Seizures with Hemiplegic migraine

[Smed53]

My 21 yr old daughter was diagnosed with Hemiplegic migraines 2 yrs ago. They are non-genetic. She initially presented with complete paralysis on right side, including difficulty swallowing. She lost speech & conscientiousness during her worst episode. It took approx 1 yr to bring the migraines under control w/Topamax. We have identified stress, rapid change in temperatures & certain noises as triggers, which result in immediate dropping of her mouth, vomiting followed by paralysis working up from her foot to the top of her head on right side. Recently, she has lost vision in her right eye during the headache and is now having seizure-like symptoms. She has experienced 1 - 2 seizures daily for 1 week. She has had a headache for approx 2 weeks. She feels the "seizure" coming on because it is preceded by a unusual taste in her mouth, unusual mental & stomach feelings. Her MD is not sure she is having seizures & ordered an MRI & EEG, which we are waiting on results from. I wondered if anyone else with hemiplegic migraines has developed seizures.

[Kristina6]

Hi,

My 7 year old daughter has been diagnosed with Hemipelegic Migraines. She has never lost conciousness while having an episode but I have done a lot of reading and there are different sites saying it is seizures. Could she be having seizures even though she has not lost conciousness?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
There is greater prevalence of partial seizures in patients with hemiplegic migraine. More so because seizure medications like Topamax are known to prevent hemiplegic migraine.
The exact association has not been worked out as yet. These two conditions are known to coexist along with EEG changes.