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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU? A&E? Migraine?

38 replies

AIBUaboutthis4 · 24/04/2023 14:16

My young adult daughter has been suffering from excruciating migraines for the last half a year. They’ve been getting worse and nothing seems to be helping her when she gets them. She had one at the weekend and half of her body was completely numb. She could walk but not very well and she said she didnt feel like she was walking on her foot properly because she couldnt feel it. She fell over when she tried to walk normally. She was also vomiting and couldn’t lie down or bend over because of how severe her pain was. She was screaming with pain and almost manic with it.

I wanted to take her to A&E to at least alleviate her pain but she was adamant she couldn’t go ‘for a migraine’.

I suppose what I’m asking is, would we have been UR to go to A&E for this? She is under her GP but they have been completely useless to be blunt and watching her hysterically howling in pain was horrific. How do other migraine sufferers know when to go to A&E or 111 for help? I’m not expecting A&E to fast track any investigations for her, but when she has a horrific migraine like that, what should she do?

if any fellow migraine sufferers could offer any more advice on the situation for my daughter it would be greatly received.

OP posts:
TheGoogleMum · 24/04/2023 14:18

Normally I'd say don't go to a&e for a migraine but half her body going numb sounds potentially serious so I don't think it would have been unreasonable to have gone

RobinStrike · 24/04/2023 14:18

I'm not a migraine sufferer but I think headaches, vomiting and problems with balance suggest it's not necessarily a migraine and she would need an mri. I would definitely take her to A&E.

SeaToSki · 24/04/2023 14:20

Has she ever has a brain scan done when she was being treated for ‘migraines’. It does sounds like she needs to see a neurologist to rule out anything else

takealettermsjones · 24/04/2023 14:22

She needs to push for further investigation. It could be hemiplegic migraine but it's also possible she could be having TIAs/mini strokes.

ChrisPPancake · 24/04/2023 14:23

I was sent to A&E by my GP for my first hemiplegic migraine to rule out a stroke. Has she seen a neurologist?

Capitulatingpanda · 24/04/2023 14:25

She needs to be referred to specialist headache clinic or neurologist urgently.
It sounds like hemiplegic migraine but she needs a CT or MRI of her brain to be sure that's the only cause of the weakness. If it's that bad again I would take her to A&E.
Start a migraine diary now if she hasn't already been doing one.
You could ask if they could do an occipital nerve block in A&E, I have had one for migraine but don't know if they offer for children.
If you have money and live near London you could get her apt with National Migraine clinic, they are specialists.
It does sound like my migraines, when they are that bad I feel like I'm dying, they much worse than my agonising labour pain. One thing a neurologist told me is prevent migraine at all costs, once one gets going it's hard to stop even with drugs.

Hoardasurass · 24/04/2023 14:25

They could be migraines (I've had these types before and they are very scary but treatable with the right meds) or some form of sezure, she needs to see a neurologist asap id be harassing the gp for a referral and taking her to a&e if it happens again because they will call in a neuro to rule out something more sinister such as TIAs and they can help manage her symptoms. Hope she feels better soon

SouthCountryGirl · 24/04/2023 14:25

Ask to be referred to a neurologist. I did after I was told I could either go back on the medication that doesn't work or take paracetamol.

Now under neurology again and have not long had a nerve block.

UnbeatenMum · 24/04/2023 14:25

I think A&E would be appropriate with those symptoms. If it has passed now then I'd go back to the GP about the numbness and request a neurology referral as well as exploring whether she's tried all the different migraine medication available.

Daisy95 · 24/04/2023 14:26

Sounds like my hemiplegic migraines, however for her first one she should be seen by a neurologist and if they are not under control by the gp and affecting her day to day life should be under neurology head ache clinic.
Has she actually had a mri of head?
Has she tried any triptrans?/ preventives?

Capitulatingpanda · 24/04/2023 14:27

Maybe look for a list of specialist centres nearby and go to the GP asking for a specific referral, often they have the referral forms on the website, have the link or the form ready.

Snowite · 24/04/2023 14:32

I am a migraine sufferer. Coming out of one now (day 3) starting postdrome. She needs to go to A&E...the recent onset, increasing severity etc she needs an MRI scan. Don't meant to worry you. After that you/she can research and take advice on preventative program and how to manage it / reduce frequency.

Lifeinlists · 24/04/2023 14:48

I went to A&E when my migraines suddenly got much worse and they absolutely took me seriously.

She needs to be seen urgently by the sound of it - those symptoms are concerning.
I would also think she needs a neurologist, one preferably with detailed knowledge of migraines. Some hospitals have specialist headache clinics and organisations like the Migraine Trust have lots of helpful advice on management and treatments.

But she doesn't know if this is definitely migraine until it has been properly investigated.

oliveandwell · 24/04/2023 15:17

Long term sufferer here. I went to A&E when I first started getting them. She needs an MRI to rule out anything more serious.

PercyPhelps · 24/04/2023 15:29

I went to A&E when I thought I was having a migraine (aura) but then my arm went numb and tingly. They could not have been nicer to me and I didn’t feel for one minute I was wasting their time.

InSpainTheRain · 24/04/2023 15:38

GO! Honestly I got zero support for migraines until I went to A and E! Once I started going there (it was v serious) I got more help.

SleepyRich · 24/04/2023 15:47

I'm a paramedic and I would have gone to A&E with those symptoms on a first presentation. Only not going if it was something I knew was part of my migraine presentation and other causes had been previously ruled out.

But yes you can get those symptoms with migraines and the pain doesn't always respond well to medications/pain relief unfortunately.

I would be expecting a referral to neurology from the GP in addition to trialling some medications to test effect really.

SleepyRich · 24/04/2023 15:53

I'm presuming it's passed now? Personally I wouldn't goto A&E now if she feels her normal self. But quite reasonable to go during an episode especially if there's any uncertainty about the cause.

I know you say GP has been useless but migraines really can be extremely difficult to manage and require specialist assessment so get referred on. Is it just that the referral is still in progress? But yes if she

PinkFootstool · 24/04/2023 16:07

Is she still affected by an attack?

She needs to see the GP urgently for a review and probably an MRI referral if it's passed, otherwise A&E if she still has the paralysis / numbness.

Whilst it could well be a hemiplegic migraine, they also need to eliminate a stroke / mini strokes / other brain issues like a tumour.

I get paralysis, loss of sight and aphasia with some of my migraines but I'm also under neurology for long term treatment.

Does she have an actual diagnosis of migraine? How long has she had them? I've had periods of them ramping up like this as well, but I had the diagnosis in my teens. I also have triptans for attacks.

There's significant research now which demonstrates that a failure to get a grip on episodic migraine (fewer than 15 days a month of attacks!) is exponentially more likely to lead to chronic migraine.... So getting a grip on it now might prevent her becoming as unwell as I have been.

Abacusporttaco · 24/04/2023 16:32

Hemiplegic migraine. Absolutely vile.

ArtixLynx · 24/04/2023 16:36

First rule of migraine is if anything different happens, or any new symptoms happen, you should go the Dr.. so yes, in this case, i would have taken her to A&E

As others have said, it could be hemiplegic migraine, but it could also be something much more serious and it NEEDS investigating and probably an MRI.

SarahC50 · 24/04/2023 16:37

I'm a chronic migraine sufferer and occasionally I go to a and e as the pain is unbearable usually I get a shot of diamorphine or iv opiates which instantly take away the pain. Please take her.

To echo others the GP needs to refer her to a neurologist who will diagnose her and offer different treatment options,personally I get Botox via NHS for mine. Most localities have a specialist headache clinic which would be really useful for her to be seen by. I'm 14 years with chronic hemiplegic migraines pm me if you like and love to your poor girl it's awful x

Rhondaa · 24/04/2023 16:40

Surely your gp hasn't been managing this themselves? As others have said she needs a neuro referral and scans to rule out other causes. If she's had these and nothing has shown up I'd give her whatever prescribed meds she has and see if it settles. Or ring 111 if you can't get a GP appointment.

jontymcjont · 24/04/2023 16:40

Oh your poor daughter Envy. If that happens again please do take her to A&E. And check that the GP has done a neurology referral for her.
Botox as a treatment has been shown to help in some cases.

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