Migraine

Apparently, I was unresponsive and almost unconscious... I had warning signs the day/night before...

My Mom was over at my apartment, because I was feeling bad, and she left about 2am... I woke up, yesterday, feeling the auras, and the signs that hit me the first time (back in December)... I called my Mother, and she came over...

By the time she got over, that was when I was becoming unreponsive, unless she basically yelled at me, she said - so, she called 911 and I went to the hospital.

They were going to do another, what are they called, MRI (is that the one that takes about 45 minutes in the tiny, tiny tunnel?)... but they didn't sedate me enough - I was conscious at this time, so I made them pull me out of there (I'm severely claustrophobic).

They then did the other big tunnel test (CAT scan?)...

That came back normal, and I did NOT want to stay the night like I had to do in December, so they released me...

So, it looks like every 2 1/2 months or so, I have this to look forward to...

I just wanted to add the migraine meds I'm on: Maxalt, Seroquel, and my anti-depressant, Lexapro. I just saw my psychiatrist about a week ago, as well as Dr. Roy, my neurologist (well, maybe it was 2 weeks ago).

I hope everyone here is doing well...


Elizabeth

Sorry to hear you had another attack!

Yes - closed MRI's are quite close - but they give better pictures, some doctors say then the open MRI's which, for people with claustrophobia, an open MRI would probably be better.

I'm glad that you had your mom there with you!

Hope you are home taking it easy today!

Hi Elizabeth,

I am so sorry you had another attack . Good thing your mom was with you! Hope you are feeling better today. And I agree with you on the closed MRI's, I'll take the open ones any day. Feel better

Dar

Hi Elizabeth,



I'm so sorry to hear you had another tough night!

I'm glad they were at least able to get you through your CAT scan...and that the results were normal.

You're taking Seroquel for your migraines? Is is a daily med for you? I took it for a while a couple of years ago. It knocked me out! I had SO much trouble waking up from it the next day! (At the time, I used it only as a rescue med, when my Imitrex failed.)

Feel better!

jenny

Elizabeth,

I'm so sorry to hear about your "adventure." That must be really scary, both for your mom and you. What a rotten deal. Hope your meds help. Good luck to you.

Thanks so much, everone...

Yep, I take Seroquel daily... I take a greated milligram at bedtime, and it does make me sleepy (but not too, too sleepy).

It's just so weird there's chunks I'm not able to remember AT ALL. My Mom said the EMS people carried me down the apartment's stairs, and I went by EMS - I remember absolutely NOTHING of that... I just "woke up" in the hospital, confused and disoriented, and them I was fine... (although, I must admit I was pretty agitated/mad feeling - I'm not sure why...weird, huh?)

I'm just wondering how often this is going to happen...

Thanks again everyone,
Elizabeth

quote:

Originally posted by millsy:
Elizabeth, I am sorry you had another basilar. Everything sounds so familiar.

Since I stopped taking tamoxifen, the only symptom I am still getting is the speech arrest. I think that has to do with my anemia, not enough oxygen getting to the brain at times.

I thought the last time you posted you said you were taking an oral contraceptive. Is that correct and are you still taking it? If so, I really think eliminating it is worth a try based on my experience with the tamoxifen. No promises. Everyone responds differently and I am not a doctor. Best wishes!

Hi, Millsy.

Thanks...

I was taking Yasmin before I had my first attack, but after that - I discontinued it. I'm not taking any oral contraceptive right now.

Thanks for your wishes!

Elizabeth

What a terrifying experience, Elizabeth!

Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I will. Maxalt is a triptan and contraindicated in basilar type migraines so I would definitely bring that up to your doctor...sooner rather than later.

That sounds horrifying, Elizabeth! I'm glad to hear you are feeling better

quote:

Originally posted by hope2bvertical:
Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I will. Maxalt is a triptan and contraindicated in basilar type migraines so I would definitely bring that up to your doctor...sooner rather than later.

Thank you, seriously, for saying that...

See, whaen Dr. Roy prescribed Maxalt for me, I told her I read somewhere that people w/ Basilar Migraines should NOT take triptans, and that's when she mentioned some study that was done on that on people - she even said NOBODY w/ Basilars was included - but the study conclulded that it was safe. ??? I know.

I've seen her once or twice since that visit, and one the last visit, my mother-in-law came w/ me, and she use to get migraines. My MIL asked Dr. Roy about some med she took for migraines that helped her, and Dr. Roy immediately stiffened up, and told her it wasn't a good idea -- you could tell the doc took a HUGE offense to my MIL just politely asking about it.

That bothered me. Other than that, and the Maxalt discussion on my first visit w/ her, she's been alright... I just don't know of any other GOOD migraine specialists in my area... I think she's rated as one of the major ones in Austin.

I see Dr. Roy April 30th, I believe... you're right - I think I will re-discuss the Maxalt w/ her sooner than that, though...

Thanks
Elizabeth

quote:

Originally posted by e:
That sounds horrifying, Elizabeth! I'm glad to hear you are feeling better

Thanks, E. It WAS very scary, for sure...

quote:

Originally posted by millsy:
Officially, it is true that the triptans are contraindicated with basilar migraine, the reason being a presumption of increased risk for stroke. When I started having speech arrest episodes, my neuro at the time (not a migraine specialist) wouldn't allow me triptans because she felt my risk of stroke was elevated.

However the migraine specialist I am seeing now, who made the basilar migraine dx, said he was confident that the symptoms were aura and he isn't worried about stroke so he has prescribed maxalt for me and I am very grateful.

Very interesting... thanks for all that info - I'll keep that in mind, as well.

I'm very glad Maxalt's working for you...

I mean - it seems to work when I have a horrible migraine headache - but this is my 2nd actual "Basilar" migraine, where I've been COMPLETELY effected w/ my speech, walking coordination severely, and even unconsiousness where I don't remember ANYTHING that happened for a breif time (this time it was a few hours, though!!!). I hope I don't have another one for long time.

Thanks!
Elizabeth

Elizabeth, I believe the study that Dr Roy may have been referring to is the one mentioned HERE. Our own Teri Robert is in the process of doing some more research on this topic and plans to post an article on this in the near future. (Teri, please do correct me if I'm wrong.)

As I understand it, the idea that triptans are contraindicated in cases of HM or BTM is based on the idea that constriction of blood vessels in the brain during HM or BTM attacks causes the symptoms unique to those particular migraine types. Triptans were therefore not recommended as they would further constrict the blood vessels, which could lead to stroke. Newer research is showing that this theory may be outdated, that blood vessels may not constrict in the brain like originally thought.

There's still quite a bit of disagreement in the field over the safety of prescribing triptans for HM and BTM. That's why you'll find some docs will do it and some won't. Definitely talk to Dr Roy about it and she what further information she can give you.

Elizabeth, I'm so sorry you went through all this again. Thank goodness for your mom's support throughout! for you both.

Did you hear back for your doctor yet? Please keep us posted when you can and in the meantime, please take care and get lots of rest.

All my best to you!