Falling for no apparent reason: Any ideas?

@stlouisgmajenn yes when l first had encephalitis, then when l was in rehab. I was given a muscle relaxer and l went into cardiac arrest. Then l remember a nurse giving me a form to sign for a dnr. But l was in total consciousness so l.told them to discard that. I don't know if they did and then when l had my foot surgery something happened l think it was with th he anesthesia because my doctor said l had to call your liver doctor because he said l didn't know what to d ok. And l have fallen out so many times. Sometimes my daughter will say it was bad mom. She never tell what was bad but sometimes when l fall out l am conscious and sometimes unconscious. That's why my doctors don't understand what's happening. So now sometimes l will know when am going to fall and when l dont feel right l won't drive or even go out. It take time l guess to know when it will happen. I have had knee, shoulder, back, ankle and foot surgery. I prayer that all.But l was listening yesterday to one of our visiting pastors and he said he had 5 eye surgeries and he can only see shadows but it doesn't stop him so l feel the same way. It's a nuisance but l would say to try to get help. I am getting a wheelchair for only when l need it and getting my doctor to be trained as s a service dog. So there is assistance out there so get as much as you can. Also l have a lifeline.
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So you're getting a service dog? Pets are special. I have cats. Couldn't, wouldn't live without them. They love me unconditionally. Even when I step on their tails, by mistake of course. I can be a bit clumsy and they accept that. And I understand about venturing outside. When I feel the least bit wobbly I don't dare drive. Or even go outside to get the mail. I don't dare risk the steps. Just don't. Life used to be so easy. Now I have to think about every body movement, double check myself on stairs. Every ordinary task seems to take soooooo long. And I forget. Forget what I'm doing, where I'm going. Like now. Signing off

I have been falling for over a year. I have seen every Doctor related to the problem. I have High Blood Pressure controled. I am a border line diabetic rarely over 100. K 5 or less. I have defeated disk disease,, spinalstanios. and another spinal problem I can't recall or spell.. I have a FEAR FALLING. I have occasional bursitis on the left and right. I have had my head pictured from every angle and I can prove I have a brain and they find nothing NOTHING WRONG. MY EARS RING. Have since I was a child. I get them checked all the time. My service DOG HELPS WITH EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE. I just really want to stop falling down. I'll take any suggestions you you got.

Hi @raefieldsdh, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Do you experience dizziness and/or balance issues with the falling down? Have you consulted with an ENT specialist?

@raefieldsdh Until you can find out why and get a permanent solution to your falling, here are some ideas to help you stop kissing the floor. Hopefully you have some warning before you fall and don't just randomly drop. Review each fall to determine any causes and eliminate those causes, if possible. Stand slowly. Use a cane or walker if you need it for balance. If you can, get a walker with a seat so that you can sit down before falling down. Remove rugs and clutter from your walkways to reduce the number of things you might trip over. Take your time. Put up hand rails on stairs, by the toilets, in the bath/shower and next to doors. Set up your house so that there is something to grab onto or a place to sit down before falling when moving from place to place. Get a stool to use in the kitchen so you can sit (or perch) while cooking, preparing food or cleaning. Ask people you live with to help you with activities that lead to your falling. Never wait in lines. Keep yourself well hydrated. If nothing else, let yourself down to the floor rather than fall. These things have worked well for me and I have only had one fall in the last year. A rug at the bottom of stairs had worn out and slipped under my feet. I am responsible for that fall by not removing the rug as soon as I noticed it slip the first time. Blessings and prayers for no falls.

@raefieldsdh it sounds as if you have explored just about every possible cause for falling. As @2011panc asked, is it definitely not a balance or dizziness problem? Do you feel unsteady? Last summer I was having a problem with extreme dizziness every morning. It turned out to be from a topical gel prescription, but I definitely knew I might fall so I was being exceedingly careful.

I had a period of time in my 20s when I had a large number of falls in a short period of time. I came to realize that the problem was lack of attention, my mind was very preoccupied. I had to make myself be more conscious of what I was doing.
JK

I’ve always had small balance issues. I was never the one that rode my bike with no hands when I was a child. However this is a bit different because my legs especially my right leg feels like it’s on pins and needles. I was just over rather getting over what I thought was covid. Test came back negative for Covid but I have had all the symptoms. Now I have weakness fatigue and pins and needles in my legs. I wish I could go to Mayo and get completely Checked out. I feel like I’m falling apart.

Hello @sheiladucci and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you have had small balance issues throughout your life and feel like you may have had COVID despite testing negative.

Have the recent changes to your legs, especially your right leg, made you more concerned about your lack of solid balance or are you thinking there may be a connection between your COVID symptoms and your change in leg pain?

I was falling for no apparent reason and I couldn't get up, my legs wouldn't work. I had stitches on my head twice and I broke and dislocated my wrist, and I dislocated my shoulder. I was terrified to leave the house. My geriatric doctor asked about medication. I had been taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for clinical depression for over 30 years. The doctor recommended I stop. I stopped taking the meds and I stopped falling. I tripped in the house and I was so surprised because I got up immediately, no leg weakness, just the normal get up and go. Now I'm slowly switching medication for my depression. I wanted to share this with anyone who is having this problem because it may be one answer to your problem. Good luck!

Hi Calan,
I'm so grateful that you posted your experience about the falling issue being improved by going off Zoloft (Sertraline). Did you wean off Zoloft gradually? How are you managing or treating depression now?