No one is hostile about a placebo effect. Just as long as people are aware that’s all it is and not some miracle cure like you see elsewhere. Placebo effect does not manage VM. A short fix maybe at best and a better attitude.
Seek real treatments so that you can get on with your life.
S
I’m trying accupuncture at the minute. I’m on my second session and so far it has had no effect on my migraine headaches. I’m going to try about 6 sessions and then archive it to “things I have tried that have not worked” along with gluten free diet, ketogenic diet, propanolol, amitriptyline and chiropractor.
Bard–Thanks for your kind words. I am still determined to continue on Topamax, but my doc wants me to get off of it and try Botox. I really don’t want to go that route. I am so tired of meds not working for me and of side effects. I am only at 75 mg of topa hoping that SOMETHING will kick in soon at this dose or 100, but it doesn’t seem to be having and effect either. sigh. I really wonder if this is even MAV considering there is nothing that is working for it as of yet, and it just keep getting worse and worse each episode. At least acupuncture offers me a level of human contact that I am not otherwise getting and that’s important too, considering I am in this pretty much alone (single, no kids, family 2000 miles away). That’s something.
Janet, have you considered massage? Yoga class, tai chi class, Feldenkrais, Alexander technique, . . . all these are going to at least give you placebo benefits, plus human contact, plus very very likely more comfort in your body.
— Begin quote from “janetd1”
At least acupuncture offers me a level of human contact that I am not otherwise getting and that’s important too, considering I am in this pretty much alone (single, no kids, family 2000 miles away). That’s something.
— End quote
Hi Janet,
I’ve been in that position too so can empathise. I wonder if some form of therapy might be very beneficial for you - for the intrinsic benefits of therapy, for help with the stress/exhaustion that comes with any chronic illness, from the close relationship of anxiety and depression with VM and for the all important human contact. I’m thinking of things like cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling and the like.
I think David is also on the money with recommending any of the stress reducing group activities such as Tai Chi, yoga etc and touch therapy like massage.
Hang in there - we all know what you are going through and support you.
Vic
Hi,
I’ve been in therapy and continue to go regularly. It’s helping to a degree.
Fortunately I just had 2 weeks of semi-success…and by that I mean days and weeks that were by far overall better on average than they have been in the past, and really no debilitating vertigo. Until this weekend–it hit me again full on. I now have a cold/sinus infection, so I am thinking that is what is causing the set back. I am hoping this is just a set back. Just got hopeful again…
On another note, I am going to try reiki, I’ve heard great things about that and since I already love alternate therapies I thought I’d give that one a go. Found a groupon for it. I’ll keep you all posted on how it works.
Janet
Hi Janet,
Not having a go but why would you put any attention on alternative therapies, most of which simply don’t work, instead of focusing on what does work? It already looks like you’re winning on Topamax.
I decided to give acupuncture a go on the recommendation of a friend who had a friend of hers with similar symptoms to myself get a significant benefit from it. I visited the same practitioner and I’m only 3 sessions in but starting to feel some real benefit after today’s session.
This is full Chinese acupuncture and includes stimulation of the needles via electric pulses to the extent that I even get a physical twitch at some of the points. He also performs massage afterwards as part of the treatment though I’m not convinced this adds much extra benefit as I’ve had massage/physio before with limited success.
I get significant neck and shoulder stiffness with my symptoms and the practitioner thinks this is the root of my headache symptoms. My shoulders and neck were much better after today’s session and in turn my head is much clearer and “normal” feeling.
I’m optimistic at the moment that this treatment is going to help me.
Hi Stewjay,
did you continue with acupuncture? Did it help? If yes, was it your exclusive therapy or did you combine with drugs etc?
Thanks!
Hi - its a long time since I logged on here.
I didn’t continue with the acupuncture after maybe 4 or 5 sessions. The practitioner went on holiday and then so did I so there was a natural break and I didn’t go back to it as didn’t feel good so good after the last session.
In general I’ve been improving steadily during this year such that I’ve kept away from all doctors and therapists. I have virtually no vertigo symptoms now, but still get a lot of neck/shoulder tension and headaches with associated stress symptoms, though these are improving slowly too.
I may go back to visit a neuro kinetic physio I saw earlier in the year, after xmas as I seem to be plateauing again at the moment.
Hi Stewjay,
thanks so much for replying 
.
I am VERY happy for you - I hope you keep improving! It also gives me hope that one day it’ll be my turn (and everyone else’s here) who are still suffering to start feeling better.
Could you give me an idea about what a “neuro kinetic Physio” does and how you find one?
Thank you again and I wish you a new year that brings total healing :).
Asli
I have tried acupuncture - it helped yes - but the vertigo always seemed to come back. After trying everything under the sun - meds, acupuncture, herbal treatments, physical therapy, what finally worked for me was going to a chiropractor - my spine was totally out of alignment - how can your head know which end is up if you are totally leaning to one side or another. Give acupuncture a try - give a chiropractor a try - never stop trying!