Migraines and Balance Problems?

[kiminovanilla88]

I'm a 20 year old female and I've had migraines 3-4 times a week ever since I can remember. I am on Imitrex now for the occasional migraines, and I was on Topamax, but I stopped taking it due to some financial troubles. Anyways, I have experienced over the past few months some balance problems. Now, this is not dizziness, my vision doesn't swim or anything. I'll just be walking along, and suddenly I'm nearly falling over, totally aware of the situation but not in control of what's going on. It gets worse when I have a migraine, but it persists headache or not. I didn't know if they could be related and if I need to see my neurologist about it or a regular doctor. Since money is tight, I want to ask around and see if this could be something serious before going out and spending money to try and fix it.
My migraines almost always involve auras, and hurt over one or both eyes. Occasionally, they get bad enough so that the eye that the pain is focused on goes blurry, and I get nauseous and sick. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. But if anybody knows anything, I would love to get some advice.

[selmaS]

HI...wanted to wish u the best for ur upcoming dr appoint.
Please post how it goes.....in the mean time I wish u a Merry Christmas!!

"selma"

[kiminovanilla88]

As for some of the questions, my prescriptions have not changed for years. I stopped taking Topamax nearly a year and a half ago. The balance problems have only gotten worse in the past few months. Nothing happens with my vision, and I'm well aware of everything that's happening. I am suddenly nearly falling down or stopping to regain my balance. The good news is that I can usually catch myself, or stumble my way out of a bad fall. But I have had a few bad falls, once down the stairs. Also, this happens whether or not I have taken the Imitrex, but it seems to get worse when I have a migraine whether or not I take Imitrex. As for inner ear problems, I tend to get ear infections about once every two years, like clockwork, but it's usually just a large build-up of ear wax and a good cleaning and some ear drops gets rid of it. It's never caused a balance problem. There are times I hear sudden sharp pitches in one ear, but never consistently enough to think anything of it. I remember that I actually had balance and disorientation issues back when I was around 13, and I was tested for anemia because of it. I had anemia for a few years, only a mild case, but they never looked into the issue of balance further. I'm seeing my neurologist on the 31st of December, so hopefully he can help me out and figure out what's going on.

[williamkancir]

I'm a migraine sufferer since 93, I had a severe fall(3rd concussion) as of recent (19 1/2 ft head to cement) which made matters worse, so we won't likely be  alike on all our symptoms. I'm an engineer that at times now I can't even make a cup of coffee. Matters over the years were worsened at times when docs changed my meds. How long ago did your prescription change? Did the balance problems start before the change? A side effect I got from Imitrex was not a spin but definite unsteadiness. As to balance I suffer from eye(pulls, shakes, and spins), tinnitus(inner ear noise),  & I also have vertigo. I think after searching the web for a long time, when I read your post, it's like looking into a mirror. Do you suffer from inner ear noise and/or vibration?

[somebodiesmommy]

I have whats called Basiler Artery Migraines and I'm not a 100% it's from the migraines but I too have balance problems. I have fallen on numerous occasions but normally experiance a split secound lose of sight coupled with a light headedness before the fall. In the beginning I had no real warnig before the fall and could not catch myself. Now atleast most of the time I have enough of a warning to try to catch myself. It gets worse when I close my eyes or am in a dark area. I am 23 yrs old and female as well. I don't know if this was any help but I hope so. When you get to go back to the doctor I would at least ask about the possibility of it being Basiler Artery Migraines. From what I've read they are rare, but I'm proof they are there and can hit the relitively young.

[selmaS]

U r welcome...let me know how ur dr appoint goes!!

Godspeed
"selma"

[kiminovanilla88]

Oh God. Thank you. I definitely want to go to the doctor if it could be something that serious. Thanks for the advice.

[selmaS]

Hi kim.....have u had ne MRI's of ur brain w/wo contrast.There r many conditions with similar symptoms...the brain Mri can rule out many different things along with labs...have them look to rule out lupus....lymes....MS and chiari.

I have similar symptoms and have my dx...and it is not migraines.
I also have the balance issues, I fell and required surgery...I also was aware  I was falling, but could not figure out y, or control it.Reading this was very weird and familiar.

keep us posted on how u make out....after u see a NL or NS.....

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"