I am 28 year old. I started having migraines alomost 2 years ago after being put on the birth control patch. I stopped using the patch but the migraines continue to come about every 6 months. They are severe complex migraines where I go numb in my face, arms, lips and tongue all down one side. I have spot in my vision, sometimes my ears ring, I can't talk right, I can think straight and I usually have a panic attack when all this happens. I have tried midrin, Imitrex and Frova and nothing helps. THe Frova even made the pain stop for maybe 10 minutes but then the Aura came right back with the numbness all over again for 2 doses. Which FREAKS ME OUT. My migraines usually last 15hours and I am stupid for 3 days afterwards. Now I am supposed to take naproxyn and Zomig PO but thanks GOD my next migraine has yet to strike. What I am really worried about is if I am going to be one of those people who get them several times a week and have seizures and all of that later in life? Is this how they all started? Does it start slow and get worse?
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Q: Are my migraines going to get worse and more frequent as I age?
Hi Carmie,
There is really no way to tell if a person's Migraines are going to improve as they age. Some do, others don't. What is important is to have an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Are you having seizures now or have a history of them? Seizures are not common with Migraine attacks, it is fairly rare.
One of the most important things is to get an accurate diagnosis. To simplify matters and make it easier for people to get information and treatment, doctors usually go by the gold standard for diagnosis, the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). Under ICHD-II, there is no diagnosis of "complex Migraine." We do see it used, but doctors use it differently, so it really doesn't tell anyone what type of Migraine you actually have. You can read more about this in Ocular, Optical, and Opthalmic Migraines and The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
If your doctor isn't able to help you, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.
I hope that helps,
Nancy
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