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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

I have a similar problem caused be an internal brain bleed. It can be caused be a continuous bleed, or a trauma in the past. It results in a loss of balance and gets worse in time. It’s very rare, none of my doctors knew about it, it’s called superficial siderosis. It was found in an MRI of my brain. It’s fatal and has no cure, so I hope you do not have this. I am not weak, I exercise regularly on equipment I can hold onto, like a treadmill and a tricycle. But I cannot walk without a cane. When I stand up and turn I will fall down if not holding on to something. Again, very rare, I hope you don’t have it.

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I've started using VoxxLife socks I found on Amazon and they are helping me with my balance. The now have patches I have ordered. I am 80 and have neuropathy from chemo. They affect the neurons that go to the brain. I've also had lots of energy.

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I made a mistake saying I bought the socks on Amazon.
They aren't the same there . I had to order them directly from the VoxxLife site, They cost around $35.
(if I could drive and Amazon was real store, my car would be opening the garage door on its own and driving there.)

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@callalily74 Hi, there! Just a few notes. I, too, fall occasionally, seemingly without reason (although I know that cannot be true!) But to make a couple quick suggestions. First, there are many possible issues, many of which refer back to genetic issues. These could be nerves (brain such as white matter), CPVT, control nerves, diet (allergies), cardiac (cardiomyopathy), Liver (cancer-myeloma), etc. I suggest you contact one of the easier genetic labs, such as Sequencing.Com, or Nebula, for analysis. Start with the easier and less expensive work, and then go up to the insurance -covered work done by the major labs if you need to. Just call them, or have your neurologist set it up. It is easy. oldkarl

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Hi!
I googled “ ears balance” and discovered an National Institute of Health article titled, “Balance Problems and Disorders”.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/balance-problems-and-disorders

“ Balance problems are among the most common reasons that older adults seek help from a doctor. They are often caused by disturbances of the inner ear.”

“Some balance disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear. The part of the inner ear that is responsible for balance is the vestibular system, also known as the labyrinth. A condition called labyrinthitis occurs when the labyrinth becomes infected or swollen. It is typically accompanied by vertigo and imbalance. Upper respiratory infections, other viral infections, and, less commonly, bacterial infections can also lead to labyrinthitis.”

Sounds like ENT is a logical first consult. If ears don’t seem the cause + falls continue, neurology may be a logical second consult. If an option, physicians teaching institutions can be helpful for difficult to diagnose medical issues … w/ the latest knowledge + scanning equipment.

At age 60, I started experiencing numerous symptoms, including random tripping (always right foot) that resulted in multiple falls. Other symptoms included sudden days long leg weakness, toe pins + needles that over days elevated to my waist + over weeks went back down to just my toes. Initially I was told I had peripheral neuropathy. Over 3 years, I consulted numerous specialists at multiple teaching institutions, sharing numerous symptoms: leg heaviness, brain fog, extreme fatigue, hand tremors, speech challenges, GI issues, stomach distention, weight gain. I had several surgeries, myomectomy + parathyroidectomy, but symptoms continued. At age 63, on a walk on a 88 degree day, I suddenly started experiencing severe difficulty moving my legs. After spinal + brain MRIs revealed multiple lesions, a spinal was ordered + a multiple sclerosis (MS) Dx given.

We know our body best + what is normal for us. If one doctor is not able to explain your balance issue, wise to keep consulting specialists until you find the answer.

Please keep us posted … here to support you. Keeping all good thoughts.

I encourage all to educate about MS. The # of diagnosed cases is increasing … across all ethnicities. You may help yourself or someone you know or love receive a earlier diagnosis + treatment … which, like many conditions, is key to a better outcome.
Mayo Explains Multiple Sclerosis (6 min YouTube)
https://youtu.be/Z1ibVlGflPs

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Good morning. It must be very scary to fall, and then keep falling. @kathl-Wrote a great post. My mother used to fall and now my husband falls. Their cause was/is PD- Parkinson's disease. But there are many, many reasons that this can happen. It's imperative to get checked out and keep pursuing it until the correct cause is found.

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@callalily74 Has Inclusion Body Myositis IBM been ruled out?

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My husband fell a lot , his legs just gave out. He had an MRI of his brain and was diagnosed with cerebellum ataxia. I thought he had Parkinson’s , but The dr at Washington university in saint louis , says not. His cerebellum is shrinking , caused by alcohol use over 60 years. He also has leg pain, which she says does not go along with ataxia. I want him to see a neurosurgeon . He refuses.🤣

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hello sorry to read about this scary development.... i had a small stroke last year and p.n.in hands and feet but didnt bother me as much but lately am conscious of feeling heady, or a bit wobbly/// i had fallen in kitchen but feel i was not thinking about what i was doing and sort of tripped over lower dishwasher drawer and few weeks later carry 3 pillows down stairs to laundry room and missed on the the last few steps luckily the pullout bed was out from overnight and i went flying across about six feet or so and landed on it, had i hit a wall spouse feels could have broken neck and i now am wondering if inner ear and/or just my mind wanders all over the now and i am just not concentrating on what i am doing...result is the same if I fall though. Maybe combination of almost forgetting to pick up my feet and this sort of pressure in head and ears but here no neurologist and have to travel to see one etc. I take daily shower by myself as have ibs D etc. and wash my hair in shower and finding when i close eyes so water doesnt come into them, I get a bit disoriented and really try and concentrate and almost hold onto the tub with my feet! Also wore some old slacks today with a bit of a flare in bottom, yep using up my old clothes, and as walking my right foot sort of got caught in floppy material of left leg so I think I had best concentrate more on what I am doing .. not a teenager any more! Seriously tho, perhaps mention it to my nurse practitioner and see if she has any suggestions ... stay safe everyone! J.

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@oldsuzanne55

My husband fell a lot , his legs just gave out. He had an MRI of his brain and was diagnosed with cerebellum ataxia. I thought he had Parkinson’s , but The dr at Washington university in saint louis , says not. His cerebellum is shrinking , caused by alcohol use over 60 years. He also has leg pain, which she says does not go along with ataxia. I want him to see a neurosurgeon . He refuses.🤣

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My husband also a big drinker had his legs give out. He was also given a diagnoses of Parkinson's. However, the second neurologist didn't think he had it. She ran several tests and the EMG test, for nerve & muscle health, showed that he had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Well he stopped drinking, which was not easy, and is getting a monthly infusion of immunoglobulin. Now he is feeling better, no more falls. I think that the alcohol was a toxin and destroying his nerves and that lead to the falls. I hope I was able to help...good luck !

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