basilar migraines presenting as seizure

My Chiari Specialist says I'm suffering from basilar migraines.  For a year I've been having episodes that appear to be stroke like or seizure like in nature.  My L-vertebral artery and R-cerebellar tonsil are crowding my medulla (spinal cord), so this makes sense because the vertebral arteries branch off from the basilar artery.  If I'm remembering correctly from what I learned in college.  

Is anyone familiar with this type of migraine?  And, what sort of symptoms do you experience?  

I typically have a dull headache at the back of my head most days and I feel like a vice is squeezing my temples.  When these episodes I'm having take place, they typically occur after tingling someplace in my body (fingers,feet).  Then the headache becomes more painful and about an hour later, I feel disoriented and simply out of touch with reality.  Body goes numb and I get clammy.  I feel like I'm going to pass out, but I don't.  Slurry speech, using wrong words, and after it stops, I continue to use wrong words, or words are slurred.  These episodes last anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour.  Mostly around 20 minutes or so.  

I do have abnormal EEG's, but no true seizure captured on EEG.  

Any information on Basilar Migraine will be helpful,  Thanks.....Kristel

[selmaS]

Hi Kristel,

I had those HA's too....but, I must say none since surgery.

I even had the EEG's done back in my late teens early 20's....no seizures for me either....they never did an MRI back then...so it was a long time till my chiari dx.

But the vice around the temples...yup....hated them...so hard to function.

It can get better : )

"selma"

[lawchick519]

Hi,  I have been told that I have basilar migraines too.  I have a tingling sensation, usually in my buttocks.  Then progressively my thinking slows down. I slowly become unable to speak, although I can still hear those around me, I cannot respond.  My head has pressure beginning in the back but progresses to my temples and even my face.  No real pain, just a lot of pressure.  The pressure itself becomes painful if it lasts for hours.  I have an expressionless face during the event according to those around me.  At first, my family doctor thought they were seizures, and my EEG showed abnormal Twaves in the left temporal lobe, but not correlating with the actual event.  Seizures have been ruled out, although no one has explained the abnormal EEG to me yet.  So, the neurologist says Basilar Migraines.

[jpurple]

When I went to TCI dr insinga mentioned that one of my arteries was larger the other (much larger, the other one almost nonexistent) and said the large artery was putting pressure on the chiari which is causing a lot of my symptoms.  I have had migraines since i was 2 y/o (that is when my mom and sister said I started getting the headaches), so wonder if mine are basilar.   Suppose I should ask dr insinga as i dont remember if he said i had them or not.   This would explain why i don't respond to triptans, and the local docs love to prescribe the triptans, ugh.

[emza1910]

OMG - i get tinglin in my little finger and my bum - i go slurry speech, lighted headed, here but not there kinda feelin, but i shake too, or i go stiff, pains in head though seem constantly for last month n half! i havent been diagnosed yet but jus had to comment on this post.

can i ask - how did your diagnoses come to light about 'basilar migranies? was that through CM specialist?

emz

[kricklekrin]

You can't take triptans for basilar migraine.  These migraines are in a class of their own.  If you think you have basilar migraine, go to a migraine specialist.  My Chiari doctor said I need to be treated for this ASAP.  The attacks feel like your having a stroke then a seizure.  At least this is what happens to me.  Something goes numb/tingly (aura) and then pain at back of head and temples (a lot of pressure).  Sometimes pressure across the face (bridge of nose), teeth pain, ear pain, stings in the eyes.  Everyone is different, but this is what happens to me.  My CM specialist showed me my MRI and my R-brain tonsil and L-vertebral artery is squeezing my medulla (spinal cord).  Makes sense, the vertebral artery branches up from the basilar artery.  The basilar artery supplies all of the oxygen rich blood to your brain.  This is why these events feel like your not getting any oxygen to your head.  Yikes!  If left untreated, TIA's, strokes, seizures, and even coma.  I'm so relieve to has an answer and a doctor who took the time to listen and put the puzzle together.  Ahhhhhhh................  Now, trying to get into specialist who treats basilar migraines with a lot of knowledge.  Found one, but episodes while waiting are not fun and very scary.  Calling CM specialist to see if he will prescribe meds until I get in to see someone.  One these are under control, will talk about surgery.  God Bless, and I pray you all find the answers your so desperately searching for.
Kristel