Full Question:

Hello, I would just like to know if there is a specific name for the condition I have been suffering from or if I should be worried about stroke or Brian tumor. I am a 30 yr old female with a history of migraines about 3-4 per year. Beginning this march 12 I began to have the visual aura about 3-4 times per week followed by no headache. I would take 400mg of ibuprofen and the vision would be restored within 15 minutes. I have had a MRI and CT scan both normal. Also seen a neurologist who said migraines and tried nortriptyline but I had terrible side effects. I have chronic low levels of ferritin about 2-5. I am now seeing a naturopath and she attributes most of thus to low iron? I have now been on Petadolex 50mg 3 times daily for 4 weeks and have now been advised to go down to twice daily. I have also started taking heme iron twice daily. The naturopath has suggested adding in magnesium and b2 daily. I am still experiencing 1-2 auras per week? Do you know others with this? I am concerned about stroke, aneurysm and tumor. Any thoughts or advice you have would be greatly appreciated
Dawn.
         

Full Answer:

Dear Dawn;

To give you a specific name for the condition you have is essentially the same thing as diagnosing the condition, something that cannot be done via the Internet. Did your neurologist specify what type of Migraines? It could be Migraine with aura, but it could also be one of the subtypes of Migraine with aura - basilar-type Migraine, hemiplegic Migraine, or retinal Migraine. Only a doctor who has discussed your symptoms with you, reviewed your medical history, and examined you in person, can name your condition/give you your diagnosis.

The different forms of Migraine can occur without the headache phase. When that happens, they're described as "silent" or "acephalgic." For more information on this, see Acephalgic or Silent Migraine – The Basics.

Vitamin B2 and magnesium are both effective in helping prevent Migraines for some people, but not for everyone. As with any preventive, trying them is the only way to know if they'll work for you.

Regarding the ibuprofen you take when the aura begins - check with your doctor. Ibuprofen cannot stop a Migraine, so it may well be that it would stop within 15 minutes as you describe anyway, without the ibuprofen, so you may not need to take it.

The best thing to do about your fears of aneurysm, tumor, and stroke is discuss them with your doctors. Especially talk with your doctors about how you can modify your diet and lifestyle factors to reduce your risk of stroke.

Good luck,
John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert

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Dr. Krusz is a recognized expert in the fields of headache and  Migraine treatment and pain treatment. Each week, he and Lead Expert Teri Robert, team up to answer your questions about headaches and  Migraines. You can read more about Dr. Krusz or more about Teri Robert.