Migraine Headaches Support Group

Saturday night I had stroke-like symptoms. I've been talking Topamax for about 1 1/2 mos. now and have done well, only needed Imitrex Stat Dose once (regular Migraine), then out of the blue had this Complicated Migraine. Mom thought it was a stroke and called 911. I wasn't sure myself but what it might be a stroke, even though I know the symptoms of complicated migraine. I had to stay in the hospital to make sure it WASN'T a stroke, because the CT Scan was questionable, and there was no one on staff to do an open MRI for the holiday. They observed me after I was treated for the migraine and the initial stroke-like symptoms went away for 24+ hrs. I got home Monday evening. I have no idea what triggered it. I was ok one minute, next couldn't talk, right sided weakness, confused, scared with feelings on the right side of my head like small elecric currents or something. Have any of you had this? I believe I might have asked this before, but this is my first hospitalization.

Thank You, Cammy1970

Oh my goodness Cammy! I bet that was really scary. Good thing you had someone to help. That would have been terrible to go through alone.

I have had numbness and tingling in my face along with slurred speech. When I worked outside the home I was sent to the ER multiple times for these symptoms as well as shortness of breath and the feeling in my head like you described. They had no idea what to make of it and thought I had MS.

A neuro finally said it was "just migraine" as if it was some minor thing. I thought it was odd because I never had an actual headache during these times. Did you?

I know migraines can increase your chance of stroke, so it's a good thing you took action. It could have been even more serious than it was.

As to the trigger, I couldn't tell you. For me, they thought it was stress (the great catch-all ).

Do you plan to follow up with your doctor? Maybe he will have some answers for you.

Thats happened to me the stroke like symptoms VERY SCARRYYYYY!

Kat, I mostly had nausea, super high sensitivity to light and sound and a one sided headache that wasn't so bad, but they gave me migraine protocol and might have headed it off before it hit big time, not sure. I follow with my Neurologist tomorrow.

Cammy.

Yes, it was very scary, but I did know it might be a complicated migraine because it had happened before, but I didn't know for sure it wasn't a stroke.

I'm glad you are okay now. I had a real bad migrain that caused stroke like symptoms. I was sent by ambulance to the city, the EMS thought it might be stroke. Along with what you mention my eye sight went totally and I became very confused and agitated. Near as they can tell I had a seizure from the migrain. My Neurologist feels now I might have a very mild case of left temporal epilepsy by he really isn't sure what happened. I know I hope it never happens again.

Kardie

Cammy,

Any news from your neurologist? What did he have to say about what happened?

Kat, I saw the neurologist Wed. As usual, my visit was short. EEG was negative, no seizure activity, so that's good. As to the complicated migraines, he didn't say much about them. He said I had a "good brain" Told me to continue my medications as ordered and see him in 2 mos. All I have learned has been from the internet and this site especially. I feel so badly for all those out there without this resource.

KARDIE, Sorry to hear your complicated migraine left you with mild seizures. The blindness must have been terribly frightening. I was aggited also this last time and couldn't talk coherently to explain what was wrong. I have had several of these now, but I thought the Topamax had them under control. It was frustrating to experience another one. Perhaps it will be my last, I HOPE-Cammy

Cammy,

I'm sorry your still having to go through this. Do you mind if I ask if you have any trouble with your memory after any of these episodes? I know since I had the migrain with the seizure I've had trouble with my memory. Sometimes I wonder if it might be from the phenytoin they put me on.

Kardie

Well at least you have a good brain. (What does that mean exactly?) Doctors are funny sometimes. It is frustrating when you want answers and they don't want to address the question. Maybe he just doesn't know and doesn't want to tell you for fear that you won't trust him anymore.

Did he increase your dose of Topamax? Maybe that will help. Maybe you just need to take it longer.