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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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kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | 3 days ago
In reply to @argm1962 "I have the same problem. Falling with new warning or tell. My ENT believes it is..." + (show)
@argm1962

I have the same problem. Falling with new warning or tell. My ENT believes it is Meniers disease. I’m going for an MRI to ensure that it’s nothing more ominous. I have broken several bones. I have numerous scars and I’m bruised in almost every place, you can think (body attempts to instinctually protect you from a fall, even though you’re not realizing you’re falling. The last fall I had was getting on an airplane and I dropped right in front of the stewardess and the passengers behind, including my daughter,… I fell hard. I’ve read up on vestibular diseases, and I can’t find anything that does not state that you have vertigo or dizziness prior to the fall. Scary stuff.

Jump to this post

Meniers disease is one of exclusion, meaning its the last possible diagnosis after you rule everything else out. Sounds like you need a complete neuro work-up. Can't believe you have had that many falls and no one has yet to do an MRI.....did you get a CT of the head done at some point?

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1 reply
again | @again | 2 days ago
In reply to @kndaustin71 "Meniers disease is one of exclusion, meaning its the last possible diagnosis after you rule everything..." + (show)
@kndaustin71

Meniers disease is one of exclusion, meaning its the last possible diagnosis after you rule everything else out. Sounds like you need a complete neuro work-up. Can't believe you have had that many falls and no one has yet to do an MRI.....did you get a CT of the head done at some point?

Jump to this post

There are several autoimmune disorders that cause it, but if none test positive, ask whether you are short of glutathione? Made by the liver, it helps all kinds of things and chronically low, it causes falling (plus foggy brain, low energy). Milk thistle boosts liver and is KEY—(available in capsules), as does NAC, if you’re short of any of the three ingredients. To make glutathione, the liver needs sulfer (greens, dried peaches or apricots treated with sulfer, eggs, garlic, onions) plus vitamin C, plus selenium (meats & cheese). Spinach and avocado have small amounts of glutathione. Taking glutathione in pills may work, but it’s expensive. It took me a long time to figure out, but look it up and try to get the ingredients into your diet. Read about it for clues. (No doctor is likely to suggest glutathione, or help, even if you suggest it. I asked dozens, including neurologists.) I fell for years until I started putting it together. Good luck! (even if you have one of the major diseases, glutathione may still be a problem and make them worse, so study it along with anything doctors suggest.

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stevegrinstead | @stevegrinstead | 1 day ago

The leading cause of accidental death in us seniors is falling. I have SS, so I am in a wheelchair when in the house I try not to go out, but I am able to use my rollator when I have to go grocery shopping. I can’t competently give up my independence. It’s time for you to at least, use a walker or a rollator or a wheelchair.

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cinlu | @cinlu | 1 day ago

Look into Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. I did the same thing and went to OSU hospital and had an MRI and this condition was discovered. M

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willow5 | @willow5 | 1 day ago

That post about falling was made in 2016. This forum often puts in an old post. Not sure why that is. Hope that person got an answer in 2016!

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bayside | @bayside | 1 day ago

My 80 year old Dad was falling quite often. Once while visiting he stood up and immediately turned in the direction he wanted to go and fell to the floor. I told him I thought he needed to become standing before turning to go. He heard me and didn't fall again. Larry

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