Vestibular Migranes And Continual Computer Use At Work

Hey everyone! I was diagnosed what was thought to be Menieres Disease about 2 1/2 years ago. Overall, I’m a healthy 31 year old female. A few years ago, when the symptoms first started, I was working as a nurse in a hospital on a busy floor. I initially presented with constant vertigo, tinnitus and pressure to the left year. The symptoms were almost constant for months. I tried Meclizine, Valium, Promethazine, Dyazide and Betahistine, all of which were unsuccessful. Eventually my specialist, moved on to Dexamethasone injections into my ear. I received three rounds with no relief. My doctor was about to send me for another opinion, however, gradually my symptoms began to improve to where I was symptom free for about a year. I unfortunately had lost my previous job at the hospital because I was unable to work for months but eventually I started working again as a nurse but this time doing telephone triage all day. I basically look at a computer screen for 10 hour shifts talking to patients all day. I take multiple breaks through out the day, however, a few months into the new job, my symptoms returned. They weren’t bad a first but have gotten progressively worse over the past 8-9 months. I’m currently in the worse flare I've been to date. The symptoms consist of horrible vertigo, tinnitus, pressure and intense pain to my left ear but now with boughts of intense migraine pains. The symptoms have been on going for three weeks straight with no relief at all. I have been out of work the entire time (three weeks) and have no sick time left. I’m not eligible for FMLA. Unfortunately, there is just no way I can try and work and focus on a computer the way I feel.

I saw a specialist today who does not believe I have Ménière’s disease as my hearing and balance tests were all normal. He believes I have vestibular migraines. He referred me to a neurologist (which looks like may take months to get into to see). I’m unaware when I’ll be able to return to work as the symptoms have not let up. I did start on Nortriptyline to see if it will help. My question is do you think that my migraines are further exacerbated from the continual computer use from my job? The symptoms did start up again soon after I started there. I have adjusted the brightness on the computer screen with no improvement. Try to take multiple breaks looking away from the computer. I find I get dizzy (even before this latest flare) if staring at a computer screen for too long. I wonder if I’d be better at a job with less computer time. Please let me know your thoughts or if you have experienced anything similar. Thank you!