So the trio of Stanford doctors (ENT, neuro opthomologist, & neurologist) agree I have a form of migraine that is causing the vision issue and a problem with my vestibular nerve causing the balance issue (cranial nerve VIII) and also the Cranial Nerve V (CNV) which is the nerve in your jaw that is responsible for chewing (this was damaged during aneurysm surgery and never healed and gives me daily headaches which they think contribute to the migraine problem). Kind of like gang banging my head.
The neurologist has referred me for vestibular rehab (a form of physical therapy), and is putting me on the drug Pamelor to calm down my brain this medication will also help with the CNV issue, he has also ordered me off work for 30 days so I can chill and start to heal.
They also noted on the MRI that I have another small aneurysm that is unchanged since 2010. Funny no one bothered to tell me I had two aneurysms. It was not mentioned on my original report from 2010. My PCP thinks they missed it on the original MRI as it is very small and of no concern at this time. We will continue to follow it and make sure it doesn’t get any bigger.
Has anyone else used Pamelor? How about vestibular rehab, what do they do? I have not been able to find a lot about it.
I am so ready to get this started and feel better. It has been three years for the daily headaches and balance issues. It is nice to have a plan.
It is so refreshing to know, to imagine, some docs are addressing the cranial nerves... not at all a common practice...
The potential of (f)actuals are not addressed in the marketing of the minimally invasive procedures of coils/stents...and, so hope those w/selecting open surg/clips will share their levels of care.
Hearing loss is so generally treated just like the rest of the cranial nerves...
My balance loss was successfully treated during my vision therapy...I had so much other visual loss...and, so much correction / help in the exercises...Certain parts that get so damaged, do not get fixed... i.e. the peripheral loss...termed hemianopsia and/or quadrantopia (sp?)...Hey, I am in some topia..
Is Pamelor an anti-depressant?
I am highly interested in learning/knowing of your vestibular rehab... Have you had the in-depth auditory testing as well? My hearing loss in inner ear... was apx 1/3 of my hearing...aka the mild to medium baseline... and it all so relates to the transmission and comprehension of sound in our temporal lobe...
Again... impressed to know the docs stepped forward...tho it took three neuro-docs a three year span...
hi laura after researching I found all kinds of therapy for vertigo- very interesting, it seems calcium crystals have migrated to wrong location check these out!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHfU2cA7eRohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZgUx9G0uEs Please let us know if the therapy works-it seems to according to all the articles and videos, at any rate I wish you luck!!
Yes, Pat, Pamelor is an anti depressant used off label for nerve pain and migraines. Yes, they also did audiogram (hearing test), and mine was normal for a person of my age(54). Some loss at the higher frequencies when soft. I would said without a doubt I had greater loss on the left side but hearing appers to be pretty much the same in both ears. Still waiting for the preauthorization on insurance for the rehab.
Hi Ron, my balance issue is nerve related and not the crystals problem. I wish it was that, I understand those exercise are very effective. Be well- Laura
oh ok thanks Laura! i am learning!! theres also inner ear infections that made havoc for me- severe spins upon lying down or arising which the antibiotics cleared up in a few days thank God!
Laura...my audiogram was that indepth sitting at that equipment? That ENT specialist noted the disease was sensorineural... He has a tremendous volume on PubMed...
He did not note that mine was normal for a person of my age (62)...he did note it was likely related to my aneurysm...(which had minimal SAH on ER/admittance)...
Both my left/right are essentially the same level of loss...I had extreme tinnitus in my left ear on leaving the hospital...worsened w/f/up angios...I used acupuncture to reduce that...but had to go in every 30-60 days for that...varied by whatever else was being done...
My neurologist was a blessing signing the referral form for vision therapy...my vision was so much worse than the noticeable hearing loss...I did not have sufficient cognitive value to have imagined if I was hearing correctly...I could certainly tell I could not see correctly... tho I did not have a clue it would regain balance from the VIII issues...still have to be so careful stepping down stairs...not up...there were so many things I could not comprehend...
Reading/comprehension were the worst...I am yet so slow...read/outline/study... My learning capacity did not reach long-term memory... and, still fail w/o the outline/study...even reading a story...
Please keep us updated on your results...Wishing you a very Merry Christmas...
Thanks Jim! Not being at work has help tremendously. Sitting in front of a computer screen all day really added to the migraine problem. Here’s to a fabulous 2014!
I am new to the forum, but currently undergoing vestibular rehab and strength training at a local rehab facility. I believe it is one of the best things that my GP has done for me. I have had extreme dizziness, headaches and balance issues due to an earlier concussion (after my angiogram) and then my coil and stent surgery on 9/30. After an initial evaluation, your physical therapist will start you on balance exercises (eyes, standing, walking a straight line, etc.). They also apply heat and work on my shoulder and neck muscles - surprisingly, this has helped reduce some of the headache pain (depending on who does the muscle work I can scan some of my homework sheets or we can chat off-line if it will help. You can feel free to email me at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Like you, my wife suffers from post clipping migraines (2,500+ migraine days since 1994). She has tried numerous antidepressants including pamelor. None worked, but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. Try it, but if possible, have someone observe you and inform you if they notice abnormal behaviors while taking this or any antidepressant. What I found in each trial of the antidepressants is it caused the opposite of what it was suppose to do - antidepress. I get concerned when a Doctor just guesses what something might be. We'd like to think their profession is more science based but it is in fact more art simply because the human body is so complicated and it defies complete explanation when situations like post surgical pain occurs. You are right that it is good to have a plan so let me suggest that as part of your plan that you try to determine what seems to trigger your daily headaches. We have found my wife's triggers but it did take a lot of time. I hope this course of treatment is successful for you. God Bless and Happy New Year & You!
Thank you for the information. My doctor did say that this may not be the answer, but it is a place to start. We have identified one of the triggers as being the cranial nerve V that was damaged during the craniotomy. If it is the only trigger only time will tell. I am keeping a diary of the journey to note symptoms, progress and have read your comments to my husband, and asked him to note if there are any changes he notices.
Hi Laura...I was away when you wrote this post...if you don't mind I am going to write a few notes since I too have balance and vision problem (one eye)...so much makes sense after reading your post and will use this when I meet with my Doctors this year...~ Colleen
I can scan some of my homework sheets or we can chat off-line if it will help. You can feel free to email me at