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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

??stroke or migraine

15 replies

McGill · 16/03/2009 14:54

Now I am on here simply for some reassurance...I'm 28 wks preggers with number 2 (pregnancy 1 went well without any probs and I'm a resonably fit healthy 30 yr old). Last wk I had an 'episode' at work where my right vision went funny, I lost sensation in my right hand and right face and then couldn't speak - the whole thing only lasted max 20mins, with the speech thing only lasting about 30secs. I had no headache and felt well otherwise throughout. I was seen at the hospital - baby was fine, as was I at this point and they told me it could be a weird migraine type thing, but that they also have to rule out a small stroke...hence no driving/flying and I'm now on aspirin daily until I get scans this week...I am 99.9%sure this was just a weird migraine thing ( not usually a sufferer of migraines) - was just wondering if anyone out there has had something similar during pregnancy?? Ta!

OP posts:

ShowOfHands · 16/03/2009 14:58

Yes! I have occasional migraines but during pg and just after having dd I had a couple of weird ones. Just like you describe. I couldn't speak, had pins and needles and then numbness on one side and had tunnel vision. No pain. Left me wiped out a bit but no ill effects for me or dd.

christiana · 16/03/2009 15:01

Message withdrawn

Original poster

McGill · 16/03/2009 15:03

Oh ta!!!! That's just what I wanted to hear...totally daft as didn't think I was getting worried about it but it's niggling away at the back of my mind....thank you!!

OP posts:

JumpingJellyfish · 16/03/2009 15:05

Not had the same thing but did have periods of visual disturbance which were related to rising blood pressure and the onset of pre-eclampsia. Are they keeping a closer eye now on your blood pressure? Migraines can be associated with a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia, so it might be worth getting familiar with the symptoms of PE just in case - take a look at: www.preeclampsia.org/symptoms.asp

Really hoping it was just a one-off and the scans all come back clear. Aspirin is great stuff btw if there is any risk of clots etc.- used low dose aspirin throughout my second pregnancy because of a history of severe pre-eclampsia, and has a far healthier pregnancy as a result.

Good luck xx

Hawkmoth · 16/03/2009 15:07

I do have migraines like this, in and out of pregnancy.

Was about that time with DD when I went to Labour ward with similar symptoms, and when it dawned on me that it was a migraine I had to WRITE DOWN a message to the MWs as I couldn't speak.

After that they just smiled and sent me home.

However, it's good that they are scanning you, most likely nothing to worry about.

Chaotica · 16/03/2009 15:10

Had similar experiences with vision and numbness (although glad it never dawned on me that it could be a stroke). Unfortunately the migraines continued after pregnancy...

Good luck.

christiana · 16/03/2009 15:29

Message withdrawn

JumpingJellyfish · 16/03/2009 15:47

christiana yes in most cases it does develop in a first pregnancy (which makes any subsequent pregnancy at a higher risk of also developing PE) but it can, and does, strike in second (or later) pregnancies when a first has been fine. It is a bloomin' complicated condition, which is very hard to figure out

I would just hate for anyone to miss the symptoms of PE if they are developing it, as the consequences can be so severe. Don't mean to scaremonger though!

MegBusset · 16/03/2009 16:02

After having not had a migraine for about 10 years, I have been having mini ones since about 30 weeks pg, involving loss of vision for about 15-20 mins, though no pain or numbness. They started out of the blue and have had one every 3-4 days since, usually first thing in the morning.

It's good that you're getting checked out, though, to rule out anything more serious.

Original poster

McGill · 16/03/2009 19:25

Thank you all for your reassurance - daft thing is I'm actually a doctor, but maybe that makes me too aware of the more serious things! Best of luck to all with your troublesome migraines - I'm sure as hell hoping mine doesn't come back!

OP posts:

piratecat · 16/03/2009 19:34

hiya, i had a 'migrainous' episode about 8 yrs back. Started with vision probs, left arm turned in on itself, left side of face started to droop. EXACTLEY like those tv adds, slurred speech too.

Was taken into hosp in ambulance with suspected stroke, was almost passing out. very frightening. They did all the tests, and it was put down to a migrainous episode, rather than any other. i had scans etc...

it lasted about 4 hours. I hadn't been a migraine sufferer.

Jolibee · 17/03/2009 13:29

Ladies without this coming out wrong I'm so pleased other people have experienced this as well! Trying to tell DH I lost my vision then had a numb tongue and fingers for about 20 mins resulted in a WTF kind of look! Seems only to happen when in situations I can't get out of. Am a teacher so when have a full class or when driving on a road with no hard shoulder. They seem to come about 3 or 4 times over a fortnight then nothing for about 3 months. Hope your heads and tinglings are ok!

ThePregnantHedgeWitch · 17/03/2009 16:22

This reply has been deleted

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ktjj84 · 17/03/2009 17:01

I suffer with classical migraines, i now know the warning signs of an attack, slurred speech, numbness in my face esp my nose and funny spots in my vision, about 30mins followed by the pain. I would of thought if it was a stroke you would of had semi perment weakness??

May67 · 18/03/2009 09:00

I get these too, mine are definitely hormonal as I got them in puberty and after giving birth to DD. I had CT scans after giving birth as they thought I was having a stroke/TIA but all was clear. I had the numbness, loss of speech, blind spots etc

The doctor prescribed aspirin until they could find out what it was, at which point I could stop taking it, I think it was a very low dose and they said it was fine to take while breastfeeding (it was only for a few days anyway).

Its so reassuring to hear other people suffer from this! I thought I was a complete weirdo....'oh well birth was fine but I lost the ability to speak, went blind and semi paralysed afterwards...' cue 'WTF!' from all my friends and relatives!

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