dizziness vertigo Please Help ME

I've had a continuious dull  headache x 2 years with on and off vertigo that is directly associated with being in the horizontal position and immediately improves when  verticle or sitting up.  Also I frequently wake up with a throbbile, migraine like headache often w/ photophobia.     I only have a 3 cm osseous meningioma above the orbit on MRI but the eye exam inc. visual fields was normal.     I keep wondering if my headache/dizziness  are caused by increased ICP due to the positional nature of the vertigo and the morning nature of the migraine like headache?    Would you recommend a spinal tap to check for high ICP without papalidemia?   Does this make any sense or would the tumor make it dangerous to do?    Do you have any other suggestions?  

(I must specifically point out that I have tried Topamax, Elavil, Roboxin, beta blockers, calcium ch. blockers, OTC meds, Replax, various SSRI, and some more with absolutely no luck and in fact the SSRI meds make the vertigo worse...)

[mdyess]

I was searching the board due to the fact that my grandmother just had a massive intracranial bleed.
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Pseduotumor  Cerebri (increased intracranial pressure) and have had success with treatment since the diagnosis.
I did not have any papalidemia, only atrophy of the optic nerve.
I am now legally blind due to the pressure.  A spinal tap couldn't hurt and may give you a clear pic of what you are dealing with.
Good Luck and Happy New Year.
MDyess

[speedy258]

Was your optic nerve atrophy seen on a dilated eye exam?

[GraceF]

I am not a Dr but if you have raised ICP wouldnt doing a spinal tap run the risk of herniation of the hind brain (thats where the back of the brain gets "sucked down" into the top of the spinal canal)? My son had raised ICP with craniostenosis and i seem to recall that being mentioned. Might be out of date though as that was 15yrs ago or might only apply to babies.

[gordonsf]

I have many of the same symptoms as you.  I use a small dose of valium (2mg) and it makes the dizziness and the headaches go away for a little while.  I have been told that my problems are from a head injury.  

[gloria777]

A related discussion, Skull Base Tumour - Which treatment to have? was started.