Hemiplegic Migraine - Lasting Symptoms

In January i was admitted to hospital with a suspected stroke. I had woken up with left-sided weakness, affecting the left of my face, left arm and leg, and a headache. The symptoms lasted approximately 6 day and I was discharged after an MRI came back normal, but was not given any diagnosis.

At the beginning of May, i was re-admitted to hospital with the same symptoms. I had an MRI with contrast, an CT scan and a TOE test, all which came back normal. I was discharged after 3 weeks with a diagnosis of Migraine (type not specified).

I personally believe i am suffering from Hemiplegic Migraines, however i am concerned that the symptoms are still ongoing, reaching into the 4th week. I am still getting bad headaches and my left leg is still weak, although my arm and face are now normal.

Is it possible this is in fact a Hemiplegic Migraine, or is it not possible as the symptoms have lingered for so long?  Stroke has been ruled out, but i can find no other explanations for my symptoms.

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I hope this is helpful.  Usually before I respond to a question on a topic that I don't know enough about, I do a lot of reading and then answer.  I can't do this today.  But I found an article on Hemiplegic Migraine that does mention the possibility of the paralysis or weakness extending for longer periods of time.  This article (site ) also references other articles and may have some good info for you.  or it may not.  Here is the link:  I Hope it helps, if not I'll do more research later.

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/headache-hemiplegic-migraine.html

Good luck, Quix

[savannab]

have u found out if you have hemiplegic migraines yet? i have just been diagnosed with this.. i have the same symptoms and my left side is now extremely weak. i have 3 in the past 4 days;/ i am about 18 years old:( but i was just checkin to see if you were any better yet?

-savanna

[MarcusDiablo]

I am 23 - about 18 months ago i was admitted to hospital with stroke like symptoms - i had all the usual tests CT/MRI/etc all came back clear. After about a month of hospital i was discharged with no diagnosis. I was numb (pins and needles/numbness) all down my left face/arm/leg - 9months later i still had these symptoms until i found a nurologist who confirmed it was Hemiplegic Migrane (migraine) causing me my problems - up until about 2 months ago i was still displaying these symptoms. It comes back every few weeks but last for about 2-3 hours.

[juleslady]

a hemiplegic migraine is a migraine costantly going on in your head and in many (most?) cases there is no pain. The MRI with contrast would have shown several pin pricks of light in the scan as it moved thru - very wierd btw - showing the migraine. The earache I have never had and this makes me think you had a viral infection which somehow incapacitated your left side - also if you are right handed i believe - and in my case - it would be that side affected first. Also my current bout consists of both hands - not legs - constant brainfreeze, moving bruise headaches and some regular migraines and has been my longest episode lasting over a year now. But getting worse then geting a little better and then getting worse and so on... ;p

[skadeetin]

wow.  it is so comforting to hear all of this.  although i am so, so, so sorry to hear that others suffer from this as well.  YES!  my symptoms of hemiplegic migraine do the exact same thing.  on the right side though:  paralysis, drooling from the drooped right side of my mouth, right eye completely closed, head tilted hard to the right, right arm drawn in, difficult to walk, slurred speech, disorientation, confusion, vertigo.  NO PAIN for me.  And YES, damn it, it spikes sometimes then fades down to a 5 or so, maybe I get my speech back, maybe not, then BAM!  spike again.  I have nightmares most nights.  symptoms are far worse in the morning.

I have been getting relief from taking 40mg of MAGNESIUM CITRATE 3x per day.  I'm NOT a doctor, please remember.  Doc has prescribed VERAPAMIL which is suposed to be THE thing for this type of migraine.  I haven't started it yet because I'm waiting for the school semester to end before I get knocked out with drugs again.  With the magnesium, I would say I'm about 70% myself in the morning which increases to about 90-95% throughout the day.

More info from others would be welcome.  And, Lizze, my thoughts are with you, believe me.  I, LITERALLY feel your pain.  You're not alone.  :)

[Tadt]

Vit B2, 100 mil 2 times day also helps along with the magnesium.   My neuro asked me to try it along with my meds and it has made a difference.  I have the same left side problems you have.  Sometimes with or without headache pain.  Good luck to you.