tingling/dizziness/head pain

  Hi,
  I have been experiencing several strange sensations since I had a horrific pain to the left side and right back of my head since Jan, 1997..  I have this feeling of numbness at the top of my head and has traveled down to my face, neck, shoulder, arm, body, and left leg.  I felt extremely weak and dizzy after the pain subsided about 12 hours later.  I also started having periods of passing out and tremors.  At first I thought it might have been a migraine until the next morning when I felt so weak and dizzy. That lasted for several months, about 10 months.  The first neurologist said it was a stroke.  The second said no it wasn't.  The third neurologist treated me from August until Dec for possible migraines when I was hospitalized again.  He called my symptoms "episodic strokes".  I still have the tremors, a lot of pain on top of my head, dizzy (not as much), and the tingling.  I didn't just go to these neurologists I was sent there by each of them. If that makes any sense.  I am on calan 80mg 2x a day, an aspirin, and take motrin to relieve the pain.  Many days I feel like I'm in a state of confusion.  MRI showed a 50% blockage of the basiliar artery?  The EEG showed some problems but that's all I know.  All blood tests and spinal were good.  Any suggestions.  I've since lost my job because of my chronic problem.
  The newest neurologist wants to increase the calan to 240 mg time-released--but last time I was on 240 mg I kept passing out.  She doesn't think I've had a stroke but feels I've had migraines in Jan and Dec.  She cannot explain the numbness.  Actually she said she's not going to say that my pain is not real, or that I'm crazy but she has no explanation for the numbness and constant pain in my head.  Said she didn't have a problem with me seeking another neurologist.  I am left with no definitive answers.
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Sorry to hear about the difficult time you have been having. Sometimes despite our best efforts all the testing turns up unremarkable and we are left with possibilities but no definite answer. Patients can have complicated migraine where they manifest neurologic symptoms. It sounds, however, like you have not responded to prophylactic treatment and I'm doubtful that increasing the calan will help. I'm curious as to what the EEG showed? If patients have disease in their basilar artery it can cause problems with balance, vision, swallowing, loss of consciousness but these are rare things. If you have had a stroke it should be seen on MRI scan. I still think you need better treatment of your headaches which may relieve some of your symptoms. If you wish a referral to CCF call 216 444 5559.
this information is provided for general medical education purposes. Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.