Have you been concerned about falls for yourself, or for an aging parent?
If so, do you know if any of your medications might be increasing your risk for falls?
In its Stay Independent brochure, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends older adults do the following four things to prevent falls:
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
- Begin an exercise program to improve leg strength and balance.
- Get annual eye check-ups and update your glasses.
- Make your home safer.
In this article, we’ll focus on medications for three reasons:
- Medications are among the most common causes of increased fall risk in older people.
- Medications are usually among the easiest risk factors to change, when it comes to falls in older adults.
- Medication-based risks are often missed by busy regular doctors. Older adults and family caregivers can make a big difference by being proactive in this area.
I want you to understand just what types of medications you and your doctors should be looking for, when you address medication review as part of fall prevention. This article will also explain exactly what to do, once you’ve identified any medications that are associated with falls.
Why review your medications for fall prevention?
The purpose of medication reviews is to identify medications that might be increasing fall risk.
Once you’ve identified these medications, healthcare providers are supposed to work with you to try to reduce or eliminate the use of such medications. This process is called “deprescribing” and you can learn more here: Deprescribing: How to Be on Less Medication for Healthier Aging.
At a minimum, during a medication review for fall prevention, you and your clinicians should reconsider these medications and confirm that the likely benefits outweigh the likely risks of taking the drug.
Later in this article, I will explain how you and your clinicians should consider stopping, switching, or reducing any medications that increase fall risk, or are otherwise risky for older adults.
But first, let me explain which medications you and your doctors should be looking out for.
3 categories of medication that should be reviewed to prevent falls
You may — or may not — be surprised to know that it’s extremely common for older adults to be taking medications that have been associated with increased fall risk.
These medications generally fall into one of two three broad categories:
- Medications that affect the brain. Health professionals often refer to these drugs as “psychoactives.” These are drugs that affect brain function. Many tend to cause some sedation or drowsiness.
- They can also cause or worsen confusion, especially in people with memory problems or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Most of them are included on this list: 4 Types of Medication to Avoid if You’re Worried About Memory.
- Most of these medications are listed in the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria: Medications that Older Adults Should Avoid or Use with Caution.
- Medications that affect blood pressure. These are drugs that can cause or worsen a sudden fall in blood pressure (BP). A drop in BP — or chronically low BP — can increase fall risk.
- Older adults can easily experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand. This is called postural (or orthostatic) hypotension.
- Most medications for high blood pressure can cause or worsen postural hypotension.
- Medications such as tamsulosin (brand name Flomax) and related medications to improve urination can also cause postural hypotension.
- Medications that lower blood sugar. This is only a consideration for older adults with diabetes. But as this condition affects an estimated 25% of people over age 65, these medications are relevant to many seniors.
- People with diabetes have a higher risk of falls compared to others of the same age.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) due to medications is one of many factors that has been associated with falls in people with diabetes.
Below, I share my list of ten common types of medications associated with falls.
If you’ve been concerned about falls and want to request a medication review, this list will help you identify medications to discuss with your healthcare team.
10 Commonly Used Types of Medications that Increase Fall Risk in Older Adults
This list is mainly based on the CDC’s flyer Medications Linked to Falls and the American Geriatrics Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines on Fall Prevention.
Medications that affect the brain (“psychoactives“)
1.Benzodiazepines. This class of medication is often prescribed to help people sleep, or to help with anxiety. They do work for this purpose, but they are habit-forming and have been associated with developing dementia.
- Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include lorazepam, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam (brand names Ativan, Valium, Restoril, and Xanax, respectively)
- Clinical research studies consistently find that benzodiazepines are associated with increased fall risk.
- For more on the risks of benzodiazepines, plus a handout proven to help seniors reduce their use of these drugs, see “How You Can Help Someone Stop Ativan.”
- Note that it can be dangerous to stop benzodiazepines suddenly. These drugs should always be tapered, under medical supervision.
2. Non-benzodiazepine prescription sedatives. These drugs are usually prescribed to treat insomnia or sleep difficulties.
- This group includes the “z-drugs”: zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone (brand names Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta, respectively).
- These have been shown in clinical studies to impair balance — and thinking! — in the short-term.
3. Antipsychotics. These are medications originally developed to treat schizophrenia and other illnesses featuring psychosis symptoms. They are commonly prescribed to control difficult behaviors in Alzheimer’s and other dementias. (Learn more about why this is problematic in 5 Types of Medication Used to Treat Difficult Dementia Behaviors.) They are also sometimes prescribed to people with depression.
- Commonly prescribed antipsychotics are mainly “second-generation” and include risperidone, quetiapine, olanzapine, and aripiprazole (Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, and Abilify, respectively).
- The first-generation antipsychotic haloperidol (Haldol) is still sometimes used.
- Clinical research indicates that antipsychotics are associated with increased falls.
4. Anticonvulsants/Mood-stabilizers. Most of these drugs were originally developed to treat seizures. They are also used to stabilize mood in conditions such as bipolar disorder, and to treat difficult dementia behaviors. They can also be used to treat certain types of nerve pain.
- Valproic acid (brand name Depakote) is a mood stabilizer that is sometimes used to manage difficult behaviors in Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
- Clinical research suggests that anticonvulsants are associated with increased fall risk. They also tend to have many other problematic side-effects in older adults.
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) is another seizure medication that is often used to treat nerve pain. Some research suggests it may not affect balance as much as some other anticonvulsants.
5. Antidepressants. These are medications prescribed to treat depression. Some of them are also used to treat anxiety.
- Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine (brand names Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, and Prozac, respectively).
- Other antidepressants commonly used include mirtazapine, bupropion, and venlafaxine (brand names Remeron, Wellbutrin, and Effexor, respectively).
- Tricyclic antidepressants include amitryptiline and nortriptyline (brand names Elavil and Pamelor, respectively).
- These antidepressants are quite anticholinergic and are no longer often used to treat depression. They are still used to manage nerve pain.
- Trazodone is an older antidepressant that is now used almost exclusively as a mild sleep aid.
- Virtually all antidepressants have been associated with an increase in fall risk.
6. Opioid (narcotic) analgesics. Opioids are mainly used for the treatment of pain.
- Commonly used opioids include codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone.
- Opioids often cause drowsiness, as well as other side-effects.
- Clinical research on the association between opioids and increased fall risk in older adults has shown mixed results. A 2009 meta-analysis of medications and fall risk did not find that opioids were associated with falls. However, a 2020 meta-analysis of opioids did find an association with falls, fall injuries, and fractures.
- Most experts — including the CDC — recommend that narcotic use be evaluated as part of fall risk management.
7. Anticholinergics. This group covers most over-the-counter sleeping aids, as well as a variety of other prescription drugs. These are medications that have the chemical property of blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
- A large number of drugs of different classes have strong anticholinergic activity. (See here for a comprehensive list.) They include:
- Sedating antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl).
- The “PM” versions of over-the-counter analgesics (e.g. Nyquil, Tylenol PM); the “PM” ingredient is usually a sedating antihistamine.
- Medications for overactive bladder, such as the bladder relaxants oxybutynin and tolterodine (brand names Ditropan and Detrol, respectively).
- Medications for vertigo, motion sickness, or nausea, such as meclizine, scopolamine, or promethazine (brand names Antivert, Scopace, and Phenergan).
- Oral medications for itching, such as hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine (brand names Vistaril and Benadryl).
- Muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine (brand name Flexaril).
- “Tricyclic” antidepressants and also the SSRI paroxetine (brand name Paxil)
- Anticholinergics commonly cause sedation. They can also cloud thinking and have been associated with developing dementia.
- Clinical research on anticholinergics and fall risk has shown mixed results. A 2015 clinical found that the association was not statistically significant. However, more recent studies (such as here and here) have found an association.
- Given that anticholinergics can cause drowsiness and are risky for older adults for other reasons, many experts believe it’s reasonable to include them when reviewing medications for fall prevention.
Medications that affect blood pressure
8. Antihypertensives. A large number of different medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. (They are also often used for other cardiac conditions.)
- For a list of cardiac medications, including blood pressure medications, organized by class of drug, see “Types of Heart Medications.”
- Clinical research on blood pressure (BP) medications and fall risk has shown mixed results. Although one study found that BP medications were associated with injurious falls, a more recent study found no association between BP medications and falls. Some research suggests that diuretics may be associated with higher fall risk than other classes of BP medication. Meta-analyses have generally been unable to confirm that antihypertensives increase fall risk.
- Despite the mixed clinical evidence, many geriatricians and other experts do recommend re-evaluating BP medications in older adults at high risk for falls. I describe a process for doing so here: 6 Steps to Better High Blood Pressure Treatment for Older Adults.
9. Other medications that affect blood pressure. There are some commonly used medications that are not usually prescribed for hypertension, but still lower BP or increase postural BP changes in many older people.
- Alpha-blockers are a class of medication now mainly used to help men with benign prostatic hypertrophy urinate. They include tamsulosin, terazosin, doxazosin, and prazosin (brand names Flomax, Hytrin, Cardura, and Minipress, respectively).
- A 2015 study found that the use of prostate-specific alpha-blockers was associated with a higher risk of fall and fracture in older men.
Medications that lower blood sugar (for people diagnosed with diabetes)
10. Medications that lower blood sugar. Many older adults with diabetes take medications to keep their blood sugar from getting too high. Most diabetes medications can cause or worsen hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar).
- For a list of oral and injectable medications used to treat diabetes, see this MayoClinic.org page.
- Metformin (brand name Glucophage) is notable in that it causes minimal risk of hypoglycemia, unless it’s being taken in combination with insulin or other diabetes drugs. Recent research even suggests that metformin might have “antiaging” benefits.
- Research studies have found that hypoglycemia is associated with falls in older adults.
What to Do if You or Your Relative Is On These Medications
So what should you do if you discover that your older relative — or you yourself — are taking some of these medications?
Well, don’t panic. But do make sure that you and your healthcare team regularly re-evaluate your need and dosage of these medications.
Here’s what the CDC is telling healthcare providers to do about medications linked to falls:
- “STOP medications when possible.
- SWITCH to safer alternatives.
- REDUCE medications to the lowest effective dose.”
As a patient or concerned family member, it’s vital that you actively participate in this process with your healthcare providers.
So for every potentially risky medication you are taking, you’ll want to know:
- What problem is this medication meant to treat or manage? What other options are available to manage this problem? (Don’t forget to ask about non-drug treatments!)
- What are the benefits of continuing the medication? What are the likely risks and benefits of discontinuing the medication?
- Is a lower dose of this medication an option? What are the pros and cons of trying a lower dose?
Your health provider should be able to answer these questions for you. But many people find it’s also helpful to do a little research on their own. I especially recommend learning more about best practices for managing whatever health conditions are currently being treated by the medications above.
Now, although most of the medications above are indeed associated with increased fall risk, this doesn’t mean that it’s never appropriate for an older person to be taking these medications.
Sometimes a careful assessment of the likely benefits and burdens leads patients and their doctors to conclude that continuing a risky medication is, in fact, worthwhile.
But if you’ve been concerned about falls for yourself, or for an older loved one, you don’t want to be using a medication linked to falls unless you and your doctor have thought things through.
So take a good look at this list, and take a good look at the medications in your medicine cabinet. Make note of which ones should be discussed with your healthcare team. And then call your clinician and tell them you’d like to discuss your need for these medications.
By taking these steps, you’ll be in a much better position to benefit from medication review as part of your fall prevention plan.
You can also learn more about how to prevent injuries from a fall here: 3 Ways to Prevent Injury From a Fall (Plus 3 Ways That Don’t Work as Well as You’d Think)
[This article was last updated in April 2024.]
Laurie Canepa says
I am a 68 year old woman in relatively good health. I have been taking 900mg gabapentin daily (at bedtime) for over 10 years. It was prescribed to me for migraines, but I also experience what feels to me to be a more restful sleep and an improved mood in the morning with which to approach the day.
I recently traveled to NYC and had what felt to be significantly more difficulty navigating than I have had in the past. I worked things out eventually, but not without some anxiety and several egregious errors. I have always approached travel with confidence and excitement in the past, so this feels to be a change. In addition, names are also not coming to me as easily as they have in the past, which is becoming somewhat upsetting. I see some conflicting information in the literature regarding Gabapentin and brain function. Do you have any recommendations on this matter?
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
If you think that maybe your memory or thinking is getting worse, I would start by having that evaluated more carefully. I describe the evaluation in these articles:
Q&A: How to Diagnose & Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Cognitive Impairment in Aging: 10 Common Causes & 10 Things the Doctor Should Check
I think it might be especially helpful for you to get an office-based cognitive evaluation, such as a MOCA test, and then the evaluation should check you for common health issues that can worsen memory. If the only possible contributor is gabapentin, then you’ll have to work with your health provider to decide whether to attempt to taper it off and see if your thinking improves. Good luck!
neela chipalkatty says
Hi Dr. Leslie,
I am 63 years old and has genetic FSHD. The FSHD started affecting me from last 2 years and it’s getting tougher. I do corrective weight training 2-3 week with a Personal Trainer and started going to a Rolfing expert. He has done adjustments but it’s not helping. Yesterday I fell at the airport walking to baggage claim. I was looking up and wanted to stop and boom I was on the floor. Ribs still hurt. I am not taking my blood pressure medication. Stopped since I take Isotonix.
Generally feel good. Only standing and walking are hard.
Please help. Thank you
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Sorry to hear of your condition. I don’t know much about Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, as it’s a genetic condition that is somewhat rare.
For rare conditions, I generally recommend looking for a specialist who is researching this condition, and then also connecting with other people living with the condition, through a service like Patientlikeme or Smartpatients. Those online communities can be a good way to get the inside scoop on the latest research and treatment approaches, or on practical approaches to the issues you describe. Good luck!
Ediriweera Desapriya says
Could you provide updated list of medications that can increase risk of falls
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
The latest list is included in the 2019 Beers Criteria, which I cover here: Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use with Caution: The American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria (2019 Update). It is not really very different than what I’ve covered in this article.
ediriweera desapriya says
Thank you Dr. Kernisan.
Joanne Coyle says
I am taking Duloxitine and Paxil for anxiety and pain. I also take Klonapin. I am 72 years old and loved to roller skate. I had to stop because of spinal surgery. I started back after many years and find I lost most of my balance. It is slowly coming back. Recently I had an episode of Global Transient Amnesia while I was skating. I ended up in the Emergency Room at the hospital. I feel that I will no longer skate because of my back surgery and loss of balance. I will continue balance exercises in a safer environment. I did love skating but don’t want to risk any more falls.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
That’s too bad if you’ve given up an activity you loved, but it sometimes makes sense to do so. Continuing to do exercises to practice balance and improve strength is a great idea. Some people really like ballroom dancing, which does work balance and also is social.
Your medications are also associated with increased fall risk, so you may want to discuss them with your health providers and see if it might be possible to taper down or off. Paxil is the most anti-cholinergic of the SSRIs, and could potentially be replaced by a different SSRI, such as citalopram or sertraline. Good luck!
Regina says
WOW! After reading this I know I need to have discussions with my PCP AND Pain Management Drs.! And it just so happens that they are both going to be new to me as my PCP retired and PM Dr. moved out of the area.
I’ve had memory issues for like 20-25 years(I’m 61 now) but after initial worry figured it was fibro fog. Mainly short term memory problems and forgetting words.I’m also notorious for falling. For YEARS. I lose my balance,but also just seem to trip on things I never see. One weird thing,if I go into a dark room or area I totally lose my balance and have trouble walking.
Now I have taken gabapentin for YEARS! At LEAST 10-15. I also take venlafaxine,bupropion, Vicodin,and methadone,the last 2 for pain.The methadone I’ve only taken about 5 years,but the Vicodin has been for around 15 or so years too. For a while I took dilaudid instead because the Vicodin wasn’t working as well. The 2 antidepressants I’ve had for about 12 years,but before them I’ve had Prozac and others.
I had gotten BAD about not taking as much gabapentin as I should have because the pills are so big. I realized maybe I needed to force myself to take the correct amount,so this last 2 weeks I’ve been taking them correctly. Then because it is time to do new med check with my PCP I had to go see her before I could get my meds. The next available appointment was over a month away and I had to tell them I ran out of my wellbutrin,levethroxine,vitamin D and now the venlofaxine and I get SICK if I don’t have the last one! They FINALLY let Walgreens fill them all. Now,what with suddenly getting those meds back plus taking the bupropion like supposed to,the last couple days I’ve been VERY unbalanced and my memory has been worse the last couple weeks. Then I read this and had an aha moment! So thank you.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Glad the article was helpful to you. Your medical history does sound more complicated than most, so I’m glad you are being proactive. Good luck!
Kim Cisal says
I am taking Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Tase 5 mg every evening for allergies. I only take when needed but have found that taking half works just fine and does not make me a drowsy. My question is…is the one that should be of concern? Thank you for your kind consideration.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Cetirizine is a non-sedating antihistamine and is much less anticholinergic than an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl). So I would not expect it to significantly increase fall risk.
Diane saubert says
Can you publish a list of what medications you can use. Especially for anxiety and sleep! Thank you
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
For anxiety and sleep, really the best is to invest time and effort into non-drug therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation and/or mindfulness, relaxation therapies, getting enough sleep, etc.
Melatonin does seem to be fairly safe for sleep and research shows it tends to be more effective in older adults, compared to younger adults. The only catch is that in the US, it’s an unregulated dietary supplement, and so the quality of what obtain can be variable.
Katie J says
My husband has syncope. I thought it was related to heart issues. He does take Flomax and Lexapro. He has fainted 3 times in the past ) months. Any thoughts?
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Syncope means briefly losing consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. This can be caused by heart issues but can also be caused — or exacerbated — by medications that affect blood pressure.
Flomax definitely is associated with orthostatic blood pressure changes. You may want to ask about having his BP checked sitting and standing.
Lexapro and other anti-depressants are associated with a higher fall risk but this probably isn’t particularly related to blood pressure changes; instead it’s more likely due to the effect that anti-depressants have on the brain.
Michelle says
Hi Dr. Kernisan,
So if the long list of medications that my mother takes is indeed causing her falls, what is the solution? Unfortunately doctor’s have determined that all of these medications are necessary.
Thanks,
MC
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
It can be hard to say whether medications are “causing” falls; usually what is more accurate to say is that these medications are increasing fall risk, by affecting balance and stability.
As for the necessity of medications, that too is not usually an absolute. A given medication is prescribed for a certain purpose. If it’s to control a symptom, how well is it doing that? Are there other ways the symptom could be managed? If the medication is to reduce risk (as is the case for BP medications), by how much is it reducing risk, and is this reduction meaningful, given the person’s overall health state, values and preferences?
The process of carefully reviewing medications and deciding whether they are worth continuing is sometimes called deprescribing, I have more on it here:
Deprescribing: How to Be on Less Medication for Healthier Aging.
Most of the time, a given medication at a given dose is not absolutely necessary to keep a person alive and functioning. We give medications to control symptoms and to reduce the risk of future problems. There is usually some wiggle room, once everyone takes time to consider and carefully weigh the likely benefits and the likely risks.
Otherwise, if you are concerned about falls: they are usually multifactorial and require a multi-pronged approach to reduce them. If reducing risky medications is not an option for some reason, be sure to try to address other approaches that can address contributors to your mother’s falls.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Noreen says
You give such good advice. Years ago, my best GF decided that she wanted to die at age 72vand then kept extending it. She had three back surgeries and was in extreme, constant pain. Tried suicide because she could get no relief. She finally died 2013 and 8 miss her. In 2018 at age 78, discovered marble-sized breast growth. Decided on no treatment after having several siblings have cancer. I did not want slash, drugs or radiation. Growth is painful and I use Advil and 5% lidocaine patches. I refuse all other drugs. Won’t let them biopsy and just want comfort care. My brain is sharp and more clear than ever at almost age 82 (mid-month November). I just want to have a doctor of record who does not say failure to thrive when I do all my own shopping and cleaning. True, I sleep a lot, but so what? I lived an active life as a singer and traveled worldwide.
Scott Grant, ATP, CRTS says
Leslie – thanks for providing such detailed information about medication that can contribute to falls. I work with elderly and seniors providing standard and power custom manual wheelchairs. Being a high fall risk is one of our justifications. While reviewing medical records, I often find patients whose list of medications takes up 2 to 3 pages of their progress notes. I have literally said out loud, “No wonder they fall.” I feel much more educated about this now. Although it is never my place to advise on medications, this knowledge will improve my understanding of underlying factors. Thanks again.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Glad you found this helpful.
I agree, only a qualified health provider during an encounter can advise an individual as to whether they should or shouldn’t be on a given medication.
But we can certainly encourage people to inform themselves and learn more about what is know about medications and fall risk. Usually less medication is safer for older adults, but doctors may not discontinue or change medications unless they are reminded to do so.
Rachel says
Thank you so much! I have been staying with my grandma and it’s so hard as she’s 97, lives alone and falls and is 89 lbs. Don’t ask me why at 97 and living alone and the other factors were never addressed until now because I’m just the estranged grand daughter who is in Complete shock, myself. My grandma gave me PTSD as a child ad she was so mean to me so living in different states, we didn’t keep in touch. Upon hearing of her condition, I flew to her, stat! We are closer than ever! She agreed to move to MN and a few of the above meds were prescribed very recently. Working in healthcare I know the side effects of these meds so I only gave have doses. We leave tomorrow to MN and no more meds. Because of her mental state, heightened paranoia, depression, anxiety, fear, accusing of stealing a frying pan and locking me in the house causing a fire hazard, I had to mellow her out. It worked and she’s in a much better mental and emotional state of mind. But being that they are just bandaids, once we arrive, we are going to the ED. No more meds as a lack of confidence is there and a very visible fear of falling I think PT will really help her out with. Not putting her on meds at 97 she’s never taken and only is on vitamins. Amazing insight as I can do this as a job, with a patient, but when your family member becomes your “patient” you 2nd guess yourself and emotions are high and stress and family quarrels and so I needed this! Thank you! just cry in private! My family did nothing until she had close to 15 falls and after hearing of this I flew out, stat, to see what was going on! Being that she is home bound she is depressed and was given an SSRI. The fact she has heightened paranoia, anxiety, overwhelming fear, and did questionable things like lock me in the house and accuse me of stealing a frying pan. The doctor put her on these meds. She very much so improved mentally and emotionally but the falls increased. She has been told she can’t live alone which should have taken place years ago, so she’s moving in with my parents where she will be safe. However, working in healthcare, I am aware of the side effects of these meds and knew the intensity of those effects would heighten in my grandmas system, so I did start out with half the dosage. I also took into consideration she lives in CA, so I’m here with her now and afraid to leave her side but I return home tomorrow and managed to have the discussion of moving in MN with my parents that she conceded to. Off the plane were going straight to the ED where I work, and no more meds! In all reality, no more doctors. She’ll be 97 and it’s quality of life time. No surgeries, avoiding falls and being with family. I think PT will really help rather then putting her on meds at 97 when all she takes are vitamins. Thank you for discussing these issues! It’s very hard when a loved one, becomes your “patient.”
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Thank you for sharing your story. Your grandmother is so fortunate to have you concerned and helping her out at this time. Quality of life is a great thing to focus on, and in geriatrics, we do usually try to minimize medications when possible. Good luck!
Noreen says
Oh, Rachel, you are so good! You are the professional and family would let doctors prescribe strong drugs. At 97, Grandma needs to just be allowed to enjoy the rest of her life. Bless you for your kindness and compassion.
Edward Dalke says
I am 71 years old. Have been in extreme sports all my life. At 18 I was NAUI Certified to scuba dive and we had to know how to plan dives, no dive computers then. I would be in 20 foot swells and was able to put a limp body in a chopper basket and survive in deep storm surf. I am CPR Certified, AED Certified and my parents sent me to a school to learn how to break falls and utilize body oxygen to survive long term underwater times. I have so many real life stories of survival due to training and my ability to find extended ways to to survive extended danger and invent new techniques in maximizing oxygen. I survived a hit from behind motorcycle crash, dead for 45 minutes (noted at Loma Linda Medical Hospital) and no one wants to know how I do it. They just ignore me. In fact will anyone read this?? I just want to help others. I do not want a movie deal. I an just kicked to the curb. The value in my knowledge is to teach and help.
Nicole Didyk, MD says
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear that you’re active and have a sense of adventure as an older adult. Keep telling your story, I’m sure you’ll find a way to pass on your valuable knowledge.
Tri nguyen says
Dear Doctor Leslie, i’ m Tri Nguyen,70 year old, last week I got suddenly double vision,and I had a MRI brain with the results no brain tumor, but I had “ a mild chronic small vessel ischemic “. Somet I had an unbalance. I have HBP I use regularly Enalapril5 and Amlodipine5 by FAMILY DOCTOR . Please recommend me How to reduce my disease and prevent stroke.I exercise everyday at home 15 minutes s. Thank you & Regards.
Nicole Didyk, MD says
Hello Tri and sorry to hear about your difficulties! I’m relieved that there’s no tumour on your scan, but it sounds like you’re concerned about the finding of “small vessel ischemic” changes on your MRI.
These changes in the small blood vessels of the brain are more common in older adults with vascular risk factors, like high blood pressure, Diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and smoking.
This is a topic that Dr. K has addressed extensively on the site, and you can listen to her podcast all about the topic, as well as read this article: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: What to Know & What to Do.
It’s a very healthy habit to exercise every day and to want to learn more about your brain health!
Wanda says
If a person has been taking Paxil and Abilify for some time but is taken off both drugs at the same time, will this cause seizures? This happened in a hospital.
Nicole Didyk, MD says
Stopping a psychiatric mediation abruptly can cause seizures or other discontinuation symptoms, like fatigue, headache, nausea and dizziness. Paxil in particular is associated with discontinuation symptoms. Sometimes this is unavoidable, for example if someone is admitted to hospital but their prior medication list is unknown.
When I discontinue an antidepressant I always take a slow and gradual approach.
Noreen says
Hello, to the wheelchair person. I am 82 on Medicaid and Medicare and need wheelchair instead of scooter which makes public transport a bust as they do not allow me to cthurn around. I need wheelchair asap.