That sounds absolutely exhausting — 2 to 16 days of vestibular migraine attacks with no effective rescue medication and a 12-18 month wait for a neurologist is a really tough situation to be in. You're not alone in this struggle.
While waiting to see a specialist, there are some non-medication strategies that others have Show Full Answer
That sounds absolutely exhausting — 2 to 16 days of vestibular migraine attacks with no effective rescue medication and a 12-18 month wait for a neurologist is a really tough situation to be in. You're not alone in this struggle.
While waiting to see a specialist, there are some non-medication strategies that others have found helpful during vestibular migraine attacks:
- Rest in a quiet, dark room to reduce sensory overload
- Avoid sudden head movements, which can worsen vertigo
- Stay hydrated and maintain regular mealtimes, as skipping meals can be a trigger
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule, as disrupted sleep is a known trigger
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises (like eye movement control and balance exercises) can help — ask your primary care doctor for a referral
- Motion sickness medications like meclizine may offer some immediate relief from vertigo symptoms and are relatively affordable
- Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can help manage sound sensitivity during an attack Since Propranolol is already part of the current treatment plan, that's actually one of the recommended preventive medications for vestibular migraine specifically — so that's a good sign. It may be worth discussing with a primary care doctor whether the dosage is optimized.
Other preventive medications that are sometimes used for vestibular migraine include:
- Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor) — these tend to be low-cost generics
- Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Anticonvulsants like topiramate (Topamax) — also available as a generic
These are worth bringing up with a primary care provider, who may be able to manage vestibular migraine treatment while the neurology wait continues. One MyMigraineTeam member shared that wearing earplugs with cotton balls helps them manage sound sensitivity during attacks, which is a simple but practical tip.
It's also worth asking the VA about a telehealth neurology appointment, which may have a shorter wait time than in-person visits. Pushing for an urgent referral given the severity and frequency of attacks is completely reasonable — documenting attack frequency and duration (a headache/symptom journal) strengthens that case significantly.
Hang in there — advocating loudly for faster care with documented evidence of how disabling these attacks are is one of the most important steps right now.
July 13
Join
Your Privacy Choices
