My Story

Hi, I’m Jennifer Stroik.

This isn’t just my story—it’s the journey of how I went from being debilitated by vestibular migraines to reclaiming my life. If you’re struggling with dizziness, vertigo, or chronic headaches, I want you to know: There is hope.

How It Started: The Day My World Spun Out of Control

It began with a headache. Not just any headache—a crushing, nauseating pain that made the room sway. I thought it was stress, exhaustion, maybe even a sinus infection. But when the dizziness didn’t go away, I realized something was very wrong.

I couldn’t walk straight.
Bright lights and sounds felt like torture.
My brain felt “broken”—like I was trapped in a foggy nightmare.

Doctors dismissed it as “just migraines” or “anxiety.” But I knew—this wasn’t normal.

The Struggle: Finding the Right Vestibular Migraine Doctor

For months, I bounced between specialists:

Neurologistswho prescribed painkillers but didn’t understand the dizziness.
ENTswho tested my ears but found “nothing wrong.”
ER visitswhen the vertigo became unbearable.

I felt hopeless. No one could explain why I was constantly off-balance, why my head throbbed for days, why I couldn’t function like a normal person.

Then, I found a doctor who actually listened.

The Turning Point: My Perfect Treatment Plan

My breakthrough came with a vestibular specialist who diagnosed me with vestibular migraine—a condition where migraines disrupt your inner ear balance.

My treatment plan included:
✅ Medication adjustments (preventatives + abortives)
✅ Vestibular rehab therapy (VRT) to retrain my brain’s balance system
✅ Diet changes (low-tyramine, no caffeine, no processed foods)
✅ Lifestyle shifts (stress management, sleep hygiene, pacing)

It wasn’t an overnight fix—but for the first time, I had a path forward.

Adjusting to a New Life: The Hardest Part

I had to accept that my old “normal” was gone.

I canceled plans constantly.
I grieved the person I used to be.
I feared I’d never feel steady again.

But slowly, I learned to adapt. I prioritized rest, said no to triggers, and celebrated tiny wins—like walking outside without dizziness.

The Breakthrough: When Healing Finally Happened

One day, I woke up and realized—I hadn’t had vertigo in a week.
Then a month.
Then three.

The migraines didn’t disappear completely, but they became manageable. My brain was rewiring itself.

Recovery: How I “Cured” My Vestibular Migraine

I’m not “cured” in the traditional sense—vestibular migraines don’t just vanish. But today:
✨ I can drive again.
✨ I work without brain fog.
✨ I enjoy life without constant fear of an attack.

My biggest lessons:

The right doctor changes everything.
Healing isn’t linear—but progress IS possible.
You have to advocate for yourself like your life depends on it (because it does).

Why I Created The Mental Detox

I started this site because no one should suffer in silence with vestibular migraines. If you’re struggling:

You’re not alone.
You’re not “crazy.”
There IS hope.

Let’s walk this path together.

With love & solidarity,
Jennifer Stroik
Founder, The Mental Detox