1. < Brain & Nervous System

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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again | @again | Sep 1, 2023

I also fall for no reason and have been trying to find out more for years. I do have one thing that helps, though. I take liposomal glutathione in pills and make up a glutathione cream that I rub on to take glutathione transdermally. If I take enough, it reduces my falls, but lately I'v had to take more and more. If you fall suddenly, I'd suggest you try it. I can be bought on line. If it helps, it will help a lot when nothing else does. It's not a cure but a pretty good treatment if it works for you.

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cpd54 | @cpd54 | Sep 2, 2023

My mother fell like that, for no apparent reason. She had a diagnosed neurological problem, I can’t remember the name. Nothing could be done for it. She also would shake in her hands and had all her life.

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paktoledo | @paktoledo | Sep 3, 2023

I too had problem following, especially out of bed, for no apparent reason. I was taken to the ER because as much as I tried I could not get back up. I had a rate muscle wasting disease. Rare but debilitating. See your doctor please. Pat

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casey1329 | @casey1329 | Sep 3, 2023

My 72 yr old husband was a big drinker all his life. Just this past year he started falling and had balance issues. The neurologist said that my husband had nerve damage in his feet and legs due to drinking. So he stopped, cold turkey, is wasn't easy. However, now a year later he is must better, no falls and balance problems...good luck

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1 reply
summer0828 | @summer0828 | Sep 3, 2023

Hi my suggestion is getting a good neurologist surgeon, Have an MRI on your brain. There could be a loose connection in your brain. (hehe) Recently, my husband has a pineal cyst in his brain. Seizures like automatically falling - it last only a few minutes. Anyway, something to get checked out and ruled out. Wishing you best on your investigating journey.

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1 reply
xottawan | @xottawan | Sep 4, 2023
In reply to @xottawan "You need to get to a specialist ASAP. If you don't remember having any faintness or..." + (show)
@xottawan

You need to get to a specialist ASAP. If you don't remember having any faintness or dizziness before falling, you might be having loss of memory going back to just before it happens (retrograde amnesia). There might be a cardiac cause that needs study. Heart problems can cause loss of consciousness with NO warning. A good neurologist might be a place to start. Find a doctor who will listen to your story and take a thorough history.

Jump to this post

My comment was seven yrs ago, but just as true today!

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dbluttenb | @dbluttenb | Sep 4, 2023
In reply to @summer0828 "Hi my suggestion is getting a good neurologist surgeon, Have an MRI on your brain. There..." + (show)
@summer0828

Hi my suggestion is getting a good neurologist surgeon, Have an MRI on your brain. There could be a loose connection in your brain. (hehe) Recently, my husband has a pineal cyst in his brain. Seizures like automatically falling - it last only a few minutes. Anyway, something to get checked out and ruled out. Wishing you best on your investigating journey.

Jump to this post

When they do the MRI, tell them to look for superficial siderosis. It’s caused by a brain bleed the leaves a thin sheet of blood between areas of the brain. Over time it oxidizes and interrupts signals in the brain. Very rare disease, but I have it and it first appears as imbalance, called ataxia, and steadily gets worse. I was getting by with a cane, It now using a rollater. I’m 77 and falling is now my biggest fear, I do not want to lose mobility. Good luck

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2 replies
dbluttenb | @dbluttenb | Sep 4, 2023
In reply to @dbluttenb "When they do the MRI, tell them to look for superficial siderosis. It’s caused by a..." + (show)
@dbluttenb

When they do the MRI, tell them to look for superficial siderosis. It’s caused by a brain bleed the leaves a thin sheet of blood between areas of the brain. Over time it oxidizes and interrupts signals in the brain. Very rare disease, but I have it and it first appears as imbalance, called ataxia, and steadily gets worse. I was getting by with a cane, It now using a rollater. I’m 77 and falling is now my biggest fear, I do not want to lose mobility. Good luck

Jump to this post

BTW, this is often missed in the MRI, because this is hard to detect u less they are looking for it. The radiation tech saw something, the neurologist had not heard about it and had to research. This is often missed in diagnosis’s, but I assure you it exists.

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again | @again | Sep 5, 2023
In reply to @dbluttenb "When they do the MRI, tell them to look for superficial siderosis. It’s caused by a..." + (show)
@dbluttenb

When they do the MRI, tell them to look for superficial siderosis. It’s caused by a brain bleed the leaves a thin sheet of blood between areas of the brain. Over time it oxidizes and interrupts signals in the brain. Very rare disease, but I have it and it first appears as imbalance, called ataxia, and steadily gets worse. I was getting by with a cane, It now using a rollater. I’m 77 and falling is now my biggest fear, I do not want to lose mobility. Good luck

Jump to this post

Thank you! I'll be seeing my neurologist for falling problems after a DAT ruled out Parkinsons, and I will ask her about it. I tend to have rare disorders. This might be the answer after all these years. Does superficial siderosis have any treatments?

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1 reply
oldkarl | @oldkarl | Sep 5, 2023
In reply to @casey1329 "My 72 yr old husband was a big drinker all his life. Just this past year..." + (show)
@casey1329

My 72 yr old husband was a big drinker all his life. Just this past year he started falling and had balance issues. The neurologist said that my husband had nerve damage in his feet and legs due to drinking. So he stopped, cold turkey, is wasn't easy. However, now a year later he is must better, no falls and balance problems...good luck

Jump to this post

I fall, occasionally, while walking. I do not slip, and I have had a total of about ten alcohol drinks in the last 83 years. But I do have many cancers and other diseases. I think the issues center around the white matter in my brain, and the cardiomegaly in my heart . Anyway, I have never fallen from a sitting position (except from rodeo stock). I just black out and go down. oldkarl

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