Thanks so much for your reply, Lisa!

I have since gotten a second opinion through a second Neuro, who ordered ANOTHER MRI w and w/o contrast of the brain. She has ruled out MS as a possible diagnosis, and is weighing heavily on two possible diagnosises.  One of which is semi-complex seizures caused by the Tramadol I'm on for my Fibro. The other (which, she believes is the CORRECT diagnosis, but is still considering the other), is complex migraines. She confirmed that my symptoms, indeed, are VERY scary, and I SHOULD be concerned. Which was nice to hear from this Dr, since the last one didn't seem at all concerned. 

I'm also tending to side with the complex migraine diagnosis, because when these "spells" first started, I stopped taking the Tramadol for well over a month, and continued to have the "spells", even after it was out of my system. Which told me that it WASN'T the Tramadol. So, I'm back on it, since it's the only medication I've tried (and I've tried several), that actually helps my pain levels to be normal. Before the Tramadol, I could barely move to get out of bed. Now, I'm able to work and do.

Unfortunately, I've missed out on quite a many work days, due to having these episodes at work, or before heading into work. I've had to consider all of the pros and cons of working with these unpredictable episodes, and have come to the conclusion that it is unfair to my staff, my higher ups, and to my self to continue to be commited to my work, and have to leave work early due to a migraine causing speech slurring, gait troubles, and unbearable head pain. 

Due to this reality, I've applied for Disability. I fully expect to be denied, since I hear it's terribly hard to get approved. But, since I work for a school, I'm off this summer, and am keeping hope that during the summer vacation my Doctors and I can find a way to stop these episodes from happening, and I can return to work full time, and without fear of losing time and possibly, my job!  

So sorry to learn that you have the suffer through complex migraines. At least now you have a doctor that is willing to help you treat them. I understand the disability aspect, as the unpredictibility of the headache events really interferes with work. From what I understand, it can take 3X to get your disability approved, and it is best to work with a lawyer when applying. (I have worked with clients going down this road). I guess what I'm saying is don't give up if in fact you cannot work regularly. Another route to go is to get on disability and then work part time up to the income limit (just over 1K give or take) and you can use a vocational rehabilitation counselor for guidance through your local state agency, in terms of what types of work to look for.

I wanted to find out what type of medication or instructions you've been given to mitigate the symptoms when they start? I have been given a Sumatriptan injection pen, anti-nausea meds, with muscle relaxers. I worry about using the triptan pen because of the supposed vascular relationship--even though several studies show that triptans are safe in a BTM. My spouse and I discuss how to treat the event--getting me out of a two-story house to the emergency room, worrying about medical costs, and concerns about possible permanent brain damage. Then there is the ongoing fibro issue... .

Let me know if you find out more about your condition--

I've been given Keppra as a preventative, Midrin as a treatment for when the migraines start, and Imetrex pills, also as a treatment. The last time I had a migraine, I tried the Imetrex, and it made me feel 1000x worse! It caused the pain, which generally stays in the left frontal lobe, explode to ALL over the head. Also made me very week, dizzy, nauseous, and confined me to a lay-z-boy chair for the entire day. Ugh. So, I won't be using that anymore. I really like the Midrin. It does a better job.

Also, wanted to ask everyone, I have an arachnid cyst on the left frontal lobe. It's been there for decades (probably since birth), and none of my Doctors seem to be too concerned about it. However, could the cyst be pressing on a nerve or a spot in the brain that causes these episodes to occur. As it is, the episodes arrive between 7 and 10 days. It's the weirdest thing. I have not noticed the Keppra helping at all, but I've only just last month upped the dosages. So, I'm going to give it more time to get working.

And... here's the WORST part of all of this. Because I work at a school, and therefore have 3 months off, I won't have insurance for those 3 months. It's just... *sigh* it feels hopeless. :(

Thanks to everyone who has responded! All of your ideas, and suggestions I take seriously, and appreciate them so much! 

Thanks for the meds update; it helps to understand what works for others as compared to my symptoms. And yes, I have an small arachnoid cyst but it is located in the basal ganglia. I have been told it doesn't affect anything either.

I understand your pain with insurance as my spouse works for a school as well. My co-pay is going up to 5K (self) and 10k (family), so I can't afford medical care as well. I just finished my master's degree and want to work fulltime but fear the migraine/fibro problems due to work stress; so that presents an insurance problem for me as well.  Anyway, if I were you, I would definitely consider disability so that you can get some help with the medical costs in the long run.

Lisa