Migraine

For this menstrual period, I had a strange migraine... I was wondering if anyone had anything like this?

As usual, I had severe cramping for several days before my period. Then I have my blood flow (typically this past year, my blood flow lasts one to two days, with large clots & then dried blood... in previous years, my blood flow would be 5 to 7 days).

Before my migraine, I woke up with major muscle aches. My knees -especially my left knee, were in a lot of pain (still have stiffness * pain)- I have orthopedic structural issues & get pain/stiffness if I walk alot, but this happened after a busy night of sleep. As usual (w/migraine prodrome), I had neck stiffness/pain & tinnitus (that changed in frequency from time to time). I also had shooting pain (and tenderness, as if there was an inflamed nerve) in my limbs, especially in my arms & hands. Sometimes around my period, I get seizure-like episodes (arm curls up, stiffens & cramps) & wake up w/muscle pain, esp. in the palm of my hand. However, I don't always remember & wonder if I got an episode when I wake up w/soreness. I wondered if this was the case this time.

So I get to work, and the pain continues. I have to help clean the classrooms & my hands really hurt. I am really foggy that day & locked my keys in the car (lately I've been extra forgetful & losing things) & extremely sleepy & cranky. It doesn't help that as part of an activity, we had to blow up balloons & my coworkers thought it was funny that my balloon was the size of a large grape (I can barely blow balloons & don't want to trigger an asthma attack). My parasthesias (electric shock) get worse.

After 8 hrs in flourescent lights (I normally work 3-5 hrs a day), my head is pounding w/a migraine... Later on, I go home & take a nap, feel a little better. I took percocet for my cramps & body pain (because I am almost out of codeine/tylonal 3 & my gynocologist wont prescribe pain killers... codeine makes my parasthesia & seizure-like episodes worse, but at least it helps w/pain somewhat & it doesn't completely knock me out like other narcotics)...my migraine gets worse. I had migraine pain all day yesterday & finally, this morning the pain (and parasthesias) is much better.

Now, I still have parasthesia & knee pain, but overall, better.

I was wondering, have any of you had anyting like this?

BTW, as for the the thirst & respiratory issues, I'm much better (it was a nasty case of the flu & fever that increased my symptoms).

I have not really been able to tell that much of what is prodrome for me physically during my period, because I just feel blah anyway. The only way I can tell I'm prodrome is that I have increase floaters, I get cranky or snippy or sometimes even a euphoric type symptom.

Sorry I couldn't be more help on this one.

Sounds like prodrome and regular blah of menstrual stuff maybe a little blurry for you too???

It's a hard call during that time of the month - my back hurts, legs, I feel horrible anyway...so like I said, it's a tough call, for me at least.

If this was unusual for you--and you say it was--be sure to call your doctor and let him/her know what is going on.

I haven't had anything like this. I just have garden-variety migraine without aura, of course. And my prodrome and premenstrual hormonal symptoms have come together for so many years that I don't have any idea where one ends and the other begins. So I'm not much help with this one either.

But do let your doctor know.

Hi,

As the others said, always consult your doctor if you are experiencing new symptoms and are concerned.

I know before and during my period my lupus symptoms are more pronounced.

I would contact my doctor if I thought it would get anywhere. I haven't seen my migraine specialist since June. I've been bounced from my migraine specialist to a seizure specialist to a sleep specialist & they all just say my symptoms are "vague & complex" & that it will take a long time to figure out ANYTHING. I have a feeling that my doctors don't want to deal with me... :-( Not that I enjoy going to doctors in the first place. My GP is out of town for several weeks...

At this point, I'm just trying to figure things out myself - I am tired of doctors. If I know others have these symptoms, at least I know it's not something to be concerned about. Last night, I fell asleep on the couch & my right side became stiff & I don't remember much else. Last year, when this would happen, I would try to get ahold of my doctors & wonder if I should go to ER. Lots of wasted time, lots of wasted money. It is very hard to get a doctor to call back. And I live far away (45 min) from the hospitals I go to).

I know you are tired of doctors. However, it really does sound like it's time for a new doctor. Not all doctors are disinterested and fail to return calls--I guarantee you that there are some good ones out there. We are happy to give you lots of reliable info, but we aren't doctors, and even if we were, we wouldn't have the opportunity to examine you in person. So you really need to find a doctor that you can communicate with, and whom you trust. Don't give up until you find one.

I'm going to echo what Nut said. Sounds like it's doctor firing time.

I know you are in Mass, and I only see one specialist listed in the state. I don't know much about the transportation system up there - but is Connecticut out of the question for you?

We don't have anyone for Maine listed either, I checked that out too. The closest we have on here is CT or NY.

Do all your doctors coordinate with each other? I would think at this point that would be necessary - if it were me, it would be a requirement!

I don't think I know anyone who likes to go to the doctor. But finding one you can work with is really important! At least you will get more out of the experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Alexandra "Morpheus":
I would contact my doctor if I thought it would get anywhere. I haven't seen my migraine specialist since June. I've been bounced from my migraine specialist to a seizure specialist to a sleep specialist & they all just say my symptoms are "vague & complex" & that it will take a long time to figure out ANYTHING. I have a feeling that my doctors don't want to deal with me... :-( Not that I enjoy going to doctors in the first place. My GP is out of town for several weeks...

At this point, I'm just trying to figure things out myself - I am tired of doctors. If I know others have these symptoms, at least I know it's not something to be concerned about. Last night, I fell asleep on the couch & my right side became stiff & I don't remember much else. Last year, when this would happen, I would try to get ahold of my doctors & wonder if I should go to ER. Lots of wasted time, lots of wasted money. It is very hard to get a doctor to call back. And I live far away (45 min) from the hospitals I go to).

Initially, it seemed my doctors were willing to coordinate my care, but it seemed they have forgotten me. At first, my migraine specialist seemed really good as listend to me & seemed thourough. But then he saw that I had a slightly abnormal MRI & abnormal EEG & I think that scared him off in wanting to treat me. I might have mixed things up, but from I understand the last time I saw him is that he helped me get off of Topamax (nevermind that I was having intense seizure-like symptoms getting off of it & had a real rough time & couldn't get ahold of him) & that I followed his homeopathic recommendations (that I could follow) & the only other med he recommended- Elival, I seemed to have a pretty intense (and not normal reaction) to it. I think he feels he's done all he's can, I guess. THat specialist is pretty anti-meds, which is why I went to him initially, but I'm not WHAT TYPE of help I need. I am pretty confused.

The seizure specialist doesn't think I have seizures, because my symptoms aren't typical seizures (I don't have tonic-clonic & probably no absence types). I had abnormal EEGs, but no seizures were caught... I tried contacting her several times to see if I am supposed to have a follow up, but no response. I am assuming that she is "done with me".

I'm still i nthe process with my sleep specialist... I have mild sleep apnea (15 episodes an hour), but since she said it is on the borderline level to be treated, I'm not being treated for it. I had had further sleep evals, no results yet. She wants to rule out narcolepsy, as I have most of the symptoms for that, but she says I seem atypical, because I had a lot of my symptoms at a very young age & not all my naps are "refreshing" & some other stuff... she's not in a rush to figure this out. I think this is typical.

I think my doctors feel that since many of my issues are lognstanding, that I can wait. I am barely getting by. I know I complain alot. I feel depressed about my situation. I cannot seem to pull myself by my bootstraps. I feel my spiral downwards. I'm not taking my suppliments anymore because I feel it's pointless. My migraines have become more frequent (compared to being on Topamax), but at least they have rarely lasted more than 4 days in the past several months. My seizure like stuff has increased though. And my sleep, well, I won't even start with that.

I know doctors probably deal with older people w/major heart stuff or some serious brain injuries. I'm probably not considered very high on the priority list, as I just have a crappy life & I'm just mildly suicidal, at most. My guess is that they assume people like me will eventually give up trying (or it's not so bad if we wait several years for a diagnosis).

The problem is, I cannot drive for more than a half hour at a time (and when I am optimal). I get very confused sometimes when I drive & get panicky if I am lost. It's tough as it is to get to my appointments. It's a hassle for my partner to come & I oftern mix things up or get angry at my doctors. I don't think my partner would be terribly thrilled to drive 2 1/2 hours each way to New Haven to see a doctor, as my partner thinks I'm depressed & just need to exercise to get myself better (he is supportive, but doesn't quite understand).