TIA vs. Complex Migraine

My 17 year old son had horrific pain above his right eye - left sided numbness in hand and face - he couldn't walk with out my help - crying out and rything in pain and was dizzy and nauseous.  After trying some of my migraine medicine (ketoralac)  and 20 min later a  vicodin - nothing was reducing the pain - at about 45 min after symptoms started we raced for the hospital.  Taking 2 does of Dillated to knock the pain out they took him for a ct/cta.  They found no signs of bleed or fmd (I have two carotid dissections and fmd) they then did a spinal tap just to be sure they weren't missing a small bleed.  At the end of all this - and a mri/mra they decided to call it a complex migraine.  We started at one hospital and ended up at a childrens hospital where they ran the mri/mra  so those doctors were not privy to just how severe his pain was at the onset.  I've had both migraines (almost monthly with no numbness) and 4 tia's with numbness / slured speach etc.. from the dissections since my early 20's.  The docs always told me it was all just migraines - and then my carotids tore at 36 - first the left and then 1 month later the right.  Am I right to think there is something more going on with my son then just migraines?  Same exact symptoms as me - and then my carotids tore...
Also the amount of pain he was in - just doesn't fit with a normal migraine - yeah they suck and yes they hurt - but he was crying out in pain.  The scans were negative for stroke (except a small bright white dot they called an artifact at the base of his brain).  But that doesn't mean it wasn't a TIA - which I think it was - I want to be cautious as I hope to have my son avoid having the issues I always had.  Thanks for any info - I want to beleive the doctors - but my gut and my experience is telling me there is more to this.... Thanks - G


This discussion is related to differance between TIA and migraine.

[Londres70]

I would tend to agree with the physicians taking in consideration all the testing and his age.  Never seen or heard of a 17 year old having a TIA, however, he does need to be monitored.  

I would seek a second opinion of a  pediatric Vascular Specialist and especially mention the family history of problems (your medical history).

[ginsum]

Thanks so much

[rosie145]

Yes You are. I am not a doctor. It is always good to get a second appion. Take copies of all reports and test and tell the doctors of what happened to you because history dose repeat itself, to a new doctor. Do your research first. Find a top Neuroloist in your area and talk to him, or go out of the area if you have to. There is nothing wrong with that. It surgery is needed have him refer you to who he thinks would do the best job. They usually know the right people, but check them out on the internet just incase.  I saved my life by doing doing that. Best of luck.

[ginsum]

Thanks for the response - we are waiting to hear back from my neurologist to see if he will see my son - he's also seen my Dad as well - so he'd have 3 generations of history to go from...
Thank you all for your great advice/opinions!