really weird migraines?

orange_anteater · 04-20-2009, 11:13 PM

Over the past two months, I have had four episodes of numbness on one or the other side. It's happened twice on my right side and twice on my left. When this happens, my hand on that side goes tingly and then becomes numb. A few minutes later, that side of my face also goes numb. The hand and side of my face stay numb for about 30 minutes or so. I also notice some vague dark spots or blurring in my vision, nothing that interferes badly with my vision. When the numbness goes away, I'm left with a mild achy pain on one side of my head. Last time the headache was actually on the side opposite the numbness, but I don't remember if the previous three episodes were like that. The headache isn't very bad and I usually just sleep it off or maybe take an OTC pain med.

I went to the doctor for this today and the nurse practitioner thinks it's an atypical form of migraine. This is really strange to me as the headaches aren't bad, not like what I think of when I hear "migraine". She says that the numbness is a form of the aura that sometimes comes before a migraine, and that it could still be a migraine even with a mild headache.

I'm 25 and I've never had migraines before now, though I do have a family history of them. My sister and aunt both get really severely painful migraines that can last for days, and I found out from talking to my aunt today that my grandma actually had migraines with symptoms that seem nearly identical to mine. She also says one of my cousins has the same symptoms as well.

My doctor gave me a clean bill of health other than that--I'd recently had blood work done and it all looks very good. I'm on medication for high cholesterol, but my lipids have been under control and near/within normal range for over a year (triglycerides are still slightly high), I have very mild insulin resistance but am not diabetic, my blood pressure is generally good (without medication). Metformin/Yaz/diet seem to be controlling my PCOS and insulin resistance issues.

I have an appointment with a neurologist next month to double-check the diagnosis. In the meantime, has anyone else out there had a problem like this?

tiggarat · 04-21-2009, 01:01 AM

that does sound strange, but I recently learned that there are several different types of migraines...they don't have to be kill-me-now painful. lately, I've been getting a compression type where it feels like someone has their hands on my head and are digging their fingers into my skull, and this is considered to be a migraine. I've even had one where my nose and sinuses felt numb, which was weird, but like you, it didn't last too long. getting a second opinion with a neurologist is a good idea, though.

PuppyLove · 04-21-2009, 01:38 AM

Oh you poor thing (((hugs))).

I get migraines, but the "kill me now" super painful ones. I'm so glad you're seeing a neurologist as well hun, always best to get a 2nd opinion, especially with something like this.

orange_anteater · 04-21-2009, 01:59 AM

Yeah, what I have is definitely not the excruciating kind, just the really scary kind :/ My aunt has migraines that last for days and nothing seems to help; my sister has had to go lie down in a dark room and cry herself to sleep because her migraines were so painful. This definitely doesn't feel anything like that.

The nurse practitioner prescribed a low dose of Atenolol to see if it prevents more of these sorts of episodes. I hope it works and it's nothing more serious. I really hate the idea of taking another pill, but I'll be happy if it works.

berkana_thurisa · 04-21-2009, 05:05 PM

What you've described sounds very familiar. I was diagnosed with atypical migraines almost 15 years ago. For me the "aura" typically starts with tingling in my lips. The tingling spreads along my jaw and cheekbones and gradually goes numb. Everything starts to sound tinny and far away. Spots and sparkles start to form at the edges of my vision, and gradually I develop tunnel vision. At it's worst, I've lost vision completely (but still been able to hear). I lose my sense of balance and coordination and start to slur my speech. The whole episode can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Sometimes I have a mild headache afterwards, but more frequently I don't. I just feel very tired.

I went through about every test imaginable four or five times while they tried to find the tumour or lesion that they were sure was causing the episodes. It wasn't until they actually caught the beginning of an episode during a scan that they recognized a distinctive brain pattern and diagnosed me with migraines.

Once we determined what my primary triggers were (through trial and error for the most part) and avoided them, I've managed to significantly reduce my migraines. I only experience an average of one a month now.

Until you've seen the neurologist, you may want to do some research into typical migraine triggers. Modify your diet and behaviour slightly to avoid the most common and see if that helps. It is very terrifying to go through...but it can be managed...

KristinaMcCauley · 04-21-2009, 05:14 PM

Hi, I actually suffer from migraines (all varying in degrees) and this happens to me frequently. I joke that I have a brain tumor - but actually I have a series of small nerves that get "pinched". This was confirmed by my Chiropractor and several X-Rays & MRI's. I I stopped having them altogether when I was getting adjusted weekly. Now that I have stopped treatment they have returned. You should talk to your doctors about seeing a Chiropractor and having scans done.

KristinaMcCauley · 04-21-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi, I get migraines to - some similar to what you have listed and others that are horrible! I was seeing a Chiropractor last year and discovered through an MRI that I had a bundle of "pinched" nerves. The migraines stopped when I was getting weekly adjustments. You should talk to your Dr. about getting a MRI and work up to make sure that everything is as it should be.

orange_anteater · 05-18-2009, 06:44 PM

I just wanted to post an update to this since it may be relevant to other people here. I saw the neurologist today; he's almost completely sure that it's complex migraine, but ordered an MRI to be certain. The part that's currently bothering me, however, is that he wants me to go off bcp. He said that taking estrogen, with the sort of migraine I have, would increase my risk of having a stroke. Has anyone else ever been told this before? I'm really hesitant to stop taking bcp because I absolutely do not want kids now or anytime in the near future. I won't say "never" because there's always a chance I might change my mind one day, but I definitely do not want to get pregnant anytime within the next 5 or more years. If I do need to stop taking bcp, I'll look into getting an IUD instead; I hear they're very effective. This is, of course, not to mention all the PCOS symptoms that I might have to deal with if I stopped the bcp. Anyway, I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has ever been told not to take estrogen due to their migraines.

berkana_thurisa · 05-20-2009, 03:37 PM

I don't take BCP any more (I'm far more messed up on it than off), but my doctor never mentioned it as an extra risk factor way back when I was first diagnosed. I do vaguely recall that the different brands of BCP have different percentages of hormones. Maybe you could switch to a lower estrogen pill (or no estrogen if they exist), and see how that works for you. If it comes down to a choice of going off BCP and dealing with the PCOS symptoms currently controlled by BCP, or the higher risk of stroke...ask yourself which one you're most willing to deal with. You may also want to find out how much of an increased risk of stroke is associated with taking estrogen. The answer could affect your future as well as your present, since many women take estrogen replacement therapy after menopause.

Before you decide which risk you'd rather deal with, I'd suggest going to visit the stroke recovery ward at your local hospital.

orange_anteater · 05-20-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berkana_thurisa

Before you decide which risk you'd rather deal with, I'd suggest going to visit the stroke recovery ward at your local hospital.

My grandmother suffered multiple strokes before she died; she was partially paralyzed and had many other problems as a result. She also had migraine symptoms that were identical to mine, though I don't know whether she ever took estrogen. I am very aware of how dangerous and debilitating a stroke can be, and it's not something I want to risk. I apologize for being thin-skinned if you didn't mean this to sound harsh; it just struck a nerve with me because of the personal connection, and I read it as though you were implying that I wasn't taking this seriously, or didn't know how serious a stroke can be. Please don't be offended if I took what you said the wrong way. It's just very personal for me.

I'm currently on Yaz; I've taken Mircette in the past. I've also taken Ortho Tri Cyclen, which was very bad for me. I'm hesitant about the progestin-only pill because I've read that it's less effective at preventing pregnancy.

I found one research report that says that for young women who have migraine with aura, the risk of stroke is increased by three times; by taking oral contraceptives, the risk is six times greater, and if the person smokes, the risk is fourteen times greater. Thank goodness I don't smoke! (I'd be happy to pass along the research I've found. The board won't let me post links, but just let me know and I'll send them to you.) Though my risk is statistically still pretty low, I'd rather not make it worse, especially since I have a family history of stroke and other cardiovascular disease. Plus, my aura symptoms mimic those of a stroke; I'd be worried that I wouldn't be able to tell whether I was having a real stroke or just a migraine.

berkana_thurisa · 05-22-2009, 06:39 PM

I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother. I definitely wasn't trying to imply that you weren't taking the risk seriously at all. I have a very close friend who suffered a series of small strokes and has recovered amazingly, but who will probably never play guitar again (he studied at the royal conservatory of music and was a brilliant guitarist before the strokes). I know from personal experience that, until I went to visit him in the hospital, I had only a vague idea of what a stroke could really do to you. Afterwards, I swore that I would never ever do anything that would increase my risk.

I'm aware that far too many people really don't have a concrete idea of what a stroke really is or of the after effects and how much it can completely devastate your life. I added the statement at the bottom of my previous post not knowing whether or not you, or anyone else reading this thread, had any personal contact with stroke victims. I wanted to raise a red flag for anyone reading it who didn't already know, so that they would hopefully weigh the options very carefully. I wouldn't want to think that someone who read this thread might some day think back and say "Why didn't someone warn me?!"

I would love to have links to the research you found. I don't smoke either, or take BCP, so thankfully my risks aren't as high. But I do have several other family members who also have PCOS, who do smoke, and who may or may not be taking BCPs. I'd like to be able to pass the information on to them. I really don't want anyone to go through what my friend has gone through.

EMLY519 · 05-23-2009, 01:30 AM

Interesting, I have tendinitus and burcitus. (i cant spell) in my shoulders and every so often i get tingling in my hands usually accompanied with a moderate to severe headache, i used to think the arms caused the head, maybe its the other way...

ChrissyJo · 05-23-2009, 01:52 AM

Hi this is actually something I know a little about. I have been a Classic Migraine sufferer for 8 years. My first was so scary I thought I was dying.

I was 21 and had my 11 year old nephew living in my home. He had gotten into some trouble at school and I had just hung up with his teacher. I turned to look at him and in that instant everything I was trying to say to him came out wrong. Like my mouth was talking on its own. I meant to ask about a paper he was supposed to turn in. But something came out about a bus and rocks. I then closed my eyes trying to get a grip on what I had just said. When I reoppened them the top half of m vision looked like a T.V when the cable goes out. then my finger tips on my left hand annoyed me as if I didnt want them on my hand anymore. I looked at my hand and the entire hand went numb but my finger tips tingled. I got hysteric crying and ran to my moms next door. She rushed me to the ER not knowing what ws going on and I couldnt tell her my words were not making sence. She dropped me off in front of the packed ER so she could find a spot to park. I got out of the car walk a few steps and forgot what I was doing. I collapsed tomy knees crying when someone ran out to help me in. When I got to the counter I couldnt write my name I was crying so hard I could hardly breath and I couldnt explain what was happening to me. The charge woman grabbed my hands and yelled at me "What kind of drugs are you on?" I wanted to say NO drugs not me, I dont take drugs, but something came out about a boat in a driveway. Just about then my mom walked up and was telling people something was wrong. Then put my in a whell chair and wheeled me into a room. I was left there alone while my mom filled out papers up front. this whole epsidode lasted maybe 40 minutes to an hour. And immediately it ended. All that was left was this horrible head ache. The worst pain I had evern felt in my life. They turned out the lights and tried pain meds but nothing worked. I was admitted for tests. The next morning I awoke in the hospital fine. A neurologist came in and tickled my toes with a feather and did some other wierd stuff. He said I had had a Migrain, the vision effects and numbness and tingly was called Aura and most likely I would have more. He gave me a script for nasal migraine spray and I was released. Since then I have about 5 a year. some so bad I return to the ER. some so tiny I tell no one. I did find out from talking to doctors that is you have more than 3 in a 2 year peroid, you will have lasting effects in your brain and birth control should be avoided completely for the rest of your life or could put you into a stroke or a seisure. Also around times ehwn you have your period you are most likely to get them. I found out that I do not like using the nasal spray it helps with the aura but seems to worsen the pain. I do keep one in my glove box in case I should ever have another Aura while driving, so that I can safely get off the road. I have had 2 while driving and I panick so bad that I may hurt some one I get off the road. Good luck and I hope the pain stays small.

DawnAbbe · 05-27-2009, 02:39 AM

I had the same thing, numbness on one side, even my tounge went numb......My advice is try going off BC!!!! I went off BC and all the migraines and aura's stopped. Havent had one in 2 years since going off BC.

orange_anteater · 05-27-2009, 02:46 AM

Yes, I am definitely going to stop the bcp, assuming that the MRI confirms the migraine diagnosis. I have the MRI tomorrow and then an appointment with my doctor to talk about the bcp problem the next day. I think I am going to get an IUD. I like the fact that they don't contain estrogen but are highly effective. As for the PCOS symptoms, I'll just have to see what symptoms I have when not on bcp, and go from there. I've been on the pill for so long that I don't really remember what it was like to not be on it.

berkana_thurisa: I will send you those articles

The board won't let me post links, but I'll be happy to email them to you.