Hope this helps let us know if you need other resources.

to find some direction here

Finally be sure to educate yourself more about your disorders at vestibular.org

wishing you all the best

David…..

A few days later we took another high speed train to Venice, and almost exactly 3 hours later I had my second attack. This attack was brought on by the bright fluorescent lights in the store and the many visual objects that were around me. This dizzy attack was brutal and caused facial numbness as well and has now lasted about 2 months straight. It has cooped me up in my house, kept me from driving, put me on FMLA for work, and I am so stressed and upset that this is never going to end! At first I saw an ENT, who scanned my head and said my sinuses are completely blocked, with fluid and a cyst stuck in the cavities. So now I have sinus surgery scheduled and I'm sure this will alleviate a few of the pressure symptoms and maybe the numbness or pain in my face and eyes. (Hence the mold situation at work.)

After discussing the light and sound sensitivity, with dizziness symptoms, I also saw a neurologist and was diagnosed with vestibular migraines. I now realize that I have had decades of small blips of a variety of migraine symptoms that I unknowingly ignored, brushing them off as just sinus issues. With this new diagnosis I have been following the dizzy cook for tips, minding my diet, bought the green light, bought Avulux prescription glasses (which were so expensive with my prescription- but I am desperate to feel normal and better and my eyes seem to be a BIG part of this problem!)  and put on 50mg of topiramate. I have taken this medication for 5 days and absolutely hate it! I feel horrible on it- I am so dizzy, foggy headed, more facial numbness, body tingling and buzzing, night terrors, sadness - you name it, I am stopping this, and will notify the doctor on Monday. This is worse then not having the medication.

But as I sit here and try and make my eyes focus on the screen so the words don't dance all over the page (another thing that happens to me) I am reaching out to find anyone that has had similar situations. I feel so alone and am loosing my positive attitude that this will eventually be ok. I have missed out on the end of the school year with my students, retirement parties with teachers/friends, and my own children's sports and life events.  My husband and aunt have had to take over everything for me and drive me to all these appointments and they are tired as well.

I am truly lucky to have the time during the summer to figure this out, but I need some advice on what to do. I was improving slightly (before I started that terrible medication), and I could walk without holding the walls, and could look at people while they spoke to me, but if I do too much of anything (I'm talking basic- making dinner, doing laundry, walking around my house!) my vestibular migraine symptoms get worse.

It is not uncommon to experience some residual lightheadedness and other symptoms after a vertigo attack, but it is unusual for these symptoms to last for 3 months straight. If you have been feeling lightheaded constantly all day for this long, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any other underlying medical conditions.

Here are some other things you can do to try to manage your lightheadedness:

• Get regular exercise, but avoid any activities that trigger your symptoms.
• Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated.
• Get enough sleep.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can worsen lightheadedness.
• Manage stress and anxiety.
• Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.

If your lightheadedness is severe or interferes with your daily activities, please see a doctor.