Migraine

I've had migraines the past few years-- they do run in my family, actually, ALL of my female relatives (and a few male) on my mother's side get migraines. We don't all have the same triggers or same symptoms, but we do get them.

My neuro (who I've seen twice now) first said my migraines were "without aura" because I don't see flashing lights, etc. This last time he just said my symptoms were "unusual" and didn't want to put a name to it. So, I really don't know what kind I get.

Typically, a basic "bad" migraine consists of:

killer headache
weakness on my left side (arm, leg-- difficult to move and seem to "lag", my leg will drag a bit when I walk)
numbness or tingling, especially on the left side. This often starts BEFORE the headache hits-- if I get this, I know it's going to be a doosy
loss of vision (usually in one eye-- this usually happens after the numbness, when the pain hits)
photophobia (bright lights HURT)
phonophobia (sounds are horribly painful too)
nausea/vomiting
Can't keep my words straight (I mix things up or can't find the word for something)

Most of my relatives get the typical flashing or zig zaggy auras, though one cousin gets the loss of sight like I do. All of us deal with the nausea/vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and speech issues, though I don't know of anyone else that has trouble with one side of their body. It's like my left side just won't listen sometimes when I have a headache.

I am starting Lyrica as a preventative... I really hope it works.

Hi, Rachael. I really hope the Lyrica works, too. I'll have my fingers crossed for you.

No one will be able to diagnose you over the internet. You will need to get a diagnosis from a doctor who is able to examine you. You can, however, take a look at the articles listed in this index:

Types of Migraines and Headaches

It is very important to get the correct diagnosis, because it affects your treatment options. As you know, we've been encouraging you to seek out a migraine specialist.

Keep us posted. Good luck with the Lyrica.

Hi there.

Just because you don't have flashing lights doesn't not mean you dont' necessarily have Migraine with aura. Click on Migraine with Aura - The Basics for more information. Is your weakness in your arm and leg, true motor weakness, you can't move it?

Another article that may be helpful is Anatomy of a Migraine.

Clearly, if you have explained these symptoms to your doctor, he is not well versed in Migraine disease, and needs to be fired!!! Getting our Migraines under control is very important and best done with a Migraine specialist. Click HERE to see our list.

Keep us posted on how you are feeling, ok?

He's a general neuro, and definitely not a specialist.

The first time it happened, I really thought something was seriously wrong-- like I was having a stroke! It was so bizarre, having my left side literally not listen to me... (no it wasn't off doing it's own thing, it was just.. .well... not working!! I could move things, but only with a TON of concentration, and I have NO strength in that arm or leg. My arm kind of hangs dead and if I try to walk, my leg drags. Non-migraine, they are perfectly normal, there is no deficit in function)

It actually wasn't until this summer, 3 years after it first happened, that I got my first MRI and MRA for it. Other docs had just blown me off, I was too young to have a stroke, and well, migraines just don't do that kind of thing, I must be inventing it. (I live in a rural area, so finding a knowledgeable doc is, well... not easy)

My new GP immediately sent me for the MRI and MRA to make sure that there was nothing else going on, and then gave me a referral to a neuro, and said that yes, these symptoms can and do occur with some types of migraines.

You live in Maryland, right. We do have a patient recommended Migraine specialist at the University of Maryland Hosptial in Baltimore. Click HERE for her name.

You may have to travel a bit, but seeing an expert is the best route to take.

Yes, I'm up in the corner by Philadelphia, actually. (30 minutes from Philly) UofM if you factor in traffic is about 2.5-3 hours. I'm actually fighting with my insurance to go to one of the recommended docs in Philadelphia. If that doesn't work, I'll try the one at UofM, and hopefull that isn't also "Out of Network" (I swear if I hear that phrase from them again, I'll scream... EVERYTHING is "out of network"... darned near every specialist or hospital... UGH! Just like if the Lyrica works for me, I'll be paying for it, since they will not cover it for use on "migraines", only for fibro, partial seizures or diabetic/post herpetic neuralgia. If it is "off label", they don't cover it.)

They don't cover anything off-label? Please take a look at Teri's article here:

Migraine, Medications, and Insurance Companies

If your insurance is covering generics off-label, but objecting to covering brand-name off label, this article suggests an approach to fighting with them. It sounds as though you have plenty of fight in you. That's good.

Hmmmm... that's worth a try! They did cover generic calan/verapamil, as well as amitryptaline (sp), and those were also off-label. They've also been giving me a fit about covering my asthma meds-- of course, only the expensive ones.

quote:

Originally posted by lothianjavert:
Can't keep my words straight (I mix things up or can't find the word for something)

I do this same thing, and just did an ask a doctor thing on this. I am glad to know I am not the only one, and if I get a reply from the docs I will let you know.

Jen

We also have an Ask the Clinician opportunity on this web site. Is that what you submitted your question to? The questions go to Dr. Krucz, who is a migraine specialist in Texas. You can submit a question to Ask the Clinician by clicking HERE.

Thank you, yes that was where I submitted my question.

Jen