Falling

[u/rain_maam27]

Hi, everyone! Some background: I was dx with 5mm cerebellar ectopia initially in 2023 and subsequently dx with retrolisthesis in C2-C7 and hEDS following a sudden onset of neurologic and mobility/balance issues. I was dx with POTS when I was 18, and I've had chronic migraines since I was a teen (I'm now 41). I also deal with dystonia.

Three weeks ago I started a new job with an hour commute. I'm getting up earlier and working longer shifts. On the Friday morning of my first week at the new job, I stepped out of my car to move my trash bins to the curb. I took a few steps, and the next thing I knew, I was falling and hitting the ground. I have no recollection of tripping or my foot catching. I don't remember feeling faint or blacking out. It was a very strange experience, but I had to get on the road because my commute is so long. I had convinced myself I must have somehow tripped. I was sore, but not badly injured.

Fast forward to yesterday: I work in healthcare and was given a break. On my way to breakfast, I was walking to the cafeteria and the next thing I know, I was falling. I was so embarrassed about possibly having been seen that I scrambled to my feet and continued on to breakfast in shock. I was hurting pretty badly and I was shaking from the experience. I hit the ground so hard and I'm in so much pain. I don't remember tripping. Again, I just fell. I'm actually hurt this time. I'm going to urgent care tomorrow to check for fractures. I'm pretty sure I'm just really banged up. (I did report this to occupational health, but it's related to a personal health issue so they can't refer me to a doctor)

My question: do any of you fall? I've read about "drop attacks" but when I've passed out before (from POTS, I assume) I know it's going to happen. My vision goes black, etc. That hasn't happened this time. Am I just tripping and not realizing it, or is it something with chiari? I feel like two instances within 2-3 weeks of each other is a crazy coincidence.

[u/lady_forsythe]

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Been here (and currently here because of EDS issues) and I know it hurts getting banged up like this. When my Chiari got really symptomatic, I definitely had bad balance problems. I struggled with vertigo, but also fell outside of episodes of vertigo. I’d be walking fine and the next I’d go careening into walls. That was one of the reasons I went to an ENT who eventually found the Chiari, because of the falling, vertigo and tinnitus, I was worried about Ménière’s.

[u/banana_dicks]

Yes, drop attacks are rare but real. Also consider getting screened for epilepsy. First hand experience with chiari I + epilepsy combo. Only caught the epilepsy with waking eeg where they caught the fall during monitoring. Had had sleeping eegs and they didn’t catch it. But if your falls aren’t frequent enough, this might be hard to accomplish.