Menstrual migraine?

[joannela]

Does anyone here suffer from menstrual migraine, particularly with vertigo/dizziness?   For the past few months, it seems about every two weeks - usually the week before and the week during my period - I get near constant dizziness.  Sometime I'll get a one-sided headache, but not always. I usually often see tiny pinpoints of light now and then too - though they're not always associated with the vertigo or the headache.

I just saw a neuro who thinks I have an inner ear imbalance, but VNG testing was negative. I am awaiting an MRI next week, which I am very nervous about.

I have read about menstrual migraines and I am wondering if that's what I have. Does anyone have anything similar?  Dizziness that comes almost a full week before the period, lasts through the period and is almost constant every day during that time?  I'm not totally sure it's menstrual related, but looking back over the last few months it seems to be - I have 2 good weeks at a time followed by 2 bad weeks at a time, and usually the bad weeks are around my period.

BTW: I am currently breastfeeding - I am weaning off of that, though this started at about 8 months post-partum and I wasn't weaning at the time.

Thanks for any input.
Joanne

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi Joanne,

I am not very aware of the VNG's sensitivity and specificity however,at this point it may be safe to assume that your inner ear may not be the problem here.This way one may start focusing on other possible conditions such as hormones, the brain and cardiac and even psychological factors.Your MRI and other scans showed negative results.One can  rule out an intracranial involvement at this point.Your physician may try looking into anxiety,cardiac (peripheral vascular disease,anemia )and hormonal factors (thyroid hormones) as a probable cause of your condition at this point.

[joannela]

I was diagnosed with BPPV about 10 years ago by a neuro after an MRI, MRA and EEG. All negative. Those episodes were brief periods of room spinning vertigo, however. I had them periodically over the years - never really made an association with menstrual cycle, but truthfully never tried to pay attention either. Once I was told it was benign I didn't worry about it.  The dizziness I've had since Christmas is different in that it is less acute - not room spinning and I don't feel like I'm going to fall down - just a sense of disequilibrium.  And it's more constant - lasts hours and hours and it's there most days for a couple of weeks at a time.  I talked briefly to my OB/GYN but I also am experiencing extreme anxiety lately (related to this) and she said she wanted to treat that first. She then offered a referral to a neuro, which is where I just went.  

Would not the normal VNG point away from an inner ear problem?
Thanks,
Joanne

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi Joanne,

Your symptoms sound  like there is a hormonal component to it.Have you been experiencing the same symptoms prior to your pregnancy? Or is this something recent?

An inner ear problem may be a primary differential here,however this may not explain why the symptoms usually occur with your menses.An MRI will be able to help though this may likely not show anything unless an inner ear problem (eg inflammation)  is highly a differential based on your physician's assessment.

You may discuss this with your gynecologist also so you may be evaluated.Assessment of cardiac function and evaluation of peripheral vessels like your carotids ( neck vessels) and cardiac function may be able to help.