Migraines or Multiple Sclerosis?!

[samanthagg]

Hi, I am a 27 year old female who has been having migraines since I was in junior high school. I get about 1-2 a year, so very rarely. At the onset of my migraine, I get auras in my eyes, followed my numbness/tingles in my hands, feet, lips/tongue. I also can't talk properly or remember things. But all that only lasts before the headache. After that I get the worse headache and just have to sleep all day long until it goes away by the next morning. Usually it is on one side of my head. In high school I got a CT scan which came back normal. My last migraine was a couple weeks ago but before that it was about a year and a half ago. I went to the doctor a few days ago to get a prescription for when it happens because that is all that helps. After explaining my migraines she told me she wants me to get an MRI because she thinks I may have Multiple Sclerosis. The reason being is because she said the fact that my lips/tongue get numb doesn't sound right. I am waiting for my insurance to approve the MRI then I will schedule one. The only other thing is my pinky toe has been numb only when I walk on it. This started though after I stubbed it pretty hard on my bed. Also when I work out sometimes when I do certain exercises, I will get a shooting pain in my left arm, which happens rarely. I assume that was just because of weights (which aren't too heavy). I got blood work done and it all came back normal. She asked if I am tired and I told her I have always been tired and when I was younger the doctor said I was anemic which caused me to be so tired. But in the mean time, I am doing all this research and I don't have any other symptoms of MS. I only get the numbness at the onset of a migraine. I am also sitting here worried that something is wrong with me. I am just looking for another opinion to ease my mind until I can get an appointment. Thank you so much in advance!

[Gambit62]

I'm not an expert but what you describe certainly sounds more like a migraine than MS to me.

I get tingly tongue - one of the symptoms that can clarify for me if it is a migraine or something else going on.

I am posting a link to symptoms of B12 deficeincy as this can cause migraine like headaches and leave you feeling tired. It is caused by absorption problems so could be linked to the anaemia.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

it may have been included in the blood tests that were done or it may not have been but even if it was then a normal result - particularly one that is towards the low end of the range - doesn't rule out deficiency as the test normally done - serum B12 - isn't a gold standard test and will result in missing 25% of people who are deficient if taken as a single measure. A specific type of anaemia - macrocytosis, in which red blood cells are larger and rounder than normal so less efficient at transferring oxygen from your lungs to cells - is a common symptom of a B12 deficiency but also isn't present in 25% of people who are deficient.

If you think it is likely then I would recommend taking a look at the PAS forum on HU

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[malalatete]

It sounds like your doc is just being thorough - to diagnose MS there has to be 2 symptom events which are separated in time, and lesions aren't always apparent at first, so a 2nd MRI should rule it in or out pretty conclusively.

Having said that it might be worth asking your doc if s/he knows about hemiplegic mograine. A lot of doctors don't realise that migraines can cause a whole host of symptoms, including partial paralysis (which in some cases can persist long after the initial headache has subsided). Some doctors seem to think migraine equals headache fullstop! If yours is one of these them providing some info about the different forms of migraine might be helpful.

I don't have MS but it sounds like classic migraine symptoms to me, so I would go with the approach that your doctor is simply being thorough.

[Joyceito]

I got tested for MS because I had numbness on my face, and lots of weird dizziness. Turned out to be all migraine.

[Herdwicksheep]

I’m 65. I’ve had classic migraine since I was a little boy. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the numbness to your lips and tongue. That is a regular occurrence for me, and like the other symptoms it dies away before the onset of the headache. At worst the numbness will last for around an hour. I get all the other symptoms you mention as well; additionally I experience nausea and vomiting. No harm in having an MRI if you doctor suggests it, but, as a sufferer, doesn’t sound a correct diagnosis to me. Good luck; I’m very sympathetic.

[troy04]

Are you in USA or in the UK? The reason I'm asking because I know someone (neurologist) who is a specialist in this area but he covers South East of England.

Anyway, your doctor is right to ask for MRI, CT Scan is not as good as MRI scan which can reveal lots of things (if any). CT Scan is cheap and lots of clinicians / technicians / radiologists readily available to perform CT Scan on patients and analyse results - that's why CT Scan is always prefereed by hospitals even though it is rubbish (comparing MRI).

I hope everything goes ok with you.

[samanthagg in reply to troy04]

I live in the US. Thank you! I am hoping my insurance will approve the MRI and I can schedule it this week!

[CarolineVi]

It’s migraine. To suggest MS seems crazy. I had an MRI, all normal. But my symptoms are crazy. The went away in pregnancy which can happen in MS so they did the MRI. Go on Reddit Migraine page. Loads of people have exactly your symptoms and it’s migraine. Not MS!!

Migraine can be bad enough. But please don’t worry about MS.

[samanthagg]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate it! This really put my mind to ease until my insurance approves the MRI which I am hoping this week I will get to make an appointment!

[Aundrea]

Hi I sometimes get numbness pins and needles in my tongue side of my face and hand. So you are not alone.