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Falling for no apparent reason: Any ideas?

Posted by callalily74 @callalily74, Aug 11, 2016

I'm 75, active, female, and constantly falling for seemingly no reason. I just fall! Three times already this week. In one fall, I split my ear and required 8 stitches. No dizziness, etc.

I need falling prevention classes in Seacoast NH. I am getting very worried that one of these falls will result in serious injury. Perhaps I need some kind of testing. Tomorrow, I'm going to an ENT doctor who was referred to me by a doctor at the Urgent Care Clinic who said my ear was infected. The ENT receptionist said maybe he'll refer me to an audiologist or optometrist to do balance, inner ear testing, etc. Does that sound about right to anybody who knows what I'm talking about. Remember, no lightheadedness or dizziness, etc. I take several medications for depression, anxiety, cholesterol, etc, but my mind does not feel foggy or cloudy.

Please help me find an appropriate doctor specializing in this issue. Or a suitable class or program. I am getting scared now. It happens too much. I only was really hurt once so far when I split my ear when I fell, but I know it can happen any time now and maybe disable me, or worse.

Please help me. I'll be here to see any posts all day today and am free to answer any questions you may have.

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1775house | @1775house | Apr 2 10:01pm
In reply to @1775house "I agree with the suggestion of seeing a neurologist, there is also the possibility of orthostatic..." + (show)
@1775house

I agree with the suggestion of seeing a neurologist, there is also the possibility of orthostatic hypotension which is when you have a change in position and your blood pressure drops. If you take any meds not just ones for hypertension, they can also affect blood pressure which would be my first guess as to the reason for falling if you don't feel dizzy and do not blank out. After that, as I said I agreed with the person who said a neurologist since the brain sends the signals (tells it) to the body to do the things it needs to do. Since we talked about the meds that affect the heart and pump blood to the whole body with the oxygen and nutrients for everything it needs to do for us to stay alive that pretty much covers it all. Well, I did not take much biology but that is my simplistic way of looking at how our bodies work. This is also why we need the doctors at 75 our bodies also change I am 70 now and how my body processes everything changes, and falling is more serious than going to see an audiologist if you can hear the doctor's receptionist when he asks for your insurance card. Living further away from major medical centers/schools ( unless you are near Dartmouth) is difficult sometimes just in transportation, but checking out researching with different symptoms like at Mayoclinic.org can give ideas along with these good ones too because we give ones that those sites can not always come up with. Hope this gives some ideas, Take care!

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They ended up thinking it was because of a medicine fluctuation and adjusted it it is my anti-seizure med so I am a little hesitant about accepting it since they lowered it and the month before I was hospitalized for 6 days because of the 2+ hour generalized seizure which they ruled out anything else more serious they could find but the fall was handed over to the internists who did the blood test after a few others and saw nothing else new. This was at Stanford in California so they are well trained if anything else happens I am in good hands

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bobweller | @bobweller | Apr 3 10:14am

Check with a Neurologist. My older sister had issues about 10 to 15 years ago and started falling. It turned out to be Parkensons. She just turned 87 end of March.

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michele123 | @michele123 | Jul 16 4:52pm
In reply to @callalily74 "@xottawan, I've already cancelled several neurology appts. The pain and weakness in my right leg is..." + (show)
@callalily74

@xottawan, I've already cancelled several neurology appts. The pain and weakness in my right leg is gone so I declined. Today I'm going to an ENT because of my ear and will ask him to refer me to the right source for falling. I do not believe I pass out first or anything like that. I am very curious now to see what is causing this. Because I'm scared. Thank you for your input.

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Could it be vertigo. Sometimes there is no dizziness. Just boom…you’re on the ground.

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rory922 | @rory922 | Jul 17 10:18am

For callalilly..I’m 80 yr old woman, was having weakness in my lower legs upon standing. Had no dizziness, just sudden weak feeling and immediately feeling of fainting.
After month of this, worsened by hot sun, was sent by my primary dr to neurologist. After many tests, clear I had Orthostatic Hypotension with BP plummets to 60/40 at worst. These drops in bp, along w/increasing overactive bladder, inability of my body to regulate temperature ( constant “flushing”) “coat hangar” shoulder blade pain, etc was diagnosed with Pure Autonomic Failure, a neurodegenerative disease. All symptoms were addressed - with medications for OH, incontinence - & physical therapy
for weak legs & learning how to avoid falling. Perhaps your falls and weak right leg have some connection to
your BP dropping. My diagnosis isn’t a common condition and not all medical people are aware of it.
Hope your symptoms get resolved.

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bobweller | @bobweller | Jul 18 7:51pm

Possible Parkisons Disease. My sister had this symptom along with some others. Doctor diagnosed it as Parkinson. She was around mid/late 70's when she discovered it. She is now 87.

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bobweller | @bobweller | Jul 18 7:53pm

Have you tried a Neurologist? Could beva muscle issue.

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wiens1 | @wiens1 | Jul 19 8:09am

You may have a disease called psp which I have. You fall lots your hand writhing has gotten worse over the years and your speech is gotten slurred. Good luck as I saw lots of Specialist in Alberta Canada and after spending one hour with lady from Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale arizona, she was able to diagnose me.

Good Luck

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1 reply
kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Jul 19 10:06am

In case anyone is wondering, PSP is Progressive Supranuclear palsy!
It certainly would be helpful when people communicate on these threads if the full name is spelled out so there is no guessing or having to do research on what is referred to. Just would be super helpful

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MooseBane | @melodyogrady | Sep 12 11:00am
In reply to @ellenmandes "I suffered from falling, having fallen 10 times in one year. I finally took the advice..." + (show)
@ellenmandes

I suffered from falling, having fallen 10 times in one year. I finally took the advice of a friend and went to a trainer. The first thing he did was to take a video of me walking , on his cell phone. Showed it to me and said why are you always looking down? I think that alone is a major problem. Your body will always fall in the direction your head is looking. Also said particular mussels are weak. After 10 visits doing the exercises he had me do I am like a new person. Have not fallen since. I have decided to continue going to him once a week until I feel strong again. I am 80 years old.

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I fell just last night, but not in the direction my head was looking. I fell backward while looking forward.

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bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | Sep 28 2:04pm

About 6 years ago I fell several times. I would walk up to a curb to step down and suddenly fid myself on the cement. It wasn't just curbs. I came around the corner in my house and fell against the front door. There were other instance as well. I was taking Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and checked its side effects and falling was one. I weaned off of it and haven't fallen since. It was VERY difficult to get off of. I don't know what you are taking but many medicines cause falls. I would review my meds with my doctor or pharmacist.

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