Hemiplegic Migraines???

[RayV20]

HI,

I am a 28 year old male that has been diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines by my neurologist.  The symptoms begain about a year and a half ago.  It began one day as my left arm just going numb.  Went to my primary care physician and he prescribed prednisone.  (I have some slight herniations of C5 and C6 (I think) and he thought there was some inflamation from that.  The prednisone worked (or seemed too) and all was well.  The next time this happened it was my left arm and left leg.  These symptoms last off and on for weeks...He sent me to a neurologist and she did an MRI of my brain.  She diagnosed me with hemiplegic migraines (without the headache), tried neurontin for symptom control which did not work.  She told me not to worry and that I would just have to live with them.  I am on 2.5mg of Bystolic for palpitations.

The best way I can describe the symptoms is numbness...my limbs go numb at the same levels, (i.e. elbow and knee or wrist and ankle) it is always on my left side and very scary.  I went six months between symptoms ( I was taking a lot of ibuprofen durring that time for some back pain that turned out to be esophageal in nature as that pain is now controlled with omeprozole...diagnosed by endoscopy).  It feels as if my knee is just going to go out, but it never does get weak, just feels as if it is going to.  I can feel with the limbs, but it is almost like a band is around them at those levels.  I am not convinced that she was correct, but don't know.  I had a totally normal neuro exam.  No weakness, or loss of ability to move the effected limbs.  Any information including recomendations on second opinions would be helpful.  She basically made this diagnosis after ten minutes of talking to me and said the normal brain MRI kind of confirmed it for her.  I have had a thourough heart workup for unexplained chest pain (this is why I had the cervical MRI where the herniations were diagnosed).

Sorry for being so confusing...

Thanks,

Ray

[RayV20]

Hi Tonya,

I am doing pretty well.  I seem to only get numbness in my limbs, but have never had weakness there.  It is all still very scary, but at least there is no headache associated.  It has been a couple years since the diagnosis.  Mine have began to alternate sides, sometimes its the right arm/leg, sometimes it's the left.  I received a second opinion, and he said that it is probably some migraine variant, and as long as I could tolerate the symptoms, then that was probably better then taking meds.  I would love to hear more about yours.

I too am wish you a HM free day...

Thank you,

Rayd

[tonyam]

It's been awhile since you posted this message.  How are you feeling?  How are you managing your Hemiplegic Migraine (HM)?  I too have HM, weakness and is my left side.

Wishing you a HM-free day,
Tonya

[juleslady]

its not confusing i know exactly what you are talking about :( ya a constant migraine that is always going on that u cant feel - and several other kinds you can. Do you sometimes feel like you have bruises on your head that move around? One type I have usually feels like brainfreeze across my eyebrow and is usually a sign that symptoms of numbess will begin again or worsen. The numbness is hard to explain because its like a lack of feeling but not. Imagine someone put their hands over yous, like a double game of dead finger, now run your thumb and first finger down theirs - u can feel it in your finger but you cant feel the skin - thats what its like. Some times with an incredible itching/burning that has left me with scars from scratching - but its not in ur finger its in ur nerves/head..?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Hemiplegic migraine is very rare but well described form of Migraine variant which presents as recurrent headaches associated with temporary unilateral hemiplegia, accompanied by ipsilateral/ same side numbness or tingling, with or without a speech disturbance. The neurologic deficit is temporary and usually clears in a few minutes to hours. It usually resolves with the beginning of the headache. This condition can be familial or  sporadic. Continue with your medications and if you feel additional symptom, have this checked by your doctor for proper management. Take care and best regards.