Teen with new onset suspected hemiplegic migraine

[Gattopardo]

DD 18 ended up in A&E today after an abandoned day out with her friend.

Her right leg felt like it was collapsing under her, and then the sensation spread up her body to the right side of her face/ tongue/ mouth/ arm. It resolved quickly within about 20 minutes and about 2 hours later she had worst headache ever. Currently in bed with all the drugs.

The A&E doc was really good, and seemed confident this was migraine given the family history of both parents having migraine.

She advised us to get an optician appointment for a dilated pupil (??) eye exam this week just for belt and braces.

She said CT scan would not be warranted because of the radiation dose, which seems sensible to me.

Does anyone here have runs of migraine attacks that last for this long? is this a thing? I only know about my own migraine experiences and they aren’t really like this, although I did once have one when my lip and hand went numb/ tingly and I thought I was having a stroke (I wasn’t).

I will of course take her back if she doesn’t improve soon.

MRI would be justified, and no radiation. I only see kids, but I never diagnose hemiplegic migraine until I see a negative head scan.

I don’t want to worry you at all but in this position I would push for an mri xxx

Sorry, when I referred to runs of migraine attacks - she has been unwell now for 10 days with headache/ vomiting that comes and goes. Sorry: that was not clear.

we did see the GP and they were also reassuring.

Not a kid prone to illness. Last time she was at the doctors was when she was 7 and had shingles …

@nocoolnamesleft thank you. Maybe I should be a bit more pushy then. If she isn’t right as rain in a couple of days I’ll move things on.

Also, @mummysmagicmedicine thanks for your response.

I do understand why this might seem alarming. Underneath I am a bit alarmed but I’m frying to maintain my composure and reassure myself that the most common things are the most common …

Read all relevant NICE guidance and make sure you request the recommended investigations.

For me it is yep, symptoms can last weeks on end (better since starting preventative meds) but mine weren't diagnosed as hemiplegic migraine until I'd had an MRI.

Thanks @MassiveOvaryaction . Brilliant username as well. Haha.