Dealing With a Migraine Like Janet Jackson's

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most people that i know in percent of 80 have mirgraines as i do. they come and go. do to stress close work allgeries of some sort not enough sleep.etc. also runs in the family. so you deal with as a everyday life routine. it is not pleasant may i say. go with the flow.rest wear glasses cause your eyes are sensitive to light. have your eyes checked every 2to3 yrs.when you can! that about sums it up for me.

jackie palinkas of OH 2:07PM February 04, 2011

hi my name ie dawn

marie of NJ 9:32AM March 24, 2009

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!!

Kathie of WI 10:46AM March 15, 2009

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!

Ben of PA 2:48PM March 03, 2009

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

Kathie of WI 12:57PM January 29, 2009

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.

julie zabrucky of MD 8:08PM January 21, 2009

what treatment is Janet Jackson receiving ?
what is the best treatment?

Julie Johnson of 11:22PM October 31, 2008

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.

Richard B Lipton, MD of NY 5:35PM October 18, 2008

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.

Jagdish 1:58AM October 17, 2008

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.

Joann Michel of OH 9:23PM October 16, 2008