Need Help!!!

[worriedmom46217]

Okay I have been having these real bad dizzy spells and causing me to get sick and some time black out. I saw my neurologist today and he told me that my mri came back with an arachnoid cyst but not to worry. He thought since that the only thing he could come up with was a mirgaine that I was having when I have these spells. I usually get these spells every 2 weeks for what I have been keeping track of. I was in the er on 9-22-08 and had a ct-scan done and the cyst showed up still on that. I am at a loss right now and not sure what to do. I need help. I have been giving some meds to so called help with the headaches which I really don't have. I get a dizzy spell mostly like I am spinning and not the room and I get really sweaty and puke sometimes and then really tired. He ruled out MS which is good. I just frustrated and scared. I have had a few of these spells while I have been driving and I drive for almost an hour to get to work on the interstate. I don't want to have an accident and get hurt. Please help me.

Symptoms: white lights in vision, spinning feeling, puking, sweaty, some pain after spells and then very tired and need to rest.

Thanks

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Arachnoid cysts are usually congenital developmental anomaly. They are asymptomatic but can produce symptoms like headache, seizures, weakness on one side of the body and dementia.
Your symptoms at the moment do not seem to be due to arachnoid cyst.The other possibility like your doctor told you is migraine. Are you taking any medication for migraine?
Other possibility is excessive anxiety and panic attacks, and hormonal dysfunction like thyroid or adrenal problems. Please discuss all these possibilities also with your treating doctor. Let us know if you need more help.

[worriedmom46217]

Thank you for getting back with me, I have been tested for my thyroid and adrenal problems and it all comes back normal. I am starting to take Verafamil, I just got it filled this morning. I am still really confused due to the fact that I have dizzy spells first and then I get a small headache afterwords and then really tired. My sister suffers from migraines and her's are pretty severe. I didn't think that I would have the same problems as her. No one in our family has ever had them. Do you think I would be wasting my time if I chose to get a second opinion from another neurologist? I am suppose to take a Relpax as soon as I start to feel dizzy, which is really hard for me because I am usually hanging on to something so that I don't fall over and hurt myself. I was reading another post and one person was talking about Basilar-migraines do you think it could be that type? Thanks again.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Basilar migraines are characterized by aura symptoms originating from the brain stem like temporary blindness, difficulty in speech, vertigo and tinnitus. It is a more severe form of migraine. I do not think that is a possibility in your case.
Migraine can vary in intensity and pattern. As of now your symptoms do seem to be due to migraine. An ear examination may also help. I would also suggest you to try magnesium supplements which have shown good activity against preventing migraine attacks.