Hemiplegic migraine

[Hallelujah2020]

Does anyone have this?

I have always had it then in mid March I had 2 strokes , I wish I’d had the hp migraines investigated when I was younger. I’m female 63. I am recovering from the strokes but it’s hard and takes a Will of steel to do it. Xxx

Hemi plegic migraine is like transient ischemic attacks I had 2 Ischemic strokes. I should have been to the gp and had them investigated. x

My DS had them from the age of 10 right through his teens. The first time it happened it was terrifying, and he was under a migraine clinic for several years. However, he grew out of it in his twenties and though he still gets occasional migraines they are nowhere near as severe.

Yes, I get them. Had them for the first time in my mid 20s. Still getting them 20yrs later.

Mine present like a stroke. Paralysis of the right side of my face, I struggle to speak - can't find the words (aphasia), slurring speech, and usually the worst pain I ever have with an attack. I always feel like I'm going to die. The aftereffects can last for weeks.

I've had MRIs and no evidence of a TIA or stroke.

Triptans stop the attack effectively, but I'm wrecked for a long time after these attacks - the postdrome is the worst of any of my migraines. I also get classic aura migraine, non-aura migraine, vestibular migraine (which causes cyclical vomiting), ice-pick headaches and I've had three bouts of cluster headache.....

Chronic migraine is a bitch.

I have suffered from these since I was about 7 years old (now 35).
I have never had any investigations or anything and what the PP said about having had a stroke and wishing they’d had their migraines investigated has scared me.
Lately I’ve had more than ever. I’ve been reading about them and there’s research to say that Triptans shouldn’t be taken with hemiplegic migraines. Apparently it increases stroke risk? This is what I’ve been prescribed for mine so I think I need to talk to the doctor about that.

@Seasidesusy does your GP really understand that you're having hemiplegic attacks? How do they present?

I take triptans, but I'm under neurology for my chronic migraine.

The science around hemiplegic migraine and triptans is ropey at best - take it with a huge pinch of salt! There's conflicting opinion on both sides of the argument with a mix of good and bad research as well.

Similarly to what you described.

• pins and needles in lips, tongue, nose, fingers and arms (always one side only)
• can’t find words I need
• Visual disturbances - starts as wiggly bright lines, then takes over one eye entirely so all I can see is constantly moving colour. Sometimes tunnel vision or face blindness so can’t see directly ahead but I do have peripheral vision
• Complete exhaustion
• Nausea and sometimes sickness
• Intense headache usually on one side of head
• Severe postdrome sometimes for several days

It sounds like HP migraine I think?

Currently it’s me wondering

I’m awaiting a brain MRI

But symptoms are left sided headache, left sided visual aura BUT doesn’t associate with headache?!?, left arm tingling, numbness, feels odd.

Left side of face and body doesn’t feel normal or the same as the right - right side feels completely normal

I don’t always have a headache with mine. Mine is usually left sided too but my last 2 were right sided.

@Seasidesusy You really should get them investigated. Ask for a referral to a neurologist, preferably one with specialist knowledge of migraines. If the waiting list's long then a private appointment speeds things up. You then get put back on the NHS .

I can't take triptans any more as I have heart disease - though nobody actually told me there was a risk. I found out via Migraine UK. My GP and Pharmacy just kept prescribing them until I raised it and then it was "Oh no, dont take triptans!"

@Seasidesusy if you're not getting muscle weakness or paralysis, it doesn't qualify for that diagnosis under the international standards.

Migraine is a nefarious beastie!

Pins and needles are classified as a sensory aura (for a classic migraine with aura) which is the same classification as paralysis, but it's the paralysis that's specific to hemiplegic attacks.

@Seasidesusy
To me your symptoms sound more like migraine with aura but a detailed consultation would diagnose - and maybe treat - whatever it is.

Migraines are the pits and if they're increasing don't ignore it.

@Lifeinlists no GP will refer to neurology if there's no change in attacks (ie becoming chronic, not responding to repeated types of preventative meds etc).

The criteria to see the headache specialists is very restricted because migraine is so horribly common.... This is the criteria in my area:

southwest.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/referral-guidance/western-locality/neurology/adult-migraine-with-or-without-aura-treatment-guidelines-for-gps

Thanks both. My attacks are definitely different to how they used to present but I’ve never really questioned it, which seems really silly of me now. I will speak to the doctor.
OP sorry to derail your thread. I hope you get to the bottom of your issues.

@PinkFootstool I get that but @Seasidesusy said her attacks have changed / increased.

Migraine UK is a good source of information and advice; better than my GP as it turned out.

Head pain is not required for it to be a migraine, however it's the most common feature. Do you have other migraines too?

Do these attacks resolve fully?

The last two days I’ve felt completely normal ie no headache, no aura and both sides feel the same.

Up until then mostly I’ve not felt normal

I was rushed to A&E on Friday with symptoms of a stroke. Left side mouth not symmetrical with right side, my leg hovered before touching the floor when waking, was as if my brain wasn’t sending correct signals, my speech was also different, my voice sounded different. At Hospital I then started to find difficulty finding words and also stuttered.
sent to see stroke specialist who didn’t think it was a stroke after the above symptoms, and could be migraine. Had no head pain whatsoever. So awaiting mri. If it was any time of migraine it would be this one.