Migraine
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Migraine Community MyMigraineConnection Member Introductions Basilar Migraine first timer, 28 years old...|
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Apprentice |
I had my first ever migraine about 2 weeks ago, a basilar one, and was in the hospital for 3 nights... full auras and everything...
I was put on Topamax (40mg's, I believe), and some drug that starts w/ a "V" that WAY lowered my blood pressure, and made me even dizzier... My neurologist took me off BOTH of those drugs after being on them about one week... the Topamax made me manic (I was previously diagnosed about 8 years ago as being bi-polar.... but I haven't had symtoms, other than anxiety, in about 5 years)... well, the Topamax made me manic, and I've been off of it for exactly one week, and I still have at least one manic episode a day... it's horrible... I was on a birth control pill (Yasmine), and the neurologist told me to stop taking that... so, of course I did... Ladies out there, what other options for birth control do I have? How about the shot - Depo Provera - I believe it's called? Would that just do the same thing to my body that the pill did? I see my primary doc tomorrow, and he should have all my MRI, EKG results... everything they did at the hospital... I was almost unconcious at one point, they tell me, for about 2 hours, I was so out of it... SEVERE aura... Now, I'm freaking out (my husband's not home from work yet), and wondering - one thing I forgot to ask the doc was - how often do basilar migraines typically happen, after you've had your first??? That's my main question (well, the birth control, too) right now... I don't know if my primary doc can answer that, and my neurologist hasn't called me back yet (I'm going to get a second opinion, although - I do know, for sure, my diagnosis is correct. I missed 2 weeks of work, I was so out of it... I couldn't speak and walk the first day it hit me... it was horrible... Sorry to ramble on so much... I'm manic right now, and just freaking out... is this going to happen to me every month when I start my period? This happened THE DAY i started my period, this time... HELP! Any advice is MUCH appreciated. Elizabeth |
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Forum Moderator Wizard  |
Wow! So sorry that your first migraine was such a major attack! I regret I don't know much about basilar migraines, but here's an article to get you started:
Basilar Migraines--the Basics Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about having forgotten to say hello (I saw your other post first) or having a disjointed post at times. It happens to all of us when we're "migraining." Also don't worry about the length of a post, ever--although people with active migraines do appreciate it when you break it up into paragraphs. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I will be along soon to give you more info. I just have garden-variety migraine without aura. Take care. Nutcracker Forum moderator  |
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Apprentice |
Thank you SO much for responding...
Sorry about not breaking up my paragraphs, I didn't even think of that - thanks for the tip.  I'm going to check out that link you posted right now... Again - thanks! I'm just freaking out MAJORLY!!! I can't believe, when I saw my neurologist last Thursday, that I forgot to ask him how often the basilar ones happen... I wish he's returned my call today... I'm just hoping I'm not stuck w/ this the rest of my life, you know? I've just barely begun to retain ANY short term memory... and that was really, really scary... I couldn't remember anything that happened 30 seconds ago for almost 2 weeks... Thanks! |
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Community Manager Guru  |
Welcome Elizabeth,
What a scary experience. When you said "I was so out of it... I couldn't speak and walk the first day it hit me... it was horrible..." were actually temporarily paralysed? Basilar-Type Migraine, BAM, doesn't have true motor weakness as a symptom. It does however have extended aura,decreased levels of consciousness, unsteadiness all of which are fully reversable. Hemiplegic Migraine,HM, a rare form of Migraine disease, is different because one symptoms is true motor weakness. HERE is more information. HM and BAM, are best treated by a Migraine specialist. Texas has five Migraine specialists. Look HERE for their names. A neurologist may be a good doctor but is not an expert in Migraine disease and headache disorders. Let us know how you make out, ok? |
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Apprentice |
Thanks for responding so quickly...
No, I wasn't paralyzed... I could walk, just VERY off balance. I could kind of "speak." I was pretty much unintelligible... Very unsteady. The doc had me do the "drunk" walk, foot to foot test, and I almost fell over after moving my foot in fron of the other, the FIRST time... My heart rate, when I first got to the hopital was 140. I'm NEVER very high - that's super high for me. But, when I was trying to talk, it just sounded VERY hard to understand... they immediately did a drug test on me, actually, when I was admitted to the hospital... no drugs! Thanks so much for posting that info - off to check it out right now... Oh, I forgot to mention... I hardly had any headache... I had a VERY minor one, but it went away pretty quickly... a few hours later is when the aura symptoms started... not sure if that makes any difference... Again, thank you SO much... Elizabeth |
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Grand Wizard |
I saw your other post first, but wanted to add - having a migraine without headache is relatively common. They're referred to as acephalgic or "silent" migraine - more info HERE.
-MJ my blog: http://rhymeswithmigraine.blogspot.com/ “HOPE CAN GROW FROM THE SOIL OF ILLNESS!” This is the theme of 2008’s National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in September. Drop by and find out ways to encourage a friend, be encouraged yourself, and spread the word. http://www.InvisibleIllness.com "What will you do, if it does not turn out how you expect?" "I do not know. Nor shall I worry about it until it happens. I still have an action left to take; until I have exhausted it, I shall not despair." - Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest  |
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Apprentice |
Yeah, my neurologist told me that - crazy, huh?
I just am kicking myself in the butt for not asking him how often this type of migraine occurs!!! I can't believe my husband and I forgot to ask that... Anyone, any clue? Do they just kind of come out of the blue, or - on a regular basis? Weird thing - I've been having headaches NOW, the past 4 days or so (this happened about 2 weeks ago)... they're on the sides of my head... Tylenol doesn't help... Vicodin does, but I'm out of that.  Thanks for your response, though! Every little bit of info I get helps! I'm completely new w/ these... Elizabeth |
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Grand Wizard |
I'll copy here what I wrote in your other thread:
One other thing - be careful with that vicodin! Too much medication can be a bad thing, if it sends you into medication overuse headache (MOH). Take a look HERE I know we're throwing a lot of information at you, but knowledge is power, right?  -MJ my blog: http://rhymeswithmigraine.blogspot.com/ “HOPE CAN GROW FROM THE SOIL OF ILLNESS!” This is the theme of 2008’s National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in September. Drop by and find out ways to encourage a friend, be encouraged yourself, and spread the word. http://www.InvisibleIllness.com "What will you do, if it does not turn out how you expect?" "I do not know. Nor shall I worry about it until it happens. I still have an action left to take; until I have exhausted it, I shall not despair." - Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest |
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First things first, take a deep breath.
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Apprentice |
Thank you SO MUCH for posting that... I didn't see that in my other post (like I mentioned, I'm REALLY manic right now, and I wanted as many people as possible to see this, so I could get some advice NOW).
Seriously, thanks. No, I'm not overdoing the vicodin... when I DID have some, I'd only take one... thanks for your concern about that, though. Yes - verapamil does ring a bell... I believe that was the other med besides Topamax... I just feel like I'm having a panic attack, and you're right - deep breaths... easily said than done, but - I'm trying, I really am. I've actually had an IUD before (I've had no kids), and it was so painful, when I had what WAS my normal cramps... I tolerated it for around 8 months, and HAD to have it removed... good advice, though, thanks. I feel like crying, I'm so happy I found all of you guys... seriously... Thanks you ALL so much for your support/advice. |
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Grand Wizard |
We're glad you found us, too. Let us know how else we can help.
 -MJ my blog: http://rhymeswithmigraine.blogspot.com/ “HOPE CAN GROW FROM THE SOIL OF ILLNESS!” This is the theme of 2008’s National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in September. Drop by and find out ways to encourage a friend, be encouraged yourself, and spread the word. http://www.InvisibleIllness.com "What will you do, if it does not turn out how you expect?" "I do not know. Nor shall I worry about it until it happens. I still have an action left to take; until I have exhausted it, I shall not despair." - Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest |
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Apprentice |
Thanks so, so much.
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard  |
Hi Elizabeth!
Looks like you already have a lot of great info - so I'll just pop in and say hello and welcome for now! I see you are in Austin! That is where my husband and I are planning on moving to in the next couple years! (NJ is fun and all but it's cold and $$$$$$$$) Let us know if we can help you out with anything! Look over the boards, and post away! Seems like you already have the hang of it, so we look forward to hearing more from you!!!! Welcome again!  Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Apprentice |
Thanks, Eileen.
This board is wonderful... sorry about all the long posts, last night - I was just freaking out (manic from the Topamax I'm no longer on)... I kept wondering how often this could possibly hit me, that sort of thing... But, like Scarlett said, "Today is another day." LOL. But, it is... hopefully today will be a good one... TGIF, right? Thanks! PS - Austin is a GREAT city to live in! I was born here, but I've lived in a few other places, and always come back to Austin. I'm here for good... Great people here, great entertainment (if you're into music, especially)... very laid back city.Elizabeth |
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Apprentice |
Spoke too soon... I feel manic again, and this time it's only around 8:30am...
Does anyone know about how long Topamax stays in your system after you quit taking it? I was on 40mg's, this time around. I was on it for only about one week, not long at all, taking it every 6 or 8 hours, I believe... I HAVE previously been on it, around 7 or so years ago... I have previously been diagnosed as bi-polar, but had no symptoms of it for the past 5 years, or so... I hate the "manic" feeling... Thanks, Elizabeth |
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard |
I believe the half life (not sure if that is the correct terminology or not) is 10 hours....that is why most doctors prescribe it in the split dosing (am and pm).
So it may be a day or so before you feel back to "normal" (or as normal as any of us really are, right! LOL) P.S. Yes, husband wants to go to Austin because of the music scene. He is a "starving musician" trying to get a "break". He was there during South by Southwest, but we want to go back during normal time now so we see Austin when it's not as "touristy". It looks beautiful and the real estate is much more affordible there then it is here. Seems like you get more for your money. From what I've seen, Austin Looks like a great town (But I've only seen pictures and watched the Real World, Austin!) We are going to go around March/April I think. I can't wait I need vacation!!  Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Migraine Community MyMigraineConnection Member Introductions Basilar Migraine first timer, 28 years old...
