TBI and Migraines with facial droop

I can't remember the specific parts of my brain that were injured, but I have issues with memory, language, concentration, and understanding time (i.e. a week ago is the same as a day ago to me).

Just wondering whether migraines would cause a sudden onset rather obvious facial droop on the right side of my face with numbness + numb right arm. I'm far too young for a stroke, so I doubt that is it, and this has happened before with no diagnosis. The numbness usually goes away with the migraine.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

One-sided numbness/weakness of the body is most commonly due to a problem in the brain (as opposed to other areas of the central nervous system such as the spinal cord or peripheral nerves). Many possibilities exist, and depend somewhat on age, risk factors, and the nature of symptoms (whether or not the numbness started suddenly or gradually, whether it is a complete loss of sensation or a tingling, whether it is an objective finding on examination or it is only a feeling that you have etc)

The most concerning cause of one sided symptoms is a stroke. Please understand I am not trying to imply you have a stroke, but only that this is one possibility. Strokes occur predominantly in people with risk factors: smokers, high cholesterol, diabetics, hypertensives, and people over the age of 55. However, it is important to know that they can occur in any age. If your symptoms were due to a stroke, it would start somewhat suddenly (over minutes) and would likely persist without significant improvement, which does not sound like the case you describe

Other potential causes include multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, a vascular malformation and others. Transient one-sided body symptoms (lasting for example for minutes up to 30 minutes then resolving) could be due to a migraine (the aura of migraine, in which case following the numbness, a headache occurs) or seizures.

Given your history of TBI, I would highly suggest you follow up with a neurologist. TBI can predispose you to a multitude of symptoms and syndromes – e.g., migraines, seizures, etc. It would be a good idea to have imaging of your brain (with an MRI) and also obtain a baseline EEG (to evaluate the electrical nature of your brain). Also, neurologists are trained to treat migraines.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.