complicated migraines

[kwikwit]

I am a 46 y.o.grandma on disability with various health problems.Having suffered migraines for 25 years, I recently was told that the migraines had changed in form and were now "complicated" migraines.  Several times a day I am having episodes when heat or intense heat spreads over my head, and body, but primarily in the head region followed now by numbness,dizziness, and nausea. I was also told this could lead to strokes.
At the moment my physician has me on zoloft at bedtime (50mg),Toprol 50mg,1xday The episodes are occuring more rapidly now then when they first began in August 2000., and have gotten to the point where I'm afraid that something else is going on. Is there any procedure I might be able to relate to my physician that she might be able to do to stop this from happening, or to give me some relief?  I am on disability with a history of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis,pancreas divisium,raynauds phenomenum,degenerative disk disease,and tmj.(the tmj has not been bothering me) My neurologist seems to want to think that the major problem going on and causing all of this is my TMJ.  I just don't think that is the  problem., can anybody help?? Thank You.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kwikwit:

I am sorry to hear about your health problems.  Usually, migraines do not change in their presentation in a patient.  Daily symptoms are usually not classic migraines, as migraines should only occur a few days/times a month or over several months.  Migraines may become transformed into daily headaches.  I might suggest that you seek a second opinion concerning your symptoms as they are different from your usual migraine and happening very frequently.  

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Suz]

Hi,
The best resource I have ever found for migraines is the National Headache Foundation.  They are on the web.  Their newsletters are excellent and up-to-date.  They also maintain a list of clinics where you can get a proper work-up.  

Good luck.