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Q: are complex migraines common with vertigo or can it cause vertigo?
Hi Mark,
I can tell you that Migraines don't "cause" vertigo, but vertigo may be a symptom of Migraine attack. Symptoms can range from slight nausea to extreme dizziness, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and mental confusion. Continue reading this article to learn about the four phases(not everyone gets each phase) of a Migraine attack: Anatomy of a Migraine
One of the most important things is to get an accurate diagnosis. To simplify matters and make it easier for people to get information and treatment, doctors usually go by the gold standard for diagnosis, the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). Under ICHD-II, there is no diagnosis of "complex Migraine." We do see it used, but doctors use it differently, so it really doesn't tell anyone what type of Migraine you actually have. You can read more about this in Ocular, Optical, and Opthalmic Migraines and The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
I hope this helps,
Nancy
Hi Mark! I'm not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination but I know from my years of complicated migraines that I get dizzy when I get them really bad, staggering around almost like I'm drunk. My vision in my right eye goes blurry, my right arm gets numb and aching, and my left leg the same. My speech also gets slurred and sometimes I can't talk for hours. And my doc just continued to tell me it's all part of having "complicated" migraines. I've been two years trying different meds with no help and now I'm getting epidurals put in the side of my neck that has the pain in my head. They are helping a little but not like I had hoped. Good luck!
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Thank you Nancy--we are just at the beginning of getting an accurate diagnosis so thanks for this info--it will come in handy in the future.
Sincerely,
Debbie (Marks Wife)