falling(drop attacks)

[tmj]

I'm a 28 yr old mother of 18mth old baby boy. For the last 6mths or more, I've been having what's called drop attacks. While walking or standing, I suddenly fall like a ton of bricks to the ground or whatever happens to be in my path without any warning or ability to stop myself or protect myself on the way down. My physician and neurologist have no explanation yet and are done with their tests. My question is 1. why would this be happening and 2. what can I do to protect myself from these violent falls. I'm afraid I will hurt my son (even though I don't carry him because of this) by falling on him. I know no one probably has answer to the first part of the question but maybe the second part based on their personal experience. can I even drive?

[Eve]

Do you get any vertigo with them? I have them for meniere's disease but it's an off balance thing connected to the inner ear and is a vertigo attack often with lots of throwing up.

[tmj]

no. I don't get vertigo, nausea, off balance or anything. No kind of warning. I just collapse to the floor and get back up immediately if I am not injured. I have Chiari I malformation with small widening of the spine, but my neurologist does not believe that is what's causing my falls.

[LazyGun]

Must be a frightening thing to have, tmj.
I dont think you should be driving with such attacks.
There are several causes commonly associated with drop attacks.... syncope, menieres disease, poor circulation to the brain, seizures etc. More often than not, a definative cause cannot be determined. Interesting that your neurologist has ruled out your chiaris 1 with the drop attacks, since they have been associated. ( cerebellum functions as a coordination and balance centre)

You probably already have them, but you may find these links of interest;
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders /central/drop.html

http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_ e/chiari2.asp