Janet Jackson has had to cancel nine concerts for her “Rock Witchu” world tour due to an undisclosed illness. The “undisclosed” part had people speculating that Janet was pregnant – or she was faking the illness due to slow ticket sales. Turns out neither is true: Janet was diagnosed with a rare form of migraine that causes symptoms similar to vertigo. Not fun.
According to her manager, the veteran pop star will be returning to her Rock Witchu tour Wednesday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., after being forced to postpone nine shows while she struggled with a previously undisclosed illness.
“After a thorough medical evaluation, it has been confirmed that Janet’s symptoms are being caused by a rare form of migraine called vestibular migraine or migraine-associated vertigo for which she is currently receiving treatment,” read a statement released by Jackson’s camp and obtained by E! News.
The “Together Again” singer has not performed since falling ill Sept. 29 during a sound check before a show in Montreal.
“Janet wanted very much to resume her tour so as not to disappoint her fans, but she continued to suffer from vertigo and could not perform,” her manager, Kenneth Crear, said.
According to the Johns Hopkins Neurology Department web site, symptoms of vestibular migraine include vertigo, imbalance, dizziness, unsteadiness and extreme sensitivity to movement – along with all the other symptoms associated with regular migraines such as pain, ringing in the ears and sensitivity to light. Given that Janet’s entire stage show demands constant movement, loud music and bright lights, it probably wasn’t such a good idea for her to be performing. But the good news is, this form of migraine is treatable with medication, so hopefully Janet will be able to carry out the rest of her tour dates. Get well, Janet!
Janet Jackson is shown at her boyfriend Jermaine Dupri’s birthday party in NYC in September 2008. Photo Credit: WENN.
Any inner ear related illness causing vertigo is completely debilitating. It will render you paralyzed (since moving causes the room to spin) and can happen suddenly out of no where. You may never have known how important the little inner ear balancing mechanism in your head is, until it goes haywire and all hell breaks loose. Sometimes from ear infections. God speed Janet.
My dad has suffered with vertigo off and on for many years. It is horrible. I feel for anyone who has this problem.
If she really has this, I am so sorry for her. Vertigo is horrible. I suffered for only two weeks. I say “only” but it was the longest two weeks of my life. I didn’t want to go on if I had to live with vertigo every day. That sounds silly, but it was how I felt. Vertigo is one of the worst illnesses I’ve ever had. I thank God it’s gone! Best wishes to Janet for a speedy recovery!
Darlene, that doesn’t sound silly at all. With vertigo, it’s impossible to relax and enjoy ANYTHING, so quality of life is greatly diminished. I’m so glad that yours only last 2 weeks.
I was diagnosed with MAV (migraine associated vertigo) my second year in college and it is PURE HELL. 6 years later and there is no medication that helps when it comes on.. only time. I honestly want to die I’m in such misery.. the vomiting, spinning, pain. Ugh. Who knows if it’s true for her or just a cover but, for her sake I hope it doesn’t happen again. 😐
Lack of Media Attention syndrome ?
I have a feeling Janet and Jermaine Dupri are finished and she’s very depressed over it. She had severe depression when she and Rene Elizondo were over.
Lack of Media Attention syndrome – thats funny.
But i had vertigo for a while and as said before, its a horrible time