Pulling Back the Curtain: Living with Vestibular Migraine & Learning to Receive Care

In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Dympna Weil pulls back the curtain on what’s been happening behind the scenes—and why she’s been quieter lately

She shares her experience navigating debilitating vestibular migraines, the invisible cost of chronic illness, and the emotional weight of guilt that so often accompanies it. From missed moments to misdiagnoses, insurance battles to unexpected relief, this episode is an honest look at what it means to live in a body that doesn’t always cooperate—and how to find compassion anyway.

If you’ve ever felt unseen in your struggle, or found it hard to receive support when you’re used to being the caregiver, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• What vestibular migraines actually feel like (and why they’re often misunderstood)

• The hidden cost of chronic illness: missed moments, limitations, and guilt

• Why conditions like vestibular migraine are frequently misdiagnosed

• The frustrating reality of navigating insurance and treatment access

• The impact of losing a medication that was working—and what came next

• A powerful moment of relief (and what it revealed emotionally)

• The challenge of receiving care when you’re used to giving it

• Why asking for help is not weakness—it’s part of healing
  

Key Takeaways

• Chronic conditions don’t always look the way we expect—and that can delay diagnosis and validation

• Guilt often compounds physical suffering, especially for high-achieving caregivers

• The healthcare system isn’t always designed with the patient’s lived experience in mind

• Relief, after prolonged struggle, can feel more like an exhale than celebration

• Receiving care is a practice—and sometimes the hardest one to learn
  

A Moment to Reflect

Where in your life are you pushing through… when your body might be asking you to pause?

What would it look like to let yourself receive support—without apology?

Thanks for listening. Your support means everything - so if you are moved to, please leave me a review and share this episode with a friend who may need the messages held here.

Don't be a stranger.

You can reach me at podcast@dympnaweil.com

Website

https://www.dympnaweil.com

Substack (or other newsletter)

https://substack.com/@dympnaweil

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dympnaweil/

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dympnaweil/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dympna.weil

Bluesky

https://‪@dympnaweil.bsky.social‬

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.