Migraine

I have Basilar Artery Migraine disease with no headache pain. I have a lot of symptoms and my attacks last for weeks and months at a time. My symptoms will vary but one of the most constant and upsetting symptom is a feeling of pressure inside my head. I don't know of any other way to describe it other than my brain feels like a rock. It is very frightening to me when it occurs. I also will lose the ability to speak for hours at a time. The odd thing about that is that if I sleep, when I wake up I can talk again. I also have trouble walking, I "drag" one leg. It is not weak, but it just will not do what I want it to do. I have a lot of confusion at times, trouble speaking/slurring words, trouble with my vision, hearing problems (everything sounds like a record running at slow speed), memory loss. Lately the attacks have been progressing from the "non-pain" symptoms to a "painful" migraine headache, then back to the "non-pain symptoms again. I am new to this website/forum so I apologize for going on and on, but I know that I must do my own research to succesfully deal with this. My neurologist is great! He is caring and is willing to try any suggestions that I have as long as they are no danger to me. Has anyone else with BAM experienced any of these symptoms? Any suggestions? Any comments on the Jeffereson Headache Center in Philadelphia or Dr. Robert Kaniecki at the UPMC Headache Clinic in Pittsburgh? Thanks in advance for any help.

Welcome Geakle.

I don't think we have too many BAM patients here, but here is a link that might be useful

[URL=http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/types-of-headaches-40278-5.html ]Basiler Artery Migraine[/URL]

Some of your symptoms don't sound like my BAM attacks but we have some in common.

Mine always start with a vertigo attack--true vertigo where the room spins. I always get nauseated and sometimes throw up. My right leg does drag a bit during my BMAs but I only notice it going up stairs--I have to concentrate to be sure I pick it up high enough to hit the step I'm shooting for. I can't tell if my brain fog is from fibromyalgia, migraine, or Meniere's so I hesitate to attribute it to BAM.

I have trouble finding the right word I'm after when I speak but I do ok writing--but this is ongoing and not BAM-specific.

My heart rate and breathing become, well, weird during a BAM. I get pressure in my head but I get it along my spine in places too.

They're no fun.

I believe I've got something going on in my brain stem, where the basilar artery travels. I've got no vestibular damage but also no vestibular function, brain stem being the place that controls your vestibular organs. With BAM and this lack of vestibular function, I can't help but think something's screwy back there.