Falling

Posted by oceanfun1 @oceanfun1, Jun 9, 2016

I have had two falls in the last month. The doctors are asking me why I am falling so much. Well I am wondering if anyone has had the experience of excessive pain causing dizziness and/or falling. One of the falls happened when I was very tired from being on a trip. I thought I was okay and then I bent to open a mail locker the key stuck and I lost my balance. About 4 weeks later I let go of the railing and fell down the stairs. I was tired again and having difficulty with pain management. Now I am trying to recovery from two falls. I have two brain injuries, neuropathy, fibromylgia and migraines. The doctor is keeping my hydrocodene at 2 tablets of 500/325. My pain level ranges from 7.5 to 10 daily. It is never below 7.5.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 9, 2016

I'm sorry to hear that the falling has returned (continued?) Oceanfun. Did you see this thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/balance-and-falling-a-lot/ @rosesareredmylove2016 @overcomer11 and @dmedina71 had several thoughts to add.

oceanfun1 | @oceanfun1 | Jun 9, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "I'm sorry to hear that the falling has returned (continued?) Oceanfun. Did you see this thread..." + (show)

I had been doing so well. Then my pain from the fibro got high and the falls started. I have been following the other thread. I am on a low dosage of norco and wondered if I need to ask to increase that if high levels of pain could cause falls. Thanks for responding.

JeanS | @jeans | Jun 10, 2016

Does the fall come from dizziness or weakness or do you black out?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 10, 2016

Good question @jeans. @oceanfun1 what is the pattern just before you fall?

oceanfun1 | @oceanfun1 | Jun 10, 2016

The first fall I was in pain and tired. I was doing something not that complicated on a level surface. Unfortunately it was concrete. I was bending over.
The second time I was in level 8 pain and going to get water for my pain med. I noticed something was wrong with the railing so I let go and walked down the stairs to look at it and I fell.
Just now I almost fell down the concrete steps in front my house. I am in a level 9 pain and I had taken my pain med but it had not had time to work.
I am wondering if my pain meds need to be increased. I am on two norco a day 500/325. It is difficult to get a higher dose because of all the concerns about opiates.
My pain level is never below a 7 and usually is around an 8 and moves to a 10 about one day a week.
I do have a brain injury and it could me my brain is shutting down due to pain.
I have seen my nuerologist who has no answers, my internist who asked me why it was happening and PT who said my balance was acceptable.
So if anyone has any thoughts that would be great.

trouble4343 | @trouble4343 | Jun 10, 2016

My many falls eventually led the Docs to suspect Parkinson's - and they<br>were right.<br>

oceanfun1 | @oceanfun1 | Jun 10, 2016

In reply to @trouble4343 "My many falls eventually led the Docs to suspect Parkinson's - and theywere right." + (show)

Thank you for that. I have been shuffling my feet at times and this is one of the things my Dad did. He had Parkinson's. How did they diagnosis you ? Perhaps I need to be assessed by a different nuerologist. I have some shaking in my hands but he said it was from the nueropathy.

trouble4343 | @trouble4343 | Jun 11, 2016

Yes, maybe I would try a different neurologist (i.e., second opinion - done all the time) I think the hand tremors and my gait when I walked probably did the trick, but also I don't swing my arms when I walk. How about you?

oceanfun1 | @oceanfun1 | Jun 11, 2016

In reply to @trouble4343 "Yes, maybe I would try a different neurologist (i.e., second opinion - done all the time)..." + (show)

When I went to PT she did say I don't swing my left arm. She asked me to do so and it was a conscious act. I have tremors at times. Like putting in my contacts is hard because I have tremors when I do that. I will be holding my phone with my left hand and my hand shakes badly. When I was on the phone and my son came in he said why is your hand shaking like that. But it is not consistent. I cannot get up out of a chair like I use to. I have to have support. Could be fibro which I assumed but it is listed under Parkinson's. I also have that shuffle that all of a sudden starts when I am walking. I am going to make an appointment with a new neurologist on Monday. I am scared.