I’m 15 months into living with chronic vestibular migraines and god how my life has turned around. Daily symptoms usually include;

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Brain Fog
• Exhaustion
• Weak legs
• Dizziness

Rather than a moaning session, below are the 6 things that I couldn’t live without. Although not a cure, I’ve tried to seek out where possible the best natural remedies to ease my symptoms and I’ve added a few products too.

1. Ear Plugs

WHAT a life saver! I seem to be such a light sleeper nowadays. Living in a large block of flats in a busy London suburb, just the slightest noise seems to disturb me and makes me so riled up, I can’t get back to sleep again! I can literally tune out the world with these in and they are so comfortable to sleep with!

2. B12 Vitimins

There’s proof that a B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms similar to vestibular migraines. Simply put, if your body does not create enough naturally, you may feel exhausted, dizzy and lacking in energy. Although I can’t say taking 1000mg a day has given me back a massive amount of energy, it’s definitely lifted the brain fog and I can think a lot clearer. Perfect for my marketing home based job!

3. Resistance bands

I’ve recently been suffering from the worst muscle weakness possible. The type where it feels like I’ve run a marathon when really I’ve been sat on the sofa watching sex & the city reruns! I stand up and my legs turn to jelly, shake and I’ve had constant pins and needles. This is also a common vestibular conditon and is believed to occur as your body tries to compensate for the damage caused. Your overloaded brain literally leaves your body feeling exhausted. These bands are very light and means I can work out in my room using squat methods and sidewalking to build up my leg strength. A very low impact exercise method compared to running which is one of my biggest triggers.

4. Nike Trainers

How I wish this was a sponsored post and Nike were sending me over a pair of light weight Air Maxs….. but it’s not. My partner has the most ridiculous collection of expensive Nike trainers, easily over £100 a piece. I’ve had it drummed into me from a young age that if it’s not leather, then it’s not going to last. So when he walked in with another pair of Nikes made from a lightweight textile upper rather than leather, I told him he was being ripped off. Until he bought me a pair. AMAZING! With the issues I have with tiredness and leg fatigue, these have be a godsend! They are extremely light and feel like I’m walking on air ( Excuse the pun ) I’ve even dizzily stumbled into a puddle and they dried up within a few hours. Unlike my other pair of heavy, water logged leather trainers. I am now a complete convert and wouldn’t buy anything else!

5. Computer Glasses

Ok, so I had to give up my full time job as I just couldn’t handle the 8 hour days with the dizziness and fatigue. Even 5 hour shifts used to send me to bed for an hour or two as I was so tired. Here comes in the incredible gamers glasses! More widely used by Playstation addicts spending up to 7 hours on a gaming sesh, these only set me back £10 on Ebay. Of course, I could go for the gunners glasses but these are a fraction of the price and guess what….. NO MORE EYE STRAIN! What a miracle! I rarely get any headaches after a shift now either. The yellow tinted lenses clearly define images and content.

6. Hematite Bracelet

I have always been aware of the healing and grounding properties of crystals….. but at the same time rather skeptical. Hematite has been used specifically for vertigo and dizziness in Chinese medicine for centuries, so who am I to judge? Once again, only a few pounds on Ebay, when it arrived I could instantly feel a calming, grounding presence when I held it in my hand. Just to make sure, I handed it over to my very dubious, equally sceptical partner who told me it was all in my head. Until he went very quiet and admitted he could feel something too, a calmer more relaxed feeling. This really helps me in the evenings when I find it IMPOSSIBLE to switch off.