Frequent migraines/vertigo/numb tingling head

[Drlnikki]

I am 44 years and have been a migraine sufferer for years.  Recently they have increased. I have had 22 migraines, all with visual auras since December 2014.  I am awaiting the approval for an MRI and have seen an ENT. I begin a series of tests to confirm Ménière's disease.  My symptoms are a numbe tingling head, right ear feels like it's muffled or like I'm recovering from an ear ache.  My hearing is excellent however.  I gets bouts of sudden blurred vision and then my head tingles.  The right side of my head feels inflamed and when I massage it to get relief it feels bruised.  I developed vertigo on Christmas night.  I was on topamax for 7 days which stopped the Auras and migraines but not the vertigo.  I was having too many side effects and had to stop the med. what started as wanting answers for migraines quickly developed into a desperate need to stop the vertigo.  I lead an active life with two children in sports.  I've minimized my driving but frankly am going crazy with having others drive me around.  Does Ménière's cause these type of head tinglings?  I also had my very first episode of svt back in November.  I get nauseous with every headache and recently starting getting diarrhea after each headache.  Help!  Am I going in the right direction.  I'm worried there is a tumor or impending aneurism. Thanks!

[AKC_75]

Yes, I get dizzy with migraines very frequently, seldom nausea though. That is why I take the Meclizine.
I don't get blurred vision but sometimes I get this where I think I see something out of the corner of my eye but, when I turn my head to look, nothing is there. I have always attributed that to a medication side effect though.
The drunk feeling could be a side effect to medication OR a it could be an aura, telling you a migraine is trying to form but, whatever medication you are taking is stopping the pain.

[Drlnikki]

I meant no aura or migraine.

[Drlnikki]

Thanks again.  So I'm wondering if you have ever experienced this...it comes on very sudden, my eyes become very blurred almost doubled and can not focus on anything I instantly get dizzy/lightheaded I guess but it's mosfly in my eyes.  Immediately following my head tingles and then I don't feel well.  Have you ever had this associated to migraines?  I had this today in the morning but so far do aura of migraine.  I have felt "drunk" all day though.  Thanks.

[Drlnikki]

Thanks again.  So I'm wondering if you have ever experienced this...it comes on very sudden, my eyes become very blurred almost doubled and can not focus on anything I instantly get dizzy/lightheaded I guess but it's mosfly in my eyes.  Immediately following my head tingles and then I don't feel well.  Have you ever had this associated to migraines?  I had this today in the morning but so far do aura of migraine.  I have felt "drunk" all day though.  Thanks.

[AKC_75]

Well, it helped me for years (til I became immune to it) BUT, each person is different and if your doctor thought you should stop then I would listen to him. I thought you stopped on your own.

The only side effect I had from it was it made all carbonated drinks taste flat so, I had no soda for 5+ years...lol

[Drlnikki]

Thank you so much.  Good tips.  I'm hesitant about the topamax.  At just 25 mg I had numb and tingling calves feet and hands, the dizziness was more intense, I was irritable and I felt drunk all the time plus I forgot my dogs name.  So it kind of freaked me out.  The day I was supposed to start 2 pills is when I called the dr and he said to stop.  He wanted to put me in lamitrogine but I passed.  Do you think the topamax might really help???  

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

I really know nothing about Ménière's disease. So, I can't really help you there but...I do know that a lot of what you described can be attributed to a severe migraine. You really should give the Topamax a lot longer of a chance. It can take a 4-6 weeks to know if it is going to help and a good 8-12 weeks before the side effects subside. Your body just needs to get use to it.
Having said that, there are some other tricks I've picked up over the years as I have had migraines for more than 20 years....and in the past 4-5 years they are daily and a lot of times more than one per day (cluster migraines).
First, Meclizine will help tremendously with the dizziness and nausea. I know it sounds skeptical, my doctor didn't even think it would work when I asked him for some but, it really does!! Not the junk on the shelf a Wally World though. Get what they have behind the counter at a pharmacy. It is OTC. You can take 1 three times a day as needed.
For the migraines you can try either a heat or ice pack, whichever is more comfy to you. I prefer heat...washing my hair under hottish water does wonders for me. You can also try wrapping something around your head, like a bandanna, kind of snug. This is cause what causes the pain of a migraine is the blood vessels in your brain become dilated. That is why when you touch your head it feels like a bruise. Putting a BIT of pressure on those blood vessels helps relieve the pain. You can also put Mentholatum on your forehead and temples, cause it will help those muscles to relax and you can use it with or without the wrap, depending on if you like the heat it will give you.
As for your ear. I had the same issue and my doctor sent me to an ENT doctor and there is nothing wrong with my ears. What they discovered was I have TMJ Syndrome and my jaw was soooo swollen for sooo long which was making the inflammation push on the back of my ear drum. What causes TMJ is grinding your teeth so, IF you rule every thing else out and find that this is probably your problem you need to start wearing a mouth guard to bed every night.

Ok, I think I covered everything. If you have anymore questions please ask and maybe someone else can chime in about the  Ménière's disease as well.
Try those tricks and see if any help ya and please keep us updated!!