Are you on any meds with dizziness as a side effect? I just woke one day years ago with vertigo. I have to make sure I'm semi awake and alert before I get out of bed.I've gotten really clumsy so I have to watch every step I take. Did they run tests on you for vertigo? They put me in a room with the chair moving and light patterns swirling around the walls. And they put me on a table and I thought my head might touch the ground they had the talble bend down so low. I had to walk forward and backwards with my eyes shut using hand rails and eyes open watching flash cards go by my side vision. Believe it or not it helped alot. I guess age could be a factor too. I am 56.

It sounds like you have a raging osteoporosis if this is true the skull has small passages that the nerves for your signal from ears, eyes, saliva, and generally all the facial muscles and if these passages start braking down those nerves get pinched and the signal are not received correctly in the brain. Modern medicine might not have an answer but an alternative just might.
Good luck hope you find an answer

Have you tried using a cane. I had an attack of something and had to use a cane for a month until my balance was better. I was not as bad as you are, but what worked for me was to reach out and touch something. In the shower if I felt it coming on I touched the wall with my elbow, that was all I needed. That is why I suggest trying a cane and to keep from falling and breaking something. Mine was so bad I reached up to pull the binds and when I looked down, I was out like a light. Broke my humorous in 3 places.

Have you had full blood workups and other tests done to rule out other causes? It may be unrelated to the hip replacement, so you should have everything tested to be sure.

I had balance problems a few years ago, also to the point of falling down and once passing out and hitting my head. Turned out it was iron deficiency, and light iron supplements completely solved the problem. Since then I've adjusted my diet and no longer need the supplements.

I'm not saying that is your cause. Just that there could be any number of dozens of things that could be causing or contributing, so really recommend getting a full work up. My doctor started with the blood tests and was going to do other tests including MRI if that hadn't solved my problem.

Good luck to you, I know how hard it is not being able to trust your balance.

I have asked my neurologist about this balance problem and he did not take me seriously...just passed it off and said to watch my step! I just feel so clumsy and stagger like a cheap drunk! The only med that I take with "possible dizziness" is gamapenton (?) for leg pain and neurologist did not think it was to blame. I have occasional vertigo when I lay down and turn my head.

Doug, what kind of doctor might know about osteoporosis?....never heard of that, but interesting.

I always hold on to the grap bars in shower etc....I just do not trust my balance to even make the 3" step or moving around. I have tried to use a cane, but it seems to make me more clumsy.

I have had some blood tests but mostly for thyroid and electro lights...so do not know what else was checked.

Wow, zackey, that vertigo test sounds brutal...glad they found your problem and got it corrected.

Thanks for your help...so much appreciated!

osteoporosis can be detected by having a bone density test. It's a type of X-ray. My primary care ordered mine. Sounds like it's time to find another neurologist.

If you have had joint replacement you don't need to check anything your joints are degeneration. I am saying that if it was me I would contact Dr. Joel Wallach or Dr. Glidden they both have a free radio call in show. GCN live on the internet carries there shows.

Did they check your ears? That can be the cause of many balance problems. Maybe it is because of the hip being at the wrong angle? One of my legs is a little longer than the other one. That causes some of my balance problems. My chiropractor pulls on it to make them an even length. Not something I suggest you have anyone do other than a doctor.

I believe drug you are on is actually spelled. Gabapentin that is generic name for Neurontin which is a very powerful drug & if he had looked in his book on drugs he would have seen how it causes weakness, lack of muscle coordination, Ataxia=abnormal gait & incoordination it is given for worst pain, my mom took it for extreme shingles pain, only thing that worked but she had all kinds of side effects. So I think that is your problem!! It is 1 nasty drug!

Thank you for all of your information.Yikes!...and I been told I can take 8 Gabapentin a day and I am only taking 3! I think I will try cutting back on these...I thought it might be adding to my drowsiness, as a side effect. I do think I will ask if there is some neurologist that my dr will suggest that might shed a new light on all that is going on with me.

Just happened across this post. Gabapentin is a very serious drug for serious conditions. I took it for about 7 years. When taking it, you're supposed to take it on a regular schedule. You should add pills slowly (It took over 6 weeks for me to get to a therapeutic dose.), and you should cut back slowly. It made me drowsy. My reflexes were slowed, my thinking was slowed, and I fell several times. It can do wonders for nerve pain, but the side effects are no joke.

I'm not trying to scare you but I had balance problems and the doc ordered an MRI. I had a benign brain tumor called Acoustic Neuroma. It affects the 8th cranial nerve. Balance, hearing and facial nerves were all involved. Find a different Neurologist or ask your Primary Care Physician to order an MRI. Won't hurt to rule it out.

I had radiation on my tumor. I was told surgery was my only option. They lied.

Retired RN here...please have them check for Acoustic Neuroma & also for ear crystals. I've known people with each of these conditions & they can cause severe vertigo/balance problems. Good luck...let us know!