Headaches and dizziness following a migraine

[Dan Mouse]

About 1 1/2 months ago I had the fourth migraine of my life.
It had been about 8 years since I had had one.  It was preceeded by dizziness, blurred vision, and numbness down the left side of my body.  It lasted about 10 hours.
I went to the emergency room and had a CT scan to rule out stroke.

Since then I have had almost daily, continuous mild headaches, and feelings of light headedness, and spaciness, almost similar to that of mild intoxication.
The headaches occur around my eyes and temples.  They usually start around 9:00 or so in the morning.  They seem to be not related to weekday.
Repeated doctor visits had a blood test done and an EEG. All tests were said to be "normal".
And I was prescribed prophenol? I don't recall the exact name of the drug, but it is a combination migraine preventer, blood pressure regulator, and heart rate regulator.  It does not seem to have much effect.  I was also given Midrin for when they get bad enough, which is not too often.

Has anyone had this spacy feeling following a bad migraine?
Has it ever lasted over a month?

I've had my eyes checked, and plan to see a dentist.
any thoughts?  I'm confused and concerned.
No one seems to be able to shed any light on my problems, and the doctors around here seem useless.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Sincerely,
Dan

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dan:

Sorry to hear about your headache/migraine.  I am surprised that you were put on a preventative medication when you have only had 4 migraines.  I just wonder if some of the effects your having are not due to the beta blocker that your taking.  Are you still taking the beta blocker?  I would seek another opinion concerning medication for your migraine.  It sounds like to me that a abortive medication such as one of the triptans might be a better avenue of migraine treatment since you have only had 4 migraines in your life (although they sound like doosies).

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Dan Mouse]

I stopped taking the medication for several days, and really saw no difference.  I was told that the medication should have no side effects. (The Pharmacist told me the same thing).
I really don't expect to get another migraine in the near future, but the continuing strange symptoms are what is concerning me.
Are there any theories on what causes the continuous light headedness and mild headaches?

[Cathy Mesick]

I've had something similar, with feelings of dizziness, visual disturbances, a sort of spaced out feeling, problems in perception - which has lasted, off and on, for about 9 months.  My neuro thinks it may be what is called a 'silent' migraine - although I do get headaches on occasion - they aren't very bad ones.  Perhaps you are having this?

[Cathy Mesick]

I've had something very similar for the past 9 months.  The neuro I saw for this thought it might be 'silent' migraine.  Could this be of interest to you?

[Carol Thibodeaux]

I've had the same kind of headaches.  I thought I needed new glasses until I read this.  

[rain]

Well sorry to hear you are all having the same symptoms. I was diagnosed with what they believe to be a benign brain tumor that they are keeping an eye on.But i too suffered headaches some mild that would last for days others that left me screaming and crying for hours.This went on for two yrs before i could get someone to really help me.They did an eeg and then an MRi and found the tumor.Not that i am saying that is what is wrong with you all.But our bodies give off signals and we should listen to them whether it may be too much caffine stress or something more important it is definatley important to get to the bottom of it.I am currantly taking seizure medication. I am now having problems again with headaches blurred vision and almost a drunk state. As if i am walking on an uneven floor. Strange it is. Well good luck to each and everyone of you dont stop till you find the awnsers have a blessed Holiday.Rain

[kelly]

me too! headaches, nuasea, dizziness and spaced out. Also my eyes seem too sensitive - everything seems to have an after image. (like  what I've read about drug trips - although I've never taken drugs) trai;ing lights and I can't look at anything that is sriped at all.  I've never been diagnosed with anything other than panic disorder. But I don't eleive that any anxiety "produces" these problems - I think it's the other way around. I've also been dignosed with a cavernous angioma in the brain stem but no doctor will say if this has an effect or not. I can hardly beleive there's others like me out there. Maybe we should start support groups called  "scary feelings but looking so normal". I always think I'm the only one.
Good luck. let me know if anyone has found out anything definitive.
Kelly (***@****)

[topadi]

I've recently expererience similar symptoms. But wih me it feels like tension in my head, a feeling of disorientation all the time. It's something that starts at my neck and proceeds towarard my sinuses and I see everything in a drunken state. It has escalated to a point where I think I'm dying and have to go to a doctor, at which point I am diagnosed with anxiety or a stress related disorder. If anyone has any information on this disorder let me know on how to cure it.

[scared mom]

my daughter has experienced symptoms of off-balance (a side to side rocking motion) and chronic headaches.  she appears otherwise normal, however, these symptoms get so bad at times that she misses several days of school. she is 18 and a senior in high school.  her senior year has not been good for her so far.  she has been through the gammit of tests including MRI, blood tests, hearing tests, vision tests... does anyone know what this could be?

[Cathy Mesick]

I've just started taking a medication precribed by my neruo which seems to help a lot.  It is for inflammation.  He decided to try this as the head pain I have been experiencing for the last few weeks has finally shown a pattern.
It really cuts down on the visual disturbances, pain and spaced out feeling.

[Carolyn]

To Scared Mom -- my daughter is also a senior in HS, 17 years old.  She has had debilitating, constant headaches for at least two years now, and has had every test, scan or other diagnostic you can name.  She has also tried virtually all the standard meds for migraine, with no luck.  She's ended up having to take most of her classes through independent learning, since she can't make it to school more than half the time, and it's very demoralizing -- she's very bright and has fairly lofty goals.  I don't have any answers, yet, but I know how it feels, not only to be scared but to feel helpless to assist your child, and to mourn the loss of a "normal" teen life for them. Hang in there, and don't give up -- I think it's very important to them to know that we have faith and determination to continue seeking and trying different approaches until something helps.

[starfish45]

A related discussion, lingering headaches- heat exhaustion was started.