Vestibular Migraines

[TheWoollybacksWife]

Does anyone have any experience of vestibular migraines? I've suffered with intermittent vertigo for 10+ years and it was originally diagnosed as BPPV. I had an MRI when the symptoms started and nothing sinister was found.

Over the last year or two I've begun to suspect it's vestibular migraine. The vertigo passes and is followed by head pain/prickling and nausea. Most attacks happen late at night.

I know I need to go back to my doctor and discuss this with him. Do I need to volunteer to give up my driving licence while they run further tests? I don't drive much - generally short local journeys in the daytime - it wouldn't be a great hardship in the short term. I get a runny nose afterwards (clear fluid) without having a cold or hay fever. Dr Google is suggesting a CSF leak or am I putting two and two together and coming up with five? Would he laugh me out of the surgery if I mentioned this?

Yes. I get them . Whole world spins like severe vertigo - I cat stand up at all or eve lift my head sometimes .
sumitriptan normally helps and actually I’ve found propanolol to be helpful (I think they are stress induced ) . Good luck they’re hideous x

GP thinks I had 2 episodes of this last year. I very rarely get headaches and never migraines so I was surprised. I woke up one day and had to hold the walls in the house to get out of my bedroom. Everything was spinning and I felt I was on a moving ship. I tried epley manoeuvrers and was sick several times. I managed to get back to sleep, but it took several days to clear. 2 weeks later- it happened again.

At the time, I'd been having dental work and after reading up, teeth grinding at night can be a trigger. As can having deep dental roots apparently! Long story short, once my dental work was finished, I've never had it since! You can buy dental guards if you do grind your teeth to see if that helps. I never noticed a runny nose that I recall.

OP- I have no idea why you'd offer up to give up your driving licence? Just don't drive if you are affected! I would be going back to your GP. If for nothing else it shows a pattern and might help if you need a referral to neurology in future. I'd also keep a diary of when you get the attacks and if they are connected to your cycle, certain foods, stress, lack of sleep etc etc. Wishing you all the best.

@TheWoollybacksWife ask your GP when you go if he thinks you need to report yourself to the DVLA. Mine thinks I have Meniere's Disease and has me on betahistine, but has said that as it seems to be controlling the vertigo and I've not had any drop attacks that I would not have to give up my driving license.

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to make an appointment to speak to my doctor.

No problems with grinding my teeth. If anything my life is less stressful than previously but the vertigo episodes are becoming more frequent.

@7238SM I don't get any warning that the vertigo is coming and I'm worried that I could be driving and experience an attack. I'm concerned I wouldn't be safe. Thinking back I feel relieved that they have all happened while I've been at home apart from the very first time when I was on holiday.

@SylvanMoonI don't take regular medication. Maybe that should be something I discuss too. They ruled out Meniere's Disease after my initial tests and said BPPV.

I think I do and was just going to start my own thread until yours popped up on search OP! Sorry there's two of us wondering what is going on with our heads

My symptoms started around 6 months ago and happen at least once a week (can be 4 days a week on a bad one!) I don't get 'true vertigo' in the spinning/dizzy sense but usually describe it like walking on clouds, I feel almost distant and as if I'm controlling a puppet of myself with limited feedback from my senses. Occasional headaches but not particularly severe. I had full bloods when everything started and an MRI earlier this month, all normal so doctor is now going for a probable VM diagnosis.

How are your ears? Tinnitus is one of the first signs I'm starting to have an attack, usually ringing but can be pulsatile if it's an attack with headache. GP thinks it's probably due to constricted blood vessels in the headache stage.

I've been on Amitriptyline since November but it doesn't seem to be doing much for my symptoms...it does give me brilliantly vivid dreams though 😂

@BearSoFair I saw my doctor on Friday. I'm now taking amitryptiline, bloods after Easter and I'm on the waiting list for an MRI.

I've had constant tinnitus since my teens thanks to multiple perforated eardrums so can't rely on that as a warning sign.

No vivid dreams so far but it's doing wonders for my menopausal insomnia and it's cleared the "heavy head" pain I've had since my last vertigo attack. The doctor did say that in terms of medication it's a "suck it and see" approach. Amitryptiline is the first of many drugs they can try.

Mine are caused by grinding/clenching my teeth. My dentist made a splint to wear at night which really helps. I occasionally wear during the day too if I’m very stressed.