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Falling forward

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Oct 14, 2023 | Replies (41)

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@charlottescot

I had this along with an unsteady gait staggering like I was drunk)...some misplaced thoughts. 5 neurologists couldn't offer a clue. A friend of mine, a 92-year-old retired doctor from NYC said, "you have NPH." I learned NPH was Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The way it was proven was via a spinal tap (about as painful as having blood drawn.) Following the spinal tap, I was "normal." In April 2018 they operated on my brain at Yale. No more staggering, no more lost thoughts, perfect balance, no more falling forward. Without surgery, this can progress into Alzheimer's and other dementias so I advise you ask your neurologist about it. In the past, people often called it water on the brain. In reality, it is excessive spinal fluid putting pressure on places in the brain which cause the symptoms. The Surgeon installs a shunt with tubing leading to the stomach (amazing what they can do). They can adjust the amount of fluid from the outside of your head. I was out of hospital within 24 hours...no pain...felt great...of course, we all experience things differently.

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Replies to "I had this along with an unsteady gait staggering like I was drunk)...some misplaced thoughts. 5..."

Your symptoms are my symptoms, to a T. I have copied this page and I plan on showing this to my family doctor. Maybe I can get some help, it will be blessing. I will let you know what happens

Hi charlottescot @charlottescot, I previously sent you a private message but not sure whether it went through. I have staggering feet and uncontrolled falling forward periodically. I am hoping you might give me your surgeon's name in New Haven and also the name of anyone in NYC or Westchester County who understood your condition. Also I am not sure what you meant by "Following the spinal tap, I was 'normal.'" Did the spinal tap itself relieve some symptoms? Thank you SO MUCH for posting and for any response you may be able to give to these questions. Nancy