As this site has grown, I receive many messages and emails with the same vestibular migraine questions. I’ve combined the most frequently asked questions into this reference post. If you have more questions, please add them in the comments.
Vestibular Migraine Medications and Supplements
What supplements do you take, and when do you take them?
My daily supplement routine is designed to support nervous system balance, energy, and overall migraine prevention. This is what I personally take:
- PE Magnesium Glycinate – 480 mg at night. I find it calming and best taken after dinner.
- PE CogniMag (magnesium threonate) – 72 mg in the morning. I use this for mental clarity and to help with brain fog since I don’t consume caffeine.
- Riboflavin (B2) – 400 mg. I take this after breakfast or lunch because it’s somewhat energizing.
- CoQ10 / Ubiquinol – I previously used 120 mg of CoQ10, then switched to ubiquinol and increased to 300 mg per my reproductive endocrinologist’s recommendation. I noticed improvement in vestibular migraine symptoms at the higher dose.
- Lavender essential oil – a small amount on my temples at night helps me relax.
- Vitamin D3 – 5,000 IU with lunch, as recommended by my doctor.
- Prenatal vitamins – I’ve used several formulations when trying to conceive.
When I’m having an attack, I add a few targeted approaches:
- Extra magnesium glycinate
- Ground ginger for head pain
- Peppermint essential oil for head pain and nausea
- Magnesium chloride foot soak or bath
- If my attack includes significant brain fog, I increase my magnesium threonate dose
What if you can’t swallow pills due to nausea?
Powdered supplements can be a good alternative when swallowing pills isn’t possible. Clean powdered forms of magnesium glycinate, riboflavin, and CoQ10 can be mixed into a beverage or smoothie and may be easier to tolerate during nausea.
What medications do you take?
Early in my diagnosis I needed short-term medication to break a persistent 24/7 cycle. I used a low dose of lorazepam (Ativan) at night and timolol eye drops twice daily as a preventative. Since I’m trying to conceive, I now use timolol eye drops as an abortive treatment when dizziness increases; my OB approved this approach during pregnancy. Always check with both your OB and neurologist before taking any medication while pregnant.
Some neurologists may not be familiar with timolol eye drops for migraine, so it can help to share clinical information with them during appointments. For severe travel-related symptoms or intense attacks in the past, I’ve used a small fraction of a diazepam (Valium) tablet, under medical guidance.
Benzodiazepines are addictive — were you worried about taking them?
I discussed risks and benefits thoroughly with my doctor and felt comfortable with a carefully controlled, low-dose plan. Many vestibular migraine specialists recognize that, when used appropriately and at very low doses, benzodiazepines can safely help suppress vestibular symptoms without preventing compensation. It’s important to take these medications only as prescribed and to be open with your clinician about any concerns.
“In our experience, benzodiazepines are more efficacious vestibular suppressants compared to meclizine. We prefer diazepam for episodes lasting 2–3 hours, and lorazepam or clonazepam for longer attacks; alprazolam is too short-acting and may cause addiction.”
My Current Life with VM
Do you still get attacks?
Yes. I experienced an increase in dizziness during pregnancy in November–December, and a few days after a miscarriage my symptoms returned to baseline. I had another episode after a bout of bronchitis in mid-February. Fortunately, my attacks now tend to be short, rarely lasting more than a day. Triggers for me include intense workouts, disrupted sleep, and eating or drinking known triggers like alcohol. With careful management, I have many symptom-free days.
I’ve been struggling for months or years. How long did it take you to improve?
Recovery rarely happens overnight. I experienced near-constant dizziness and unusual symptoms for over a year while searching for effective treatments and adjusting my lifestyle. It took about three years of diet changes, supplements, medications, and lifestyle adjustments to reach mostly symptom-free days. Everyone’s timeline is different—focus on finding the right combination for you rather than comparing yourself to others.
Do you ever cheat on the diet?
Yes. One occasional cheat won’t derail long-term progress, but frequent cheating can prevent improvement—especially when symptoms are chronic. When I was most symptomatic I limited cheats to vacations or special occasions. Now that I have more symptom-free days, I can be more flexible while still avoiding my major triggers, which for me include caffeine, yogurt, and certain nuts. Reintroducing foods methodically is possible once you stabilize.
How do you handle anxiety related to VM?
Controlling vestibular migraine dramatically reduced my anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) played a big role in my recovery; it helped me regain confidence to walk and drive. I had to relearn certain activities—highway driving felt dizzying at first because of repetitive visual cues like dotted lines and lane poles. Gradually, exposure and practice made it easier. Simple breathing techniques help with anticipatory anxiety before social events or loud restaurants. Early on, counseling was invaluable; this illness can be heavy to carry alone, and professional support helps.
About The Dizzy Cook
Is there a Dizzy Cook cookbook?
Yes. The Dizzy Cook cookbook was scheduled for release in February 2020 with West Margin Press. I finished writing and photographed every recipe myself, which took considerable time. I appreciate your patience with fewer blog posts while I focused on creating a high-quality book. Subscribers to my email list received early glimpses of the work in progress.
What did you do before The Dizzy Cook, and did you leave your job because of vestibular migraine?
Before I started this site I worked as a product manager in the watch and accessories industry. I enjoyed parts of that career and miss colleagues, but long-term workplace stress played a role in my overall health and likely contributed to my condition. Managing a chronic illness while working became increasingly difficult when the company did not provide sufficient accommodations.
If I could tell my past self one thing, it would be to consult a lawyer when beginning FMLA paperwork. Early legal advice can clarify your rights and what to watch for in employer communications. HR exists to protect the company, not to advocate for individual employees, so document interactions and seek counsel if you feel unsupported.
In the end, a significant pay cut and persistent workplace conflicts convinced me to leave. I’m happier now, though it took time to accept the change and build a new path.
Did you find these FAQs helpful? I may publish a new FAQ post every couple of months since so many good questions come in.
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