Involuntary Foot Stomping

I'm a 68yr old male. For the past 4yrs I've had uncontrolled balance loss which suddenly started on the morning of 7 Dec,2013. Since Feb of this year I've had involuntary foot stomping - https://youtu.be/Q8kQLcymZhc This only happens whenever I'm standing and as far as I can tell there is no 'trigger' that sets it off. The video I posted a link to was taken by my wife. The episode actually lasted about 5minutes however she only captured about 1/2 of that time because she had to find my tablet to start the recording. My neurologist at the VA I go to has given up on me over a year ago. I've been to see a Movement Disorder Specialist last June, he said I may have either Orthostatic Myoclonus, Orthostatic Tremor or Abnormal Involuntary Movement. Since he could not really diagnose me I got a referral to the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tx. I had an appointment there last week. I was in with the specialist there for over 3hrs and after multiple tests and answering lots of questions her diagnosis, if you want to call it that, is that because way back between 45-50yrs ago I drank a lot. Most of it was just beer. I have not had a single drink since then. Here is what she stated:

"The cerebellum is the balance center of the brain (located at the back of the head) and affected by heavy alcohol use (both acutely and on a chronic basis). Therefore, there is likely an association between the heavy use and your imbalance. Your understanding is correct. If you foot stomp in order to help your balance then it may be a compensatory mechanism you have developed.


The damage from heavy alcohol use can be compensated for earlier on. However, over time and probably through many factors such as age or the action of other illnesses, the compensatory mechanisms become less effective and symptoms start to show. This may account for the imbalance. The stomping and the urge you may feel to do it was thought to be a potential variant of restless leg syndrome."

I find that to be a very 'lame' diagnosis if one at all. I'm currently now waiting for an inter-facility referral from my VA neurologist to the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers at the VA in Houston. I'm also waiting for a referral to the Movement Disorder doctors at the University of Texas, Medical Branch in Galveston.

As an Army veteran with service in Vietnam and having been exposed to Agent Orange I'm curious as to whether the exposure has had anything to do with this problem. I'm already receiving disability for Ischemic Heart disease that has been attributed to my exposure.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Thanks for the reply Lizzy, as a matter of fact I'm waiting for my referral from the VA neurologist I see to go through to the PADRECC center at the Houston VA.