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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This may be obscure, but my BIL would fall when having urinary infections, so you might check that out with a urologist. My husband started falling without warning, even though he sat up before standing and that was due to lack of oxygen: we checked that with an oximeter and now are at a pulmonologist. Each time he fell was a surprise. I suppose a helmet ;o) and using a walker until you get it resolved might afford some safety.

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See your Dr have your Dr decide if your meds are causing an issue with the falling. Some meds can lower your blood pressure, so your Dr needs to cut back on your meds. You may have an interaction issue, where mixing the drugs are causing the problem. Look into getting an electric scooter, I got mine on Amazon, they were the cheapest.

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I have had two sudden backward falls in four years. Each time I knew I was going down and it felt as though someone had pushed me backwards. No loss of consciousness and very little bruising as I tried to save myself from falling. I am hypertensive which is treated. Look up “drop attacks” and the explanation given makes sense.
ritaCous40

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@ritacous40

I have had two sudden backward falls in four years. Each time I knew I was going down and it felt as though someone had pushed me backwards. No loss of consciousness and very little bruising as I tried to save myself from falling. I am hypertensive which is treated. Look up “drop attacks” and the explanation given makes sense.
ritaCous40

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My husband had syncope falls, and it seems like it was fixed when he had his urological issues resolved. We actually didn't know there was a problem until we went to his kidney Dr and found out he was retaining urine! We also noted that it was likely when his oxygen level fell and pulse went up. Took us years to resolve and it was scary as he is a large man and he could have fallen on me.

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Thank you. Fortunately I have kidney trouble but my blood pressure dies jump around and maybe low blood pressure was the fault. @ritacous40

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@ritacous40

Thank you. Fortunately I have kidney trouble but my blood pressure dies jump around and maybe low blood pressure was the fault. @ritacous40

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CORRECTION TO REPLY . Fortunately I have NO KIDNEY PROBLEM. .

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Two things. 1) I agree with the post above about having your meds checked. I fell once for no apparent reason. Turned out to be the combination of blood pressure and pain meds I was taking. 2) My daughter was feeling like she was going to fall down, and nearly did several times. Turned out she was, to quote her doctor, "catastrophically low" in vitamin D3. After therapeutic doses for several weeks, she was fine. I know this is a long shot for you, but I wanted to share on the off chance it might help.

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@gracebalch

Two things. 1) I agree with the post above about having your meds checked. I fell once for no apparent reason. Turned out to be the combination of blood pressure and pain meds I was taking. 2) My daughter was feeling like she was going to fall down, and nearly did several times. Turned out she was, to quote her doctor, "catastrophically low" in vitamin D3. After therapeutic doses for several weeks, she was fine. I know this is a long shot for you, but I wanted to share on the off chance it might help.

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I have been taking D3 for years and recent blood test shows I am lacking in nothing. So the problem continues. @titacous40

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Wow, I'm a 59 yo female. I have had vertigo and dizziness in the past post stroke in Nov 2017. However, in the last couple months I've fallen 3 times for no apparent reason. I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time. I have lost 80 lbs in the last year and have undergone lots of bloodwork and I've never had a cholesterol problem, but now my only blood issue is high cholesterol. I'm confused how that can happen and will discuss with my PCP in a week or so at my next appointment. I'm scared because I fell down several steps outside and hit the ground hard yesterday. Thank goodness just bruised and scrapes. If anyone has any idea what I should do, please advise.

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@bhoff

Wow, I'm a 59 yo female. I have had vertigo and dizziness in the past post stroke in Nov 2017. However, in the last couple months I've fallen 3 times for no apparent reason. I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time. I have lost 80 lbs in the last year and have undergone lots of bloodwork and I've never had a cholesterol problem, but now my only blood issue is high cholesterol. I'm confused how that can happen and will discuss with my PCP in a week or so at my next appointment. I'm scared because I fell down several steps outside and hit the ground hard yesterday. Thank goodness just bruised and scrapes. If anyone has any idea what I should do, please advise.

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First is to get any underlying condition diagnosed. 2 causes of falls as we age are loss of muscle tone and strength, and sudden drops in blood pressure. There is therapy your doctor can order to decrease your risk of falls. Also, as a person with a history of falls, you may want to consider getting a Life Alert or similar device. If you do, please wear it 100% of the time, so that you can summon help as needed.
Has anyone suggested either physical therapy or a Life Alert device?
Sue

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