Old or just stressed?

Try yoga. I have been practicing for 8 years and it has improved everything for me -- balance, focus, flexibility, core strength. And it is a great escape.

Stress will do this. I've had tons of accidents and "senior" moments when dealing with high stress of care giving. Make sure you take princess level care of yourself,
esp. going to all recommended doctors appts, eat right, exercise, meditate, get
support, and I'd say as important connect with church or whatever type spirituality
you align with. I've also gone to Naturopathic doctor with amazing results. Although buyer beware, alot of them are quacks and are also not as well covered by insurance. I get around this by going to regular doctor for most of my visits, xrays and labs, then skip the pills, procedures (if I can) and then get occasional second opinion and recommendation for supplements from Naturopath. Which I believe if proscribed by doctor can be deducted at tax time (I'm just about to find out) I highly recommend, it's made huge difference for me. Far fewer accidents and memory lapses now. And bladder incontinence, severe heart palpatations are much much improved as well.

Yes! I find out I don't pick up my feet. I can hear my Mom in my head "pick up your feet Jo Ann!". I think it comes from being tired.

I am a "faller",,have been for years. I can trip over nothing. It is worse as I get older and more stressed, and my back and joints are shot. I just take it slow and easy, and hold on to handrails on steps and escalators. I also feel it is that I am distracted, and so I try to be more aware when I walk. And I take elevators a lot.

A general loss of sensitivity is also an impact of hypothyroidism and diabetes. Even with thyroid replacement medications, my mother lost sensitivity in her hands to the point she dropped things or knocked them over instead of picking them up occasionally, more often when she was in pain from her bad back or exhausted. My understanding is reduced touch feedback leads us to think we have a good hold on something when we are in fact lightly gripping it.

Ahmijoy, we rushed DH off to his doctor last week when he thought he was having a heart attach or another Gerd episode. She told him it was a panic attack. This was an eye opener for a guy who always poopooed this issue, and thought that people who needed “to talk to somebody” were kind of weak. Anyway she recommended he try Headspace which is an online meditation app. He’s doing it faithfully every morning and we think it’s helping to get him thinking in ways he never did before. It only takes a few minutes a day and he looks forward to it now. It’s just a thought that might help your stress.

Ahmijoy,
A neurologist can assess what is going on with you. Then you will know how to fight it. Physical therapy and chiropractic can really help, and I believe your brain and body can be retrained and balanced. Maybe you just need a tune-up?

Have you ever read anything about white matter disease?
Not saying you or I have this, but some symptoms are similar as I was reading just last week.

Just this afternoon, I was standing looking at the organic blueberries I had just picked up, and I tripped (not going anywhere!)
Since I fell in 2013, and again 2014 breaking same ankle each time, but on different sides of malleolus, and a diagnosis of radiculopathy of lower spine, ...........
my coordination surprises me. I can aim my foot/leg and it sometimes goes in it's own direction. The nerves must be firing wrong in my left leg, so I have been very careful to slow down, stop any meds that may contribute to imbalances. This includes some pain meds and g.e.r.d. meds for me. (and of course no statins and no b/p meds). Turns out I do not have high b/p. And, my aging brain might be to blame.

I have not fallen since....by being very careful, not rushing, slowing down, concentrating on my walking. Touching a wall or hand rail helps (not to hold me up) to balance (it seems to get my brain alerted).

Stress and anxiety could cause a change in your balance and gait while walking. I can only imagine how much you do for your husband every day. How much are you doing for you? (As if there's time for us?) You're probably mentally and physically drained which could cause this. The other end is that could you have injured yourself in some way and possibly pinched a nerve? Best to have it checked out while you can still repair any damage. May be as simple as stretching exercises or a visit to the chiropractor? Sometimes you start to stagger when your body is saying enough, I need to rest, I've been pushed too far physically and mentally. Wish I had a better answer for you.

I don't have an answer but I have followed your posts since I joined here last summer and have been amazed how you cope. I was sick over the holidays and lost my glasses. I felt like I was losing my mind. I went back to every place I had been to no avail. Maybe you could have a simple test. Stress is just the worst. Hope you feel better.