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What Causes Sudden Falling?
Question: My daughter has been falling frequently recently. She does not feel dizzy, does not trip over, and does not feel she is losing her balance. In other words she has no warning.
Although she is not taking medicine for this, she does have many physical and mental problems. She is currently taking the following medications: depakote, paxil, trazadone, suboxone, and occasionally clonopin. She has been taking these medicines for over two years, but only started falling about 4 weeks ago
Although she is not taking medicine for this, she does have many physical and mental problems. She is currently taking the following medications: depakote, paxil, trazadone, suboxone, and occasionally clonopin. She has been taking these medicines for over two years, but only started falling about 4 weeks ago
Brief Answer:
Please provide more information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Please provide more information about the physical and mental problems you mentioned above and the condition(s) that are treated by the drugs you describe.
Also, could you please upload imaging studies (CT scan, MRI) or tests ( EEG ) if any of these was done.
You can simply upload/attach them at the reports section..
When you say, she has no warnings, is there anything else besides warning signs such strong emotions or laughing for example that precede these falls?
Is there any sign such limb(s) jerking, tongue biting or something else that happens after the fall, does she loose consciousness or is aware all the time?
Any blood pressure measured in different body positions ( laying, sitting and standing) ?
Awaiting.....
Please provide more information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Please provide more information about the physical and mental problems you mentioned above and the condition(s) that are treated by the drugs you describe.
Also, could you please upload imaging studies (CT scan, MRI) or tests ( EEG ) if any of these was done.
You can simply upload/attach them at the reports section..
When you say, she has no warnings, is there anything else besides warning signs such strong emotions or laughing for example that precede these falls?
Is there any sign such limb(s) jerking, tongue biting or something else that happens after the fall, does she loose consciousness or is aware all the time?
Any blood pressure measured in different body positions ( laying, sitting and standing) ?
Awaiting.....
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
The medications I listed are all related to mental problems, i.e.
Depakote is for bipolar disorder, Paxil is for depression, Trazadone is to help with insomnia, Suboxone is an opiate blocker - she was addicted to heroin 20 years ago, she was on Methadone until 2 years ago. Then she changed to Suboxone. Since then she has experienced anxiety and takes the Clonopin when she has a lot of anxiety.
She has several physical problems but is not currently taking any medicine for them. One is probably neurological - 5 years ago one foot became sensitive to the touch. Within a day or two the other foot also became sensitive to the touch. As a result she cannot walk long distances. Her feet are not numb and they do not hurt if she wiggles her toes. She has tried several medications for her feet but has discontinued them because of negative side effects. I don't remember all of them but one was Neurontin. i will ask her for the names of the others she has tried
Other physical problems are degenerative arthitis of the lower spine, bursitis, endrometriosis and occasional migraines. Not surprisingly she is a lot of pain.
I do not have any imaging studies. I do not know about her blood pressure in different bodily positions but she could check that out.
I believe she is conscious all the time when she falls. The falls are not preceded by strong emotions.
I do not have any imaging studies. Would you recommend one that should be done?
I will have her make an appointment with a neurologist in XXXXXXX where she lives but she may have to wait for an appointment, so anything you could tell me would be helpful. let me know if you need more information.
Thank you
Depakote is for bipolar disorder, Paxil is for depression, Trazadone is to help with insomnia, Suboxone is an opiate blocker - she was addicted to heroin 20 years ago, she was on Methadone until 2 years ago. Then she changed to Suboxone. Since then she has experienced anxiety and takes the Clonopin when she has a lot of anxiety.
She has several physical problems but is not currently taking any medicine for them. One is probably neurological - 5 years ago one foot became sensitive to the touch. Within a day or two the other foot also became sensitive to the touch. As a result she cannot walk long distances. Her feet are not numb and they do not hurt if she wiggles her toes. She has tried several medications for her feet but has discontinued them because of negative side effects. I don't remember all of them but one was Neurontin. i will ask her for the names of the others she has tried
Other physical problems are degenerative arthitis of the lower spine, bursitis, endrometriosis and occasional migraines. Not surprisingly she is a lot of pain.
I do not have any imaging studies. I do not know about her blood pressure in different bodily positions but she could check that out.
I believe she is conscious all the time when she falls. The falls are not preceded by strong emotions.
I do not have any imaging studies. Would you recommend one that should be done?
I will have her make an appointment with a neurologist in XXXXXXX where she lives but she may have to wait for an appointment, so anything you could tell me would be helpful. let me know if you need more information.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Tests are necessary to achieve a diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the information.
In this case, tests are necessary to understand better why your daughter is falling and to achieve a correct diagnosis.
In my opinion there is necessary for a brain MRI and electroencephalography in order to evaluate brain conditions such seizures, arteriovenous malformations etc.
It is necessary also to monitor your daughter's heart rhythm and blood pressure in order to evaluate conditions such orthostatic hypotension, arrythmias etc.
A 24 hours ambulatory ECG is necessary for this purpose. (Holter).
Hope I helped you so far.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Tests are necessary to achieve a diagnosis.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the information.
In this case, tests are necessary to understand better why your daughter is falling and to achieve a correct diagnosis.
In my opinion there is necessary for a brain MRI and electroencephalography in order to evaluate brain conditions such seizures, arteriovenous malformations etc.
It is necessary also to monitor your daughter's heart rhythm and blood pressure in order to evaluate conditions such orthostatic hypotension, arrythmias etc.
A 24 hours ambulatory ECG is necessary for this purpose. (Holter).
Hope I helped you so far.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you.
My daughter fell again today even though she was using a walking stick.
I will probably take her to the emergency room next week because she keeps injuring herself.
I did want to mention one more thing. She has had a stomach problem for the last few weeks and so has not been eating much. I don't know if this could be a factor.
My daughter fell again today even though she was using a walking stick.
I will probably take her to the emergency room next week because she keeps injuring herself.
I did want to mention one more thing. She has had a stomach problem for the last few weeks and so has not been eating much. I don't know if this could be a factor.
Brief Answer:
It could contribute as a factor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for being on follow up.
Stomach problems that lead to poor nutrition could be a factor that may worsen the condition because it could lead to general weakness, worsening of dizziness and lowering further blood pressure.
So, in my opinion, this issue should be considered and treated too.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
It could contribute as a factor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for being on follow up.
Stomach problems that lead to poor nutrition could be a factor that may worsen the condition because it could lead to general weakness, worsening of dizziness and lowering further blood pressure.
So, in my opinion, this issue should be considered and treated too.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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