I Have A History Of Migraines However Lately With Dizziness Now I Am Scheduled To See A Neurologist Soon But Not Sure What To Expect?

Posted on Sun, 29 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 Answered on

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a history of migraines however lately they seem different. Sometimes it feels like something is pulling the back of my head back or the back lower part of my skull meets my neck feels heavy. I feel like my body is moving but it is not. I also seem to have difficulty concentrating, or forget what I am doing and can't seem to find the right words. It comes and goes but happens frequently. I have had issues with my ears where they feel full and I know that can cause dizziness but I have seen an ENT and take allergy meds and Flonase but it doesn't really help, and try to pop them but I can't. On rare occasion when I get up out of bed and stand up I get an intense headache/full blown migraine. Usually I can tell if it is going to happen because I wake up with pressure in the front of my head, so I try to stay flat in bed. I have a history of Ehlers Danlos and POTS so I don't know if that causes it to get worse when standing. I am scheduled to see a neurologist soon but not sure what to expect.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your Neurologist should clarify the cause of your symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

POTS is actually triggered by standing position, so, tachycardia after standing up may cause headaches too.

Symptoms you describe may also indicate sinusitis, in such cases, besides ENT evaluation imaging studies are necessary to confirm or exclude it.

Finally, Ehler-Danlos syndrome may be associated with brain aneurysms.

In summary, since there are different headaches from migraines, I think a brain MRI will be necessary after the meeting with your Neurologist.

So, you should expect from your Neurologist to clarify the cause of the headaches and difficulties concentrating.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Someone I know mentioned that Chiari can be part of Ehlers but I had an MRI of my neck so that would show if I had it right? ENT said nothing major was wrong and that I had mild left ear hearing loss and maybe I have eustacian tube dysfunction since I've had a lot of problems with my ears as a kid.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not Chiari malformation.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Both, symptoms and MRI findings don't support the Chiari malformation as a diagnosis.

Brain MRI is also necessary besides cervical MRI in order to understand better your condition.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana