Have you ever been walking and suddenly began feeling your body being pulled to one side?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with MS, you may then wonder if this condition is the cause.
“When the body is off-balance, it is a symptom called ataxia,” says Mitzi J. Williams, MD, clinical neurologist with Morehouse School of Medicine, an MS specialist and clinical advisor for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
“MS can cause ataxia when lesions affect certain parts of the brain. People often report that they feel like they are veering to one side, or they may bump into walls on the same side.”
So then, the answer is a definite “Yes.” MS can indeed cause this symptom.
Other Causes of Being Pulled to One Side when Walking
Dr. Williams points out, “This can also occur with strokes or tumors that affect the backside of the brain called the cerebellum.”
In line with ischemic stroke being a possible cause of this symptom, a transient ischemic attack can also cause it.
A TIA is also known as a mini stroke, and can cause any symptom that a stroke can cause. The difference is that these mini strokes are transient or temporary. See the “FAST” guidelines below.
The symptom, be it sudden slurred speech, facial paralysis or a sensation of being pulled to one side when walking, lasts only for a brief period – “typically 15 to 30 minutes, but could last an hour,” says Dr. Williams.
And then things are back to normal as though nothing had happened. This creates the illusion that the problem isn’t serious. But it is.
“If symptoms last longer than an hour and improve, it could be due to a very mild stroke.”
Dr. Williams also points out that “intoxication with substances like alcohol can cause people to be off balance and sway as well, especially if their balance is already affected by MS.
“If there is any change in balance, they should seek medical attention.”
Already Diagnosed with MS?
Just because you’ve already been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis doesn’t mean that a sudden new symptom would necessarily be caused by your MS.
It’s entirely possible to have MS and then a TIA! The conditions that are ripe for a transient ischemic attack or stroke are independent of multiple sclerosis.
For example, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia and smoking are major risk factors for these brain blood clots.
If the sensation of being pulled to one side while walking was also accompanied by other symptoms (one or more) such as difficulty talking or moving the mouth, confusion, double vision or a sharp headache – you’d better see a doctor as soon as possible.
A scenario such as this is suspicious for an ischemic stroke or TIA. If it’s an actual stroke, the symptoms will not go away.
Having multiple sclerosis doesn’t mean you should ever dismiss the possibility of a stroke – mini or otherwise.
- The odds of this sensation in a person with MS being caused by a tumor are far less than that of a stroke.
- Blood clots in the brain are exceptionally more common than are tumors.
About 800,000 people every year in the U.S. suffer a stroke. You can only imagine how many have transient ischemic attacks.
If you are prone to suddenly feeling being pulled to one side when walking as a recurring symptom, the odds get much lower that these occurrences are being caused by a blood clot.
After all, a transient ischemic attack normally doesn’t keep happening in the same spot of the brain.
Dr. Williams is author of “MS Made Simple: The Essential Guide to Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis.” She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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