Vertigo, the feeling that the world is spinning or that you’re about to fall, often goes hand in hand with headaches. Neurologist Dr Lee Moon Ken recently wrote this helpful article about vertigo, in which he talks among other things about the connection to headache.
In their book Migraine and Other Headaches
This girl had a basilar type migraine, also known as Bickerstaff Syndrome. The symptoms can be serious enough, as you can tell. But vertigo can indicate a more immediate life threatening problem, and isn’t something that should be ignored.
Vertigo by itself could even indicate migraine. As you should know, migraine attacks do not always involve pain. It’s worthwhile to know your family history and consider whether you may have migraine if you’re getting vertigo.
You can read a portion of an eMedicine article on migraine and vertigo here.
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Thought you might want a first-hand account of migraine-associated vertigo (MAV). I’ve suffered from it for nearly 10 years and have tried many drugs, diets, etc. to prevent it. I have a sense of dysequilibrium nearly all the time. I’m currently on Klonapin, which helps to lessen the sensation, but it does not prevent it from happening. This imbalance is life-changing, though not as debilitating as full-fledged vertigo, which is a spin-till-you-drop/vomit/etc.-type thing…thank God. Anyway, MAV is right up there with other disabling diseases. Just ask my family! They have to live with my illness nearly as much as I do and feel my frustration when yet another migraine preventative doesn’t help. If anyone out there is also suffering, I’d love to hear from you. Maybe we can exchange ideas for treatment or prevention.
Thanks!
Not sure if you or anyone else is still checking this posting – but I’ve started suffering from what the Drs. think are Basilar type migraines over the past 3 months. They’re rolling in every two days, with heavy aura, and very little headache. My aura is heavy numbness deep in the head, teeth, and neck. Sides of my body go numb as well, and they often hit late at night or in my sleep. I’ve seen 5 neurologist now, the last 3 say “BTM” even though I haven’t had massive headache. I’ve tried standard abortive migraine meds with litle success, and started trying various prophylactic drugs such as topamax, prednisone, inderal, and verapamil. the last 3 have worked, but put me in a state of constant vertigo/dizzyness, and leave me sitting in a chair most of the day. I’ve been away from work now 9 weeks, and I have 2 kids and a wife to support. Trying to get into the UCSF Headache clinic – still waiting.
Any suggestions/emails most welcome! Thanks.
Hi Joe,
I too have them often occur at night or wake me up while sleeping and it is a part of it that I don’t understand. I honestly feel like I am not in control of my life. Have you had any success with anything since your post?
Hey Becky – yes, I’ve now been taking norvasc (calcium channel blocker) with some success. I’m sleeping through the night, and the migraine has gone down about 70%. It’s still almost daily, but I have faith that things are getting better. Some days almost nothing, and I’m back at work thank god. Caffeine, alcohol, and heavy exercise all seem to make it worse. Good luck.
I recently experienced an acute migraine with vertigo during which I was not able to change position or move my head. The migraine abated after 2 days but the vertigo persisted for about 6 weeks and then suddenly ended. I saw and ENT doc who suggested that I try a home treatment for vertigo, the Brandt-Daroff exercise. This maneuver made me nauseated when the vertigo was active, but now I am able to perform it with no consequences. This exercise is reported to prevent future attacks and can be used to treat active vertigo. I have incorporated it into my daily routine. Check this site for more information http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html .
Ihave been diagnosed with BTM since 3 years now and every day is a struggle. i was taking epilim which puts me to sleep all the time and brufen which helps me with the pain but does nothing for the constant vertigo and nausea. I am currently on inderal which lowers my blood pressure to where i cant function and stemetil for the vertigo and nausea but which sends me to sleep.I end up take these meds at night because the side makes me unable to function in the day.ANYBODY, EVERYBODY, HELP ME IF YOU CAN!!!!!!!
My headaches (temple & across eye brows) have been a problem at times for at least five years + and my last trip to the E.R. proved to
show extreme vertigo of which I am questioning could be from the
Epilepsy I’ve suffered from since 5years old , I’m now 58 , and still have my drivers license !
These headaches are very painful at times before bed at night and sometimes after rising from sleep to quickly . . .
My son started experiencing BTM at the onset of puberty. He suffers for weeks at a time unable to get up except to stumble to the bathroom. Right now he has been out of school for 1 1/2 weeks. He’s missing a lot of high school. Last year he went through several meds including Topomax and Verapamil. Nothing worked and some have unpleasant side effects. Anyone and everyone, please keep posting what has been tried even if it has failed for you. Maybe it will work for someone else. It’s easy for anyone with this type of intense illness to slide into depression.
Interestingly enough, no one (other than homeopathic) has told us to stop caffeine. I have taken him off that for now. Thanks everyone for input.
Marian, My quality of life has greatly improved since incorporating lifestyle changes suggested in these 2 books: Heal Your Headache by David Buchholz, and Managing Your Migraine by Susan Burks. They are my bibles. For me, migraine is not a condition that can be controlled or treated with medication. Trigger avoidance is the key to a more normal life even though it is a constant challenge. Best of luck to your son, keep fighting the battles and win the war!
Thanks Linda. I have actually heard of Buchholz’ book. I’m beginning to think the management is the key. to be continued…..
i am 36 years old and a sufferer of migraine and vertigo. It comes around the beginning of the period and the vertigo continues also after the period stops, leaving me unble to function properly mentally and physically. My migraine does not always manifest itself the same,’cause sometimes it came without pain but carries also always the vertigo. Has anyone has the same symptoms?
Hello everyone. I am a concerned parent who has a daughter that suffers with vertigo, ataxia, sudden blindness, nausea, altered levels of consciousness and pressure behind the eyes. She has been suffering with these host of symptoms for over a year and they continue to worsen, impacting greatly her quality of life. She has seen several doctors and none have given her any relief. She has had to retrain herself in mobility, just to be able to minimally function. The current neurologist she is seeing has diagnosed her with Bickerstaff Syndrome and has prescribed exercises, Topomax and Inderal none of which have helped manage her symptoms. She is very frustrated and feels no one is taking her very seriously. She lives in Maine. I feel helpless because she is getting to the point where she doesn’t even want to go to the doctor anymore. Does anyone have any info on MD’s dealing with this issues or how I can guide my daughter before something more awful happens, Thank you in advance for any advice you might be willing to share.
I was diagnosed with Basilar Migraines in 2010 it took over a year for them to diagnose this. I would wake up with a dizzy spell and there are times when I would be standing and feel like I was going to fall over. It was very scary. There was no headache which to me was very strange. I do not take any medication for the migraines I do take blood pressure medication for my high blood pressure. My neurologist told me to take Magniusum and Vitimin B supplement. I think what is so scary is waking up with a dizzy spell. I did not have a migraine for over 10 months until this morning. After reading everyones post makes it easier to know I am not alone. My prayers are with you guys
I have suffered with Migranes for almost 40 years and instead of getting better they are getting worse.And for the past couple of months I started to also have severe dizzyspells with them and some other things which I usally dont have ,so when I went to see my Doctor I was told I may had some mini strokes.I didnt know with Migranes that you could have a stroke and so I started to read up on it and what I found amazed me.I didnt realize just how much damage Migranes could cost,so I will definitly have my Doc run some more tests.And after reading everyones post is helps to know I’m not alone in this fight and the Health community realizes it that its not our imagination and these Headaches are for real. Keep on fighting and prayers fro everybody.