CEREBELLAR ATAXIA 'CA' diagnosis with no known cause

Hi - just wondering how many of us have CA with no known cause.

Personally I havent needed to give up work as I retired at 60 and therefore havent experienced the frustrations of younger people.

However I do share other frustrations of needing a  diagnosis and indeed a prognosis.  To be frank, I didnt know what prognosis meant until my brother asked me what my prognosis is!!

I was originally told that I have Cerebellar degeneration which simply put, meant that I had shrinkage of the back brain.  This would cause problems with relaying messages to front brain - the tracking - but the good news was that I dont have MS and my CD would be slow progression.

The only thing I could do would be to eat healthily and exercise regularly.

I looked up CD on internet and subsequently discovered this is now known as CA. 

On reflection, I have always been 'clumsy' but wasnt bothered about it until my late 50's when I started having falls.  I thought this imbalance was due to my big toe growing inwards.

I consulted my GP and he referred me to a surgeon who did a 3 part operation to straighten my right foot.  It was during recovery tat the physio commented on my gait and referred me to GP to request appointment with neurologist.

I am no under the London Ataxia Clinic but still dont know my prognosis.  

I now run a local support group and have found that they all had a 'trigger' for the sudden progression on their ataxia.  Such things as divorce, bereavement, virus, brain tumour, stroke - my trigger was my foot operation.

Patsy

CA/69/Ipswich, UK