Persistent symptoms and aura/confusion

[lacolyn]

Migraine over 2 weeks... I'm 73, I used to get full blown migraines, terrible head etc. Over time it changed, less frequent, less severe but the aura, always some loss of vision, a kind of buzzy head, difficulty with speech and confusion persisted and prevailed and lasted 3 days at a time. After a heart ablation when I had 2 weeks of severe migraine they stopped virtually altogether. Over past 6 months the aura is back as main symptom and I'm in 2 weeks so far of on/off aura type sensations where thinking is hard, confusion frequent, sometimes head pain, wierd hunger pangs, thirst and a real weariness. I have occasionally taken Sumatriptan at start, it helps, and Migraleve for the pain sometimes. Does any have any comments please?

[Cavapoochonowner]

hello there, I too have had migraine with aura for over 40 years.Over time and with different treatments they have changed.It used to be aura, severe pain and vomiting for at least 24 - 48 hours.I have taken triptans in the past but had to stop due to severe rebound headaches.My migraines changed after I went through the menopause.I think its called silent migraine where you just get the aura(for me vision loss, heightened sense of smell and hearing, head feeling weird but no pain as such).This has happened to me a couple of times in one day and maybe for 2 or 3 consecutive days.I started taking amitriptyline as a preventative when they were bad about 9 years ago when my son was seroiously ill but that stopped working.I have graves disease and am awaiting a thyroidectomy and they started again last year(hormones again) .I was getting one a week and the vomiting had returned.I am now taking 20mg proprananol 3x a day as a preventative and (touch wood) things are better.So basically over the years mine have changed alot.I had a really bad one a couple of years ago when they stopped my thyroid medication to see if I was in remission.I had usual aura but then couldn't speak and was confused.My daughter thought I was having a stroke and rang 999.They thought I'd had a TIA but after scans they said it was migraine.It frightened the life out of me.I have never had one like that before or since(touch wood again).Maybe it would be advisable for you to check with your GP just to be sure especially as it is something different for you and you have had treatment to your heart.Wishing you all the best.

[lacolyn in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

I really appreciate that, thank you. Co-incidentally, perhaps, I had my thyroid out many years ago and am on daily Thyroxine. I've been checked for dosage and it's ok they say. I get a bit nauseous but no vomiting like you. For a few years I've "just" had aura but the resultant brain fog, confusion and tiredness can last 3 days and it's very debilitating. I have a telephone appointment with the doc this afternoon at last. Fingers crossed for both of us.

[lacolyn in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Hi again, quick update. I've just had a call from my doc. he lloked back on my records and sees I was on propanalol in 2017 but it was stopped as I went onto another betablocker due to my ablation. So he's now starting me on a low dose of Propanalol to see if that helps the present symptoms and will check again in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed again.

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to lacolyn]

hello again, I'm glad you were able to speak to your doctor.Sometimes we just soldier on don't we and think we just have to put up with it.Hopefully the proprananol will be as successful for you as it has been for me.Mine started again due to me being slightly overmedicated on thyroxine.A reduction in the dose and the proprananol has done the trick.Wishing you all the best.

[lacolyn in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Yes, I thought my thyroid might be wrong but was told they were ok so have to believe it... so let's see. Be well.

[Shazzzy]

I have had migraines for over 2 decades. I take sumatriptan nasal spray as the tablets never worked for me. I was told to always take the medicine as soon as possible for it to work well. I occasionally take diazapem for all the other symptoms other than pain as it calms everything down. Have you been checked for diabetes? Just a thought due to thirst, tiredness and food cravings . All the best.

[lacolyn in reply to Shazzzy]

Thanks Shazzy, all very solid advice. I hadn't thought of diabetes. I wonder if that should have shown on standard blood tests? I'll look into it.