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Is this a migraine or something else?

Posted , 7 users are following.

gem1971
gem1971

For the past year I've been lightheaded a d am having real trouble getting an answer aside from vestibular migraines. I'm told I'm feeling this way because of anxiety which is making me seek an alternative diagnosis because I'm finding it hard to accept this is being caused by something they cannot test for.

Is anyone else in this situation. Lightheaded close to passing out, panicky, palpitations, numb limbs, tingling over body, headache or more like pressure over eyes, bad ringing in ears, rushing anxious feeling running throughout body?

Anyone in the same situation as me thinking this is something worse than they are being told?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • angie_69215
    angie_69215 gem1971

    Posted

    Hello

    Have you gone to see an ENT? Last year I started with Labyrinthitis.

    Had A few good months then Sept. 20th I started to feel everything you are describing. After several trip to E. R. And trips to my ENT, I have been told I have the following :

    Horizontal Canal BPPV

    Cervicogenic Dizziness

    Vestibular Neuronitis

    Vestibular migraine

    I have started therapy with someone that deals with just dizziness and yesterday and today are the best days I have had.

    Are you doing and vestibular exercises?

    • gem1971
      gem1971 angie_69215

      Posted

      Hi I'm really pleased for you. Yes I have seen an ent who has said vestibular migraines. I've had a brain and ear mri and also an ecg all fine. What exercises are you doing? I'm just waiting on a follow up appointment but I guess I'm having a hard time accepting this can make me feel so bad.

      Thank you

    • angie_69215
      angie_69215 gem1971

      Posted

      If You go on you tube they have exercises that really help. I am only doing them for 30 sec. Two times a day.

      I hope you feel better.

  • melody08508
    melody08508 gem1971

    Posted

    The palpatations, panicky feelings., tingling, and even ringing (although that can also be from the migraines) are all very common anxiety problems. Until u can get past the anxiety u won't feel much better. An anti depressant may work well for u. I'm pretty sure I have vestibule neuritis and the anxiety that came with that was awful. I totally know how u feel

    • gem1971
      gem1971 melody08508

      Posted

      Thank you. I just find this such a cruel condition because it's not really "there" is it. It's not like I've broken my arm and someone can tell me when it'll be gone. It seems to me that at the minute I've been sent away with a "this is the condition and there's no cure as such" with no pills ot anything. I just don't understand how it's possible to wake up daily thinking positive (I'm a very content person and normally happy with life), to being crushed within a couple of hours because I realise over night some magic hasn't happened and this is still here!

    • melody08508
      melody08508 gem1971

      Posted

      That's exactly it! It's invisible to everyone yet we feel so crappy. If you are on Facebook check out my migraine brain. That will reassure u that what u feel is normal! Scary and hard but very normal

  • Soooze40
    Soooze40 gem1971

    Posted

    Yes I have exactly what you describe. Started this time last year. For 5 months I was barely able to function. Paid for mri myself, had 24 hr ecg, 24 hr blood pressure monitor etc. Finally got to see an ent specialist who diagnosed vestibular migraine. He prescribed nortriptyline. This took over a month to work, bad side effects at firSt. All summer I've almost been back to normal, but since start of October I've had all the same feelings again. Anxiety definately exacerbates things. I've upped the dosage of the nortrip and hope this sorts things for me. Lots of doctors tried to pass it off as stress or depression but when this all started I wasn't stressed or depressed at all. 5 months in, was a different story but it definately wasn't the cause. Have you tried any medication yet?

  • paula59
    paula59 gem1971

    Posted

    Hi - Ive had my MAV now for four years.  Dont be scared it will be right.  Its caused by excessive electricity coming from the brain stem.  Whatever it crosses, thats the weird and wonderful symptoms we get.  I didnt believe it at first but it is correct. I have text book symptoms.  The key is getting rid of it.  There are loads of medication you can try but you need to see a neurologist to help you with it.  Vestibular migraine is another name for migraine associated vertigo.  There are good websites on facebook for it where you will meet everyone else in the same situation.  Its not life threatening but it is very debilitating.  I am dizzy all the time too which is really horrible.  Being anxious will def make it a lot worse. You have to calm down and try and accept it.  It is very common.  Take a look on facebook for MAV or VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE PROFESSIONAL and you are one of about 3000. 
  • Angel_V
    Angel_V gem1971

    Posted

    I have had these symptoms since July. I had vertigo that wouldn't go away and because I was so upset about it not going away I now have bad anxiety. The anxiety is very uncomfortable and makes me feel as though Im going jump out of my skin. 

  • emma93780
    emma93780 gem1971

    Posted

    Your exactly the same as me, it's been going on since September 2015 and I'm still no closer to finding an answer, I was told vestibular migraines with aura sometimes with a headache sometimes without, I have had an MRI, CT and a million and one other tests and the doctors keep saying anxiety so I am taking anxiety mess but like you I'm still not convinced. X

    • gem1971
      gem1971 emma93780

      Posted

      Thanks emma. Do you mind me asking what other tests you have had done? I just don't understand how they can come to this diagnosis when I don't feel they have excluded everything else that it could be x

    • emma93780
      emma93780 gem1971

      Posted

      I've had an echo and worn a holter for 24hrs, I've had numerous bloods, seen ent twice, had camera up my nose and down my throat, 2 CT scans, MRI scan, had acupuncture, physio, seen a doctor that specialised in ears, seen a neurologist, tried every tablet imaginable, had a balance test and nothing they say migraines and anxiety!!!! Yes I'm anxious because I feel so crap all the time, it's heartbreaking as it's taken over my life x

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