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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Cluster Vertigo
        
(Message started by: Durandal on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 4:18am)

Title: Cluster Vertigo
Post by Durandal on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 4:18am

I'm not sure if this has been asked, but frankly, I can barely type, let alone actually use the search properly.

I have no idea how long I have had cluster headaches. I was diagnosed with 'chronic migraines' at a very young age -- in fact, I can remember my first big headache (grade 2, age 7). Though I have no idea how long I've had actual Cluster Headaches, I assume it is much longer than the seven years since I was first diagnosed.

My problem is not just that I have the world-shattering pain of cluster migraines, but I get vertigo. I don't mean I get 'kinda dizzy,' I mean I can barely turn my head without falling over, and my left arm/(occasionally) face tingle and feel like they are going numb. These attacks hit me twice a day (for the past nine days); once at Nine PM, the other at One AM. They last between 2-3 hours.

Do any of you get terrible vertigo? If so, how do you deal with it?

I'm sorry if I am making a repeated post, but as I said, I'm pretty messed up right now.

Oh, also, how do I convince others who are concerned with me that there isn't 'a trigger,' and that constantly being told that 'maybe x is causing it!' or 'what if you stopped doing y?' is more harmful than it is helpful. I don't want pity, I just want the acknowledgement that I have this pain, I'm not making it up, and there isn't some magic potion that will cure this.

Vade,
Durandal

Title: Re: Cluster Vertigo
Post by Filbert on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 4:25am

Durandal.
With the symptoms you describe I would strongly advise you to see a neurologist or at least your GP as soon as possible! Good luck with it!

Fil.

Title: Re: Cluster Vertigo
Post by Karla on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 8:49am

The very first time I had a cluster headache was preceded by 5 months of constant chronic vertigo. I had to crawl everywhere I went or just close my eyes and run for it or hold someones hand to walk etc. I found ways around it. It can be a sign of inner ear disterbance. You could have a hair or wax disturbing the inner ear. Physcial Therapists have a thing they do by having you lay on the table and tilt your head back and to the left and hold for a half hour. Next time you come back they do that a it is back and to the right. etc. finally your equilibrium is established so there is help. However, you should see a neurologist and mention this to him because it couild be a sign of a serious problem that needs to be ruled out. Otherwise when I get a really bad kip 9 or kip10 ch I will get vertigo for a short while then it goes away. But only for the really bad attacks. Sorry to hear you are going through all this. But there is help. Talk to your dr. please.

Title: Re: Cluster Vertigo
Post by pattik on Jan 22^nd, 2007, 9:07am

Durandal,
As the others have posted, you really need a good diagnosis from your doctor. Vertigo has so many causes and almost as many treatments. There is a type of vestibular migraine causing vertigo, but without the process of elimination that professional examination uses, it can be a really tough thing to figure out. Here are a couple of links with more general info, including one on the liberatory maneuvers that Karla mentioned.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00435.html

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw205519;_ylt=AmPF6bdQP_wBUIfA43TsywGhm7MF#hw205522