Hemiplegic Migraine?

[Galaxy2]

Hi All

I’m new here. I just interested if my symptoms strike a cord with anyone and would be really grateful for any information.

I do have a complicated medical health history. Auto immune diseases that overlap. I have CNS inflammation and have had micro bleeds in the brain but no real explanation for the symptoms I suffer almost everytime I work/concentrate.

A couple of years ago I woke up one morning just feeling odd and unbelievably tired. I work at home and tried to work but it was as if I’d forgotten how to do my job, I couldn’t even write a short email and get the words in the right order. I went to bed and my face on the left side went numb, I had had this before due to peripheral neuropathy, so wasn’t hugely worried at first. This continued for a few days so I went to A and E and had a CT scan that was normal. I couldn’t work for about 8 weeks, keep forgetting things, mixing up things from the past with present day. Getting my words in the wrong order when I spoke. It was like I’d suddenly developed dementia.

Things improved after a couple of months. When I got back to work, everytime I worked within about 30 mins my face on the left went numb. Also this happens when I drive at night. Even since then I’ve developed a habit of missing out words when I type. After a while of concentrating, I do feel almost drunk and start getting forgetful . I’m not sure if this is concentration or lighting that is the trigger for this. I do also sometimes wake up with face numbness if I’ve been dreaming alot.

Its been blamed on my auto immune issues but a doctor I spoke to recently suggested I read up about hemiplegic migraine. It does seem a possibility, especially as I read that after a stressful event when that’s over it can then be triggered. When it started I was on the cancer pathway for investigations and the day before this first episode had had some very invasive tests and was told nothing was found so was feeling huge relief , like a weight was off my shoulders.

I’d be so interested if anyone can relate to this.

Thanks

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there,I have had migraines for over 40 years.I got the numbness on one side of my face,the blind spots in my vision,vomiting and excruciating headache. I worked out that many things could cause them,stress,hormones,too little or too much sleep,missing meals etc.

I had one in 2022 like none I've ever had before,I had the usual blind spots,then I couldn't speak,it was like my words were stuck and my brain felt confused.My daughter rang for an ambulance as she thought I was having a stroke.They did do a scan,and it showed no stroke.They said it was a migraine.

I can normally tell when a migraine is coming on,I can't think of words or concentrate very well.I have taken a preventative, amitriptyline every day since 2015.My son was diagnosed with cancer and I got one every week for about 5 weeks.That worked until I developed graves disease which causes overactive thyroid.I now also take a beta blocker everyday as well.I can't cope with stress very well and this seems to keep me on an even keel. I have never seen a migraine specialist so I don't know the correct term for it..I just call it migraine with aura,but I do have some similar symptoms to you.Has your doctor suggested a preventative?There are quite a few to try.I had just had enough when I started on the amitriptyline, my son was ill and I couldn't afford to be ill for 3 days a week.Hope this helps and you manage to get sorted.

[Galaxy2 in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Thank you so much for replying, I do appreciate it. I used to have really poor balance/dizzyness issues and this was for a while thought to be caused by vestibular migraine, I tried amitripaline, propanolol and something else I can’t remember the name of which just sent me to such a deep sleep I couldn’t function the next day. Nothing really helped.

I do feel so many of my symptoms do suggest migraine and I do get headaches but not always when I have the other symptoms. Would just love to find something to help, I do find too, tiredness, stress and lights are a trigger.

Thanks again

[Hans23]

Hi I suffer with migraine with brain stem aura,my symptoms start with poor concentration and blurry vision,I may slur my speech or not make sense,right side of face goes like pins and needles with loud ringing in right ear,pins and needles travel into my right arm and sometimes I can't move my hand,I also become dizzy and feel off balance and the last thing to happen is a bad headache at back of head. I normally don't remember a lot after but my wife can tell when ones starting as she notices my speech going. I do get mild symptoms which are normally blurred vision and dizziness. I take 30mg of amitriptyline and ace inhibitors which have managed to make symptoms less severe and manageable. When I do have a migraine it lasts around an hour or so but I normally fall asleep and when I wake it's gone. I was diagnosed by neurologist at begining of 2023 but I must say the meds work well for me .

[Galaxy2 in reply to Hans23]

Thank you, yes that sounds like me. I get the numbness in my arm too when it’s bad and my face can fall on one side aswell. It’s everyday I work, which is a huge problem and limits my working ability.

Amitriptaline didn’t really help me but it makes me so sleepy I never got past 10mg so maybe I need a bigger dose.

Thank so much, I’m going to discuss with my neurologist when I next see him