Advice please. Does this sound like migraines?

[T1m0thy]

So, about 3 months ago I started getting headaches on the left side of my head, as well as dizziness and sometimes numbness down the left side of my head/face. I now pretty much have a headache and/or dizziness all the time, but they vary in how severe they are. There doesn't appear to be any pattern to them, sometimes I have a headache, sometimes I have dizziness, sometimes I have both. At the moment I have gone 5 days without a bad headache but have had bad dizziness. The dizziness is quite severe today and I'm now starting to develop face numbness again.

I have visited my GP several times and she thinks i'm getting migraines and has given me Sumatriptan to help. This diagnosis was based on me describing my symptoms rather than any medical tests.

Does this sound like a migraine to you? I used to get infrequent migraines when I younger and there was no doubt they were migraines i.e. I would get a visual aura followed by a severe headache. However, what I am experiencing now feels very different and I don't get an aura. Can migraines change this significantly when we get older?

My GP told me to take Sumatriptan when I feel a migraine starting, however I can't pin point when a migraine starts or ends as I pretty much have symptoms all the time. I tried taking a Sumatriptan today to see if it would help elevate the dizziness and numbness, but it hasn't had any effect.

I guess I'm not feeling particular reassured that non-migraine options have been ruled out by my GP, and wondering if I should be seeking a second medical opinion. I’m thinking of seeing a private GP where I can get an appointment that last longer than 10 minutes, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

Any thoughts are welcome!

[T1m0thy]

I may have been too quick to judge whether the Sumatriptan was working or not. An hour later and my dizziness has mostly gone This does give me some reassurance that this is migraine related. I assume Sumatriptan wouldn't work if it wasn't a migraine?

[bamboo89]

Difficult one - you should certainly ask the GP for a referral to a migraine clinic. Fact is, anyone who experiences migraine is actually what's known as a 'migraineur' which means anything's possible in regard to what form a migraine may take, and it may well alter over time or other forms of migraine may be experienced along with the original type. Which is why being seen at a migraine clinic is probably the most useful thing you can do.

Otherwise, it might be worth visiting a good cranial osteopath - the problem you describe is one I've experienced myself, and I found it was largely kept in check by six monthly visits to the osteopath because I had a neck problem. In regard to visiting a private GP, it can be useful because, as you say,you get a much longer appointment and a more thorough check, and he/she may be able to suggest a way forward via the NHS - half the battle is knowing what to ask for at the GP, so I'd consider it worthwhile to pay that one off consultation fee.

[Cat00]

The trouble is as soon as they know you have migraine in your medical history it's the doctors go to for a diagnosis. Being a neurological condition it has many facets and odd manifestations and is highly individual. I was once told that they new I had migraine bc "if it had been anything else I'd dead by now" which is obviously charming. I think the other thing to consider is that migraine is extremely common whether other things are rarer unless you are obese, smoke or are all old. Dizziness can be a migraine symptom having vague general ramping up and scaling down of pain is also common, however vertigo like symptoms are wide ranging and can suggest problems with the inner ear etc. Keep a headache diary, which records frequency, severity and whether you have taken your sumatriptan as this will be what a doctor/ neurologist requires. I have kept one for 10 years and have to show them every 3 months. Try not to have Sumatriptan on more than 6 days a month or they can cause rebound migraine. If you are still worried insist on a referral to a neurologist, if they say no write to the practise manager of your surgery and make a general fuss!

[Beautifulgirl01]

I have the same experiences. I was told it was migraines as well. I have pains & dizziness everyday... sometimes nausea & a cool liquid sensation as well. I’ll go to sleep & wake up with a head-aching feeling. I was put on Propranolol for migraine prevention and sumatriptan for the onset of a migraine. Sumatriptan didn’t really work for me. My headache specialist changed me to zolmitriptan & that didn’t work as well. So now I’m trying to seek out natural ways to help relieve migraines. I agree that it’s really hard to pinpoint when a migraine is coming on or not. But I hope you’re able to find exact what works for you.

[Quito]

Hi there - migraine can really change over the years and can move from episodic to chronic migraine and back (with or without various auras). This is what's happened with me. If you're considering paying to see a private GP, it could be better to book an appointment directly with The National Migraine Centre in London. They take the time to properly assess you and give a lot of support and advice. Plus, they're very lovely! Otherwise, finding a private GP that actually specialises in migraine/headache syndromes could be a challenge..

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.