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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Balance Issues In A Methamphetamine User?

I am a daily meth user and can function like a non user such as Eat, sleep, have normal bowel movements and Also hold a 40 hour/week job. However, lately I ve noticed that my equilibrium has been a bit off. I can be at a standstill and it feels as though the ground is moving or I m about to fall. What s the cause of this and is it dangerous??
Mon, 2 Apr 2018
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

Alright, the wiring for balance is from the ear to the brain. Any problem along that path will cause balance issues.

There can be irritation of a nerve in the ear (ear congestion and/or infection is far more common that effects from methamphetamine but both are common).

There can also be balance problems from a stroke. This is one of the ways methamphetamine is fatal. But, stroke has more problems than balance. There is loss of fine coordination of one or both hands called "Past-pointing".

Sounds like the ear.cannot say in your particular case, but generally, there is more of a problem with strokes than just disequilibrium.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman
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What Causes Balance Issues In A Methamphetamine User?

Hello, Alright, the wiring for balance is from the ear to the brain. Any problem along that path will cause balance issues. There can be irritation of a nerve in the ear (ear congestion and/or infection is far more common that effects from methamphetamine but both are common). There can also be balance problems from a stroke. This is one of the ways methamphetamine is fatal. But, stroke has more problems than balance. There is loss of fine coordination of one or both hands called Past-pointing . Sounds like the ear.cannot say in your particular case, but generally, there is more of a problem with strokes than just disequilibrium. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Matt Wachsman