Anxiey and visual migraine

[scw5142]

Hi, I am a 21 year old male.  3 weeks and 4 days ago while taking finals exams and the day after my grandmother passed away I got a weird sensation in my head while I was taking a final where it felt as though I was going to pass out, I was dizzy and my vision was flashing.  I went to a doctor and was told I was having a migraine aura brought on by stress. I have had some anxiety througout my life and have had panic attacks before, however this entire process has been much different.  Other symptoms I have had were heart palpitations, fatigue, trembling, loss of balance, light senstivity, and the thought I will never get better. The symptoms continued and I went to physician, eye doctor and a neurologist who all said I am having a visual migraine or a migraine variant. I had an MRI which came back normal and I had an EEG Friday, I get he results tomorrow.  The symptoms are minimized with prescribed xanax but have not gone away for now over 3 weeks.  The worst symptom is the vision flashing because it constant, persistent, and noticeable.  I also have costochrondritis, for over 6 weeks, is there any way that can be connected to this? Mainly my question is, is it possible this is a visula migraine or can can constant stress and anxeity explain all these symptoms?  If so, what should I do?  I have tried a number of anxiety reducers and stayed away from stress triggers for a few weeks now.  I appreciate any help, Thanks.  
Scott

[mooksmom]

Yes, those symptoms can all be exacerbated by stress. While benzodiazapines may help short term, I promise you, long term they will be your worst nightmare. If stress was effecting me in these ways, I'd be looking at some stress relieving routines, like either bio-feedback or exercise, both with many proven effects and better outcomes than long term benzos. The best thing is to eliminate/reduce your stress as much as possible.

[homebrews]

Hi Scott,

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.  Losing a loved one is always a very difficult experience.  Welcome to the wonderful world of migraines.  Your migraine sounds very similar to a super scary episode I had in april of last year with 'complex migraines' - by the time I got to the ER...I had the aura, hyperventilating, chest pains, and the scariest stuff...my limbs were going numb.  My left leg was almost completely numb...I was losing my motor skills, and I couldn't do basic stuff like drive.  I called my dad in a panic on my way to the ER, and I couldn't formulate a sentence...I could think of where I was in my mind, but couldn't speak the actual words.  

Complex migraines suck incredibly bad.  The good news is that mine typically give me a warning.  It starts off with the aura, and gives me about a 30 minute warning before any of the other symptoms really start up (the numbness, the inability to formulate a sentence, etc).  As soon as I see the aura, I immediately take a Zomig (migraine wonder drug), or if that's not handy, 4-5 200mg ibuprofen.  The Zomig is an oral disintegrating tablet, and works in less than 5 minutes.  It does leave you feeling a tad spaced out, but I'll take that any day of the week compared to a frenzied/panicked trip to the ER (and the $2k subsequent bill).   Xanax should also work, but you should can't take too much of it.  Xanax is used more to prevent the onset of a migraine rather than treat them - so your doc is probably attributing most of your symptoms to anxiety/stress.  Xanax is what I have right now for my anxiety attacks, and it works wonders, but you have to watch how much you take to avoid developing a dependence.  

I wish you a happy and worry free life!

~Jeff