Dealing With a Migraine Like Janet Jackson's
A vestibular migraine involves the illusion of movement and can be disabling
Reader Comments
sang
hi my name ie dawn
Vestibular migraines
To Ben of PA, thanks so much for your comment. I agree with you-never thought this could be so debilitating. I am still on the Effexor but feel like I should have stayed on the Pamelor with a beta-blocker. It seemed like I was having more relief from the dizziness with that med but was concerned about the heart rate issues. I wish these drugs moved along faster because by the time you know one isn't working well it takes awhile to taper down and start a new one. Let me know how the Pamelor works for you. Hopefully we will both find relief soon. Good Luck!!
Vestibular Migraines
To Kathie of WI, that is inetresting...just today I saw my DR at the Jefefrson Headache Center in Philly and we are switching me from Effexor to Pamelor. The Effexor did nothing for me at all. I suffer from constant dizziness (unsteadiness/imbalance, and brain fogginess/disorientation). I have heard that many have had success with Effexor and it really depends on how your body reacts. This has been a long road and it is much more deblilitating that I ever would have imagined. Good luck!
Vestibular Migraines
I was recently diagnosed with Vestibular Migraines after a visit to The Dizziness & Balance Disorders Center at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN.I have been having continuous dizziness with no headaches for 6 months now and unable to work. This all started about 2 yrs ago and just got the diagnosis. I started on Nortriptyline but got symptoms of increased heart rate with palpitations and have tapered down. The next med suggested is Effexor XR. Any comments from anyone on meds they have found that treated this condition would be helpful. Thanks
vestibular migraine correct term ?
I have been a sufferer of "vestibular migraines" for over 5 years. They have been totally disabling...my balance never feels quite right. I'm 45 years old and mostly suffer from vertigo,sensitivity to light and sound, naseau, ringing in my ears, loss of hearing, pain in my ears, problems focusing my eyes, and confusion during an attack. I don't always get "migraine" headaches with the other symptoms they often come separate or not at all.It took over 1 1/2 years to get a diagnosis from multiple doctors form Johns Hopkins in Baltimore Md. Dr. David Zee and Dr. David Buccholz specialize in this area. The name Vestibular or Basilar really doesn't matter the treatments are the same. Pamelor, Topamax, and a Beta blocker has helped me. Johns Hopkins has a site explaining vestibular migraines you can view just got to their main page and follow the links.
Vestibular migraine
A reader commented that the term "vestibular migraine" should not be used because it is not included in the International Classificaition of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2). As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Migraine Classification for the ICHD-2, I can confirm that the reader is correct. None-the-less, a search of Pub-Med reveals over 200 articles in medical journals indexed under the term "vestibular migraine". For Ms. Jackson and for other migraine sufferers the important issue is that migraine headache may be associated with dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness and other features. Whether experts call the disorder vestibular migraine or basilar-type migraine is less important than appropriate recognition and treatment. That said, I share the readers preference for standardized terminology.
Migraine with indigestion and vomiting
I have had migraine for the past 10 years. Over the last 2 years it has reduced in terms of the frequency of attacks. I feel that after changed my eating habits and do yoga it has improved a lot. But even today in a month i get it atleast 2 times. Have been taking medication and apply pain balm as soon as i get it, else i cannot do work, be irriated & angry with people and cannot eat much though am hungry and vomit sometimes. This apart the pain will be very severe such that feel like committing suicide.
Had been observing for the causes. I have concluded that for me it occurs either because of the indigestion due to my gastric problem or because of lack of proper sleep coupled with the job tensions. Having observed this am taking all necessary care to prevent from getting the attacks. Hope to see an improvement in myself in the next 1 year.
Migraine with vomiting and diarrhea.
I have had migraines for over 30 years. My worst migraine left me in the hospital for a week and blind for over six weeks. I have a cerebral hemorrhage because of the projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea. I totally gave up anything that might have MSG or hydrogenated protein in it and I have been doing well since. IMPORTANT: My migraine auras leave within 15 minutes (before the pain starts) if I just take 25 mg of Benadryl or a generic thereof. It is absolutely wonderful to be able to eat what I want now. However, the Benadryl does not stop the diarrhea, so I have to go immediately home after eating out, especially after foods that are expected to be high in MSG. Life is so much better. I used to be in the emergency room 3 to 4 times a month. Remember, the Benadryl is going to make you drowsy, so be careful.
"Vestibular" migraine is not a diagnosis
Vestibular migraine is not a diagnosis of Migraine according to the ICHD (INternational Classification of Headache Disorders). Migraine-associated vertigo, or MAV, is frequently tacked on with a Migraine diagnosis of Migraine with or without aura , as a description of sensory processes happening during any particular attack.
Unfortunately Migraine symptoms felt by people the world over can be very diverse from individual to individual. I go through a lot of vertigo and fainting spells, but others I know in my Migraine community do not, though we may share aura. Some of us vomit; others get intestinal trouble, or nausea and nothing else. I also experience Persistent Migraine Aura, which is also not a diagnosis, but a descriptor. My diagnosis is Migraine with Aura (complicated).
Also, there are more than 100 different medications indicated and approved for the treatment and prevention of Migraine, not 4. Currently I take Lamictal (anti-seizure) and Namenda (Alzheimer's).
If Migraines are debilitating enough to keep someone from work or other day-to-day activities, then it's wise to see a doctor. Prolonged or chronic Migraine is a stroke risk and should be treated accordingly. So many Americans are misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed that needlessly suffer on a day to day basis.
So many people are told everyday that "it's just a headache," and well, no, it's not, and it shouldn't be treated like one. Headaches don't make you vomit or see stars; Migraines do. You don't have to have head pain in order to have a Migraine attack, either.
Migraine can be a life-threatening (if rare), disabling disease that should not be perpetuated by misinformation. I appreciate the article's attempt to spread information about Migraine and related symptoms, but there's no excuse for a half-heartedly researched article. I would hope that Jackson's doctor would know better than to diagnose her with "vestibular" Migraines, but there are many more uninformed doctors out there for Migraine than there are informed ones. I see some of the top specialists in the USA...I'm fairly certain none of them would say "vestibular" Migraine.









