't see improvement, then you can look for other causes.

BarredOwl

Hi pbrain:

That is very good advice you have received above. Though I might tell the MO why you'd like the referral (that way the MO is informed too).

I noticed in another thread that you also had radiation. I do a Lebed Method DVD exercise program, because I had a lot of range of motion problems (from surgery alone). I mention it because the DVD includes various balance exercises, because radiation can throw off your balance per Ms. Lebed-Davis.

Like SpecialK said, I think it would be best to see a Physical Therapist, who can conduct an assessment of your needs, and help you make some initial gains in strength and balance.

The DVD is available from Amazon (Lebed Method, Focus on Healing Through Therapeutic Exercise and Movement) if you're interested in due course. (Exercises can be done seated or standing holding a chair.)

Good luck!

BarredOwl

Valeria54321

Hi,

I have the same problem with balance. Am also thinking about mets. My MD said that it should be a surprise as my type does not have a predisposition to go to the brain. My soft spots are lungs and bones to be checked if required. Interestingly, it did not start after chemo but later when I started Arimidex. I checked the sides effects of Arimidex, it does not include balance or walking problems. However I found a research paper in which women administered Arimidex had to describe their problems. 25 per cent reported that they had a balance problem. Let us know what your doc thinks about it.

Pbrain

WoW! Once again many thanks guys. I guess I never thought of Arimidex and radiation. Valeria, this seemed to start after I started Arimidex. I'm 2.5 years out from chemo, and even though I had a lot of neuropathy, I didn't seem to have this altered gait issue. Hmmmm.

I will let everyone know what my MO says on Tuesday and Special, I will definitely ask for a PT script. I know it could help me. Barred, I'll check out those DVDs. I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone in this one. I've been worrying...

ruthbru

PT would be good; also yoga is a WONDERFUL way to improve both strength and balance.....and also great for mental health/stress management.

debiann

I have recently started to notice some balance issues when I am standing still, I start to feel off balance. Its momentary. I've been on arimidex 1 year.

Pbrain

Debiann, you make me feel better. I didn't seem to have this issue when I was at my worst with the neuropathy. I mean I had a touch of it because I couldn't feel the floor...but now it is so bad, I'm not sure I can keep walking straight if I turn my head to look for cars in the parking lot. I really didn't think it had anything to to with arimidex, but I need to find out more. It just seems to be getting worse.

Ruth, I love yoga and I have to get back to it!

ruthbru

Find a Gentle Flow Yoga (or other starter class) and work your way back. If you loved it before, you will really love it now. So healing, in every way!

Kathy044

I suspect this might have something to do with Al's too, but that is just my opinion, I have felt much more secure on my feet since finishing anastozole therapy. I'm nearly six years out from bc dx.

I went to a Falls Clinic put on by my local health unit after falling and breaking a wrist, not once but twice. During the testing I learned that my balance was OK but according to the pt my "proprioception" was not. In other words my brain wasn't able to judge the exact location of my feet correctly. This brain connection jives with being told after chemo that taxotere can effect the nerves in the inner ear effecting the sense of balance and that it could take time for the damage to disappear.

Anyway I recommend looking at this article for both this and other ideas related with cancer treatment and balance.

http://www.inspirehealth.ca/blog/2013/10/cancer-and-your-balance

Btw I have both neuropathy in the balls of my feet too and cataracts neither which have helped any, but taking the Osteo-fit exercise classes at my local rec centre has been good.

Kathy

Pbrain

Kathy, thank you so much for your story. This helps, and it makes sense. I think you are right about the proprioception. I get very klutzy once I'm on tile, like I'm not sure if it is wet or something. I also can't do the "dancing" you need to do in our crowded cafeteria at work, so I kind of wait until the lunch crowd has died down to go grab a bite.

I'll let everyone know what my MO tells me this Tuesday. I think where my fear is coming from is that it is worse since chemo, not better, so it is reassuring to know this might be the AIs.

Sassa

Yes, I had big time balance issues after chemo. I would stand up and fall back down. When I started to walk, I staggered from side to side for the first few steps.

It took about a year for those conditions to pass.

However, I still had balance issued several years after the chemo was finished. I started doing yoga and it really helped. I do have to admit I fell over doing pyramids, warriors, and trees. It took abouit 1 year before I could do any of those poses without losing my balance.

wabals

Pbrain taxol can cause neuropathy of the nerves which regulate balance. Cranialnerves and/or those in the middle/inner ear. Can cause dizziness, and loss of balance. My husband has it post chemo, 7 years ago.

Girlstrong

HI Pbrain!! Yes physical therapy can definitely help with your complaint. As you mentioned, you suffer from peripheral neuropathy. This means that your somatosensory system is not giving our body correct information as to its surroundings. Therefor you need to rely on your other balance systems to compesnate this deficit. If any of your remaining balance systems are not up to "par" so to speak, then loss of balance will occur. You mentioned that turning your head often "threw your balance". This is quite common in persons who suffer from a weakened vestibular system. Please ask for a PT referral. At your PT initial evaluation, please prompt them to do a vesitbular evaluation, oculomotor evaluation, and objective balance testing. It is quite common for persons who are status post chemotherapy to have residual balance deficitis. This can be helped!!! Good luck. BTW...I'm a physical therapist

Pbrain

Girlstrong, thank you so much! I'm saw my NP today and she has referred me for balance PT. She said it is extremely common for those who received taxanes to have these residual issues.

You guys have all helped me so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress especially you Wabals. If it helps me, it might help your husband. Sassa, maybe I'll be able to do yoga soon!

ruthbru

Yea! Looking forward to hearing of your progress!

Pbrain

Thank you Ruth, I will definitely keep everyone informed, especially if I get some good information on things we can all do to improve balance. :-)