5 Weird Symptoms of Vestibular Migraine
When most people think of migraine they typically think of symptoms like headache, light sensitivity and noise sensitivity. But not all migraines look the same and there can be a wide variety of presentations. Vestibular migraine is one variation and it differs from typical migraine in that it affects your sense of equilibrium and balance. The lack of awareness and strange presentation of vestibular migraine makes it notoriously difficult to diagnose. Patients have often received multiple incorrect diagnoses prior to finding out that what they are suffering from is in fact migraine. Here are five weird symptoms that can sometimes accompany vestibular migraine.
1. Vertigo
Vertigo refers to the illusory sensation that you or your environment are moving when in fact they are not. During an attack, it may feel like the room is spinning around you when it is actually still. There are many disorders that cause vertigo although vestibular migraine is actually the second most common cause of vertigo in adults according to the American Migraine Foundation. Even so, vestibular migraine is often under-diagnosed due to its varying presentations.
To further complicate the matter, vertigo can show up in different ways and isn’t always room spinning. It can also present as swaying, rocking, or even an internal sense of movement. People with vestibular migraine often have a history of motion sickness, especially in the car, which often points towards the condition.
2. Brain Fog
Brain fog or mental fog is an extremely strange sensation often described as a “cloudy headed feeling”. It’s often accompanied by confusion and forgetfulness impacting a person’s mental clarity and ability to concentrate. People who experience brain fog with vestibular migraine can even experience symptoms so far as having difficulty finding words. Other common descriptions include feeling dazed or in a unpleasant trancelike state.
3. Ear & Facial Pain
Vestibular migraine can often be accompanied by sensations of ear fullness and ringing. People often describe it as a pressure in their ears, similar to how they may feel on a plane. Ear ringing, known as tinnitus, is also a highly distressing symptom of vestibular migraine. Given these symptoms, people with vestibular migraine often first go to see a ear nose and throat specialist before eventually making their way to a neurologist.
Facial pain is also incredibly common, with migraine typically presenting on one side of the face, often described as a throbbing or burning sensation.
4. Autonomic Symptoms & Aura
The term autonomic refers to the systems of the body not under our volitional control. Think things like blood pressure, heart rate, or sweating.
It’s important to remember that migraine is a complex neurological disorder that can impact the whole body, not just a headache. Prodromal signs, that is signs that a migraine attack is coming, can include yawning, increased urinary urgency, cravings, and more. Attacks can even be accompanied by stomach upset, vomiting, or nausea.
In regards to the head and neck, we will often also see other autonomic signs, including eyelid drooping, sinus pressure, eye tearing, and more. Migraine attacks can also be preceded by sensory disturbances known as an aura. Visual disturbances, speech difficulties, or even numbness are all examples.
5. Derealization & Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Derealization is a rare yet very real migraine symptom. It is defined as a dissociative symptom where the world feels unreal, distorted, or dreamlike. Unlike psychosis, patients are generally aware that their perception is not real. It is generally most associated with aura but can be chronic as well. Migraine presentations with derealization are often said to suffer from Alice in Wonderland syndrome. It is a great example of just how bizarre vestibular migraine can be.
What to Do About Weird Symptoms of Vestibular Migraine
It’s important to remember that migraine is a neurological disorder and not merely a headache. Believe it or not, vestibular migraine can actually occur with or without a headache being present. If you suspect you have vestibular migraine, it’s important to have a thorough work up with your physician. The American Migraine Foundation has a Find a Doctor tool to help you find a headache specialist to diagnose your condition. Click here to learn more about different migraine and headache disorders.
Starting vestibular rehabilitation is also an important part of a treatment plan. Unlike other vestibular disorders, it works best when the condition is more or less stable in regards to frequency of attacks. Medication management and lifestyle factors are especially important to consider. Unfortunately, there is no current cure for migraine disorders.
If you’re having difficulty getting a handle on your migraine attacks, you’re not alone.
Dizziness often requires a more individualized approach. A personalized plan can help clarify what’s contributing to your symptoms and outline next steps. Get your FREE treatment plan from Pang PT here.