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Can I Do Something Smelling Abnormalities And Memory Issues When I Have A History Of Headache And Vertigo Episodes?

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Posted on Wed, 12 Jan 2022
Question: I have a history of migraines and vertigo. Migraines I have had since I was 16 along with back issues I saw a chiropractor twice a week in high school due to collapsing a few times and something being twisted or pinched?? (they spoke with my father and I never really got the details back then) and vertigo began about 8 years ago. I am now 42.
They often happen together but sometimes vertigo will be independent from a migraine but a migraine will always trigger vertigo.
2014 I had an MRI and ENG? (painful test done to arms) The MRI report didn't seem to concern my Neurologist back then It contained things I don't understand like non specific microvascular ischemia changes and doesn't eliminate possibility of neuropathy. (I don't have it with me at the moment for exact wording).and the ENG revealed nerve damage, being worse in my left arm. In 2014 the episodes would occur a few times throughout the year.
In the last 2 years they have become more and more frequent and include neck pain, back pain, muscle cramps (arms and legs, pins and needles in hands and feet, dropping things, I wobble sometimes and need to be steadied, I occasionally forget things (most recently I couldn't remember the word sauce, it was like it just vanished and I have one several occasions put things in the refrigerator that don't belong there like keys or my eye glasses) difficulty staying upright during an episode, difficulty falling asleep and exhaustion. I also get muscle cramps and tightness in feet and hands. If I am on my feet for longer than 30 minutes or so, once I sit down and stand back up a little while later, my Achilles seem to seize and I end up walking on the balls of my feet until they loosen up.
The vertigo will occur without moving, with moving, the migraines will appear at any time, with smells (perfumes, cleaners, etc) Sometimes I smell things others don't usually burning wood or rubber, when I first wake up, while I'm working on the computer at work, driving, laying in bed in the dark etc... Sometimes my face (jaw) will also feel numb. There seems to be no set thing that causes the episodes. In between episodes I feel like I am in an endless state of foggy headedness.

My current neurologist took my verbal history and prescribes me various medications to prevent migraines and another to take at the onset of a migraine and when they have no impact at each one month follow-up, he's on his tablet scrolling through similar meds for prevention and to take at onset but he hasn't requested any of my past test results and has not requested a current MRI. My ENT ruled out Meniere's with a VNG on Wednesday saying it was within normal range after a hearing test revealed some low tone hearing loss that increases during migraine/vertigo episodes. He said since smells also trigger the vertigo he believes its a CNS issue and to continue with the Neurologist because it may be (vestibular?) migraines or something else related to my CNS and medication for that is trial and error.

I just want to know what's happening and I feel like the neurologists can't be bothered with me but other doctors (ENT, Primary, ER) keep telling me I need a neurologist.

I admit I have issues with verbalizing complaints with service whether it be for my tires or my body. I pretty much go along with whatever the person in charge says, and I know that's not a good thing either so I need to know exactly what I should be saying to the doctor to get him to listen to me and take me seriously.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get examined and evaluated as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The headache and vertigo episodes may be due to migraine and strict management will improve it.
Take timely breakfast and lunch. Avoid fasting, delayed meals, excessive tea or coffee or chocolate.
Adequate proper sleep and stress free life is also important.
The symptoms of smelling abnormalities , keeping things in refrigerator not belonging there and memory issues needs reevaluation by a neurologist.
Blood investigations like Vitamin B 12, Thyroid profile, renal and liver function tests should be done.
Brain MRI may be repeated if needed after examination by neurologist.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
Blood work done April -
Thyroid was normal
Blood Sugar was normal
Vit D low- put on 50,000 units a week for 6 weeks
B-12 slightly low - put on supplement.
My urine test was normal in April.

Test repeated 30 days later and was normal

I'm awaiting review of an EEG.

I eat regular meals however on a reverse schedule (I work nights)

When working days I was unable to sleep at all. I would be up all night and by the time I finally would start drifting off, it was time for work.
Working nights I am able to get a few hours sleep here and there.
Regardless of schedule, I never fall asleep before 4am. I will lay in the dark for hours on end without rest and when I do finally sleep I wake every hour or so.
I have never been able to sleep at night since childhood. Prescribed sleep aides in the past never worked.

I am a coffee drinker and was told by Primary to cut it in half with decaf - no impact.
I have reduced sugar and salt intake over the last year-no impact.
I am not overweight or inactive.

I just have these problems that seem to only worsen and am just about ready to give up on seeing doctors altogether because I feel like I am going in circles.

I gave my history and my question at the end was "I need to know exactly what I should be saying to the doctor to get him to listen to me and take me seriously" and that was not answered.

Dietary advice, sleep advice, reduce stress (all my stress is related to this issue not getting answers) these are things every woman hears from most doctors. (they don't work) Standardized responses that have been heard dozens of times in as many years.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Discuss issues as mentioned with neurologist during appointment

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The symptoms of memory deficit and keeping wrong things in refrigerator should be the point of communicate discussion with neurologist.
These symptoms raise serious concerns and will be heard with impact.
Shift or night duties are also a cause of non responsive chronic headache.
Newer safer drugs for sleep induction are available and can be discussed with treating neurologist.
Rest of the restrictions and precautions are already being followed by you.
As a doctor we are always looked with villain advising so many life state modifications and restrictions but all this aims towards better health of yours.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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Can I Do Something Smelling Abnormalities And Memory Issues When I Have A History Of Headache And Vertigo Episodes?

Brief Answer: Get examined and evaluated as advised Detailed Answer: Hello, The headache and vertigo episodes may be due to migraine and strict management will improve it. Take timely breakfast and lunch. Avoid fasting, delayed meals, excessive tea or coffee or chocolate. Adequate proper sleep and stress free life is also important. The symptoms of smelling abnormalities , keeping things in refrigerator not belonging there and memory issues needs reevaluation by a neurologist. Blood investigations like Vitamin B 12, Thyroid profile, renal and liver function tests should be done. Brain MRI may be repeated if needed after examination by neurologist. Hope you found the answer helpful. Regards Dr N Kumar Neurologist