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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raebaby | @raebaby | Sep 2, 2022
In reply to @raebaby "I made a mistake saying I bought the socks on Amazon. They aren't the same there..." + (show)
@raebaby

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.)

Jump to this post

UPDATE: I also bought some VoxxLife patches. I find that they do help my balance. When I take it off I notice that I am more wobblily. They come to about $3.25 a patch that supposedly lasts a couple days. I figure that it's worth it if it keeps me from falling and breaking a hip. If I had ever been a smoker the patch would probably be cheaper than a pack of cigarettes.

REPLY
nscappa | @nscappa | Nov 30, 2022
In reply to @callalily74 "Not really. I went to an ENT yesterday for my split ear from falling. That was..." + (show)
@callalily74

Not really. I went to an ENT yesterday for my split ear from falling. That was depressing. My ear is healed, but the two ear pieces never meshed together because I waited too long to get stitches. He is referring me to P.T. at our local hospital. He said it would be more helpful than a balance class. It's very encouraging to know my ear will have a permanent split in it now. I'm very morose this a.m. I started talking to the ENT doctor about having so much suicidal ideation and my husband got angry at me. Stop that-you want me to take you to be admitted to a hospital. come on. We can go right now. He hasn't apologized and I don't think he realizes how disturbing it is to hear that. Total disrespect. Doctor didn't think it was an inner ear issue, because I don't have the right symptoms. I think he attributed it mostly to my aging, 75 year old, body.

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Hello,
My name is Nancy and I am 75 years old. I have fallen a couple of times this year but once I fainted from my antidepressant (Lexapro) being raised to 30 mgs from 20 mgs. Evidently this drug can cause fainting when you are elderly so I know it was not my heart. However, yesterday morning and this morning when I got up (slowly) I fell backwards but I didn't get hurt. I am concerned because it didn't seem to have any warning and I don't think I was lightheaded. Now I'm worried when I get up because I could get hurt since my bedroom is so small. When I got up a couple of hours later I did get up slowly and it's didn't happen. All I could think was MS (I usually think of the worst). I'm wondering if it cold my blood pressure which has been great for some time. I have a friend who is a nurse so I will ask her to take my BP. I feel for you re the falling. It can be very scary and unsettling especially being elderly. I truly hope that you do find the reason for your falls because I know it is scary. I stopped my exercising (I had a lovely therapist come to my apartment) because I am depressed (more than usual) so that might be part of the reason. I just don't get why it would happen without maybe dizziness, I just lose my balance and just fall. I hate this because it always seems to be something new. Oh well, I will just see if it keeps happening and if so off to the doctor I will go. I truly hope that you find what is causing the falls. I am on antidepressants, Vitamin D and quite a few more. It's like a pharmacy and I have been healthy most of my life but I was never 75 before. : ) Take care. Nancy S.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 30, 2022
In reply to @nscappa "Hello, My name is Nancy and I am 75 years old. I have fallen a couple..." + (show)
@nscappa

Hello,
My name is Nancy and I am 75 years old. I have fallen a couple of times this year but once I fainted from my antidepressant (Lexapro) being raised to 30 mgs from 20 mgs. Evidently this drug can cause fainting when you are elderly so I know it was not my heart. However, yesterday morning and this morning when I got up (slowly) I fell backwards but I didn't get hurt. I am concerned because it didn't seem to have any warning and I don't think I was lightheaded. Now I'm worried when I get up because I could get hurt since my bedroom is so small. When I got up a couple of hours later I did get up slowly and it's didn't happen. All I could think was MS (I usually think of the worst). I'm wondering if it cold my blood pressure which has been great for some time. I have a friend who is a nurse so I will ask her to take my BP. I feel for you re the falling. It can be very scary and unsettling especially being elderly. I truly hope that you do find the reason for your falls because I know it is scary. I stopped my exercising (I had a lovely therapist come to my apartment) because I am depressed (more than usual) so that might be part of the reason. I just don't get why it would happen without maybe dizziness, I just lose my balance and just fall. I hate this because it always seems to be something new. Oh well, I will just see if it keeps happening and if so off to the doctor I will go. I truly hope that you find what is causing the falls. I am on antidepressants, Vitamin D and quite a few more. It's like a pharmacy and I have been healthy most of my life but I was never 75 before. : ) Take care. Nancy S.

Jump to this post

Hello Nancy, I wonder if you are aware that falls can be the #1 reason us seniors lose our independence? So it is very important that you find out why this is happening to you before you get injured.
Low blood pressure on rising is very common, and getting up slowly is a good way to stay safe. That's why, if you are in the hospital, they will have sit on the edge of the bed first, wait a short time, then stand up carefully.
If the falls have happened more than once, PLEASE contact your doctor now for a complete evaluation. It may be that your medications need to be reduced or changed. This often happens as we get older because the way our liver metabolizes medication changes.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
dbluttenb | @dbluttenb | Dec 1, 2022

Ask your Dr. About a loss of balance called ataxia. My ataxia is caused by a rare brain disease called superficial siderosis caused by a brain trauma in the past up to 30 years ago. It can also be caused by a continuous brain or spinal cord leak. This causes blood in your brain to oxidize over time to hemosiderin (think of rust) interfering brain signals. I went through 3 neurologists before they found it and he had never heard it, the radiologist found it. There are a whole host of other symptoms that can be there, like hearing loss, eyesight, sense of smell, etc. , but loss of balance is primary. You can find out more on the website “Living with Superficial Siderosis “ there are less than 300 cases in the US. That’s why no one knows about it. I feel for you if you have it because it has no cure, but you can learn to live with it. Exercise helps, use a treadmill so you don’t fall down. (Of course, ask your Dr. first) Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
nscappa | @nscappa | Dec 1, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello Nancy, I wonder if you are aware that falls can be the #1 reason us..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello Nancy, I wonder if you are aware that falls can be the #1 reason us seniors lose our independence? So it is very important that you find out why this is happening to you before you get injured.
Low blood pressure on rising is very common, and getting up slowly is a good way to stay safe. That's why, if you are in the hospital, they will have sit on the edge of the bed first, wait a short time, then stand up carefully.
If the falls have happened more than once, PLEASE contact your doctor now for a complete evaluation. It may be that your medications need to be reduced or changed. This often happens as we get older because the way our liver metabolizes medication changes.
Sue

Jump to this post

Hi Susan,
Thanks for your quick reply. Today I got up very slowly and stood up and waited a few more seconds and I walked slowly out of the bedroom with no problem. I will certainly watch it for a few days, but I may ask my nurse friend to take my blood pressure just to be safe. My Nephrologist recommended stopping my small dose of Hydrochlorothiazide which I take re my blood pressure. He asked if my legs tend to swell and I told him that they didn't. I see him Dec. 15th but if it happens again will definitely call my GP. It's great being 75 with all these appts. and copays. Oh well, I'll be very careful. Thanks again Susan. : )

REPLY
1 reply
nscappa | @nscappa | Dec 1, 2022
In reply to @dbluttenb "Ask your Dr. About a loss of balance called ataxia. My ataxia is caused by a..." + (show)
@dbluttenb

Ask your Dr. About a loss of balance called ataxia. My ataxia is caused by a rare brain disease called superficial siderosis caused by a brain trauma in the past up to 30 years ago. It can also be caused by a continuous brain or spinal cord leak. This causes blood in your brain to oxidize over time to hemosiderin (think of rust) interfering brain signals. I went through 3 neurologists before they found it and he had never heard it, the radiologist found it. There are a whole host of other symptoms that can be there, like hearing loss, eyesight, sense of smell, etc. , but loss of balance is primary. You can find out more on the website “Living with Superficial Siderosis “ there are less than 300 cases in the US. That’s why no one knows about it. I feel for you if you have it because it has no cure, but you can learn to live with it. Exercise helps, use a treadmill so you don’t fall down. (Of course, ask your Dr. first) Good luck.

Jump to this post

I'm sorry for your situation which sounds quite difficult and having to go through 3 neurologists but thankfully you finally found the right one and thank you for the information. I got up today, very slowly and I was fine. I will watch it for a few more days and if things are OK, I might just call my GP for her opinion. Take care! Nancy

REPLY
xottawan | @xottawan | Dec 5, 2022

My comment was posted in 2016, not today. We should now have a 6+ year followup! If those falls were so-called “drop attacks” or cardiac syncope, it must have become evident by now. The management of cardiac syncope involves—eventually—a cardiac pacemaker. Whatever the cause, I sincerely hope it has been resolved.

REPLY
casey1329 | @casey1329 | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @nscappa "Hello, My name is Nancy and I am 75 years old. I have fallen a couple..." + (show)
@nscappa

Hello,
My name is Nancy and I am 75 years old. I have fallen a couple of times this year but once I fainted from my antidepressant (Lexapro) being raised to 30 mgs from 20 mgs. Evidently this drug can cause fainting when you are elderly so I know it was not my heart. However, yesterday morning and this morning when I got up (slowly) I fell backwards but I didn't get hurt. I am concerned because it didn't seem to have any warning and I don't think I was lightheaded. Now I'm worried when I get up because I could get hurt since my bedroom is so small. When I got up a couple of hours later I did get up slowly and it's didn't happen. All I could think was MS (I usually think of the worst). I'm wondering if it cold my blood pressure which has been great for some time. I have a friend who is a nurse so I will ask her to take my BP. I feel for you re the falling. It can be very scary and unsettling especially being elderly. I truly hope that you do find the reason for your falls because I know it is scary. I stopped my exercising (I had a lovely therapist come to my apartment) because I am depressed (more than usual) so that might be part of the reason. I just don't get why it would happen without maybe dizziness, I just lose my balance and just fall. I hate this because it always seems to be something new. Oh well, I will just see if it keeps happening and if so off to the doctor I will go. I truly hope that you find what is causing the falls. I am on antidepressants, Vitamin D and quite a few more. It's like a pharmacy and I have been healthy most of my life but I was never 75 before. : ) Take care. Nancy S.

Jump to this post

Hi Nancy, I am sorry that you having this problem. I don't know if it will help but I'll share my story. In March my husband who is 71 got out of bed and fell. he had no warning. He just said that he felt like he had "Jello Legs". We went to the ER. I thought he had a stroke. He spent 3 days in the hospital and was released without a diagnosis. He seemed to be Ok after that but then one morning in June he couldn't move his legs to get out of bed. So back to the hospital. After extensive testing he was discharged with a Parkinson's diagnosis. We went to another neurologist and was given a new diagnosis, C.I.D.P. and no Parkinson's. We moved on to neurologist #3, who said he didn't know what my husband had. In the meantime my husband had fallen again. So we go to neurologist #4 who said it is definitely not C.I.D.P but a polyneuropathy caused by my husband's heavy drinking. That was 2 months ago and my husband has stopped drinking, he is eating right and going to the gym and so far hasn't fallen. We may never really have a definite answer. I say this because he didn't have any withdrawal symptoms plus his blood work & liver are all normal. Things that you would think would be affected by heavy drinking. I don't know if my story was of any use but I offer it in the event that it might give you some small insight into your situation...good luck.

REPLY
2 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 7, 2022
In reply to @casey1329 "Hi Nancy, I am sorry that you having this problem. I don't know if it will..." + (show)
@casey1329

Hi Nancy, I am sorry that you having this problem. I don't know if it will help but I'll share my story. In March my husband who is 71 got out of bed and fell. he had no warning. He just said that he felt like he had "Jello Legs". We went to the ER. I thought he had a stroke. He spent 3 days in the hospital and was released without a diagnosis. He seemed to be Ok after that but then one morning in June he couldn't move his legs to get out of bed. So back to the hospital. After extensive testing he was discharged with a Parkinson's diagnosis. We went to another neurologist and was given a new diagnosis, C.I.D.P. and no Parkinson's. We moved on to neurologist #3, who said he didn't know what my husband had. In the meantime my husband had fallen again. So we go to neurologist #4 who said it is definitely not C.I.D.P but a polyneuropathy caused by my husband's heavy drinking. That was 2 months ago and my husband has stopped drinking, he is eating right and going to the gym and so far hasn't fallen. We may never really have a definite answer. I say this because he didn't have any withdrawal symptoms plus his blood work & liver are all normal. Things that you would think would be affected by heavy drinking. I don't know if my story was of any use but I offer it in the event that it might give you some small insight into your situation...good luck.

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@casey1329
Did you husband have a Nerve conduction test or EMG?
Any pain, burning, stinging or other types of discomfort or numbness?
Good luck,
Jake

REPLY
casey1329 | @casey1329 | Dec 7, 2022

Yes, he had both tests given by 3 neurologists with 3 different interpretations: 1-C.I.D.P., 2-mild to moderate large fiber predominant polyneuropathy & possible demyelinating findings, 3- distal sensory axonal polyneuropathy. This is the one we are going with because it makes the most sense in that the damage was caused by excessive alcohol consumption which he did. However, he never had any pain, burning, tingling, numbness just weak legs. Thanks for your interest

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