Chronic dizziness,Migrains since childhood

[Ashes2dust90]

I am 18. I have vasculitis(which i believe is unrelated to my problem). I don't go to the doctor often. I have been diagnosed with genetic migraines. But i have had some kind of headache(ranging from minor to severe) at some point in the day every day since i was young. Its almost second nature to me. But since i was about 11 i have been experiencing lightheadedness,and dizzy spells,blackouts and temporary blindness and deafness in my right eye and ear. No one can tell me why. My GP won't test for anything,and my old pediatric care doctor ran tests on me when i was younger( i have never had a CT or MRI done). The only conclusion she came to was that i had asthma. These dizzy spells happen often. I normally have a headache 80% of the day,and my most recent spell was yesterday. I was shopping and suddenly it felt like a hammer hit the back of my skull. My head felt as heavy as an anvil and i had to hold myself up. I could feel myself falling over. A lot of times when this occurs, a loud ringing noise happens in my right ear and my vision speckles out like when you turn off a television. I black out for a second,then my vision and hearing slowly returns. This happens anytime in the day. When i get up,when i sit down,randomly while i am walking. It unnerving not knowing what is wrong with me. I don't know if this is related to my vasculitis or something completely different. I worry that it is something in my brain because sometimes i get severe pains behind my ribs just before the spells. I have had these pains on and off for years now. If you have any suggestions,anything would help,as my GP is shrugging it all off as nothing,and refuses to run any tests.
Thanks.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting.
It is also important to rule out panic attacks and orthostatic hypotension as both these conditions can cause dizziness, fainting, black outs, palpitations, and chest compression.

The possibility of panic attacks is more if you have been unduly stressed out and anxious lately.

Take care!

[Ashes2dust90]

Thank You. I am on a medicine called Midrin Already, But the medicine doesn't improve my migraines. I now drink nothing but water,(and i haven't for about 4 years). When i do drink soda i get dizzy.My dizziness seems to subside slightly when i eat broccoli,or starchy foods,and at other times sugary foods. I still experience the blackouts,and my doctor says that there isn't anything he can do. I had a very bad dizzy spell followed by a black out today. My heart began beating very fast,my chest felt compressed and i got dizzy and blacked out. I am beginning to be very frustrated that no one can tell me what is wrong. I had no headache today fortunately.
Thank You for your advice. I already don't intake caffeine because it offsets my vasculitis symptoms.But your advice was helpful.
I just hope that i can get my GP to take me seriously enough to run some tests.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting.
There is a possibility that your symptoms are due to migraine attacks. Migraine attacks are preceded by an aura which can manifest as photophobia, sudden loss of vision, ringing in the ears, dizziness, black outs followed by headaches.
Please discuss this possibility with your doctor because you may need to be put on migraine meds. Also maintain a headache diary and try and identify a trigger for your migraines. Foods like processed meats, aged cheese, artificial sweeteners, MSG, red wine, caffeine etc are known triggers for migraine.
Hope this helps!

[selmaS]

HI....u need to see a dr.....it is possible some of ur symptoms r not related to ur vasculitis, but it is possible some r.

I would suggest u see a NL or a rheumitoid dr to start off since ur dr does not agree that there is a need for futher testing.

U could have a varitey of things going on as simple as an inner ear infection...to a BP issues....without seeing a dr it is diff to say.

Please see one and post what u find out.

Godspeed
"selma"