Basilar migraine

[LilRedWG]

Does anyone have any experience of these? I've seen my GP today and she has spoken to a neurologist who thinks I am suffering with these and wants to see me.

GP said there is nothing to worry about but I've stupidly Googled and am reading about "very rare" and "potential for stroke" and am pooing myself quietly.

TIA!

Are these the same as ocular migraines? I am unsure what a basilar migraine is.

I had ocular migraines, thought to be linked to hormones as when I am not pregant nor on the pill they are "cured".

Are you referred for an MRI scan? I had one which shit me up no end as it showed "white patches with areas of high attenuation". WTF!! Whoever thinks migraine is trivial has never had one!

What are your symptoms?

Not the same, I don't think. It is to do with the basilar blood vessel, not the occular nerve.

Basically, I had a headache one evening, which transmuted into a major headache which kept me up most of the night - I couldn't even lie on the back left-hand side of my head, it was far too painful - and I spent the next day in bed feeling vile. It gradually got better, but the headache lasted a few days to a lesser degree. I now have a general achiness in the base of my skull and feel a bit poo. I thought it was just a tension headache until I mentioned it to the GP today.

OOOh sounds nasty.

I get these and I can not take the pill because of risk of stroke. I have been through every test and treatment imagineable. I suffer really really badly from serious migraines. I am sorry its awful.

Eeny - I've just stopped taking the pill because I'd been on and off it for many many years. This headache occured just before I finished taking it.

Just over a month later I've still got this dull ache at the base of my skull most days. I'd never had a migrane before this.

It sounds as though you've been suffering for a while Eeny - I'm sorry.

Its ok LilRed. I have had migraines off and on since I was 7. But really badly the last 6 years. Its very hard. There is a drug called Maxalt Melt which you can take in an acute attack - its a little wafer that melts on your tongue. That works well for me. And there is an injection you can give yourself in your thigh. That works well too but it tends to knock me out although you are grateful to be knocked out in a migraine. Its just time consuming. I hope you get a good neurologist.

LilRedWG - am sorry to hear that you've been through this with your migraines. Migraines can be so debilitating and scary - as though your brain is about to explode. I suffer from migraine is a variety of forms and would thoroughly endorse eenybeeny recommendation of Maxmelt - a wonder drug for me although it does wipe me out too - which in the cicumstances is a godsend.

IME neurologists are lovely people - although I think they tend to be a little eccentric - both mine were. Don't be scared. They might want to do CT scan or MRI to rule anything else out.

My migraine present in a rather odd way and as a result I have had a bit of trouble getting some insurances but I don't feel as though there is anything to worry about. I sort of think of it as a IBS of the head!

I too suffer from migraines so sympathis ewith everone deeply.
I have been on several medication including beta blockers which I came off.(wasnt happy about taking these.
Had ct scan, seen a neuroligist.
Basically was told to take an aspirin a day.

Last attack was so severe I thought I was dying (Honestly Im not a drama queen [blush)

was in hospital and injection in one bum cheek for pain, one in other cheek to stop me being sick. Nothing worked so along came a nurse with a large looking tablet and a blob of gel. That didnt work either

Only advice apart from aspirin is no bananas,vanilla or strawberries.
Load of ruubbish. I eat these all the time and dont get a headache all the time.

I find chiropracter helps a lot as when my back is ready for treatment I also get cluster headaches and treatment helps these.

Sorry to waffle.

Never heard of the maxmelt sounds really good.
Does it really help. I tend to get disturbed vision or sightloss so I know when one is coming, Would be great to find a medication that even just eases it slightly.

No1 - Maxmelt IME helps with the classic migraine of aura, headache, nausea, disturbed vision etc. It also help when my migraine affects my speech, muscle movement in body etc Get thee to GP and demand!

Beta blockers were originally prescribed to me but played havoc with my circulation in hands and feet. I have also had the junior aspirin a day suggestion but that did not work - plus I was not especially happy having to take something every day. As soon as I feel a migraine coming on - and you know when it is happening - I sort my day and any school runs I have to do and take a Maxmelt - knocks me out completely and then when I wake up migraine gone but do feel a bit "woozy" but alot better.

I suffer from classic migraine though get them when I am NOT pg or on the pill, and not when I am (not a good reason to stay pg though!!)

I take Imigran, which I take as a nasal spray. It makes me functional for a couple of hours, but is not great, nothing really makes a lot of difference. First time I had one my Dad thought I had meningitis!

Hope you get it sorted because migraines are crap!

Yep,first time I had a migraine I thought I was having a brain haemorrhage.

The scariest part was the visual disturbance, temporary blindness and flashing lights.

I thought I was a goner !

Thanks for that, I will see gp. I due in August and then plan to BF so wont be able to take anything for a while yet, but they sound brilliant.
I know what you mean about not wanting to take something everyday.
When I was on the pill, they put me on loestrin 20. Said less chance of having them when on that. Didnt see much difference to be honest.

Ooo - you poor things. I've only had one and I'm acting as though it's the end of the world . I did not get any visual disturbances or anything, just felt a little lightheaded and dizzy.

Thanks for all the feedback, it's nice to know that I really do not need to panic

I'm seeing the Neurologist on Friday (they wanted to see me last week but I was on holiday) - what should I be asking/expecting?

Last minute bump....