I lost my words!

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

On Sunday evening I think I had an aphasic episode.

DH was telling me something and it was like he was speaking a different language. At this point I could still talk and I kept asking him what he was saying but I couldn't make sense of the words.

I then took DS2 into the bathroom to shower and whenever I spoke I didn't know what I had just said. It was like my inside voice was ear as day but I didn't recognise whatever I had said. By the time I got him out of the shower I couldn't talk. I knew what I wanted to say but I had to really focus to say it.

DH held my hands while I managed to blurt out "my words". He took me to lie down and an hour later I felt fine but I had my normal migraine aura appear without a headache.

Saw GP today who made me do lots of tests like walking on my heels and watching her finger. She wants my recent sight test results for the back of my eye and has booked a blood test and ECG for tomorrow. She has prescribed amitriptyline and aspirin. I have to keep a headache and aphasic diary for 2 weeks as I still keep mispronouncing the odd word here and there.

I've googled (I know ) and it sounds like a transient aphasic migraine.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm hoping it's not anything more serious. I don't know why I need a blood test and ECG for migraines.

[pinkfrocks]

you should have gone to A&E when it occurred. This could have been a TIA - a slight stroke. Your GP ought to send you for a CT scan to check all of this out. I'd go back and ask to be referred- too potentially serious not to have investigated.

[FineDamnBeaver]

I agree with pink that it should be checked. However, it sounds very migraine-y to me. The fact it occurred in stages, and in conjunction with usual aura, is reassuring. I had an aphasic aura once (quite a lot like yours), and they did an MRI and I saw a neurologist, but it was "just a migraine".

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

I have a history of migraines so I think that's why she's assuming an atypical migraine. Got my blood test today.

I recovered well apart from being very tired after. Can you recover from TIAs so quickly and without any signs it had happened?

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

She's also asked for my recent eye test images of the back of my eye.

She did question family history of strokes but I'm NC with DM's side (except my DM).

Had another migraine last night. 7 hours. I'm exhausted today.

[pinkfrocks]

My Mum had a suspected TIA . I was with her at the time. Her symptoms were a severe headache on one side, extreme tiredness afterwards but no problems with loss of speech or movement. Further tests seemed to show that was what she'd had. If you have frequent and severe migraine they seem to think there may be a link with higher stroke risk anyway. In your shoes, I think I'd want a full range of investigations and assume it could have been a TIA unless proved otherwise.

[pinkfrocks]

Oh and she also had a slight ache in one arm and slight loss of movement/ power in the arm (I think) at the time.

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

Found out today I am having the full board of blood tests from kidneys and liver to cholesterol and diabetes plus and ECG next Friday and I've been referred to a neurologist. The neurologist will do a CT.

I still keep forgetting a few words or mispronouncing them.

[TheRollingCrone]

I had a similar thing, along with brain fog, aches and pains, it turned out I had untraceable levels of Vit D; may be worth asking for a test alongside.

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

That's interesting Rolling. The vitamin D is a separate test to blood work isn't it?

[pinkfrocks]

If this gets worse, you must dial 999 and get to A&E. I don't want to worry you but it sounds like a slight stroke especially as you are still not able to speak properly. The aspirin can be good or bad- if a TIA or stroke is caused by a clot then aspirin will help. If it's caused by a bleed in the brain it will make it worse and can be fatal. You ought to check with your dr.

[pinkfrocks]

why are you taking the ami? It's an old anti depressant and also used for nerve pain/ chronic pain. It's also highly sedative at high levels (over 75 mgs a day.)

[IHeartKingThistle]

A teaching colleague had this happen in front of a class. Hers was migraine - no headache for her either. Hope you get an answer soon.

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

Pin the Ami is used to treat migraines so I'm on them for 2 weeks to see if the migraines stop. My sister takes them too but for arthritic pain.

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

I feel a hell of a lot better today. It's not every word it's occasional. I said bark instead of bike and metres instead of mattress and when talking to the nurse today I stuttered a lot.

[ShuShuFontana]

I have this rarely, once or twice being unable to get a word from my brain to my mouth ....I was trying to get dh to pass the tomato sauce to one of the children, just couldn't say sauce, ketchup, bottle...anything pertinent to this bloody thing!

I could see the words in my head though, and ended up spelling K-E-T-C-H-U-P ...DH was really worried!

More often though I get a bit slurry, all my words fall out in a muddle and within a couple of hours the vomiting starts, and the headaches.

I've always put it down to migraines and never had investigations, but it is always closely associated and of very short duration so have never gone for further investigation

I think the GP should get all the results back and hopefully be able to put your mind at rest that it is not something more serious.

I have recently been taking beta blockers and had no migraines for 4 months! ....small aura issues twice, but no vomming or headaches, I am thrilled!

[WardenessOfTheNorth]

Shu I've been waiting for a GP to take me seriously enough to give me medication. I moved recently so this is a new doctor.

I used to get migraines in my sleep and I'd wake up with the pain. My old GP just said to take painkillers before I went to sleep