Migraine

I have been getting terrible migraines with aura and they have been increasing to one every 6 days (like clockwork). The aura can last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours and starts with extreme loss of vision, then moves to loss of speech, not being able to read (I can not form a sentence properly kind of like being dyslexic and I can't read simple words). Then it moves on to loss of feeling in my hand and travels up my arm and face. sometimes instead of the loss of speech I have issues with my hearing. I am confused, can't seem to make difficult decisions, and have anxiety along with them. All of my aura's occur on one side of my body while the headache is on the other. After the aura phase is done I get a tingling feeling that comes and goes on my scalp. Why are they coming more frequently all the sudden, what can I do about it? Does it seem like I need further medical testing?

I have had a ct scan but no MRI. My doc isn't much help and I really just need some advice from someone who knows more about migraines. I took a Frova today for the first time. It did nothing but draw out the aura phase to last over 3 hours! I simply can't do this every 6 days!

Kristina,

If you read my post today of hemiplegic migraines, it sounds a lot like mine. I have aura that is zig zag lines and only lasts about 20 minutes but then a bad migraine comes on. I usually get numbness and tingles in my hand and gradually goes up to my arm and shoulder and then my face.

I can't imagine having them every 6 days. They are so scary and I also am being treated for anxiety. You will want to see your doctor, I am medication which treats anxiety, which also is an anti headache drug to boot!

It's always nice to speak with your doctor. I thought I was having strokes and wouldn't leave the house. At work I was asked what color a school bus was and couldn't tell them. I understand what you're going through.

Samantha

Hi Kristina!

Welcome to the forum!

Please take a second to check out our START HERE folder for all the ins and outs of the forum.

We have quite a few articles that may help you out. It sounds as if one of your symptoms may be aphasia and allodinia. Anatomy of a Migraine will explain the phases and possible symptoms we can experience during a Migraine attack.

Most Migraineurs have CT's or MRI's. More often than not, they come back normal, or with slight lesions on the brain, which is common in Migraineurs. See Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage and Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease?for more information.

Another great article we have is Learning About Migraines: Where to Start

You mentioned you just recently tried Frova. That is my favorite triptan! That is the one that works best for me. There are 7 triptans on the market right now: Frova, Relpax, Maxalt, Amerge, Axert, Imitrex, and Treximet. It may take trying a few before you find the one that works best for you. I hope that if Frova was the first one you've tried and that it works like a charm! That would be wonderful!

On the other hand: If you have been diagnosed with Hemiplegic Migraine, triptans are contradicted in this type of Migraine. This type of Migraine is the only one with true motor weakness and can often be thought to be a stroke or epilepsy. If you were diagnosed with this type of Migraine, you should really consider seeing a Migraine and Headache Specialist I would also consider getting a Med-alert bracelet or something of that sort due to the symptoms you may experience during an attack.

There are also medications know as preventives. These are medications taken daily to help reduce the frequency of our Migraine attacks. If you are having about one a week, then you would be a canditate for preventive treatment. See: Migraine Preventive Medications: Too Many To Give Up!

Welcome again! Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We look forward to getting to know you better!