40 plus... Falling over!

[Covgal83]

Is it just me, or has anyone else started falling over a lot more since they turned 40?! I'm mid 40s and am forever falling over/off my bike etc. I'm fairly busy (teacher who works across a split site so no classroom) 2 primary kids and generally just into stuff. I'm also fairly fit (run, weights, walk everywhere - Garmin says my fitness age is 20 FFS) but I have just become so accident prone. Is this a thing! I really feel fine otherwise! Just wondered whether there is anything that actually says this is a thing!

No, I’m 48 and I’m not falling over or losing my balance. Any other tmi ga happening alongside a loss of balance?

*things

44 here and no. Do you need glasses maybe?

No. 50 and haven’t fallen over since I tripped up a kerb around 14 years ago.

Are you dizzy when this happens? Is your BP okay? Is your sight test up to date?

Probably a wise move to see your Gp and just start a process to rule out anything serious. Loss of balance can be any kind of things. You may need some simple tests for a start.

I drop things a lot since starting peri but no not falling over

Yes!

46 and numerous falls. No dizziness, no warning, no nothing - it's just like my feet didn't go where they were supposed to!

Nearly went to A&E a couple of weeks after a bad fall on knee, hip, shoulder, head...

GP sent me for urgent blood tests, no mention of menopause but 5mg folic acid daily. Iron overload in blood.

There are other problems so am on the 2 week pathway thing for a CT.

I currently have scabbed knees worse than at primary!

It's all happened in the last year or so. But got more frequent in the last 3 months. It hurts!

Get to your GP please x

I wear glasses (well, contacts) and have had my sight tested recently so don't think that's it. Maybe I will mention it to a GP but I don't think there is anything medical going on. I feel like I've always felt and am healthy and hearty! It's interesting though - I was sort of imagining lots of people would say it's a thing that happens as they get older! Thanks for replying everyone!

Hope everything turns out okay with the tests!

Me as well! In my case though it's weak ankles I think which have got worse as I've got older so if I do trip I can't save myself - very annoying.

Thank you! I didn't mean to alarm you btw, non related! But you could be anaemic or something - inner ear problems? I just kept falling over! I don't go far so mainly in the garden which is a bit up and down. My feet don't seem to recognise dips and hills any more.

Oh as for falling over when trying to put underwear or trousers on standing up... Apparently that is very common after 40.
Fell over in bathroom getting jeans on 🙄🤣

I hope you find some answers Def get your bloods checked xx

Me too oddly (I’m 48). Mine definitely isn’t anything eye related as I’m an optometrist and teach sometimes, so numerous people scan and test my eyes every year.
I’m also pretty fit, but am finding the running machine tricky recently; unless I hold on.
I had a couple of instances of oscillopsia during COVID - so I was CT’d and also had a MRI due to a disc issue.
However, I am slightly concerned. I do have a little hearing loss, so I’m going to go down that path first.

Oh! That's an excellent call actually. My hearing has got a lot worse! That's definitely something to consider.

sort of... I mean, I dunno how much I fell over < 40 or < 50. Lots, probably. And it still happens.

Recent tumbles had to do with cycling, skating, jogging, putting my boat in the river... It's only an issue because my poor knees are always scabbed up of late.

Obviously get it checked out if you're concerned, but balance, increasing lack of, is also an age related thing. I didn't know that until I returned to ballet as an adult. I've had to really work at it and it's a lot better now.

Im 46 and clumsy at certain times of month, always have been. But my balance and reactions are still very good, touch wood!

@Covgal83 I don't want to appear alarmist but things like this can be signs of something serious. Neurological diseases. ME, Parkinsons, brain illnesses.

It's not normal behaviour at 45. Most of my friends are in their 60s and are not falling over.

*MS not ME (typo.)

Thank you. I shall make a non urgent appointment with the GP.

no
agree with pp
get an eye test and a gp appointment
all the best

No. Get that checked out.

Could well be hearing, but get it checked

I realise this is an old thread, but I'm wondering if you got to the bottom of your falls @Covgal83 ?

Hi! Thanks for asking! I didn't. The GP reviewed previous bloods (had a blood test when I injured my knee falling over for inflammation that wouldn't go away) and said they were fine. Discussed perimenopause but didn't have symptoms. I've started doing extra weight training for my running and - touch wood - I've been a lot better. I think I just (like so many working parents, I'm not special!) am going at 120mph from 6 am until 8/830 pm no sitting down during those hours etc. I walk about 16000 steps a day so maybe I'm just more likely to fall over...?!