Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, October 17, 2011 janette asks

Q: i have recently been diagnosed with hemiplegic migrains after a year

was starting to think it was all in my head. Had all the scans you can think of came back as clear but was still questions a stroke

 

so just thanking it wasnt. When i do have one of my episodes as i call them, i go very tired all of a sudden,feel unwell and my head feels like there is some sort of mist in there. The next thing i know i can't move speak do anything, when i do eventually come round from this which can last anything from 10 mins to 3 hours i am very confused unsure of what has happened and my head is banging.It takes me a good couple of days of sleep and i mean sleeping nearly round the clock to get back to being 100 % again. It drives me crazy having to go through this and it has really affected my life.I feel sorry for all the people that have to live with this condition,i myself am still trying to learn my limits as to what i can and can't do to try and prevent and episode from happening,hard sometime when i used to lead such an active life. My question is: does this ever go away? and am i still able to drive with this condition?

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Answers (1)
Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide
10/19/11 3:31pm

Hi janette,

 

Hemiplegic Migraine (HM) is a rare form of Migraine disease. There are two subtypes; Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FMS) and Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine (SHM.) HM is difficult to diagnose and treat because it can present itself like many other conditions. These conditions include stroke, epilpesy and other vascular conditions. That is why it is so important to have an accurate diagnosis. We have more information  on HM in this article; Hemiplegic Migraine - The Basics.

 

The best thing to do when diagnosed with what could be a complicated condition, is go to the expert who treats these conditions. In this case, that doctor would be a Migraine specialist. You see, neurologists may be fine doctors, but are not typically experts in one area because they treat so many different conditions like MS, stroke and epilepsy. Migraine specialists treat one condition - ours - Migraine and headache disorders. 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'm sorry to say I'm not sure if you will be able to drive if you are having a hard time with it now. But seeing a specialist will help put things in perspective and give you the best treatment options, and hopefully help get the attacks under control. 

 

Good luck

Nancy 

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By janette— Last Modified: 10/20/11, First Published: 10/17/11