Any ideas?

[lynnebc]

have had mri's that showed nothing except ddd and  cervical stenosis had surgery for stenosis. emg shows only mild neuropathy and battery of tests by phycologist shows  a cognative disorder so bad Im unable to work. been to 3 emt's and they tell me it is definatly not vestibular  so my question is what could be causing me to lean to one side and be unable to walk straight ( I walk off to the right side and my left legs swings in front almost tripping me. I also have lost arm swing on my right side have terrible hand spasms and incontinence. this has been goin on for 3 years and no one has an answer. I fail the romhberg test have the pins and needles feeling and cannot tandom walk. I have also have a essential tremor since I was a child. I am on neurotin and primidone and I do know these cause ataxia but the problem started way before I was put on medication. neurologist told me its just old age and told me to use a cane? Neurosurgeon that did the above surgery believes its ms (but their are no lesions in my spine or head) The only way I can get around is to walk on the sige of my foot in order to keep my body going straight and it is tearing up my ankle knee and hip.Any idea what could be causing this?

[lynnebc]

Thank you so much for your help Dr. Mathur.
I do remember the ent and also the physical therapist I saw mentioning an ataxic gait.  truncal ataxia was mentioned a few times but my mris come back clean?
I appreciate all your information. a lot of the things you have mentioned I have been 'cleared of" through blood tests.. but will look into ataxia.
I unfortunaly can not see a neurologist at this time because can not find one that takes my insurance and my GP is at a loss, Thank you so very much again it is a scarey time for me!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Romberg’s test comes positive in people who are intoxicated with alcohol, have vitamin B 12 deficiency, have peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes, hypothyroidism, Lyme’s lupus, have neurosyphilis or Friedreich's Ataxia.  
Failure to perform the tandem gait (walking in a straight line with the toes of the foot at the back touching the heel of the foot in front) is usually indicative of truncal ataxia. This is seen in cerebellar diseases.
Hyper-responsive reflexes or hyperreflexia is usually due to injury or compression of the spinal cord and is seen below the level of injury or compression. It can also be the side effect of certain medications and can occur in conditions like electrolyte imbalance, hyperthyroidism, brain trauma and serotonin syndrome.
Since you have tremors since childhood, you could also be suffering from inherited ataxia. Genetic studies may be required. All these factors such be considered and investigated for. Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.