Living with vestibular migraine and what worked for me
Update from: https://www.reddit.com/r/migraine/s/b1CSYHFd2j
Hi all, I’ve been diagnosed with vestibular migraine, and since then I’ve experimented on myself plenty this year to understand this condition better.
It’s a very crippling condition to live with, so I hope this helps anyone else who is facing it. So here goes -
No-no: 1. No HIIT, nothing that shakes my head too much 2. No alcohol, at most 1 glass. But, from experience the next day feels very hazy 3. No skipping breakfast at all 4. Sleep well and try not to be stressed. (This annoying one is crucial in regulating the symptoms) 5. No coffee after 3pm
Game-changers: 1. Electrolyte drinks, I take something called IQ mix every morning with my breakfast and I could instantly feel the difference after starting this habit 2. Reasonably moderate breakfast (this helped with reducing my vertigo symptoms) 3. Cold head or eye compress!!! I can’t recommend this more especially when you have a blinding migraine!
When I feel a migraine is coming: 1. I carry sachets of electrolytes with me while travelling as well. And when I feel my symptoms starting when I take it, it helps to prevent it from getting worse 2. Meditate in a way where I focus into the pain. I’ve seen after a bit the pain reduces drastically or even disappears 3. Breathe heavily and try to take as much air in 4. Drinking coffee when the symptoms start has helped in reversing it super fast!
Things to be aware of 1. For exercising, I worked my way up very slowly. Starting with 10 minute walks, 20 minute walks. 2. Walking in the morning rather than evenings. It’s something to do with oxygen where there is a lot more oxygen in the morning than evenings. (At least where I stay) 3. The days when you know you’ll be out in the open for a long time, dedicating breaks. Even if you don’t think you need you, you really do need it. Sit down, and just take a short 10 minute break can help to increase the runway for the day. 4. I’ve noticed a sudden temperature change can cause migraines as well. 🤷🏽♀️
I’ve taken paracetamol when I have absolutely needed to take it, like at work or at a party. Since, I took this as an experiment to understand the condition better I didn’t take any external medication or Botox for my migraines.
You don’t need to suffer through it, I think slowly the brain can adapt to the lifestyle you want to lead.