Migraine and Dizziness

By tina3256

1 min read

Hello, I’m new to this platform. Need some quick advice.

I’ve had migraine for almost a year now. I keep getting attacks almost once in ten days, but something strange happened with me last week. I’ve been feeling dizzy when I walk. It’s only when I walk and nothing at all happens when I’m sitting and stable. I’m getting worried because I’ve never experienced this before in my migraine attack. Is it normal to feel this dizziness while walking all day? Such new onset of symptoms is normal?

Also how do we know if this is migraine and nothing else like a brain tumor or something?

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Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
Hi Tina3256, Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing dizziness, a new symptom. When we have new and/or different symptoms, it's a good idea to contact the doctor so he/she can rule out anything more serious. We can't give medical advise, but can tell you it's not uncommon for migraine attack symptoms to change over time. Dizziness can certainly be a symptom of a migraine attack. Good luck and please keep us posted, Nancy
1. ayl88joanie Member
 Hi Tina: You might be getting migraine induced vertigo. Unfortunately I have it and it causes all the migraine symptoms along with the dizziness, spinning, loss of balance and vomiting. I could not walk a straight line I had to hold onto chairs and walls. It’s horrible and I had to go to physio to get my balance back. Dehydration can also cause dizziness so up your water intake and hopefully everything gets better.
mrst53 Member
The November issue of Discover, has an article about a woman that felt dizzy and had a tightness, nausea and vomiting. He finally put 2 and 2 together from another ER patient, and asked her if she had a history of migraines. She did, and he treated her for a severe migraine attack. So I believe, along with my history, yes, our migraine symptoms do change and are added to, as long as we have this horrible disease.
jmedlin Member
Yep, get this one too. My Dr did a quick balance test to rule out dizziness from other causes but the dizziness is bad enough to stop me walking. If I persist with physical activity it takes a lot longer to go away while sitting down. I also find if I need to do something standing while the dizziness wants to play , not to use my peripheral vision, which often has aura anyway helps a little
Adventurefour Member
Yes, there can be different types of symptoms that can occur with migraine. Pain being the most common and recognizable type, but dizziness and/or vertigo (an illusion of you are the world moving) can also occur with migraine. Pain and dizziness/vertigo are considered sensorimotor symptoms. Others that you might recognize, or may have experienced yourself, are: visual disturbances, sensations of tingling, prickling, and/or numbness, occasionally weakness and/or incoordination. Each person with migraine can experience one or more of these symptoms. Also, like was mentioned in an earlier post to you, migraines do change. Because you have had a change in symptoms, and it is affecting your ability to function, I agree it would be a good idea to seek a medical consult. I would recommend that, in addition to consulting with a physician that specializes in migraine, you find a otolaryngologist (ENT), neurologist, or neurotologist that regularly treats people with vestibular disorders. You may find one near where you live at: <a href='https://www.vestibular.org' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>www.vestibular.org</a>. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find a physician that specializes in both migraine and vestibular disorders. There are many reasons why people have dizziness/vertigo, which may or may not be related to migraines (that is why you need to seek medical help to find out why you have this new symptom). One of the diagnoses is vestibular migraine. I am not saying this is what you have, but want to help inform you about what kind of options are available if you do have this diagnosis. For those with vestibular migraine, typical treatment includes being prescribed lifestyle/behavioral methods and/or pharmaceuticals to manage the headache, and in turn by reducing the frequency and intensity of headache, the dizziness usually reduces and/or any imbalance improves. If these types of treatments are not enough, there is a type of physical therapy, which may be helpful. It is called vestibular rehabilitation. Not all physical therapists do vestibular rehabilitation, so it is important to find someone with training in this area. You may also find this type of professional at: <a href='https://www.vestibular.org' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>www.vestibular.org</a>. Hope this helps you. Wishing you all the best!
b-invisible Member
I have been learning and researching migraines since my latest and most severe migraine. In my research I have seen nausea listed as a symptom related to migraine. I was seen by several specialists who ran various tests in order to rule out other things. So, I would suggest consulting your doctor as any new and or worse symptoms are something they should be aware of. They would also be the ones to either order a test or have you see specialists.
texs4 Member
Hi Tina3256 - Yes migraine symptoms can change / evolve. In my case, a change in the weather can worsen a symptom. You requested quick advice and mine would be listen to your body, remember to be your own health advocate, and if you feel something is wrong then seek medical advice. Severe headaches / migraines effect everyone differently and the symptoms vary. Also, if you're prescribed any medication(s) then make sure you’re aware of the potential side effectives as they can sometimes worsen an existing symptom. For context, my migraine journey began two year ago after I was diagnosed with metastatic BC (brain). I historically did not suffer from headaches or migraines then two months post brain surgery I had my first severe headache. Over the last two years, the headaches worsened as they became more frequent and the intensity of each headache worsened and lasted longer. I was diagnosed with Chronic (Acute) Migraines, so I suffer from daily, multiple times per day, migraines. My typical daily challenges include dizziness, earringing, lightheadedness, nausea, vision (blurred, auras), confusion / speech, fatigue, tingling, etc.-- some days are worse than others. I frequently don’t recognize the lesser migraines until my husband or co-worker brings it to my attention. Again, my advice to you is to listen to your body, be an advocate for yourself, read and do your research to understand the proposed treatment plan, be prepared to ask questions, and do not be dismissed. If a physician is dismissive then I'd recommend that you look for another physician to obtain a second, third, or even sixth opinion. Don’t give up.
lfrownfelter Member
I have had several attacks of severe vertigo where everything spins and I vomit for hours. I usually have a headache the day before I get hit with one of these episodes. The worst one I blacked out and my husband called an ambulance. So I went to see an ENT thinking it was an ear issue. I had an MRI and an ENG test as well as a hearing test. I do have a slight issue with my left ear the crystals being out of wack, but they told me that would only cause a very quick dizzy feeling, not the hours long debilitating dizzy spells. After the ENG test they have given me a preliminary diagnosis of vestibular migraines. I had no idea there was such a thing. I ya no idea that being dizzy was a migraine symptom. If your dizzy when you walk you need to talk to your Dr and rule out anything more serious. I was relieved to know mine wasn’t a brain tumor since my father passed away from one in his early 50’s. I still don’t know what treatment I’ll need to do, but I feel like I’m on a better road to understand what’s going on. I’ve had migraines my whole life and now will have to figure out my triggers and make changes to my life to hopefully help ease these.
latodavia Member
Hi Tina, I have dizziness with my migraines. In fact, I always know I need to hit the Triptans or call in sick if I have to steady myself with both hands on the walls walking down the hall of my house.
renata123 Member
Feel the same