Aura and hemiplegic migraines

[Kevin160]

Hey everyone, i recently talked about the progression from my migraines to only headaches as a child, all the way to hemiplegic aura migraines, my previous to last migraine affected my speech and comprehension but that was severe due to using an expired eye drop i believe, the following migraine only had the numbness, tingling, and tunnel vision with blind spots.

I went to 3 neurologists, each confirming my self diagnosis with MRI, CTs, and blood tests, my recent dr put me on 5mg flunarizine sibelium which hadnt done crap except make me hungry every 20 seconds.

FOR PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE AURA AND HEMIPLEGIC MIGRAINES, if there is anything you have done that made a difference please help me, whether its a medication, exercise, herb, magic potion, whatever it is, i need help.

My known triggers are sleep changes, chemicals, some foods.

I am in university, and i am an honor student, i get the worst heart sinking feeling when i think of the possibility of a migraine hitting when im in an exam, or driving, or someone depends on me to run an errand, it might seem silly, but to me this is a big deal, my last migraine happened while im driving and it caused me to ruin my family’s plans,

[Chleo11]

Hi Kevin160. No question is ever silly when you suffer from debilitating migraines. You say that you are studying at the moment and my guess is that it is causing you a lot of stress, hence the flare up of migraines. I know of a young woman who is doing her honours degree at the moment and when she gets a lot of assignments and course work, essays and so on she can get a constant headache with migraines 2 or 3 times a week. Studying is difficult for migraineurs. This same young woman had a job interview once and went there with a pounding migraine. She didn't get the job of course because she couldn't even answer the questions they were asking her. Couldn't focus enough and couldn't even speak. Was only mumbling. She hasn't found the miracle cure but you need to speak with your personal tutor and ask for special arrangments because of your migraines. You need to accept the fact that you may not always be able to live up to others (and your) expectations and they have to understand this. If they can't understand this, then they have no place in your life.

I wish you all the best for your studies and you need to seek some help with uni. You'll already feel better after this. Be kind to yourself!

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to Chleo11]

hello there, I have suffered with migraines since I was 14.I too get the aura, one sided numbness, sparkly lights, extreme vomiting for up to 48 hours.I had one last year and my daughter rang 999 as she thought I was having a stroke.I just couldn't get my words out it was as if my mouth wouldn't work.I have never had this before.I too have felt I spoilt family holidays throwing up in a tent , leaving my husband to entertain our 3 young children, also on the morning of our youngests christening.The more you feel the pressure to get better , the worse it is.I agree with the a above reply.You should definitely notify your university of your condition.Is there a disability or support department which could advise you, or the student advice in the student union.You may be allowed extra time for assignments and extra provision in exams.Take any help and support offered.People with migraine are often those who are perfectionists and try to take on everything themselves( I know I am, I try to do everything myself and solve everyone elses problems) I know I need a very regular routine( some would say boring) Regular bed time, getting up, not missing meals, drinking enough.For me loud music and noise can set me off as can strong smells, bright flickering sunshine( I always wear sunglasses).I am taking 20mg amitriptyline per day as a preventative although I have now had to add a beta blocker( proprananol)10mg 3xa day as well.I have taken triptans in the past which just act on a migraine when it comes.That stopped working for me and gave me excruciatingly painful rebound headaches.I think you would probably benefit from a preventative as it might help break the cycle of worrying you are going to get a migraine and that stress causing you to get one.There are many to try and just because one doesn't suit doesn't mean another one won't.You have my greatest sympathy but I went to university, got a degree and a job and have had three children,life does go on.I think now there is more understand if migraines and more treatments available.There will be one for you.I do still get occasional migraines but they are managable.I'm not bedbound vomiting for 2 days, I can get on with things.Wishing you all the best.

[Migrena]

I had hemiplegic migraines since childhood but only got diagnosed 6 years ago when I started getting bad attacks with dizziness. Prior to that I was dismissed by doctors as anxious and hypochondriac. My migraine attack are mainly related to stress. I experienced repetitive trauma including living through a war. Bad attacks started after the death of my mother but I managed to fully recover and stop Nortryptyline . 3-4 years after that I had major stress at work . It did not help that I was working in the NHS during covid. I became completely disabled - unable to walk , severe dizziness, numbness and stiffness on left arm and leg, and left side of the face , left arm tremor etc. Was put back on Nortryptyline but could not tolerate high doses. Also triptans did nothing for me so I was taking ibuprofen. Since then I have been on 1000mg magnesium citrate daily which I swear by and vit B2 400mg. Other things that help are aromatherapy oils citrus smells like lemon or orange and peppermint, ice cap , cold flannel on the neck ( i leave a wet flannel in the freezer for a few minutes) , Another thing that helps greatly is keeping a bedtime routine, prioritising rest, trying to do some regular light exercise even when not in the mood, let go of perfectionism ,trying to get best grades, write best reports, putting yourself first