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Vestibular Migraine - dizziness, confusion

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Posted 10/6/2008 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I got my first vestibular migraine (without pain) several years ago. I took Sinus Tylenol after a few days and the dizziness decreased greatly. I know it seems simple but give it a try. Take a regular dose of Sinus Tylenol and see if you feel better. Can't hurt...
Posted 10/6/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I take blood pressure medicine i don"t know if they go together?I will ask the fellow at the pharmacy thanks............
Posted 10/10/2008 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I have been having dizzy spells as well. Many years ago I had my first spell that was called Vestibular Nuronitis. That is in the inner ear nerve bundle. Through the past year I have had bouts with dizziness only when I turn on one side in bed. My doctor diagnosed that as positional veritigo. Again inner ear. Now I have dizzines when I lean forward to read or do a project or read. If I tilt my eyes straight down or tilt my head down against my chest I get a sort or spinning feeling but not like the vertigo I experienced in my other episodes. This leaves me with a pounding headach for several hours and I get very sleepy. Has anyone experienced anything remotely like this? I might also not that in the last year I have been using reading glasses frequently.
Posted 10/15/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)

Here's another thank you going out to Janet Jackson!  I heard about her vestibular migraine issues on the radio this morning, looked it up, and finally, something that fits not only my own symptoms, but those of two of my aunts, and my mom.  Everybody in the family suffers some migraine symptoms from vertigo to auras to confusion, it seems.

I thought for sure that I would have to go to medical school to figure out what was wrong with me so that I could fix it and go back to graduate school.  Was it Hypothyroid? inner ear disfunction? stroke? blood pressure problems? tumor, hypothalamus? just what is it?  I had to drop out of school because the pressure was making me ill, and I didn't know what the sparkly edged kidney bean shaped black hole in front of my eyes that prevented me from reading my casebook was.  Plus more dizzyness than ever before!  Not condusive to studying.

The good news for me is- I don't have the pain associated with migraines.  cool   The bad news is that I had the dizzyness for about 10 years until I started going to a chiropractor.  The bulk of the dizzyness is gone, but it flares up when there is something to have anxiety over.  One doctor told me that some people are just tired and dizzy, and that I should start eating more salt to increase my bloodpressure.  I am hoping that my other symptom of tiredness - not "I don't have as much energy as I used to," but ever since I was 3years old tiredness(or at least as far back as I can remember).  I have about 2 awake days a year.  But I do function.  I list all over the house,  I set alarms to remind me where and what time I should do stuff, and I currently take adderol to help me stay awake during the day - one dose instead of the prescribed 3.  the tired part is probably a different thing.  And probably, the adderal creates the anxiety which triggers my migraines.  Better to be awake and dizzyness sometimes than be sleepy and dizzyness sometimes.  At least for now, I've got about 35 years of awake to catch up on. 

I am glad that I don't suffer from the pain like so many of you do. 

 

I hope everyone finds some relief from either the migraine diet listed above or the elspy manuever, medication, or some other tricks that I hope you share.  My mom is hoping to find some exercises or stretches that help.  I found that if the nerves in the right side of my neck feel really sensitive and I do nothing, I get the lights and sparklies and numb face, but if I slow down, relax, massage my neck and shoulders, I do NOT get the migraine. 

 

At any rate, good luck to everyone,  I have to stop now because I'm going to start (or continue to be)rambling, and micromanaging. smilewinkgrin    I already changed the color of the text,  I could keep going...

Posted 10/19/2008 4:04 PM (GMT 0)

I have had headaches since I was 12. At 40 I started having cycles of migraines. I have migraines with a lot of pain and some with no pain.

I have the same symtoms as you. I can have them for weeks on end. I describe them as migraines without the pain. I sometimes think they make me feel worse then ones

with pain. They make my whole body sick. Bright light sets them off more then anything. Smells set them off also. I had the doctor give me medicine for nausea. That helps some, but after I get the migraine the day is shot for me. I can be fine one minute and the next I am sicker then a dog. I also have thundercap headaches. I can feel the pain just sitting there waiting to explode. I have some kind of a headache almost all of the time.  This has been going on for 9 years. I have seen so many doctors and all they do is medicate. I hate taking medicine but thats all that gets rid of the symtoms. I started taking benydral at night and that seems to have helped some. I'm tired all the time.

I had to sell my business. I can't get good health insurance because of my migraines. Anything I do get doesn't cover anything about my headaches. I have tried to get disability but they say I'm not sick enough. So I'm to sick to get decent health insurance but not sick enough to get on disability.

I don't know anything that can help you but I wanted you to know that you aren't alone. I feel your pain. It gets depressing at times but I try to keep my spirits up. God bless you. Cheryl

Posted 10/20/2008 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Hello - I had suffered from vestibular migraines for over two years and my doctors prescribed every medicine known with no luck.

I had heard of Botox being used for pain management and talked to one of my doctors about it and she immediately sent me to another doctor who does the treatment.  It has been a life saver.  I had my first tratment a year ago and in about 2 weeks the headaches and vertigo were gone and the tinnitus was significantly reduced.  I had another treatment in January and then did not need another treatment until a week ago.

The shots are given into the muscles in the back of the head and forehead (so you get a smooth forehead as a bonus).  As the doctor told me the first treatment I would not walk out of his office with no pain nor would I wake up the next morning with no problems.  But in 2 or 3 weeks I would wake up and go "Ifeel better" and that is exactly what happened. 

The FDA is currently doing clinical trials but at this time it is not approved for pain managment so you have to pay cash and it is not cheap.  But for me to be able to excercise again, get my household chores done, and be happy and productive at work makes it is worth every penny.

DO NOT GO TO JUST ANYONE TO GET THIS DONE.  IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.  Talk to your doctor.  It works for me and it might work for you.

Posted 10/23/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i was wondering if anyone out there can assist me. I am very confused by a diagnosis i have been given today by the Registrar in Halifax, England...he is the understudy of the consultant Doctor.

I have been suffering with ear pain, fullness of the ear, dizzy spells, and vertigo and nausea for a while now. The consultant who originally examined me noted hearing loss in the affected ear and hearing tests show decreased low pitch sounds are being picked up.

 

I get the "popping sensation" in my ears all the time, and the Consultant thought i had Menieres Disease, as my Employers Doctor.

 

I have visited the understudy Doctor today who states it probably is Dizzy Migraines that i have.

This has confused me because i havent had a migraine since i was 22 years old, and havent had any headache since the attacks started. The only pain i have is constant in my right ear.

An MRI has proved normal and the medication that this registrar has given me is for Menieres Disease.

I would appreciate any useful comments, thanks.

Posted 10/23/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)

stitchwoo,

swelling and fullness in ears?  I would try a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the offending ear, and let it bubble a bit, maybe 30 seconds, then tilt your head to drain it out onto a kleenes, washcloth or whatever.  Then I would put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in to help it dry out.  That part of your diagnosis sounds like an ear infection type thing and drops of alcohol is what we received when we were kids getting out of the pool.  the alcohol got the excess moisture out so we didn't get an ear infection.   I don't know of any negative results from doing this, so at least you will have cleaner ears. 

Perhapse the ear fullness is a side effect of migraine (the kind without any pain in your case), or visaversa. 

I think I would approach your symptoms one at a time. 

 

A nurse once told me that her mom had this dizzy thing too.  This nurse discribed a routine to go through involving shaking your head for a few seconds and theoretically shaking the particle of dust, or liquid, or whatever is causing the problem. 

 

My theory is that there is some virus or bacteria that is causing this in people.  I hear about the dizziness thing a lot lately, and I wonder if it is more like a new kind of allergy or cold that is contageous or something.

 

At any rate, I havent heard anything from a doctor that rings true to me.  Sounds like you are having a similar experience.  Good luck with whatever way you choose to approach this, and if you find something that works for you, PLEASE SHARE with this forum.  there are so many here that are looking for answers. 

 

Oh, and in case you haven't already, and if your eyes can handle it, try to read the rest of this thread.  There are only 3 pages, and I found some good web sites maybe you can too.


Post Edited (tuckersmom) : 10/29/2008 8:44:50 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/24/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tuckermom,

I will try the ear remedy. I am going to go meet a guy next week that does Herbal Remedies. Someone has recommended him. She had all the symptoms as I do. She was a skeptic until he helped her. The woman that told us about him says she believes that he is an angel and that nurses come from hospital's to watch him because he lays his hands on you and knows what is wrong with you before you tell him. The nurses also think he is an angel.

You might be on to something with it being a virus. If the herbs work. I will post it on here and what he gave me. I have gone to so many doctors and they don't have a clue, so I'll let you know how this goes for me. Cherylyn
Posted 10/28/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, new to forum,

From the comments above, this problem will linger for years. I recently began feeling dizzy
in spurts, but now, it's throughout the whole day. I've had every test done possible and recently
had an MRI and was prescribed Musinex due to minor inflamed sinus . Does anyone know of
an over the counter medicine other than musinex that works? It seems that unless you have
problems with dizziness, no one really seems to help. Please advise.

ACE123
Posted 10/29/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
to ACE 123, posted yesterday at 4:33pm; Have you ever used a NETI POT?  If you have, sorry about being repetitive, check it out if you haven't.  It is for nasal irrigation and cleaning.  Basically, there is a teapot looking container (a neti pot) that you put about a cup of body temperature water in with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in it (I say about , because everyone's saline mix is a little different).  Then you put this teapot spout up to one nostril making a watertight seal, and tilt your head sideways over the sink and poor the liquid into your nose.  Sounds kinda gross, but it is an old practice and works for many.  The salt water (that little bit of salt makes it not sting) goes up into your nasal passages, into your sinus and clears out gunk that is hanging around.  It might tickle or sting a little at first attempt, but if it works, it is worth the little discomfort.  I use this remedy mostly for allergy season as it clears out that one piece of pollen, or dust that has migrated up into my nose.  it is also recommended by (Dr. Oz from Oprah Winfrey show) for when you have a cold, to cut the duration of the cold.  You really don't need anything fancy, I think you could rig a water bottle with a sport top, or if you have a turkey baster, or a bulb syringe that is used for snotty baby noses.   I think Musinex just masks the problem and is good for a couple of days, but I don't think it gets rid of what is actually going on.   Of course everyone's body works a little differently, so who knows. I think that if you wanted to go all out and purchase a neti pot from a health food store type place it is under 20 dollars and they will recommend that you use sea salt and there is a liquid Goldenseal in dropper form that is to help infection.   You can go all out, and that's kinda fun, but you don't need to.  It's easy to find pictures of all this online. Hope this helps. Post Edited (tuckersmom) : 10/29/2008 8:45:35 AM (GMT-6)
Posted 10/29/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help, my wife uses this and I haven't never tried, simply didn't feel that
it would work. But as for now, I will just about try anything that will help. If I have nasal
problems, it just started this year. I'm 45 years old and never had sinus issues, but I guess
there is a first for everything. Will let you know if it works.

ACE123
Posted 10/29/2008 2:44 PM (GMT 0)

ACE123,

Hopefully, will help right away if you can manage to do it.  It may take a few passes on each side to get it going, and when this is the case for me, I make a bigger ice tea cup full so I can just refill the neti pot quicker.  Just be scientific and organized about it and IF this is the solution, it will be no more difficult a routine than brushing your teeth.  And yes, please let us know if it does work or if it doesn't work and why. 

Posted 10/29/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Tuckerman, I was diagnosed with vestibular migraine last April at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I, too, had perplexed many nurologists in my  home in Albuquerque , Nm. My nuerologist at Mayo  prescibed Topomax, but I was very allergic to it. I had the dizzy spells for about four years. One year they lasted for nine months. I could not go to the grocery store, or shop at all. I was a high school art teacher, and when my spells were very bad I had to have my students come up to my desk instead of circulating around the room. After experimentation with many different drugs I has to retire from teaching, but my symtoms changed. I am 57 and went through menapuase. My doc said my migrains were changing characteristics. For most women, menapuse means the end of migraines, but for me they got really bad. I have now developed sporadic hemiplegic migraines. For the past eight months my left side of my body has become paralyzed for fifteen minute spells. It leave me dizzy, slow, no short term memory, and I walk with a cane for about two hours after a spell, but I can have up six or seven spells a day. I am home bound, can not drive. Thanks goodness I have a lot of support. But three weeks ago I went to a new nuerologist, and she prescibed 600 mg of oxcarbazine a day. I have gone to church, to the grocery store and was symtom free two days in a row. My migraines a very rare and my nuerologist is sending me to the one spealist in our city that handles these migraines. Dizziness was a precurer to mine, but not to all. I wishyou good luck. Hugs and love, Bongo

Posted 10/31/2008 7:53 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, I'm empathetic with all you vestibular migraine sufferers.  It can be very tough.  I've had vestibular migraines for 3 years with all the typical symptoms.  I've tried many drugs to no avail.  I have found very good results with vestibular therapy and acupuncture.  It took a while to find someone good and then the treatment took 6 months or so but my dizziness is dramatically reduced.  I don't constantly feel like I just got off the "tea cups" 

My vestibular therapist introduced me to the disco ball!!  I know I know, the thought of it makes you nauseated but after watching the pretty lights for short times on a daily basis, I made great progress.  The acupuncturist helped with vestibular issues and  now is working on the headaches.  The acupuncturist is from China and has practiced for 30 years and the therapist is at the best hospital in Seattle and up on the latest and greatest.  It took several tries before I found them.

Best Wishes to you all

Dizzy Pilot

Posted 10/31/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am beginning to think this is what I have. It started out as a headache at the end of August, now I am dizzy almost to the point of passing out and sick to my stomache all day long. Today I do not have a headache at all I am just dizzy. I went to the Shea Clinic in Memphis, they did all of these test and told me that I have a central balance disorder and they are sending me to a neurologist. Anybody else with a central balance disorder?

Posted 11/30/2008 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Holy crap.  Who'd have thought Janet Jackson would actually impact my life?

 

I was diagnosed with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) about 13 years ago... but the standard treatment (Epley Maneuver) just never seemed to work.  I took low doses of Valium, meclizine, and basically just suffered through episodes that would last anywhere from a few hours to up to two weeks.

 

Then, about four years ago, I started having migraines -- with preceding aura and all the classic, debilitating symptoms.  I was up to around three per month, *always* one with my period, and they'd last for at least two days...  Got off the pill and have found that, of the usual prescription meds, Imitrex works "best."  I'm also on a low dose of Atenelol, usually prescribed for high BP, but works for some of us as a prophylactic for migraine.

 

I really think now that my bouts of headache-less vertigo must be vestibular migraine.  My painful migraines have abated since going off the pill and taking the Atenelol -- I only get a whopper every month or so -- but the vertigo isn't nearly as predictable.  I hesitate to take Imitrex for the vertigo -- just don't know if it'd work, and am leery of going through the side effects I have with it for nothing...

 

Have any of you heard of or tried the herb feverfew?  I've read some favorable things, but haven't come across any actual testimonials.

 

Thanks!

Posted 1/22/2009 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
I am new at this! meaning talking online about my Med. Probs. Not new at this messy going on with my body. I too have been suffering with dizzyness, plugged up feeling in my ears, ringing in my ears, pain in the ears, lights flashing in my eyes, moition sickness, nausea, loss of Balance, But the thing that is making lose my mind the most is the sound in my head!!! I have tryed to discribe this to everyone I know and to the Dr.. are any of you having this? its like a whooshing static sound, it mostly happens when I move my head or eyes around! the Dr.s say it is called Tinnitus and there is nothing they can do to stop it. I have been to the same Dr.s that it sounds like you all have been to see. Was put in the Hosp. seen the Nero. ENT. had the MRIs, MRAs, CT scans, the rang of intense hearing test. First I was told I had MENIERES Dissease, tell the last ENT I saw told me that I have been having a 4 month Migrine! He says I have VESTIBULAR MIGRAINES! I have to tell you I thought this man had Lost his mind! I have suffered with Optical Migrines off and on through out the years, so to me the word Migrine means extreme pain!!! I'm not in that kind of pain, my ears hurt but nothing like a Migrine! I was sure this guy had no buzz. being a Dr. That is until i came home and looked this up online, and found all of you! I would not wish this on my worst enemy, but did feel a little better knowing I not lossing my mind alone that this is a realy thing! I work in a factory so needless to say i can't work at this time. My work place is afraid I am going to fall into a moving mach. or run someone over with my Fork lift. I don't know that that sounds like much fun to me either! There are lots of sleepless nights.. so getting up and working a 12hr. day is not going to happen. My life is going to the Dr.s coming home med. myself sleeping sometimes, then off to the next DR.s Appt. I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!!! tommorow I am going to a headache Specialest hoping for something to help! PLEASE IF ANYONE IS HAVING THAT SOUND THING LET ME KNOW!!!! THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT!!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!! HOPE THEY FIND SOMETHING SOON TO STOP THIS CRAZINESS!!!
Posted 3/11/2009 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I am finding these posts re vestibular migraine very interesting.
After suffering 'funny turns' for 30 years with no diagnosis I decided it was time to be determined and find out just what was going on.After more dead ends I was finally referred to an ENT consultant who said that he most definetely new what was wrong with me..Vestibular Migraine.It was a releif in itself to at long last have a diagnosis.I would have a 'turn' about once a year,lasting for betwen 30 mins and 2 hours,a mixture of vertigo and motion sickness,an incredible urge to get down on the floor (I have spent hours on pavements in all parts of this world!).The most indescribably horrible feeling,totally unable to stand upright.These episodes always seemed to happen after eating in a restaurant.My consultant says that it is an allergy but that it would be nigh on impossible to find the culprit.I have a sneaking suspicion that it could be some form of spread or cooking oil.Does anyone out there have a similar experience? My lovely doctor has prescribed Sumatriptan.Since diagnosis I have had one episode and the tablet most definetely cut it short.
Posted 3/11/2009 8:25 AM (GMT 0)

It is amazing what a diagnosis can do...at least you know you aren't crazy (that was the way I felt anyway)

I am glad that the medication is cutting it short for you. Have you thought about keeping a diary of your activities and food intake so you can maybe see a pattern?

Thanks for sharing your story- I personally have not experienced Vestibular Migraine.

Posted 3/17/2009 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, everybody. I'm new here and just (AT LAST!) was diagnosed with vestibular migraine. I've had vertigo for weeks to months at a time since my mid-twenties; no headache, just vertigo. I come by the migraine very nicely. My dad had them so bad we were afraid he was going to cap himself and my grandmother had them too. It took so long to diagnose it because my symptoms were so different from theirs, but I now feel that we're finally on to something.

Okay. I was put on Effexor, to no avail, but that's not surprising because it's not an abortive medication. Then they tried triptans (I felt lethargic and, at the same time, like I wanted to jump out of my skin and go outside to pave the alley. Not a good day. I was just thankful that those drugs have a particularly short half-life.) Tried midrin; nothing. I refused Topamax.

Just so you all know, I'm a PharmD. That means I'm a Doctor of Pharmacy. That being said, my otoneurologist listens to what I think and will try whatever I think is reasonable. He also understood when I said I wouldn't take Topamax. He knows I probably know more about it than he does. Lucky for me. I talked to him last week, after suffering for 6 weeks with debilitating vertigo and told him it was time to bring the hammer down. What's the hammer? STEROIDS! I told him I wanted to do it and he agreed. Thank heaven!

If you're experiencing a refractory episode (that means more than a day or two) ask your doc to prescribe a medrol pack. That's methylprednisolone. The dose in the pack goes from 24mg down to 4mg in 6 days. Hopefully that will help, but some people, like myself, need more. I've been on 48mg for 6 days and I can't tell you how much better I feel! I will start the taper down to 4mg and then off the drug over the next 10 days and hopefully it will have broken the cycle. Seriously, if nothing else is working, ROIDS!

I know a lot of people are afraid of them, but don't be. If you're on it short term and you don't have any contraindications it should be fine. The really bad side effects occur with prolonged use. A few weeks isn't going to hurt. You may feel like an over-stuffed bean-bag chair for a few days, but it sure beats vertigo! Then you need to decide what the best strategy for prophylaxis is for you. I'm starting with propranolol. It's a beta-blocking agent; very mild, but said to be an excellent choice for migraine prophylaxis.

Hope this puts some new info on the table. cool
Posted 4/16/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I, have vestibular migrane....After many tests with no results, the drs. said I had migranes, but had no headache. I have it daily and have had to leave me job and leave off of valium which keeps my head from spinning. there is also problems with my legs that we have not diagnosed yet but it may be from the imbalance. I can't walk very far with extreme pain i my legs. Can't drive because of the valium, so tv it is!
Posted 4/21/2009 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Response to Beth posted on 10/4/06

 

Oh my!! I'm very surprise, and happy to know what I have had since 1982. Vestibular migraine-but not always with a migraine. I have gone through soooooooooo much test  and all. But really no answers. I have been taking dramamine everday. I did keep notes when this first came upon me. Nasty. Sometimes I noticed a barometer change, can induse this. Looking for medication for this. Taking motion pills daily..would like to stop.

Thank you

Hunter

Posted 4/24/2009 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Cluster headaches can be so painful that you are not able to follow your normal routine or do your usual activities. The pain is often called the worst type of headache pain. It comes in cycles. Most people who get cluster headaches have one or two cluster periods each year. A cluster period might last 1 month or longer. After a cluster period ends, you may not get another headache for months or even years. The main symptom of cluster headaches is a severe burning or sharp, piercing pain on one side of your head.

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Posted 6/19/2009 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
I see this is an old thread, but will add in any case.

I too have MAV which is associated with perimenopause. I'm going to start on bio identical progesterone to see if I can releive the vertigo, dizziness and migraines.
I've only been experiencing these for 2 1/2 yrs so it's pretty much a sure thing that these are related to hormones.

Has anyone else tried hormones to manage this issue?
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