My first trip after being diagnosed with vestibular migraine was to Las Vegas. But I may as well have been home in Dallas because I spent almost the entire time in my room feeling sick. My migraine attacks are characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and sensitivity to light and sound—so Las Vegas was a lot. But I was determined not to let my condition ground me.
After I got home, I worked with my neurologist to fine-tune my treatment plan —and all that planning paid off. I returned to Vegas one year later and enjoyed the bright, loud, always-on city without any symptoms. That trip also gave me a ton of confidence in my ability to manage my condition while on vacation, and these days, I travel up to 10 times a year. Not every excursion is smooth sailing—there was a vermouth- and chocolate-filled day on a recent trip to Spain that left my head spinning. But I find that most trips, even if I have a migraine attack, are worth it.
I now know exactly what to do if I feel sick on a trip and have an arsenal of products that I rely on to help me pull through. Here are the essentials I never go on a vacation without.