Rah-Rah For Romberg (and the blessings of balance)

My mom taught me not to brag, but I think there should be a rule for exceptions.

For years, I’ve had a balance problem associated with my chronic Lyme Disease and co-infections. My unsteadiness isn’t related to clumsiness or pain (even though I may have that too). It stems from my brain. Oh, how fascinating the world of medical science can be! From the very first neurologist I saw when my limbs became incompatible with the rest of me, my inadequate balance has been of major concern. I suddenly found myself leaning or swaying to the left and back as if a magnet was luring me. I always joke that I need a bumper on my side to keep me from veering off of curbs, knocking my hips into random objects and whatever other dangers this inconvenience has brought to my life.

For more than a week though now, it seems my body’s love affair with walls, electrical poles on the street, mothers carrying small children in their arms, the table in the hallway and the world in general, has calmed. The left hemisphere of my body is flawless for the first time since I can remember. I am normally decorated with little "too much to the left" red marks and bruises that find homage on my hip, knee, thigh and arm. This is often how I judge how straight (or not) I’ve been walking -- by my balance battle wounds.

The Romberg Test (a neurological test to measure balance) has been my worst enemy since July of 2005. Named after the 19th century Moritz Heinrich Romberg, it detects the inability to maintain steady standing posture with the eyes closed. By eliminating visual feedback (being able to see), the Romberg Test can distinguish dysfunction in other pathways to and from the cerebellum (a region of the brain playing an important role in sensory perception and motor control). It sounds complicated, but basically entails a doctor having you position your feet together, stand with your eyes closed, and see if you fall (I know, it sounds cruel).

Even during my healthier upswings which are never all that high up, I still can never beat the Romberg. I even practice religiously. Yes, really. Several months ago when my Lyme doctor was disappointed in my “leftie-lean” again, I vowed to myself the next time I went back, I would triumph by standing tall, eyes closed with perfect posture. No such luck. I left with a crushed ego, my skull intact (thanks to my doc for catching me) and a conclusion that the Romberg test is clearly not about practice and determination. You can’t fake it till you make it with this one.

So, when Chavi, my ever so loving and firmly encouraging physiotherapist had enough of my bruise-free body bragging, I was put to the test. Admittedly, I was unsure I wanted to try this. The whole eyes closed stunt haunts me every three weeks at my regular doctor’s visit. But since I’ve been in India, I have already seen improvements walking with them open, so I had nothing to lose -- but my pride.

Dr. Upali, the a.m. shift doctor and my morning ray of sunshine, was kind enough to record it for me. Chavi acted as Director Of I-Swear-I-Won't-Let-You-Fall, and it was a huge success! I stood unwavering and strong.

A step beyond the dreaded Romberg might be considered walking with your eyes closed. And since I’m a go-getter, I gave it a go. Success again!! The key to all this is going to be keeping the disease at bay so it doesn’t undo what the stem cells are trying to do -- regenerate and repair my nervous (and other) systems, help create bloodflow to the parts of my brain that aren't getting enough, etc.. Only over time will I be really convinced, and that’s going to take consistent balance mastery.

I’ve watched the video a few times tonight glowing as if I climbed Mount Everest. I feel kind of silly. But, then I realize that in such a short time, I’ve far surpassed what I could do before I left -- which is walk around for any time at all feeling safe and steady. It’s something most take for granted. I know better. Getting from point A to D without falling into B and knocking over C is truly a little luxury of life.

Watching myself with my eyes closed impresses me because I always have to ask for someone else’s opinion if I'm walking straight. I don't normally have a good sense of what my legs are doing, so while I feel I’m staying in my "walking lane," I’m more often than not leaning and wavering like a drunken sailor who just left a bar (minus the fun of a buzz). The video makes me laugh when I hear Chavi and Dr. Upali conversing in Hindi. I wonder if they are planning a strategy or discussing who will console me if I hit the wall. I figure it’s better I don’t know and assume they are saying something about how next week I’ll be dancing at the rate I’m improving.

Dr. Geeta Shroff was so impressed that we tried a few more balance tricks. They didn’t get public video status, but I’m sure will quickly make it to the before-and-after recordings I’m keeping. I discovered today that standing on one foot isn’t my forte quite yet. With more time, patience and stem cells, I have no doubt I’ll conquer all of the neurological tests thrown my way.

I might be a bit biased, but I have to say at this point, I think Mr. Romberg would be pretty freakin' proud.

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About Amy B. Scher

A passionate author, pioneering patient, and sassy spirit with just enough sweetness to get me by, I live by my self-created motto: when life kicks your ass, kick back.Amy B. Scher's profile Amy B. Scher's blog