MAV--How long before relief?

[dolfnlvr]

I'm just here for some support and maybe a little pick me up.  I've had some weird symptoms for months, and one of the most prevalent and stubborn has been a feeling of tipsyness or "dizzyness" but not spinning vertigo.  I'm off balance and--geez, it is so hard to describe, it is kind of like the way you feel an hour after you take a Benedryl or when you have a healthy buzz but not "drunk."  I'm cogent, but not my normal self, and I've had headaches--not severe, but frequent.  I get the peircing 3 seconds on the right side that come and then go only to peirce again and go again off and on all day, or I get the flashing light in the corner of my vision, or I get the "sinus" type headache that won't give up.  But none is debilitating to the point of staying home from work etc. I just feel like crap--I'm sure many of you get it.

Anyway, I've had blood work, MRI's, cardiac workup etc and all is "fine."  I have had some fringe Lyme testing that suggests that I may have Lyme disease--I'm skeptical but willing to run with treatment because at this point I have no other answers.  Meanwhile, I have a doctor who finally, after 8 months, diagnosed Migraine Associated Vertigo and prescribed nortryptiline (sp?).  Well, that was changed to Topamax 50 mg/day which I've finally worked my way up to taking the full dose of daily, and I'm wondering when I might finally get some results.  

I thought WOW, I'm on my way to finally feeling better.  But after 3 weeks of treatment--I still feel about the same, and I'm getting into a "I don't think I'm ever going to feel normal again" funk.  Meanwhile I have certain doctors telling me this is all anxiety, that I'm causing this myself.  My GP referred me to a psychiatrist who prescribed the Topamax and set up monthly 15 minute appointments to check my progress--yeah--that should cure what ails me--heck--if it IS anxiety or emotionally mediated what is 15 minutes every 5 weeks going to do???  I'd get more therapy by watching Dr. Phil!!!!

So--if you have MAV--how have you managed the symptoms, and how long did it take you to get it "under control?"  INquiring and tiring minds want to know.

[merlinfalcon]

Are you still looking for some support/answers? I, too, was recently (albeit tentatively) diagnosed with MAV. I'm told to try some dietary interventions before meds, but the diet makes little practical sense to me. I have no answers yet, nor any relief in sight yet to share, but it's nice to know I'm not alone in what sound like very similar symptoms (I have no headaches, just dizziness/disequilibrium, etc..). I have trouble driving as a result of this problem, which has been going on more than 7 years now. Weather, hormones, and stress all play a significant role in the severity of my symptoms.

[dolfnlvr]

You make some very good points.  The glass is half full at this point--thanks for the turn around :-).

[sara12345]

Hi,

I asked your question on-line and came up with following from a Topomax website:

"Clinical studies found that TOPAMAX began reducing the frequency of migraines at 1 month and showed sustained improvement throughout the 6-month studies.

To achieve best results, TOPAMAX should be taken for 2 to 3 months and then its effectiveness can be determined."

As far as the 15 minute appointments, it sounds like your psychaitrist is only going to ask how you are doing, do you have any side effects and possibly change your prescription.  It's not for therapy.  If you do want therapy, you should find a therapist.  It sounds like your psychaitrist is giving you treatment for the least possible cost.  Be glad if you are paying for it.  

I question whether it's from anxiety or emotional factors, but you couldn't ask for any pain management at this point any cheaper and less time consuming than your psychaitrist.

I know that it's very hard to wait for medications to work when you don't feel well.  Be glad that you don't have the severe 24/7 migraines that a lot of other people on this site have.  

Take care.  You should feel better soon.  All the best to you.

Sara