I live in Ohio, where the weather changes every 5 minutes. I've had multiple adjustments, saw ENT/PCP, and no one has been able to help. I was just wondering if any of you have found anything that works??

I've been missing 1-2 days of work most weeks..I'm so nauseous and off balance most mornings I've had to start working a 9am-5:30pm schedule, which sucks!!! I'm lucky to have FMLA for protection, but I'm going to fly through my time if I can't get it together soon.

I also switched to mostly organic vegan diet, even limiting sugar and processed food. All my blood work was good, no allergies or sinus issues..I'm at a complete loss!

awww, im sorry!!! I know my headache doesnt like weather changes either :( I am still looking for something that helps!!! Is there lots of allergens in the air this time there? I live in Oregon and I can see the cotton wood floating around and the allergy makes the head pain hooribleeee :( its like we are extra sensitive to these things most people dont have to think too much about.
I hope you can relax and feel better soon!

Thank you! Yes, pollen and everything is at all time high this year. ENT said sinus and allergy stuff increases ICP, so it can affect us even if we don't necessarily have allergies or sinus problems. IIH suffers seem to have more information than specialists, so I'm hoping someone here has found something that helps. 

I've gone back to chugging Dr. Pepper, but sugar really kills me and I can't tolerate the substitutes in diet soda at all.  My doctors keep telling me to hang in there and things should get better as weather improves, but it's Ohio and storms all year. They also told me it would get better once it got warmer..it's been 70-85 degrees most days, so I'm not sure how hot they need me to get?! I just don't understand why it didn't affect me after surgery last year, but this year I'm a complete mess. It's so annoying!!!!

Having an ionizer or humidifier in your home helps to raise oxygen levels in the body, which can help your weather headache. Especially, as it is the air-pressure change following a weather change, that causes these kind of headaches. However, if you live in a humid climate you need to avoid adding more moisture to the air. I have an AIR GLOBE PURIFIER IONISER & HUMIDIFIER which has helped alot. The ioniser helps with the hayfever, and the humidifier with the barometric pressure. They're quite a reasonable price and there are different ones with lights etc. I'm sure you might be able to find one or something similar in the USA.

Ok Heidi, !

Hope your feeling better!!!

Thanks! I saw optometrist on Wednesday and need another prescription change (2nd one this year =P). He said it was significant enough that my eyes are probably straining and causing headaches/fatigue, so hopefully things will improve with new lenses! If it changes again, he'll do more testing..we're assuming it's a fluke right now because I just had blood work checked and everything was ok. It's usually systemic issue when both eyes affected, so fingers crossed!

They lowered my pressure a couple weeks ago, so hopefully my levels are adjusting. I have also found some ionic humidifiers, so in the process of comparing products..I'll let you know what I find.

Hope you get to feeling better, and real soon, Julie.

Thanks Linda! I guess they're now considering my pressure is too low. I know having an adjustable valve is an imporvement, but sometimes I think it gives us too many options..lol.

It's that darn "fine line" again, Julie.  And I swear, someone keeps moving it!! 

I think you're right!

Oh my gosh..I'm in the middle of a barometric pressure headache/ionizer/dehumidifier search, but was so excited I had to share. The Weather Channel has an "Aches & Pains" forecast for the Continental US now. Go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] enter your zip code. It will give you hourly to 10 day forecast with Aches & Pains Index, Humidity, Pressure, and more. They even have a map with color key for those days that reading is impossible. They've posted air quality and allergens for awhile, but this one was new to me..may help in identifying triggers AND making plans. I'm so excited!!!

Fantastic link, Julie!!  Thanks so much for finding this one.

Are you feeling any better?

It's tolerable until it storms. I've had a decent week, but there have been no major storm fronts since last week. The lightning and thunder storms have been out of control, so I've been missing about 2 days a week. I ordered a hepa air filter and large moist heat/cold pack that I can sleep on. I'm hoping they will help. I don't know if this adjustment made much difference, so I'm leaving it alone for now..thanks
for checking!

Any updates for you?

We do already have that link in the Coping Methods Julie, but pleased you found it online.Has it made a difference?

HA! That's really funny because I even looked there before I posted the original question..IIH brain =P   I really just found and ordered everything yesterday, so I will let you know how it all works. I definitely feel better after a week without storms, so may be using the 'aches and pains' map to find the best place to live..lol.

So, we can choose, better weather, better docs, or better cost of living.  Hhhhmmmm, which to choose!

My doc asked me if I had noticed that my symptoms might change with the weather.  My symptoms change all day long let alone day to day. 

No kidding..lol. It's ALWAYS changing and trying to figure it out can be exhausting some days!

 Just a little update..I'm a complete mess..LOL. Ok, we have been all over the board with this programmable valve with 6 adjustments since Christmas. I've monitored barometric pressure, food, allergens..nothing has helped. Finally saw neurosurgeon on Monday and he thinks it's my Chiari Malformation..WHAT?!

Apparently, my shunt was stuck at 160 so last adjustment didn't do anything, but he isn't sure it's the IIH/CSF level. It took 4 people over 2 hours on Monday, but finally were able to move the valve and get it adjusted to 200 (highest setting for this valve). He said I was definitely having low pressure symptoms, but concerned that the lumbar shunt is pulling on my brain stem, so may need to move it..UGH, seriously?!

I have MRI scheduled in September, so he can see where brain sits with higher pressure. I know it's good that he believes me and looking into it, but I seriously can't take much more..I'm exhausted!!! I'm struggling to get to work and get through the day. I'm living on the sofa at night and weekends. I'm having a hard time maintaining the raw food diet..focused more on Dr Pepper and comfort food at this point. I don't want to undo everything I've accomplished, but not sure I have anything else to give. I've hit a wall and just not sure how to get over it. It started a couple weeks ago when they talked about doing the bolt test. I know I'm overwhelmed and living in limbo, so understand why. BUT, I really need to shake it off before I completely derail..suggestions and words of wisdom welcomed =]

Julie, perhaps your body is requesting an adjustment of the shunt's valve because of the weight loss. It just may need a bit higher pressure.  Do try to not undo all that hard work you've accomplished.  
Now that the weather is starting to get a bit cooler, maybe that will help too.
Sending healing thoughts your way.

Thanks Linda! 200 is the highest setting for this valve. I started having high pressure symptoms the last time I was here, but that was 40lbs ago..hopefully it will work this time!