Can Migraines Cause Vertigo and Dizziness? Here’s the Link.

Can chronic migraine cause dizziness or vertigo? Vestibular migraine, also known as "migraine-associated vertigo," is a problem with the nervous system that causes dizziness and vertigo in people with a history of migraine symptoms.

Ciara O'Rourke describes the day she discovered her migraine and dizziness were linked. Still adjusting to her new symptoms, she explores the impact of vestibular migraine on her daily life.

It's no secret that my migraines have changed over the years.

In my 20s, my migraines were episodic and hormone-related, the attacks happening in the days leading up to my period. But, as I got older and had children, my symptoms changed - and not for the better.

Episodic attacks suddenly became more severe and lasted longer, and they had a much bigger impact on my life.

Along with new symptoms, I also began experiencing chronic daily headaches. Chronic headaches are when you have more headache days than non-headache days per month. In my case, I can have up to 25 headache days out of 31. This became the norm - something I had to learn to live with and accept.

I connected with the right services and support to cope, including visiting specialists suggested by my GP. I worked hard not to let chronic migraine get me or keep me down - doing everything "right", you might say.

After 20 years, I wasn't expecting my symptoms to change again... but, of course, that’s what happened.

Vertigo became a new migraine symptom

The new symptoms started about a year ago. I was in the canteen, having lunch with my colleagues. Then, all of a sudden, the room began to spin.

I thought I was going to fall off my chair. I gripped the table to stop myself from slipping and forced my mouth to work to ask my colleagues for help.

I was so scared; I had no idea what was going on. I never even suspected migraine could cause dizziness, as I'd never felt anything like this before. My head felt like it was going in circles, and the room wouldn't stay still. 

Two co-workers picked me up, one on each side, and walked me to my office. My balance was non-existent, and I kept falling to one side. They gently put me in my darkened office (as light sensitivity is one of my migraine triggers). I sat there for around 40 minutes until my husband called to say he was outside to pick me up.

My co-workers helped me to the car, and my husband drove me home. I went straight to bed.

Diagnosed with vestibular migraine

The next day, things were marginally clearer. I couldn't shake the feeling that my migraine and the dizziness were linked somehow.

I called my nurse and asked if she could explain these new symptoms. The only way I knew to describe it was extreme dizziness and my head feeling like it wouldn't stop spinning.

My nurse was kind and patient, explaining that I'd had an attack of migraine-associated vertigo. She told me that vestibular migraine can sometimes develop in more chronic migraine sufferers and that symptoms can change over time.

I discovered that vertigo is the main symptom of vestibular migraine (the sensation that I or my surroundings are spinning) and that attacks can occur without the usual headache. I was relieved to have a name for it, and many of the "warning signs" made sense - as I'd had them in the canteen only the day before.

• Dizziness and spinning, like I was losing my balance
• Feeling like I was having "motion sickness" when I moved my head
• Light-headedness
• Feeling nauseous

In the meantime, my nurse told me to keep a journal of my attacks and flare-ups.

I did this over the next few months, and honestly, I didn't see any rhyme or reasons for the attacks.

They happened at any time of the day, whether I was at work or relaxing at home. I checked to see if vestibular attacks were triggered by my menstrual cycle, but that didn't appear to be right, either. 

I went back to the migraine nurse, and we discussed my diary. These vestibular attacks happened two to three times a month, with vertigo lasting about 5 to 10 minutes.

However, I still had to deal with the after-effects after the vertigo had cleared. My head felt hazy like I had postdrome brain fog, and I struggled with light-headedness and fatigue. I also had some residual dizziness, though nothing like what I had to cope with in those first 5 or 10 minutes.

These after-effects combined meant I felt uncoordinated and dizzy after an episode. I also found it hard to concentrate; these new migraine attacks were threatening my career.

Trying new treatments

I discussed this with my nurse, who referred me to a physiotherapist specialising in vestibular conditions.

She said the physiotherapist usually worked with Eyes, Nose and Throat (ENT) patients. Still, they'd had good results with migraine patients, and it was worth joining the waiting list.

I eagerly agreed, and I'm now waiting for treatment. In the meantime, I've been researching this specialised physiotherapy. I can see how much it can ease symptoms in fellow vestibular migraine patients, and I can't wait to start getting better. I'll let you know how it goes!

Support for dealing with vestibular migraine and new symptoms

I've realised that I'll always be learning about my condition.

When I was first diagnosed with chronic migraine more than 20 years ago, I was so naïve about all the hurdles I'd have to overcome. I was also painfully unaware of how much the consequences would affect my daily life.

After a while, it's easy to get used to these symptoms, as painful and debilitating as they can be. They become a part of your "normal", and you don't expect another curveball to come winging around the corner.

That said, I also have friends with very different symptoms, and they have entirely different coping strategies. I suppose I didn't want to believe that my symptoms could, and would, change again.

So, when the dizziness hit me, I was scared - I thought it could be another disorder, something more sinister than chronic migraine. When I rang my nurse, I was grateful again for how quickly I could get advice and support. I was worried that she wouldn't know or that it would take weeks with lots of tests and no answers.

But, of course, these migraine specialists and nurses are called experts for a reason! The advice, reassurance and diagnosis helped me understand my condition's changing nature. I'm also fortunate to get a referral for a physiotherapist, even if I'm still on the waiting list.

It's a long, hard trudge sometimes, but knowing I can get the support and help I need makes everything a little easier. The wait will be worth it if it means changing my future.

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The individual(s) who have written and created the content in and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen​. 

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Date of preparation: August 2023
D: COB-GB-NP-00177 (V1.0) / T: COB-GB-NP-00217 (V1.0) / M: COB-GB-NP-00197 (V1.0)