Its scary...sometimes it helps to really consciously think of your body's position, and movement. But we "feel" normal, and go about doing things as everyone does, when MS reaches out and says, 'Uh-no...you forgot about me..."

it's difficult to slow down and do things consciously, slowly. But it might be better since you're having these issues to do just that.

PT may help you...but mindfulness will also help.

Sorry your having these issues Kel...

I have had many sudden falls, but never really losing balance (that I can tell) and nothing (sensation or object) preventing my steps. It's just kind of a "hello ground we meet again" thing as I do a face plant, or rather palm plant as I always seem to be catching myself even before I realize I'm going down. Not lightheaded, no loss of consciousness, just ... . Luckily I haven't seriously injured myself with the sudden pwning from gravity.

I will say the few times I have felt myself going down, generally from tripping on something I have learned that it truly is best to just go with it. Don't fight gravity once it decides to put up a fight, you'll lose, even if you come out on top. So unless the fall will likely land you in fire, sharps or just ewwww, just go with it, let the body fall. It took me quite a few self hugs to get it down but I'm practically a pro at falling now

And really that's about all you can do, is try to make the conscious effort to wrap your arms around yourself and let your knees bend. Forwards, backwards or sideways, hugging yourself will be your best bet at protecting yourself in a fall. Tuck and roll, but it only works for me if I feel myself starting to fall, hoping one day I'll have it firmly locked in the subconscious for those random falls too.

(((((Kelly)))))

Yes I have fallen..lol. I've gotten pretty good at the falling part.
It's the getting back up that's hard to do now. Keep as much strength,
as you can, because as you age, it's a lot harder to get back up. And
it's true, fold your legs and drop in place. You will most likely do less
damage that way.

I have not fallen in quite awhile but when I do it is when I'm pushing myself too hard and not pacing myself. I have learned to slow down over the years and listen to my body, but I still have a rare occasion when I nearly fall. Be careful and don't overdo it!

I don’t often fall, but I sure do almost fall. I guess I’m at the stage where I am unbalanced enough that I have frequent “near misses,” but I am still just barely coordinated enough to catch myself from going all the way down. Excuse me now. I’ve got to find some wood to knock.

Oh yes, I have fallen. My latest nearly broke my foot by bending it backwards (forwards?). Had to go to urgent care for xrays - nothing more than badly stretched tendons on the top of my foot. Nice bruise several days later. Down 6 stairs I went. Funny things that go through one's brain in emergencies - I remember thinking I've got to yell really loud so Rocky (my BF) will hear me. Think the decibels actually did go up the further I went down.

I've fallen several times trying to clean black walnuts out of the yard. Bending over, uneven ground, walking on piles of walnuts that move under my feet. Yep, several falls but there have all been gentle.

Rocky got to witness one of the worst falls a few months back. We were working in the yard, I stepped one foot on a pitchfork and WHAM! pitched flat forward on my face. Rocky wanted to roll me over and I said NO IT HURTS IT HURTS. Laid there for a few moments, taking stock. What hurt was that my hands were on the handle and that's what my chest bones landed on. Nice bruise!

Lately my falls are from my bad knee giving out. Getting an MRI soon to see what's going on in there.


That human nature effect is what broke my arm years ago. Falling down a hill, I flailed my arms for balance and one of them hit a tree. Never broke a bone before, but somehow I KNEW it'd broken.

I do okay around the house usually. It's shoes and unfamiliar terrain that "trip me up". When I almost fell while in my closet I was on carpeted floor and it made me even more unsteady.

Around the house I usually have socks on. The flooring is wood so it's flat and even. The bedrooms all have carpet and I don't do well on carpet.

If I could go out in just my socks (no shoes) I think I'd be much steadier. Probably get a few strange looks but at least I'd be upright!

I got a pair of very lightweight slip on shoes (Skectchers Go Walk) thinking that would help but they're just like any of the other shoes I've tried.... anything on my feet (other than socks) just messes up my balance.

I've fallen all too many times. Backwards, forwards, sideways, off of stepstools, on ice, indoors, outdoors, on stairs. It's one reason I use a wheelchair even though I "can" walk (I can't walk very far and there are times when can I hardly walk at all).

I try very hard not to fall. I've had too many broken bones and don't want any more.

A surface can suddenly get "slippery" on me. Actually its a sudden loss of muscle control on my part but for a long time I blamed the floor or whatever it was I fell on. I usually go down so fast that there's no time to grab hold of anything.

Shoes that provide enough support are essential.

Staying rested and not allowing myself to think about too many things at once--those are important too.

Making sure I can see and hear as well as possible is also a big help.

I try not to go out when it's icy out or too cold or too hot, and if I do have to go out at those times, I am very very careful.

Hey there

I like to think that I have learned to 'fall with style'

I have landed in gardens, from the top to the base of a marble staircase, on my knees in the main street of my country town, in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Sydney, in front of my students and colleagues at work....but, I didn't cry, I didn't flash my knickers and I was lucky enough to be able to pull myself up - sometimes with the help of others, laugh (to avoid crying from twisted muscles and skinned knees) and continue on my merry way.

As others have said - I have learned to 'fold up' and go with it, or the outcome could have been much worse.

Topamax worked for me - although I stopped taking it a couple of months ago.

I hope this improves for you - I know I have done enough damage twisting my pelvis and putting my shoulder out - I hope you re ok and remain that way

Good luck and love

I am a "certified floor inspector" I fall about once a day, at minimum. Some days I fall so often my husband orders me to stay put, as he tired or sore from helping me up.

Inform your doctor since this is new. {if you have a PT} Have your PT person teach how to fall safely (yes, there a technique). Sort of tuck and roll maneuver.

and... hope this is something minor like allergy causing some inner ear goofy-ness and it all goes away fast.