I posted earlier about my neurology appt and she gave me Ativan to calm me down. BIG mistake for me!! I did NOT do well with it-got more and more anxious in between doses. I was on low dose to begin with, and only twice/day. And when I contacted the neurologist about this reaction to Ativan, she basically told me she couldn't help me and to go see a psychiatrist.
So my primary put me on Valium to try to get the results to last longer, then I got nauseous and flu like symptoms that I am still getting over-and it's been all week! I did see, finally, the neurotologist at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston yesterday. (My husband came with me, thank goodness!!) The doc feels the BPPV is under control, and feels I have MAV going on. He wants to try me on nortriptyline.
I told him my primary doc has me seeing a psychiatrist to consult for some anti-anxiety drugs-especially since I had such a reaction to the Valium at such a low dose. So the neurotologist told me to talk to him about the nortriptyline and see what he says.
I am hopeful, again, that we will find the right meds to help me get over this. I have to admit that I am weary about trying meds now, but I know I need to do something, and the nortrip works on a totally different part of the brain, so I've got to give it a shot.
Anyway, just wanted to update you all. The neurotologist said anxiety could be aggravating the migraine, but he feels that the migraine came first in this chicken and egg scenario.
so, Gloria, I think you were right on about the warning you gave me in my previous post about the anxiety diagnosis. It was not right for me, in fact the meds made me an anxious mess!! I hope to feel more like myself soon.

I'm really sorry wannarun. I really didn't want you to take that but it is hard to tell someone that without them getting upset and I know we all have a tendency to reach for anything to get us out of this mess. I've been fortunate enough to find a really good doctor after I had hit my 2 year mark and everything he has told me to do I've been doing it and slowly I finally feel like I am pulling myself out of this mess. Just be careful with the anti-seizure/anxiety meds. After a year and a half on them and coming off them, I started doing a lot of research on them and found that a lot of people that took them for things different than what we have taken them for ended up with problems like ours so I just don't get it why they are being prescribed. To be honest, just like you, I think it only caused more anxiety for me. My neurologist thinks it did too as he said it only stimulated my damaged nervous system.

I am in no way saying that it may not help someone, but just strongly believe there are other options. If you do a search on benzo island you can read all about benzos and how they work. Just don't read too much into exerpiences of others or it will drive you mad.

I think the AD would probably be a better option for you. At least worth a try if it is a bizarre migraine component causing your problems. Hang in there . With my experience, don't be surprised if you still experience some of the effects of the ativan as it takes awhile to get out of your system and your body back to functioning normal. I've heard more good things about the AD's than the Anti-anxiety meds.

Again, I'm sorry this happened to you. Try and put it behind you now as you would not have known if it would have helped unless you tried it. Now you know so move forward. I can honestly tell you, with time it does get better. It is just a painfully slow process. Keep in mind to that just because someone has had it for a long time doesn't mean you will too. We are all different in terms of how our bodies heal and what caused the problem to begin with.

I hope your anxiety decreases soon for you. Something that has really helped me was a CD I ordered from Michigan Head Pain & Neurological Institute (MHNI). My neurologist recommended it to me to help de-sensatize my damaged nervous system and help with the anxiety. I have bought other stress management cds and to be honest they didn't help until I got this one. It deals with pain management too. The self-hypnosis and relaxation exercises are wonderful. It has really calmed my nerves (and I have been a wreck for over 2 years). It puts you in a very calm state kind of like how you feel just right before you fall asleep. That calm and relaxed feeling. Then when you come out of it, you feel energized but relaxed. I really recommend it for anxiety. It wasn't that expensive and I think it helped so much more than the klonopin I was on. It might just be well-worth a try for you. Incidently, this facility is one of the first headache clinics in the US.

Take care of yourself and feel better......Gloria

One last thing.....keep in mind too, you know how you were before this junk occured so use that to gage what is right for yourself. Like the anxiety. I didn't have it before this so I knew my symptoms were in no way caused by anxiety but rather anxiety is a symptoms from the illness. You know your body the best. If you had no problem with anxiety prior to this then I doubt the anxiety is causing all your symptoms. May be contributing to your symptoms but not the sole cause.

fyi Wannarun... The anxiety meds are something you should use when y ou canot get the anxiety under control... They usually have an immediate effect.. Sometimes the dose has to be monitored carefully... But I am surprised considering the name "Wannarun" as they say that excercise is as effective if not more so than all those drugs....... I found so in my case.

thanks for your responses.
Gloria, Deep down, I didn't think anxiety was my problem, but I've gone to my primary care doc and others so often, and they all keep saying anxiety anxiety anxiety, you start to think, gee, I guess that must be why I cannot seem to think straight.
Then, my parents are asking why am I anxious. I dunno!!
But when we left Boston yesterday, my hubby was so pleased with the doc and his explanation of what was going on, that he was ready to jump for joy. It was quite cute. But, as someone who's been down the road of getting doc's opinions and having it not turn out right, I was so skeptical, I couldn't be excited. Not to mention I was exhausted still from my Ativan/Valium recovery!
Anyway, I'm trying not to jump for joy either, but I'm reading again the Heal your Headache book and realizing I have quite a few of the symptoms.
I am also trying to remember, I am going to the doc's for help. What good is going if I don't try what they're telling me. So, I think after the psych appt on Monday, if the psych won't do the nortriptyline, I will probably call Boston and have him call in the script and give it a go. My husband and I keep saying to one another that he's gotta know what he's talking about. He's an otoneurologist at MA Eye and Ear for crying out loud. I cannot get much more of an expert opinion around here.
Deep Breath!!! :)

Gloria, Deep down, I didn't think anxiety was my problem, but I've gone to my primary care doc and others so often, and they all keep saying anxiety anxiety anxiety, you start to think, gee, I guess that must be why I cannot seem to think straight

I think this happens more often than none. I know I went through 2 years of it but I think in my case I could pinpoint exactly an event that triggered my problem (a severe allergic reaction to an anitibiotic and an ear infection back to back) and knowing I was never an anxious person backed it all up. It took me over 2 years to get to the bottom of it and find a good doctor who understands. I've read so many cases of others with our symptoms getting the same treatment. I'm not saying anxiety can't cause some of these symptoms but to this extent, I just don't believe it.

It wasn't until I gave in on this whole migraine phenom (the Heal Your Headache book was one of the best I ever read) and persued this aspect to get to the doctor I have now. My headaches are post-traumatic, but without following this avenue, I don't think I would have found anyone to understand me and want to help me. I think by you persuing all avenues, you will get to the bottom of your source. Frustrating and a let-down at times, but the one thing I have learned is don't give up. You can find and answer and get better but you have to work hard at it.

Incidently, following that migraine diet helped me. It was the nervous system stimulants like the caffine, alcohol (although I really didn't drink prior to this condition and don't drink at all now), MSG, etc. because it directly stimulates the nervous system. I think all of us, no matter how or the cause of our symptoms, have knocked our CNS out of whack and overstimulation with things like food that can stimulate it only adds to the anxiety.

I hope the therapist appointment works out for you. I think you are on the right track with some mental therapy. I found in the beginning of this for me, it really helped.

Best :)

I agree the "heal you headache" diet helps a lot, not a cure but definately gives some relief, also feeling better generally for no MSG, Caffine, Additives etc!
Jayne

Wannarun-
I am so sorry to hear that the anxiety meds caused you more harm than good. But you have a good attitude and I'm sure that it will carry you on to the answers and healing that you are seeking.
I had my first anxiety/panic attack when I was seven. I have lived with it all my life, and it was'nt until my late twenties that I took any med's for it. I was on Paxil for about 5 years and then it seemed to stop working, the story is long and really unrelated to anything here, but I am once again not on anything for my anxiety. I have learned how to keep it back, and quell it by breathing exercises and mental imagery, and positive self talk. There are natural remidies out there that are very sucessfull for many people. There is a line of Flowere Essences called Bach Flower remidies, which I have used and I do use the Rescue Remidy for times of intense stress and anxiety. There are no side effects and they are completely safe, and I think effective.The anxiety is the pits, especially with the dizzy thing, which by the way sounds like there is imrovement there for you. (?) If so, that's something good, right? Just keep reminding yourself of the progress you've made so far, and don't get discouraged!
Hope that your next appointment is a good one! We are here for you!
;)