Any fellow Migraine sufferers? I really need a hand hold

[CallingFromLondon]

This last week has been horrendous. About a week ago, I suffered some really horrific migraine symptoms - Slurred speech, numb left arm, confusion, and inability to comprehend a basic sentence. It's like I couldn't put together the words of something and process what they mean. And along with it, a blindingly painful headache and nausea.

This happened again 48 hours ago. Since then, I've just had a constant banging headache. My head feels heavy and I feel like I can't lift it without a lot of effort. The headache is making me feel sick.

I spoke to my GP about the worrying symptoms as it can be a sign of something called TIA (mini strokes). But he highly doubts it given my age and the fact the confusion is ongoing.

I'm so fed up, I just want to ball my eyes out but it would hurt my head too much. I have a very active toddler to attend to amongst it all, and I feel like I'm sinking and can't cope.

I'm really snappy and short tempered. I'm never like that, ever. I'm extremely easy going.

Has anyone been through similar?

My migraines have always been really nasty but the symptoms were previously only partial sight loss and sensitively to noise and light.

Yep, I had one yesterday and today have the horrible ‘hangover’ feeling I always get the day after.

What do you take for them?

The only thing that seems to shift mine is sumatriptan and sleep

Have you ever seen a neurologist? I have the same as you and two dc too, and seeing a neurologist has helped massively. She has put me on topirimate, which is an epilepsy drug and works as a preventive. Are you on any medication? Triptans?

I really feel for you. It's the worst of the worst. Have you got anyone who can come and have your toddler so you could go to bed? Or can you lie on the sofa and put cbeebies on?
Dehydration makes it worse, as does low blood sugar, so make sure you have eaten and drunk enough, even if you feel sick.

I'm on no medication at all. It's only in the last week or so that they've been recurring like they're going out of fashion.

Before I'd get them a few times a year, although they'd last 24 hours and it was horrible none the less.

I'm just taking ibuprofen/paracetamol

I know it sounds odd, but full fat Red Bull really helps when I have a migraine (along with paracetamol and triptans). It doesn't stop me sleeping but seems to help with nausea and that "hangover" feeling.

That's strange. There must be a trigger. Can you go back to your GP and get another appointment? On the off chance, you're not pregnant? Might be hormonal.

It's probably placebo bunkum but I got my daith pierced and not had one since....

I know it sounds odd, but full fat Red Bull really helps when I have a migraine (along with paracetamol and triptans). It doesn't stop me sleeping but seems to help with nausea and that "hangover" feeling.

That's funny... I've really been fancying a Red Bull since yesterday! Thank you. I will try it straight away.

I will embarrassingly admit I've never really had a hangover... I've never been huge on alcohol (I love whisky) but I do know what it feels like to wake up from a heavy sedative It feels like that. Thumping headache, feel generally rotten. So probably what a hangover is.

That's strange. There must be a trigger. Can you go back to your GP and get another appointment? On the off chance, you're not pregnant? Might be hormonal.

I'm off for another appointment tomorrow. It sound pushy but I want to push for an iron level check and possibly an MRI. I'm not comfortable just assuming it's a migraine and NHS sources seem to heavily suggest you shouldn't assume and those type of migraines can only be diagnosed when TIA is ruled out.

It's probably placebo bunkum but I got my daith pierced and not had one since.... I don't know what a daith is but I'm sure someone on MN has mentioned it across threads before and said the same! Although isn't it extremely painful to have done?

Since I started taking 20mg of Amitriptyline at night to reduce them I have only been having about one a month rather than 2/3 A week. Miracle drug for me.

horray thank you I will look into that drug x

I'm just astounded there are people getting them numerous times a week for YEARS and holding down jobs and lives. I feel completely defeated and it's only been a week or so. It's all just so draining, nauseating, painful. Argh!!!

I have the botox injections as I've tried every medication that can be prescribed for chronic headache and migraine. These symptoms sound scary. The GP is surely not qualified to diagnose types of migraine?

I don't want to frighten you, but I started having seizures 15 years ago and the complex partial seizures were quite similar to how you described. Obviously it's far more likely that you're having migraines, but I really would ask for that referral.

My son has migraines like the one you described OP. It sounds like hemiplegic migraine.

Does the botox work Calling?
I have tried every triptan and nothing works for me.

Have you looked up hemiplegic migraines? I have the same symptoms as you - confusion, loss of memory, loss of feeling in my left arm, the works! In the space of five minutes I go from being able to use my phone and make a call to not remembering how to open a text message. I also lose the vision in one eye (usually left too.)

I've had an mri scan (all clear) tried numerous triptins and amytriptaline to no effect. There doesn't seem to be any specific trigger either, I just know that when I notice my vision going (first sign I'm getting a migraine) I need to take myself to bed for 24hrs.

If I get one I usually get another 36-48 hours later (but it's normally less intense than the first, it's like an aftershock really.)

They knock me sideways for at least a week after too.

I've probably not been much help but know you're not alone!

Sounds horrible OP they’re really unpleasant.

For me my first warning sign of an impending migraine is my vision. I will develop blind spots. Then sort of wavy vision.

I then tend to get a numb arm (feels like my arm is disconnected from my body, weird!) I get slurred speech and a fuzzy mouth too.

I’d maybe go ask the GP for some stronger tablets if the OTC aren’t cutting it.

You need a proper alleviator like a triptan to halt your migraines in their tracks, rather than doing what your are doing at the moment which is basically riding out the most unpleasant form of hemiplegi migraine.

A triptan taken as soon as your headache started would likely have saved you all this.

Then if you are having migraines every month you should discuss whether it is worh you having a preventer medicine - if they are only a couple a year, it isn't but every couple of weels you should have one.

Finally have a think about triggers and how to avoid migraines in the first place: classics are dehydration, being hungry, lack of sleep (migraine likes a regular timetable!), alcohol, fragrance. There are lots of others but sorting those made a massive difference to my migraine frequency which was almost daily at its worst.

I'm currently on day 4 of a migraine. I feel like crying. Got my 15m old at home with me, older 2 at school but working tomorrow (childminder) so will also have a 2 year old and 5m old. Can't take it off. Mum is desperate. This is by far the worst I've had. Nausea, diarrhea, headache, can't look up! Mild temp. Partner works away so no help at home. Any advice would be great

I have had migraines like this in the past and was referred to a stroke clinic and a neurologist and they diagnosed hemiplegic migraine. The first time was when pregnant and I have had the same with less severity a few times since. My ‘normal’ migraines are now controlled with beta blockers, my GP said they have no idea why this works for some people and I still get them but down from twice a week to roughly quarterly.

trev 4 days is a long time for a migraine and having a temperature is unusual.

Are you sure it is a migraine given it is the worst you have ever had? I think you should seek real life medical advice urgently.

Oh really? Will try and see a doctor today. Thanks

@trevcat I don't mean to worry you but seek medical help this afternoon.

I know a 45 year old woman who had similar symptoms recently and it was viral meningitis

Completely agree that you should be getting medical help, trev. Hope you manage to get an appointment.

Your symptoms sound like hemiplegia migraine, OP, as others have said. Might be worth asking for a referral to make sure it's not something else, though.

OP, if you don’t mind me asking, are you on the pill? I was getting migraines for the whole of my pill free week when I went back on it after DD. It might be oestrogen withdrawal if you are. Changing to the mini pill cured it!

So lovely to see all of this wonderful support, thank you so much all

I personally think it is hemiplegic migraines, however, everything serious should be ruled out as it isn't safe to assume. Even if there's a small Just it's TIA, it's a chance I cannot take

trev Go and get seen, that sounds horrendous. I really feel for you.

Sweetie Not on the pill, no! I tried it once as a teen and it made me psycho so I've always stayed away