I am 36 yr old female that has had 4 strokes due to hemiplegic migraines with sustained aura. One took my left side and I had to learn everything all over again. 1 1/2 years later I had another that i had aphasia and had to learn all over again and then 3 months later had two little ones that took my personality and balance and once again had to learn all over again. I have been on a wide variety of meds from Bo-tox injections to amitriptaline to calan to chemically induced menapause to Topomax(which is kinda working with Verapamil). It has been a very scary journey. At one time I was on 32 pills a day and still having TIA's and strokes. My husband detoxed me and saved my life. I have the same symptoms that everyone else talks about except a few times the "phantom strokes" were real ones. It is very scary because if evereytime I had a TIA or migraine with aura i went to the Er i would own the hospital. I am so tired of docs,neuros, not understanding what I am going through I have given up. My husband understands more than them.
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Q: Have you ever heard of Hemiplegic Migraine sufferers having several strokes with episodes?
Hi anitsirk,
I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time, but only a doctor can really answer this question. Hemiplegic Migraine (HM) can be very scary, since many of its symptoms can mimic stroke, epilepsy or other vascular conditions. HM is difficult to diagnose, and the best doctor to treat someone with this condition is a Migraine specialist rather than a neurologist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. I'm sure your neurologist is a fine doctor, but not an expert in our area - headaches and Migraines. 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 this information helps.
Nancy
I have complicated migraines with temporary paralysis (at first they thought that they were tia). The doctors had to stop me from having a stroke last September 2008. My neurologists told me that I was at higher risk for stroke due to the type of migraines I suffer from. I understand your frustration and feelings of helplessness against this terrible disease. My usually begins with my head going numb, and my vision getting blurry. Then my right leg will have pain shoot through it and start getting numb and icey feeling. This numbness progresses up my side. Sometimes, half way other times all the way up my right side. Since December, I have noticed that it is happening to my left side also. After having the numbness, for a while, I cannot support my weight on my legs anymore. They start seizing up and then I am in trouble, because it is like my body as become a wash cloth and somebody is trying to twist all the excess water out of me. You can actually see my muscles seek inward because the spasms are so severe and tense. It is horrible.
I would suggest consulting a new doctor. 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 "Complicated Migraine with Paralysis." The ONLY form of Migraine that causes paralysis or motor weakness is hemiplegic Migraine. It concerns me when doctor's don't know that. You can read more about the importance of a correct diagnosis in 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.
Teri
my mother have been having this TIAs , the neurologist said she has a artery block and there is no way to move it. she is been feeling very bad, her left side is not the same, she is not the same, she has no taste , she is suffering too much.. you said that your husband detox,? did that help.. my Mom suffers migrains since she was a kid. I don't know how to help her
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OH. forgot. My blood pressure and sugar levels drop during this time too.