Falling forward

Great suggestions! Thanks

Thanks Erika

Hi Erika and Teresa, No diagnosis yet. Having an MRI of the brain next week. Will report back.

I have major problems with falling forward particularly when walking. I tend to walk uncontrollably faster and faster until I just fall face first ! I need help desperately!!

Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of people living with a wide variety of conditions, who share our journeys and try to help one another along the way. We are not medical professionals, so cannot provide medical advice, but we can share our own experiences and try to give you some ideas.

Are you willing to share a little about any medical conditions and symptoms you have, other than the tendency to fall? Balance issues can be caused by many different conditions in ear, brain, muscles and nervous systems, so we would like to know a few details in order to help you. Also, how long has this problem been going on, have you consulted a doctor, had any tests, or received a diagnosis?

Thanks, we'll try to connect you with others who might help.
Sue

I WAS HAVING BALANCE PROBLEMS FOR AWHILE, ALWAYS FALLING OR TRIPPING. ITS BEEN BETTER FOR A MONTH OR SO. TODAY I WAS OUT WALKING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT LIKE I WAS GONNA FALL ON MY FACE. A BLACKBERRY VINE DID TRIP ME US SENDING ME RIGHT INTO THE BUSHES. I LANDED ON MY SIDE, RIB AND HIP. HAD TO GET HOME, ONLY A FEW BLOCK BUT THE WHOLE TIME I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA JUST TOPPLE RIGHT OVER. I GRABBED MY NEIGHBORS TRASHCAN SO I WOULDN'T FALL BUT DAMN NEAR
FELL RIGHT IN. LUCKILY IT WAS FULL UP. I HAVE SCOLIOSIS SO DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S IT OR MY BIGGER
BOOBS HAVE MADE ME TOP HEAVY. I'VE LOST 15 LB SINCE JUNE AND WEIGHT 110, 5'3". ANY IDEAS? THANK YOU!

I'VE HAD BALANCE PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE BUT A LITTLE BETTER THIS MONTH. I WENT OUT FOR MY WALK THIS MORNING AND ALL WAS WELL TIL I WAS JUST 1/2 MILE FROM HOME. I STARTED FEELING LIKE I MIGHT FALL ON MY FACE. A FEW BLOCKS\
LATER, A BLACKBERRY VINE TRIPPED ME UP, SENDING ME RIGHT INTO THE PRICKLY BUSHES. LANDED ON MY KNEE, HIP, CHEST AND HANDS, I GOT UP TO CONTINUE HOME BUT WAS REALLY HARD. I GOT TO MY NEIGHBORS AND HAD TO GRAB ON THEIR TRASHCAN. GOOD THING IT WAS FULL UP OR I WOULDA BEEN IN IT. I WASN'T DIZZY AT ALL. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'VE BEEN GOING ON 5 MILE A DAY WALKS FOR 3.5 YRS. I HAVE SCOLIOSIS. COULD THAT BE IT? OR MY BIG
BOOBS? I'VE LOST 15 LBS SINCE END OF JULY. I'M 5'3" AND 110 LB. MY BOOBS HAVEN'T SHRUNK UP. I'M 71 AND IN GOOD HEALTGH. THOUGHTS? THANK YOU! 🙂

Hi debicat, unresolved balance issues, whether you are dizzy or not, can be dangerous, as you learned today. We are not medical professionals and don't give medical advice on Mayo Connect. We are merely other people living with a variety of conditions and diseases who share our journeys and try to help one another along the way.
If you repeated have the feeling you are going to fall, and now That it has actually happened, you need to see a doctor and find out what is causing the problem. If there is no identifiable cause, you can see a physical therapist to learn some exercises to help you with balance and strength.
Is there a reason for your recent weight loss, because that too can be an indication of a problem if it wasn't intentional.
Have youmcontactedmyour doctor about this?
Sue

reply to @debicat and @sueinmn
If it's possible, try to find a physical therapist with experience in vestibular issues. Vestibular rehab therapy (VRT) was an entirely new concept 35 years ago and is still not part of basic training for PTs. Even if the reason for your balance issue isn't understood, there's nothing to stop you from working on better balance: the reason for the imbalance doesn't change what you need to do, which is to learn to use your third balance system, proprioception, the feeling you get from your feet, ankles, knees, etc. I've done some VRT every stinking day for nearly 40 years and have had a full and rewarding life instead of being held hostage by imbalance, an invalid. For starters, if you have poor balance, your back will hurt, from the effort of trying to maintain balance if your primary inner ear balance system has been affected. Since you're 71, it's very possible that your inner ear is simply not as efficient as it used to be. Believe me, with daily VRT (which is easy and can be incorporated into your daily life as part of normal everyday living), you will have more confidence and feel far better. You can practice some VRT while doing your daily walks! As you walk, think about what your feet are telling you about the surface you're walking across. You'll be surprised at how "smart" your feet are!

Me too. What is this about? How do you stop