1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Falling forward

Posted by Rob @robseverson, Sep 21, 2017

I just walked my dog and had the same issue: falling forward. Sometimes it seem like I can't stop, have fallen once and came close several times. When I stop I start to fall forward too. I am in a balance therapy program but would like to know if others have experience this. I seem to list forward a lot. Just got a pacemaker but that didn't seem to help

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 23, 2021
In reply to @charlotte14 "Me too. What is this about? How do you stop" + (show)
@charlotte14

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

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Hi Charlotte, welcome. Can you tell me more about you and falls? What are you experiencing?

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rjcronin59 | @rjcronin59 | Mar 15, 2022

Thank you everyone for your comments. My problem began to show up after I had two episodes of vertigo. I have been doing PT for back and general balance problems. I will discuss all this with my primary care and neurologist and report back to you. I’m 75 and really can’t afford fall.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 17, 2022
In reply to @rjcronin59 "Thank you everyone for your comments. My problem began to show up after I had two..." + (show)
@rjcronin59

Thank you everyone for your comments. My problem began to show up after I had two episodes of vertigo. I have been doing PT for back and general balance problems. I will discuss all this with my primary care and neurologist and report back to you. I’m 75 and really can’t afford fall.

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Welcome, @rjcronin59. You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo/

Yes, please report with you learn after talking with your primary care and neurologist.

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soud | @soud | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello@kybabs, I would like to add my welcome to you as you have just recently joined..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello@kybabs, I would like to add my welcome to you as you have just recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect.

I can certainly understand your concern over your husband's falls. I am glad to read that he will be seeing a doctor regarding this. Falls are a difficult problem as we get older and lead to surgeries for broken bones as well as time in rehab. It is important to try to get to the root cause of these falling spells.

You might try keeping a journal of his falls and record when they occur. For example, falls before mealtime might suggest a problem with blood sugar. Often problems upon rising can be attributed to blood pressure fluctuations. There are so many reasons for falls that it takes a good neurological exam to rule out the many possibilities.

If he has a neurologist, I would highly recommend that he make an appointment there as well. Neurologists can be very helpful in understanding balance and falling problems.

Will you post again with an update as to how your husband is doing?

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I am new to connect, a little background I am now 80 years young, about 20 years ago at the mayo, I diagnosed me with partial transverse myelitis, I my right leg & foot seemed cold
and the right side of my body up to my rib cage to my spine on the right side, I also had a hard time controlling my bowl after about 5 years this all passed, about 10 years ago I started falling from time to time now is getting worse the best way to explain it it I feel like I'm drunk, I asked my primary to get me an appointment with a neurologist but instead he want me to go to PT.
I have been to PT for lower back pain before with no satisfaction, and it's scary walking across a parking lot even with a cane, I have found when I get tired it is even worse. Do you think I should try the PT, or should I see a Neurologist? Thanks Chuck

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2 replies
soud | @soud | Sep 8, 2022

Oh forgot to mention When I stand it feel like I have to dig my toes in because, I feel like I'm gonna fall face first,
also when I'm going to start walking it seem I have to pause & think before I move once I get my feet moving I go pretty good, but have to stop & think before walking, getting up from a chair I need something to grasp before I stand up to keep from falling face first it seems I have to pause & think before I move I need a hand rail on stair or even 3 steps going forward is really scary can't do it without a handrail!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @soud "I am new to connect, a little background I am now 80 years young, about 20..." + (show)
@soud

I am new to connect, a little background I am now 80 years young, about 20 years ago at the mayo, I diagnosed me with partial transverse myelitis, I my right leg & foot seemed cold
and the right side of my body up to my rib cage to my spine on the right side, I also had a hard time controlling my bowl after about 5 years this all passed, about 10 years ago I started falling from time to time now is getting worse the best way to explain it it I feel like I'm drunk, I asked my primary to get me an appointment with a neurologist but instead he want me to go to PT.
I have been to PT for lower back pain before with no satisfaction, and it's scary walking across a parking lot even with a cane, I have found when I get tired it is even worse. Do you think I should try the PT, or should I see a Neurologist? Thanks Chuck

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Wlecome to Mayo Connect, where we can offer you suggestions and encouragement, but not a diagnosis.
Your two posts make me think you should "dig your toes in" and insist on seeing a neurologist. I am particularly thinking that because of your description of needing to pause & think before you move, which really indicates there may be an issue of your brain-nerve-muscle connection.

Do you think you can convince your primary? Or can you refer yourself?
Sue

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @soud "I am new to connect, a little background I am now 80 years young, about 20..." + (show)
@soud

I am new to connect, a little background I am now 80 years young, about 20 years ago at the mayo, I diagnosed me with partial transverse myelitis, I my right leg & foot seemed cold
and the right side of my body up to my rib cage to my spine on the right side, I also had a hard time controlling my bowl after about 5 years this all passed, about 10 years ago I started falling from time to time now is getting worse the best way to explain it it I feel like I'm drunk, I asked my primary to get me an appointment with a neurologist but instead he want me to go to PT.
I have been to PT for lower back pain before with no satisfaction, and it's scary walking across a parking lot even with a cane, I have found when I get tired it is even worse. Do you think I should try the PT, or should I see a Neurologist? Thanks Chuck

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Hello @soud,

I would agree with your assessment that you need to be seen by a neurologist. Falling is especially difficult as you risk broken bones, concussions, etc.

Do you live near a research-oriented medical facility such as a university medical school or near a Mayo facility? This would probably be the best place to get treatment.

Do you live near one of these facilities?

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1 reply
soud | @soud | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Wlecome to Mayo Connect, where we can offer you suggestions and encouragement, but not a diagnosis...." + (show)
@sueinmn

Wlecome to Mayo Connect, where we can offer you suggestions and encouragement, but not a diagnosis.
Your two posts make me think you should "dig your toes in" and insist on seeing a neurologist. I am particularly thinking that because of your description of needing to pause & think before you move, which really indicates there may be an issue of your brain-nerve-muscle connection.

Do you think you can convince your primary? Or can you refer yourself?
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank you, one more thing when I mow the lawn on my riding mower when the mower leans just a little, I feel terrified and have to grip the rear fender to keep from falling off!

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soud | @soud | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @soud, I would agree with your assessment that you need to be seen by a..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @soud,

I would agree with your assessment that you need to be seen by a neurologist. Falling is especially difficult as you risk broken bones, concussions, etc.

Do you live near a research-oriented medical facility such as a university medical school or near a Mayo facility? This would probably be the best place to get treatment.

Do you live near one of these facilities?

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I'm 3 hours from the Uof M Fairview I believe a neurologist from there comes to our local Fair View

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 8, 2022
In reply to @soud "I'm 3 hours from the Uof M Fairview I believe a neurologist from there comes to..." + (show)
@soud

I'm 3 hours from the Uof M Fairview I believe a neurologist from there comes to our local Fair View

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I would certainly start with the local person, you can always ask for referral to Mayo or the U of M if you feel like you need more diagnosis.
Sue

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