Why do I keep falling over?

[notaflyingmonkey]

Three times in the past three months I have fallen over. I'm 57 and can't remember a time in my adult life when I have fallen over before this - but this is becoming a habit. It's possible I don't pick my feet up fully - but if so, I've been managing fine up to now. So why now?

Any ideas?

Obviously get it checked out but I', 59 and have to exercise and lift weights regularly as my muscle strength is definitely diminishing.

Possibly an inner ear infection? That can affect balance and you can feel otherwise well and not realise.

Came to say also MS. Happened to my good friend, eventually the vision loss and numb arm confirmed a diagnosis, but he'd been falling a lot before that.

I'm also a vegetarian, so am hoping it's down to B12 rather than neuro. I've got a GP appointment booked for a fortnight's time, so hopefully they can shed some light on it.

@notaflyingmonkey it will help a lot if you can give GP an idea of what happens when you fall eg. Knee gives way, toe catches, go over on ankle, lose stability of your trunk, not know where your feet are, fall backwards/sideways etc

Hello nota recognise you from the elderlies board.
Each pp comments on the bbc podcast change one thing which talks about practicing standing in one leg whilst brushing your teeth etc. And build it up to a min per leg. Exercise such as Pilates, tai chi?
Could it be stress related? Know you've got a lot on 🌺

Hi Sandwich yes, it could be stress, but I suspect it is something physical/neuro. Just what I need! I'm so bloody tired of wondering what next.

I was tripping over, dropping things, seeing colours differently and all the GPs I saw were so concerned about MS, Parkinsons and MND (which in the UK should be a diagnosis by exclusion) that they forgot all about thyroid disease. When I was finally diagnosed with Graves Disease it all went away within a month of thyroxine (it’s the one that requires an antibody test so most GPs are too cheap to pay for it; yet can afford to spend £££s making uncessary neuro appts).

I suggest you go to the GP and ask them to check your thyroid levels. They do go down around menopause anyway.

Do you have any difficulties with your ears? Maybe balance stuff? Xx

Your feet haven't flattened (fallen arches) with age or weight gain, have they OP?

Lots of core strength/improve your balance exercises on YouTube which I keep meaning to get around to doing!

@notaflyingmonkey Have a chat with your GP for your own peace of mind but I was experiencing something similar until I changed my footwear to something more supportive.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond. I've invested in a better paid of trainers, and some mega B and D vitamins.

We'll see what the GP says, but in the meantime I will start doing some core exercises at home.

Worth starting yoga classes, OP, if you don’t already do them. I’m no yoga bunny but I do find it very helpful for improving balance, strength, flexibility. I’m around your age and have weak ankles and zero core and yoga does make a noticeable difference.

You could try doing some home blood tests on Thriva to check vitamin levels if the GP doesn't order these for you.

Update: Had a phone appointment with the GP today about this, which resulted in me going in to see her, which resulted in a referral to a neurologist. Blood test in a couple of weeks in the meantime.

Good luck OP. Have you fallen again since?

No, (thank goodness) but have hardly been out. I've bought myself some new trainers and a 'thing' that I feed through the laces on my weaker foot which helps stop it dropping.

Just another thought. Did the start since a covid vaccine?

Good luck. This sounds like DM and they are investigating Parkinsons. I am pleased you've got a neurologist appointment.

Fell before I had my first vaccine, as my arm was in a sling from breaking my elbow when I got jabbed.

@notaflyingmonkey

No, (thank goodness) but have hardly been out. I've bought myself some new trainers and a 'thing' that I feed through the laces on my weaker foot which helps stop it dropping.

notaflyingmonkey Can you tell me what the "thing" is that helps with the weaker fioot that you feed through the laces please?

Hope you get some answers OP.

Hi @superstar63 sorry for the vague 'thing' description!

It is this:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00O49IFI2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

notaflyingmonkey Thank you, it looks as if it may be very helpful and good luck and I hope you get some answers soon.

This is so interesting!
I'm 55 and in the last 6 months have fallen over 4 times. 3 of those were running (I run trails so there are objects to trip over but I've been running for ages and it was never a problem before). I broke my wrist the first time. And once going up a step, I sprained my foot.
Interesting that it could be menopause related. And that balance issues appear with age. I'll check out the MM podcast.

OP I hope you are OK. Good luck with the blood tests and the neurologist appointment. I hope you get some answers.