Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage

Teri,

Thank you again for your incredible time and effort in this post.  This is just another reason for us to get our heads examined early (so to speak) and get the proper meds we need.  Wouldn't it be nice if our insurance companies would all agree?!

Teri,

Thank you for this important information. Prior to my official diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a neurologist identified the lesions on my MRI as the result of a long history of migraines. When I ended up at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, those same lesions were identified as definite MS.

I honestly can't tell you which has caused more suffering in my life -- migraines or MS. Certainly MS has been the cause of major life changes and learning to live with disability. It is definitely a BIG deal. However, the most horrible pain and sickness I've ever felt has been due to migraine. It is true torture.

Fortunately for me, the migraines have become much less frequent and respond to Imitrex far better than they used to.

I can't help but wonder if the two conditions are connected. I've heard it discussed many times, but have not really seen any definitive research.

Thanks again for the information. By the way, I blog over at Health Central's Multiple Sclerosis site.

I just received my hospital records, (very interesting) and I do have changes on my head CAT scan, not for the better either.  This is very scary, as I have had memory lapses as well as some other symptoms.  I'm seeing my Dr. tomorrow and having my porta-cath checked for clots.  Not the sure-fire cure I thought it would be.  The surgeon assumed I was right handed, I am left and he put it on the left.  However, I digress, Migraine DZ?  I feel like a walking time bomb, but don't know the detonation sequence.

Teri:

Thank you for this timely article.

I just started back on a daily preventative medication and after reading this article am very glad I am not giving up. 

Cari

Migraine runs in my family on my mother's side.  As far as we can tell, I am the third generation to suffer from these headaches, and my son the fourth.  My mother and I have maintained over the years that we thought that migraines caused brain damage in some form, but the doctors all said "no".  It is nice to know that we are not imagining things.  Thank you for providing this information.