Wondering, if anyone having had the 'shunt' insertion behind and into and thru the mastoid bone, has daily dizzies? No vertigo but some days it feels like it's 'about to happen'! Also wonder if the 'shunt' could maybe get 'clogged' or move out of position and ever cause a problem? I remember asking my doctor and he said a firm--'no'! But wonder if anyone here having had this procedure done has not had good results. I figure getting rid of the vertigo is a wonderful thing--but I tell you, the daily dizziness and head (not ear), but head pressure and the off and on nausea can be very quality of life altering. I've mentioned these symptoms before--but not specifically connecting it to the shunt surgery. Lately, taking an anti-dep. and xanax as needed too, seems to add to these symptoms---but has helped what they are prescribed for. Any comments? Thanks.
I agree with June about MAV have you tried a MAV med? There are a couple of antidepressants listed that also help MAV. Here is a pdf file of the latest guidelines/meds for MAV http://www.mvertigo.org/articles/recognising_vestibular_migraine_HART_2014.pdf
My shunt operation failed only after a few months, I hear the success rate is better now but when I had mine it was at only about 33% effective. My doctor decided that it was worth a try because it is less intrusive than the VNS, but when we discovered the shunt failed we did the VNS 5 months later. Still vertigo free.
MAV has been considered--but can't believe one can have it daily. When I had migraines, it was maybe 2 times a month--now to have this daily just doesn't make sense--and for the last 2 years even worse! Still--I will check out the site you recommended Vicki--thanks. Sorry your shunt operation failed, Chrisk--possibly it was due to how it's improved since 1999! Just do not understand how very bad this can be some days! Hard to tell if it's just the MM acting up or something else. Oh well
In our database it says MAV can be chronic dizziness and disequilibrium, A more common type of MAV and difficult to diagnose is when there are less distinct episodes of vertigo or there is no headache at all. Approximately 50% of vertigo attacks related to migraine occur in headache-free periods. Furthermore, migraine dizziness is often felt as chronic dysequilibrium (the feeling you have walking down the street after too many glasses of wine), lightheadedness, a swimming drunk feeling, floating, or a feeling of being disconnected from the world (also called derealisation). Often a “brain fog""
Karen, this does describe me also. So, makes one wonder if the person to treat this is not my Ent but a Neurologist? I took Nortryptyline once a few years ago when this became evident and after 2 weeks and no improvement, but even felt worse--the Neuro told be to discontinue it. Try exercise and etc. Well--You are hearing how that's worked! Sure is frustrating. Taking anti-anxiety meds and an anti-dep. to help, seems to add to the symptoms but does help me deal with it somewhat better.
from what I have read on the MAV forums mvertigo.org the meds are trial and error. If one doesn't help you try anther MAV med Dr Hains site for MAV has a lot of info http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/migraine/mav.html