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It's me again! I didn't know this but you can get migraines that give you pins and needles/numbness without actually having a headache. Did you know this?

23 replies

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 16:50

Smile
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kickassangel · 06/05/2009 17:08

yep, although i tend to get both.
migraines are caused by the nerves in the back of your neck, so headaches may or may not be part of it

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 17:10

Ahh, so can I solve this problem apart from taking the drugs he's prescribed? I hate taking medication. He did say it was really bad, something about aura????? (I thought this was a coloured image some people see around others but apparantly not) He mentioned something about my brain not working as it should.

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Saltire · 06/05/2009 17:13

There is also a thing called occular migraines, which I someitmes get (I was told this after a panicked visit to the opticians). I get all the symptoms I usaully get at the start of a migraine, blurred vision, zig zag lines, blind spots. Then nothing. No headache after wards - usally when I get the visual disturbances then the headache follows within 30 mintues

Kathyis6incheshigh · 06/05/2009 17:14

Yes, I have migraines (fortunately not very often) where the headaches aren't actually that bad and sometimes not there at all but the aura is very debilitating - sometimes I physically can't speak because the sounds come out all muddled up. Then I get the exhaustion after it.
I think 'aura' means all the other symptoms that come with it, not just the visual disturbance.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 17:15

Ah, I'm just pleased it's not MS. I've got to go for a brain scan anyway though. I've never heard of this before. I thought migraines were headaches. Vision's been blurred for 3 years, fatigue, mood swings, forgetful, clumsy.

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Lukesmammy · 07/05/2009 12:24

Yes - I've suffered with these types of migraines for years. I get both classic and atypical and occular - lucky me eh??

IDidntRaiseAThief · 07/05/2009 12:29

yes, but not until it happened to me!

Had all the symptoms of a stroke, but tests showed it was a migrainous episode.

TheProfiteroleThief · 07/05/2009 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 07/05/2009 14:12

I'm going to try a chiropractor tomorrow. I can't do long term medication. It would drive me nuts. At least I'll be able to concentrate when it's sorted. This will be a new experience for me

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Sheeta · 07/05/2009 14:17

Yes, I get the halo's and the numbness. First migraine scared the bejesus out of me as I got a massive halo on one side, huge blind spot on the other (couldn't see most of my keyboard) and my whole left side went completely numb!

Now I take a shed load of codeine and ibuprofen at first signs and it stops it dead in it's tracks, and I just have to lay down until my vision is back to normal.

Didn't know you could get just the numbness and other bits without the headache.

BCNS · 07/05/2009 14:23

yes.. but not till it also happened to me.. I get the flashy zig zag lights, then the headache etc normally..
but occasionally.. I get all tingly down my left side, half a numb tongue and nose and funny fingers and legs.. then I get the blind spots.. followed by a normal migraine.. and then lots of little after shock ones for days after.. these one cause me exhaustion for several days later!

flipping horrid things!

and on 2 of the numb and tingly ones I was carted away by ambulance to A+E.. as they thought it maybe a stroke!... I was let out evevntually with two paracetamol and some anti sick things

TitsalinaBumsquash · 07/05/2009 14:27

Oh god this is so wierd i had that exact thing today! My headache was mild compared to what it usually is but i was sluring and my hands and face went completley numb and tingly, i couldn't see a thing - i thought i was having a stroke

Luckily its gone now.

claricebeansmum · 07/05/2009 14:31

Yes - this happens to me. First happened when pg with DD at 38+.

Ended up having MRI and CT scans whilst they worked out if I had a stroke, MS and all sorts of other scary things.

They always leave me exhausted for days. Ask your GP for drugs - Maxmelt are excellent but do knock me out for a few hours.

Also have the nausea, head exploding types too.

MadameCastafiore · 07/05/2009 14:31

Yep - mine started without the pain whilst I was pregnant with DS - before then the pain was always the worst thing now its the visual problems (small blurry specks and tunnel vision) and hypodysphasia (sp?) which is what talking shite basically is called and forgetting words.

I also get the numbness (starting in fingers of right hand invariably then encompassing my arm, then my face and then the rest of my right side!) and have had 2 admissions into hospital when people thought I was having a stroke - one on the day DS was due.

I take a immigran radis nasal spray for the pain and the non pain symptoms - maybe it could help you.

TitsalinaBumsquash · 07/05/2009 15:35

I didn't know what it was untill i read this, wierd how this thread appeared on the day it first happened to me. My mum was going to take me to hospital i was on the verge of collapsing ad i was talking complete slurred rubbish.

I feel a bit better now, it was really scar though my tounge felt huge and tingly and the rest of me seemed really numb, it was so strange.

smartiejake · 07/05/2009 15:47

I never get headaches with my migraines- I get a strange visual disturbance, tingling, dizziness and feel wiped out for a few hours.

BouncingTurtle · 07/05/2009 16:02

Migraines have been linked to stroke - if you have had migraines you are at a higher risk catagory for stroke.
I was taken off the combined contraceptive pill (microgynon I think) my GP had told me that people with migraines have a higher risk of stroke and that taking a combined pill could make the risk even higher.

I was cautioned that if during a migraine attack I suffered numbness or tingling down one side I was to go straight to A&E to rule out the possibility of a stroke

Luckily I don't get them as bad or as frequently as I did when I was younger.

MadameCastafiore · 07/05/2009 16:16

Bloody hell bouncing turtle - A&E would be very unamused if I turned up everytime I have a migraine.

I have had an MRI to rule out any brain bleeds after the worst migraine I had when I was pregnant.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 08/05/2009 15:02

I didn't realise you could get them like this. I've had the numbness/burning for 6 weeks so it's a long migraine! I've just been to see a chiropractor, this should help (I hope).

It's a bit scary isn't it!

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Lucy88 · 08/05/2009 22:06

Migraines are usually a result of changes in the seratonin levels in your brain - the same part of the brain that is affected when you have a stroke, hence some of the similar symptoms.

I've had migraines since I was 7 (40 now). They always start with little tiny flashing lights in my left eye and not being able to judge distances. Then a slight headache, then pins and needles which start in my left arm and work their way up to my face, mouth and tongue. Then my speech goes crazy. My brain knows what I want to say, but the words all come out of my mouth in the wrong order. I can't write either as my letters get all jumbled up. I also always feel sick, but never am. This is due to your digestive system shutting down when you get a migraine, which is why it is a waste of time taking tablets once you feel sick, as they won't be digested.

The best cure I have taken for migraine is the Imigran nasal spray. You stick it up your nose and take a huge sniff up. The Imigran is in liquid form, so no worries about not being able to digest it. Its really good stuff, except for the terrible taste you get at the back of your mouth. If you have migraine with similar symptons to mine, then speak to your Dr. about the nasal spray.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 08/05/2009 22:12

I don't get flashing lights, I can judge distances, no headache (maybe a little one once a month, not the same time as any other symptoms). I do slur the odd word, dizzy, walk into things, drop things, nausea. The chiropractor's found a problem with the nerve in my face, when I look one way my legs are really weak. He's going to do some gentle stuff but thinks I need an MRI to find out what's compressing the nerve. My dentist made me an appointment with the face people at the hospital so I might go to that. I was going to cancel it as I went to see a neurologist privately. I have been prescribed epilepsy medication, I have to see my GP first though. I don't want to take them as they have some very nasty side effects, I'm already fatigued so don't need this any worse.

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dustbuster · 08/05/2009 22:16

Hi FluffyBunny, just about to go to bed but wanted to say that I have had great success seeing an osteopath (cranial) for my migraines. She works on my neck and does marvels.

Hopefully the chiro will be able to sort you out, but if not it might be worth trying an osteo.

I also find Imigran good, btw.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 08/05/2009 22:19

Thanks. The chiro seems to know what he's doing, more then the neurologist I think It made sense about the trigeminal nerve affecting my legs, I could really tell when he showed me this.

I'm still a bit unsure what a migraine is or if it fits with the nerve in my face. I darn't google. I keep finding weird things.

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