Complicated Migraine at age 33?

[November4]

Good day all.  I went to the ER in November and was diagnosed with having had a TIA.  When I was released I went to see follow up doctors. I saw a Neurologist and she was bewildered. She didn't know what to tell me. In her final notes she diagnosed me with a complicated migraine. During the appointment she said that a complicated migraine is gotten by 15 year olds. She said I'm far from 15. :)  Then she goes to her colleague and they can't decide what's wrong with me.  I was diagnosed by the ER with a TIA and then because they can't decide I feel she just labeled it a complicated migraine. It's ok not to know the answer. At the time of the stroke symptoms I had I was using the birth control patch Ortho Evra. I was told by everyone to stop. I did. I haven't had any other kind of episode. No headaches before or after. I had a dull ache in my head while I lost vision and had numbness in my left side in November when I went to the ER. Is there a way to really tell the difference between a TIA and a Complicated headache?   My question really is, is it common for a 33 year old to have those complicated headaches? Will they happen often? This is the first and only time I have ever had anything like this. Is it common that it happened out of the blue and while I was using the birth control patch? Is it safe for me to go back on the patch if she said it was a complicated headache?

Thank you!

[AMC5]

I too am 33 and was diagnosed with having either a complicated migraine or possible TIA almost 4 years ago.  While I was at home with my 4 kids, my speech started slurring, all the wrong words were coming out, couldn't get the names of my kids right, couldn't dial the phone, total confusion....  About 30 minutes before that I had visual problems.  Doctors still to this day don't know what it was.  I had MRI, CT scan, bloodwork, TEE ultrasound, and many more tests.  The doctors have me taking daily aspirin and staying of any type of Birth control pills just to be safe.  We may never know what it was.  Very frustrating!!!  I do not have a history of any type of migraines at all. Don't smoke/drink/and am very healthy.   And since this episode have had weird tingling/numbness/pins & needles feelings. Thankfully nothing like the episode I had a few years back.  That was scary. Make sure you talk to your doctors and ask them specifically what  you should or should not take.

[Pacific]

I was diagnosed with complicated migraine at the Cleveland Clinic at age 34. My best friend also has the condition, diagnosed in her 30s. I am now age 53 and have been on a variety of medications over the years. It is a very REAL condition which does cause TIA and stroke. Australia has studied it more than US doctors. I also have vasospasm disease which causes angina (since my 40s) which Dr. Eric Topel Cleveland Clinic believes is related to the migraines. When diagnosed by Dr Tomsic, an ophthaneurologist( I had partial blindness in my right eye caused by a TIA)in 1984, there was little that he said they could do. Since then there are many types of medications which work to some degree of another to help, though none eliminate the headaches all together. I have low blood pressure and no other 'risk factors' at the time that the condition began. It just is. There are now conditions called basal migraines and CASDIL migrines which also cause TIA/Stroke which you can find information on the web about, which may also be diagnosed as complicated migraines.In any case, find a doctor who understands or is willing ot learn about the condition. While called migraine, it really isn't like simple or complex migraine nor does it respond to the same treatments.

[callyanne]

Hello,
I was diagnosed with Complicated migranes when I was 14; I am now 57..at that time little was known.At least one woman in every generation had CM; mine have been the worst.
I was treated with every drug under the sun; mostly just for relief of the pain.And as a teen and young adult my parents took me to every dr and headache clinic possible..One dr even told my parents I suffered from "depression" and a therapist was all I needed..

Skip over 40 years;about 5 years ago, I was put on a siezure medication; which has helped me immensly.The frequency of headache has gone from 2-3 a week to one every  three months or so..The side effects of the medication are not so pleasant : Acid reflux; short term memory loss.But I am willing to deal with this to live a "normal " life..

Recently, I found out a very interesting link between PFO ;migranes and strokes...go to www.pfodoctor.org and read about the connection of Paten Framen Ovale and strokes... and migranes.. It appears that if one has a PFO it MAY be the cause for migranes and strokes.. and if closed.. may prevent strokes.. and migranes...tests are starting now...

I am sorry that I can not remember the name of my medication; it will come to me... One of the side effects...

My auras used to last for about 3-4 hours;visual; speech and loss of a hand and leg..The pain would last for about a day with a "hangover" for a day or two...

Thank you for listening... I hope my information can help someone..

[amazon_banshee]

Hi. I was actually frightened and relieved at the same time to see other posts regarding this. I am female age 30. I have had "complicated migraines" for about three years now.
I too have had a gazillion tests done including but not limited to MRI.MRA, bloodwork, etc. I get lightening bolts and aura about 30 min or so preceeding my "attacks". I too exerience left side numbness to the point I cannot move. Also I have spoke in "tongues" and have lost fluidity in the english language when this happens. As far as the pain, it feels as though my head is in labor (when they ask at the ER, "so on a scale from 1-10...I say LABOR!!!!") I was told I could not have triptans as they would increase the stroke symptoms I get.
My body will go numb for hours. I too feel "hungover" for a couple days afterwards. At the same time, I am quite calm, almost as if I am in a daze the following days. Mine are infrequent at the moment but with each one the intensity and duration is increasing. My Neurologist placed me on butilabit?? I think that is how it is spelled no bottle in front of me. I remember going to get it filled and the pharmacists says "This is for headaches" "HEadaches?!?!" This drug does nothing for me except take a little edge off the pain. Right now, as inconvenient as it is, my local ER dept has quite the cocktail for me and are more than willing to help. However I would like a preventative drug of somekind. Right now I get a combo of toradol and morphine with some benadryl on the side. We recently discovered no reglan for me.(bad reaction).but I do not get nauseous when these happen.
Last time I "seized" and the er doc thought it was due to the nad reaction from the reglan but I am worried.
I'm no doc but as I am sure like the rest of you I do as much research as possible.
In regards to the PFO...I was born with that. I have since been ultrasound and scoped...it has closed. completely. And yet, these "migraines" keep coming.
I wish everyone luck and we are not alone in this.
I have an appt to see the Neurologist again soon. BTW , he had stated this is all from stress.lol. I am not a drinker. I am pretty healthy to the point I rarely eat processed foods.
I do have hypothyroidism and barretts esophagus (ulcers and acid reflux caused this).
I do not take birth control and have not in almost 6 years (due to vein problems). These attacks started a couple years after the birth control.
Hopefully one of our doctors can nail this one on the head so we can start living with some normalcy again.

Take care everyone

[cwlds]

After reading your post, I could not believe how strangely similar our symptoms are.  I am 22 and just started having these episodes a few months ago.  It begins with severe confusion, very hard to explain.  I cant seem to say what i am thinking at the time.  I have trouble thinking full thoughts and cannot express them properly.  For example, I couldnt speak but i kept saying "I cant hear."  or when my face was going numb, i kept saying "my numb is face"  Its very frustrating bc i know what i want to say and i know it comes out wrong.  Then the right side of my body goes completely numb.  This all lasts for about 30 min.  Then the headaches start.  last time it took over 15 hours to get rid of my headache.  I also feel "hungover/out of it" for the following 3-4 days.  

These symptoms started occuring about 4 years after i started taking birth control.

I also suffer from ulcerative collitis and acid reflux.

I am still in the process of MRIs/MRAs?EEGs.  I know you had these symptoms a year ago, so if you could offer me any advice i would really appreciate it.  I am nervous and really want to do everything I can to get back to a normal life.  

[Anonymouswmn]

Hello, all!  My migraines started at 15.  At 34, I had what was thought to be seizures.  After visiting several neurologists, I found a wonderful doctor who explains everything to me.  He diagnosed me with Complicated Migraines and I've been taking Zonegran for a year and half.  I find it ironic that I take a seizure medication for migraines.  

I'm no longer scared about driving, being alone, or that I'll convulse in public.  One of the side effects of Zonegran is weight loss, which improved the symptoms of my other neurological disorder, Psuedotumor Cerebri.  This was causing blindess, but I had an Optic Nerve Sheath Decompression on my right eye to drain excess fluid.

I think it's important that one finds a patient (no pun intended), understanding doctor who isn't quick to diagnose and prescribe any "old" drug.  I pray all of you will find the relief that took me a long time to find.  

Take Care of You & Yours!

P.S.   In reference to the birth control, try Mirena, if it's right for you.  Visit http://www.mirena.com for more information.  

[roo_skee]

Hi All,
I am a 33 year old woman having suffered from what I was told was basilar migraines for 7 yrs. They have gotten worse for me lately. I get left side weakness including my face. I get confused and slurr my speech. Much like a seizure or TIA. My neuro doc wants me to start taking topamax because he says they are happening to frequently. His concern is I may have a stroke.  My doctor that I had prior was convinced that I was having seizures and put me on kepra which made me feel Like I was dying, so I am nervous about taking topamax.

I too was given reglan and had a bad reaction which I never seemed to fully recover from and seems to have made these migraines worse.

I seem to always have these events after a meal so I am looking into celiac disease. Some of the symptoms seem to be connected.

This whole thing with complicated migraines are completely scary. I am starting to think friends and family just think I'm crazy. I wish more people knew about it.

[hrt2hrtmd]

My sister is 49 and has been diagnosed with complicated migraines. She too has slurred speach trouble getting her thoughts out, numbness and total paralysis of both arms and legs, but not headache pain. They have run every test on her possible. They call her migraines silent. Have you ever heard of this? She can't work with this. She has total fatigue. He last attack was on Saturday. She has 2 of them. It is not Tue. and she still doesn't have her speech back. We took her yesterday to have a MRI with contrast of the brain to check for a stroke this time. The Dr. called back and said it was clear. I am so concerned for her. Does anyone else have this? Oh she also says she has water that often gushes down the back of her neck and spine. Ever heard of this? I wonder if it is linked. The Drs are puzzled with that one!  Thanks for listening. I'll add you all to my prayers as well as my sister.

[TerryDowns]

I am a 43 year old woman who thought she was the only person with these symptoms.  I first had a "migraine" when I turned 40. I have been poked, xrayed, mri, catscanned, ultrasounded, you name it I keep hearing what a "healthy person" I am. Without medication, triptalyn and neurotin I can't even begin to function. I don't smoke, wasn't overweight until this started haven't used birthcontrol in almost 13 years, very active. I have throbbing head splitting open pain always in the very back of my head, very rarily see auras, but do become light sensitive during an attack, ringing in my ears and often a feeling of moisture leaking into/out of my ears,  constant  extremly loud hearing of my heartbeat, naseau, vertigo. I have been in an out of hospitals, was out of work for three months two differant times, messed my knee up during a vertigo spell so I ended up with two knee surgeries. Was in a wheel chair for a period of time. My family suffers right along with me as it curtails many of our normal activites. I have been tested for thryoid, lupus, you name it everything is normal, they decided I don't have some disease which I can't remember the name of that basically means you have ringing in your ears, I recently was admitted to the hospital with what was originally thought to be a TIA but all tests say no stroke damage, All of this to be told I have complicated basilar migraine.  I searched forever before I found this forum, I didn't think anybody else had this or perhaps I hoped they may have found a reason/cause, way to get rid of the dang thing.

[Lilycat]

To everyone, really,
I've had migraines since age 5-6, partly affiliated with fibromyalgia, but blessedly, not complicated--so far, at age 55.  I just wanted to refer you to the writings of Dr. Oliver Sacks, who has dramatic migraines himself and has written about the phenomenon through history. So, if you feel sufficiently free of pain to read sometime, look him up.  i don't have the name of the book with me.  Could it be _On Migraine_?  Best of luck to you all. I'm on this forum B/C my mother had a severe stroke recently.

[herbert66]

I was really suprised to see and hear that what has happened to me is  a lot similar to what i see on this website: I am 42 yrs old.  Recently (February 2008)  I  collapsed at work. The hospital diagnosed me as having  carpal tunnel,teninitis and maybe TIA . But they couldn't explain the reason for me collapsing. So they referred me to a Neurologist and I have had so many test done: MRI,SCANs, ETC..... he stated that he sees a white mass in my brain so I am going to have a
Spinal tap done. I have headaches since I collapsed. I never had headaches before. He prescribed an antibotic (antibiotic) thinking it maybe sinuses, and a low dose of an anti-depressant for the headaches.


So I dont know how and why this is happened to me...  

[nurseamber]

I am a 33 year old female and I was released from the hospital last week diagnosed with this same disorder.  My experience was very similar to everyone that has posted.  My husband woke me up at about 5:45 am and we started talking - only my words were all "jumbled"  I am a RN and I could not believe what I was hearing.  I sat straight up and told him to ask me some questions.  Still the same - backward mixed up words. I have heard patients do this but only after they have had a stroke.  I was so scared.  Then, I could not see partially out of my right eye, then my right arm and leg went weak.  Now I was really scared.  My husband called the ambulance we were so scared.  About an hour later the speech was better but I could not think of words, the arm was numb and still vision problems with the right eye.  Then the headache came on - not all of the sudden but gradually until hours later in the ER, I was nauseated it hurt so bad.  I, too, was worked up - CT, MRI, carotid ultrasound, TEE, EEG, blood work - none of this showed anything.  So, they said it looks like a complicated migraine.  It has been almost a week and I still do not feel right.  I feel as though my words are forced and my vision in my right eye is still not right.  Is this permanent?  I am a healthy 33 year old - good blood pressure, not on birth control (tubal ligation), I only take one medication for sleep, no history of any serious health problems.  I have had some bad allergies this year.  I just moved into a house and I think there is mold on the ceiling that was painted over.  Does anyone know if allergies or exposure to black mold can cause this? I have an appointment with a neurologist in two weeks. I hope you all the best.  

[eppsas]

I just spent 2 days in the hospital having most of the tests listed above.  I am 48 and just had my first complicated migraine.  I call it a "migraine with an attitude!"  I had weakness on my right side, jumbled words or no words at all, incomplete sentences, wrong words, etc.  I couldn't touch my finger to my nose.  I am a computer engineer working on launch systems and I frequently must make presentations, so I consider myself to be somewhat articulate.  However, I couldn't complete a sentence this past Wednesday.  I woke up with the worse headache I have ever had and I called into work to tell a colleague that I was to miss a meeting where I was to present and I must have been incoherent because he asked me if he could call an ambulance.  I kept begging my husband to stay with me, although he assured me he wouldn't leave.  He took me to the doctor and I failed the stroke tests in the dr's office.  He sent us directly to be admitted into the hospital.  My dr called in a neurologist who eventually diagnosed a CM.  He said he would not rule out that I had a TIA as well.  I am on topamax and am doing a 6 day taper of medrol.  I was definitely hungover yesterday (didn't know what to call it - thanks, y'all!), but today is the first day since Wed. that my head hasn't hurt.  According to my dr mine are probably a result of having reached menopause and are triggered by the weather.  I have always gotten headaches when fronts come through, but I was able to take ibuprofen and get rid of them.  This was the first headache that was unrelievable with medication.  I am joining this community and will keep y'all posted if the topamax works.  I am fairly sensitive to medicine and often can't take things, so I am nervous that I will be shopping around for something that works.  I am anxious to see what works for everyone else, so please keep posting with results - good or bad.

[bellakat]

I am 33 years old and had never had a migraine.  Last friday I had a rather hectic day and hadn't really eaten that much.  My husband came home from work (I am currently on maternity leave with my 7 month old daughter) and we were talking on the couch.  I was getting frustrated because my words were not coming out right.  For the life of me I couldn't speak properly.  We sat down to have dinner and were talking about an air conditioner.  I started arguing with him because I didn't think that "air conditioner" was the right word for what he was trying to say.  We got up and looked at a list of items on a piece of paper.  I couldn't pronounce them and was slurring. I got more frustrated and didn't know what was happening.  My husband told me to relax.  I went upstairs and I remember being angry with him.  The whole time I was thinking that I am having a form of pregnancy brain where I am not socializing as much so I don't converse as well.  Then I noticed a patchy numbness go up my arm and then my face went tingly.  I yelled for my husband and then panicked.  The headache started to come at this point on the left side.  I laid down on the couch and took 2 advil.  It lasted for about 5 hours and then dulled.  Strangely I didn't go to the hospital until 2 days later when I went to a medical clinic.  I wasn't sure what happened and I got my eyes checked the next day.  They were fine.  I went to a walk in clinic and the physician mentioned aphasia.  He said that he was a bit concerned and  would get me in for a cat scan.  Then next day I went to my doctor and talked to her.  I am concerned because my mom died from a brain anyerism 15 years ago at 45.  The next day I went in for the cat scan and got a call from the first doctor that it came back clear.  I have an appointment with a neurologist on Monday and have had a blood test done to check my kidneys.  I think that I will be going in for an MRI with the dye.  About 5 years ago I had my heart checked because I was getting skipped beats but everything checked out fine.  I am healthy, don't smoke, rarely drink, exercise and try to eat healthy.  My mom and sister both had migraines but I thought that I had escaped this.  It freaks me out when I see info on TIA's because it sounds like a stroke is inevitable.  I pray that I just had a migraine.  

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
The birth control patch is a thin, beige, 1¾-inch (4½-centimeter) square patch that sticks to the skin. It releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.
The combination of the hormones progesterone and estrogen in the patch prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries during a girl's monthly cycle).
The side effects that some women have while using the patch are similar to those experienced with the birth control pill.These include irregular menstrual bleeding
nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, mood changes and breast tenderness.
As head aches are part of the side-effects it is possible that you had it as against the initial diagnosis of TIA.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA, often colloquially referred to as "mini stroke") is caused by the temporary disturbance of blood supply to a restricted area of the brain, resulting in brief neurologic dysfunction that usually persists for less than 24 hours.
The most frequent symptoms include temporary loss of vision,difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of the body,and numbness or tingling , usually on one side of the body.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient_ischemic_attack
Your symptoms do seem to fit in with TIA. So if you have another episode similar to it please do rush to the hospital.

[meredith1022]

I am almost 30 and have been getting complicated migraines since I was 16.  At first, it was one, however, when I turned 25 I started getting them once or twice a month.  I have been to clinics and had all the tests done.  I too was put on anti-depressants, but I still got them.  My symptoms begin in the ears, everything that I hear is loud as if everyone is talking into a microphone.  Then my speech begins to slur, I become very confused and my right side of my body goes numb.  I begin to lose sight in one eye and about 20 minutes later, my headache comes on.  I used to get hangovers, where I was confused for days and couldn't find the right words to say, but not so much anymore.  

I have two remedies that take away the symptoms quickly.  As soon as I feel the aura coming on, I take 2 excedrin migraines and eat hot peppers (hot pepper rings you put on sandwiches work well)  Hot peppers are supposed to open the blood vessels, allowing oxygen and blood to go to the brain.  I find a quiet place and I rest.  Once the symptoms go away, I pretty much can deal with the pain of the migraine.  I recently started birth control (about a year ago) and my migraines plus their intensity have diminished.

Hope my info. helps whoever!

[mumpenny]

i to have simular steries to you all i spent 6 weeks in an acute nuro unit with what was thought seizure. stroke.tia. i am waiting to see another nuro these stories are all so simular to me i have found relif with increasing my serotonin levels with estilapram but due to spasms that will not ease i have to come off the treatment .
its so frustrating and when i am less ill will post my tale to you .

[ngraham819]

Hi, everyone.  I am a 30 year old female who has had migraines for more than 10 years now.  I've been diagnosed with common, classic, and now complicated migraines.  The auras did not start until I was 22 after I had my first child.  Last month, I had 2 auras in one day (extremely unusual for me), no pain, took 2 exedrin migraine and took it easy for the day (difficult w/ 3 kids).  The next morning, woke up with another aura (highly unusual for me, as well), took a 10mg Maxalt, and an hour and a half later was in the ER.  The pain was so intense that all I could do was curl up in the fetal position and cry.  I was incoherent, my words were jumbled, my thoughts were mixed up, my hands and the right side of my face were numb.  CT scans came up clear.  I saw my neurologist and she says complicated migraines.  Next week I have an MRI with and without contrast.  Also in the process of getting cardiology work up.  I have a murmur and palpitations so far, go for a stress echo and stress test next month.  There are suspected links of migraines and cardiological issues.  I am also now taking Pamelor daily and Fioricet when needed.  I've tried Topamax, but the lowest dose made my arms and hands numb and tingly.  Have also taken Elevil, but it makes me too tired to function.  I'm already terribly fatigued daily.  I don't smoke/drink and do not take birth control (tubal ligation).  Otherwise, no overt risk factors.  Good luck to you all and I hope we can share helpful information.

Nicole

[kyleauz1]

Hi

I went to the ER when I was 36.
I had a bad migraine that evening and had symptons of a stroke.
Mri diagnosed that I did have a stroke. So the Dr said it was a complicated migraine.
I was not happy with that so I read all my transcripts from the hospital.
And a couple os things showed up on my heart echo.
So I took it upon myself to question a cardiologist and within 5 mins of telling him my story. he said I bet you have a PFO. And sure enough I did. With a anuerysym.
They closed it within a week. And so far I have had no migraines. And i have had them since a child.
Check out your heart. Cause the cardiologist said most people that have a stroke or TIA have a PFO
Take care

[Patience76]

Hello everyone. As I sit and read your posts, it's all too familiar. I am 31 years old and have had "seizures" since I was 9 years old. I haven't been able to get much medical care for them until now. My childhood is hard to explain, and is too long of a story to discuss here. Anyways, my step-mother thought that I was doing the "symptoms" for attention so I didn't get the treatment that I needed as a child. I have recently gotten a decent insurance plan and am trying to get all health issues resolved.

All these years, I had learned to just deal with the seizures as a part of my life due to not being able to get treatment (too expensive). Until recently, I only had maybe 3 to 4 a year, sometimes not even that much. However, in the last couple of months it seems as though they're knocking me sideways catching up from all those years of not having them very often.

I went to my PCP and he referred me to a neurologist for my "seizures". I went today and the doc said that it seems like I have "complicated migraines". To explain symptoms: the last thing I ever remember is everything going black (can't see anything) and my body going numb. Afterwards, (from what I have been told) I shake really bad, curl in a fetal position, and can't talk clearly. I wake up with a headache that is so painful, I can't even begin to explain it in words. Afterwards, I'm freezing, my head hurts really bad, I'm shaky (tremoring) all over and can't remember anything after everything went black. There was one time that my niece was getting married and I was looking in the phone book for limos and I woke up laying down the stairs outside on the front porch. Everyone said said that I got up, opened the screen door, went outside and went into a seizure. I do not remember any of it.

For the majority of my life, I have dealt with these as just a part of my life. But now I'm getting scared and just want my life normal again. I was dealing with it just fine until they began to happen more often over the last couple of months. I'm walking on thin ice with keeping my job as I have called off several times due to these recently. I thank God that I am engaged to someone who takes care of me through and through and encourages me that he is going to be there for me no matter what happens.

If any of you have similar symptoms that me, please let me know. Thanks! It's nice to know too that I'm not alone with dealing with this.

[janicetaylor2004]

Good Morning!

I'm a 56 yr. old female, borderline diabetic, high cholesterol, "anxiety-depression", overweight( 5' 9" tall 187lbs); that's all I think.  My memory isn't the best of late.

July 23rd of this year, I woke with a gasp from sleep to find myself shaking like a leaf, with the urgent urge to have a bowel movement.  I stood with difficulty and "shook" my way to the bathroom.  Shaking and walking like I was on a bender (drunk), I went back into my bedroom and sat on the side of the bed.  I felt lightheaded, nauseous, and was still shaking.  I was afraid that I was going to pass out, so I called my daughter on the phone and asked her to come take me to the ER.  (she lives down the road from me).  I told her that I would be on my front porch. (Don't know why, it was 2am, it was an unreasonable action).  Anyway, she came and by this time I was getting tingly and numb in both of my arms and legs.  The left side of my face was numb from just under the eye down my face and across my mouth.  My speech was slurred and could hardly open my mouth to talk.  Had a hard time making my mind, my words, and my mouth agree on the same words and thoughts.  By the time I got to the ER, I couldn't walk or talk.  I was taken back in the ER and after 13 hours on a hard gurney was admitted with TIA diagnosis.  By this time my symptoms had just about all cleared and I started to get a headache.  They ran every test in the book, and gave me MANY diagnosis (all in about 1 hour).  Maybe the TIA was caused by a migrane, maybe since I took an anti-depressant, that my depression was the cause.  Or maybe it was just stress related.  Spent 2 days in the hospital and was released with the direction to follow up with my family doctor.  They didn't do anything to treat any of the things that they said it was.  So I went home and saw my family doctor as soon as I could get an appointment (7/28/08).  She put me on crestor for my cholesterol and low dose aspirin to thin my blood.  On 7/31/08 at 11:30pm I again awoke with a gasp.  My symptoms were the same, with the addition of the left side of my face felt saggy also, and my hands felt bulky.  Again my daughter took me to the ER.  I spent another 13 hours in the ER and was finally admitted.  By this time the symptoms had started to go away and was replaced by a headache.  They ran more tests.  Now they said that maybe it was vitamin B12 deficiency, or maybe it was "mental".  They asked if I would see a psychologist and I said that I'd see anyone they wanted me to if it would help.  I told them that I had never had suicidal thoughts, and that was not the reason for me taking an anti-depressant.  I have taken an anti-depressant since I was twelve.  They didn't bother to ask why, so on we go....Well, ... no psychologist ever appeared to talk to me and no more was mentioned about it.  They ran ANOTHER MRI and a sonigram of my veins in my throat and the next day sent me home.  Saying if there was an occurrence to see my family doctor.  I made another appointment with my family doctor, and before I could make the appointment, on 8/10/08, at 2am I woke with a start to find the left side of my face numb.  I needed to go to the bathroom, but was unable to stand.  I called my daughter and all I could get to come out was come quick.  I didn't realize that I had hung up on her, until the phone rang and she was on the phone.  I couldn't get my mouth to move, and I just was mumbling.  She called the squad and told them that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WAS I TO BE TAKEN TO *****, but to take me to OSU Medical Center.  (It is a teaching hospital, for those that don't know).  They loaded me up and took me to OSU.  I had entered a totally new world when I got to that ER.  They were all over me, a neurologist was among the first people that saw me and I was admitted without delay.  The symptoms came and went while I was in the ER, and the headache followed as usual.  They ran all the same tests that the "other" hospital had ran, and after about 15 students and 3 neurologists came to my room at one time, they said that it was "complicated migrane", that it was a good possibility that I had had a TIA also and they discussed the possibility that I have "sleep apnea."  All of this was discussed with me and my daughter in my hospital room.  I was set up with an appointment for a sleep apnea clinic, put on NEURONTIN (100mg to start) and  IC FAMOTIDINE (to counteract the side affects of neurontin) they scheduled a follow-up with me for 1 month out.  I was discharged at 9pm on 8/12/08 and my daughter made me go home with her.  She was really tired and needed peace of mind, so I went home with her, and at 2am on 8/13/08, I woke up shaking.  My daughter and I sat on the bed for about 15 minutes waiting to see what would happen.  The neurologist said that I may need to have the dosage adjusted on my meds to get control of the occurrences.  The darn thing wouldn't go away so we went back to OSU ER and I was seen by the neurologist and admitted for observation.  They adjusted my meds to 300mg and after staying overnight I was released.  The neurologist said to keep a diary of anything that occurred and to bring to him and ALSO to my family doctor on the follow-up visits so that they could see on a daily basis what was happening, in my own words.  On 8/26/08 I went to the sleep apnea clinic.  I haven't seen my neurologist yet to get the results, but the tech that did the test said that I had mild apnea.  She wasn't suppose to tell me, but she saw my frustration and said that I should look for a follow-up for a call back for another night with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).  I see the sleep clinic neurologist on 9/9/08 and my neurologist on 9/11/08 and my family doctor on 9/12/08.  I have been off work since 7/23/08 and am afraid that I will lose my job.  I haven't had any occurrences that called for a hospital visit, since the meds were adjusted.  Maybe you guys and gals could check with your neurologist about the meds that I take and also check as to whether you have sleep apnea maybe.  All of the things together can spell MIA or stroke if not seen to.  I know that this was long and drawn out, but I sure hope it can help you.  Keep in touch.  This is all scary to us, and sometimes we need to talk to someone that has the same or near same symptoms as we do in order to find some peace and understanding that we are not alone.

[lovemypillhead]

I HAVE AN EXTREME CASE OM TMJ..............FROM IT I NEED BOTH JOINTS REPLACED, CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT DUE TO THE PAIN, BY THE END OF THE DAY I WANT TO CUT MY HEAD OFF BECASUE MY HEAD, NECK, SHOULDERS, TEMPLES AND EYES HURT SO BAD THAT I FIGURE A QUICK SWIFT OF AN AXE WOULD AT LEAST GET RID OF THAT PAIN.

IM SUPPOSE TO GET SURGERY BUT I AM NOT NOW.  DOESNT MATTER WHY IM NOT...IM JUST NOT.

I GET SEVERE....LIKE THROW UP...MIGRANINES DUE DO THIS.

I GO TO A PAIN MANGMT DOC IN COUPLE WEEKS BECAUSE IM AT A LOSS AS FAR AS WHAT TO DO. MY FAM DOC PUT ME ON LOW DOSE NARCOTICS FOR THE PAIN...TO KINDA HOLD ME OVER UNTIL MY ACTUAL APT.

ANY ADVICE?
I DO THE HOT AND COLD COMPRESSIONS...................I HAVE TAKEN THE MUSCLE RELAXERS BUT THEY KNOCK ME OUT AND I DONT LIKE THAT.

ANYONE GO TO A PAIN MANAG DOC FOR MIGRANCES?  WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

[mandee217]

I just went through all of your comments and wanted to say I feel for all of you and the simalarities of my syptoms (symptoms) is scary. Two years ago was diagnosed with complicated migraines. I am now 36.  I couldn't except there was nothing they could do. I went to a headache specialist and she officially called it a hemepelegic migraine. I don't l;ike to read about it because it is to scary. Oh I also suffer from panic attacks and depression so i take an antidepressant. It definately helps. This dr. put me on 1 aspirin a day, verapamil, and plavix . It really seems to help.  She says it is caused by a thickening of the blood. When I go to other drs. for different things they think she is genious.  So her name is Dr. Ma in Marlton, N.J. I really hope this can help someone else. Believe me I have had many episodes and was really wanting to die for a good year and a half til I was given some help. I have two small children ans got my first episode after the birth of my second child. Never had a headache before that. Then for 1 month straight had aheadache everyday. My blood pressure became elevated because of that. Then the other episodes I didn't have a headache at alol. Vision loss sigsag lines and blurred vision for about 3 minutes. Numbness on left side slurred speech weakness and all that. Love all of you keep the faith my dr. told me these episodes will go away as I get older. Hey, at least I can look forward to getting old.

[bjs889]

Hello, I am the mother of a 25 year old daughter that recently went through most of what you described above.  Last year she had her first episode of numbness, vision loss, and right side weakness.  She has been suffering from tremendous headaches since a teenager.  BUT, on August 12, she was doing fine, getting ready to leave from work, when she felt like she had been shot in her right eye, right side weakness and couldn't hold on to anything in her right hand.  She got out to her car, and she passed out for almost two hours.  She called me, but doesn't remember dialing the phone, she lives in Florida and I live in Nebraska.  I told her to get to the hospital.  She called Jackson Memorial in Miami, but told me they were rude to her and wouldn't give her any advice.  She then went to the University of Miami, where they ran every test from EEG, ECG, MRA, MRI, TEE test and a bunch more.  Diagnosis?  That she has complicated migraines BUT that she had two areas on the Thalamus area of her brain (controls consciousness, hearing, vision and speaking), with some paticiual bleeding.  She has apparently had at least two TIA or minor strokes.  It is the scariest thing as a patient and for me as her mother.  I flew to Florida asap.  She was in the hospital for 8.5 days, was seen by at least 12 MDs.  We are so confused as she has been placed on an aspirin a day as well as Lipitor.   She is tall, not overweight, athletic, and a social drinker, rarely smoked and not on birth control.  We are so afraid of the possibly next time.  She doesn't appear to have any physical disabilities, but she tires easily.  Thank you for sharing, as I wasn't aware that this was so widespread.  **

[Katl7578]

I'm 55 yrs old diagnosed in the past as TIA's and now calling them complicated migraines (so confusing) and have had every test in the book also.  I haven't heard any of you mention one of the sysptoms I get when having one of these "whatever they are's".  When I look at any printed material it looks Greek to me.  It is truly like you would feel if you picked up a Japaneese newpaper and tried to read it.  And it seems that after these episodes (I've had 4 or 5 since 1996) I have increasing trouble recalling information.  My last one was about a month ago and I can look at emails that I sent out a couple of days ago and I can't remember writing them.  My thoughts are mixed up, my mind can stay on the same thought for a long time, concentration is difficult, the wrong words come out of my mouth sometimes, occasional halo vision.  And I don't get the numbness of limbs... I'm on Plavix, Lopid ( for cholesterol), Benicar (for HBP), Prevacid (for acid reflux), Trazadone (to sleep), and Lexapro (anxiety)
Have any of you ever had this comprehension sympton?
Kathy L

[Denteach]

I am so happy to have found this forum.  I am 41 yrs old and have experienced these complicated migraines for almost 5 yrs.  My basic symptoms are like a lot I have read here: numbness on my right side(fingers, arm, leg, foot), blurred or tunnel vision in my left eye, confusion, trouble collecting my thoughts, and on occassion, slurring.  My numbness and eye issues are like my "aura"--if it starts happening, I take my meds and I at least keep the migraine from getting totally unbearable. If I wake at night/morning with one, I am bedridden all day.
LAst week I awoke w/the worst headache that I ahve gotten so far and low and behold a new symptom----I couldn't read!!!! I am so glad to see someone posted that because I have never seen that symptom ever listed w/this condition. It totally freaked me a out--I kept staring at the words and had no idea what they said. I attempted to "sound" out a word but had no clue of the sounds either. This lasted about 5 min.s, then my ability to read it returned. As of late my symptoms are becoming worse and lasting longer. I had a migraine incident yesterday (was off from work, thank God) and went to work today. I felt that horrible fatique and hungover feeling, but felt I could function (mind you, I am a teacher). I got to work, went to say soemthing to someone and couldn't get my thoughts together--I started getting great anxiety and began crying and couldn't stop. I felt shaky, spacy --just horribel. I basically fell apart (I think all of the stress of these headaches finally caught up with me).  HAs anyone here ever "fallen apart" when you get these headaches???Needless to say, I went to the ER since I also had numbness that lasted two days (not normal for me). I was treated with an IV drip (Reglan/benedryl) got a CAt scan (which was fine)......I sometimes feel I am going to lose my mind with these headaches. I am now going to folllow up w/ a headache specialist. HAs anyone gone to a headache specialist????If so, were the results good???? Thanks for letting me sound off, at least I know I am not crazy and other people are experiencing similar headaches.

[Fish hooks]

I  had a TIA but my Doc is stumped too. I also have a terrible feeling in the right temple.

Had 2 MRI's with and without gadolimium, 2 CT's, EEG, pretty much all tests imaginable.
All tests and blood work normal.

My TIA was just sitting on the couch talking to my wife, left side of face fell, couldn't speak properly, tried to stand but fell back, couldn't walk, very bad feelings. This lasted about 30 miniutes.

My temple feeling...the only way I can discribe it is a feeling like a strained muscle.
It happens when I lift (even a bottle of water), do anything physical, walk, stand, even smoke a cigarette.

I too have angina pain. My stress test showed 8% of heart not getting blood, so I had an angiogram done. This was clear, no plaque. Another Doctor stumped.

I can't even walk through a store, or stand in line for a minute without feeling like the myoclonic jerking is coming on, the vision will blur, and my head gets that strained feeling.

I have to be able to work, so I am looking for any opinions.
Thanks
Terry

[Katl7578]

Denteach - You are not going crazy.  I know the same frustation trying to get the thoughts together in my head and the word "spacy" describes it very well. I've not heard of a headache specialist and I sure hope they can help.  Let me know how you make out.

Pacific - I too get the strained muscle feeling in my head.  I just looked up the other day and got it!  That too is a great description.

I would love to give you guys my email address.  Feel free to contact me anytime to talk about this.  It's just so nice to know I'm not alone.  It's a scary feeling when even the doctors don't know what we are talking about!  
Kathy.***@****

[Katl7578]

...I guessyou can't give out email addresses on this forum.  :-(.

[Claudette1]

by: Claudette Bryant Clair

Well, I thought it was just me,I too have an apointment with the Dr's  on Tuesday, I will speak to them about the meds that are listed in some of the reviews, I can priase God to know that it could have been worse for me but by His grace I have not traveled that road and I pray that we all get our release from the "complicated migraine".   I pray that w/the appt on Tuesday I will be able to share some of your stories and get help so that we all can function and live great, long lives. It is my prayer that a healing is discovered and the Healer will make it happen expiditiously for us all. Pastor Middleton indicated that the fresh fruit juice (made in a Juicer) of  pear, apple, sweet potatoe and orange is  good for your brain, she indicated that it even makes her eyes feel better, No she is not experiencing what we are, at least we will be healthier. Again, I will be praying for our healing and I know and believe that we can and will get a deliverance from what ever this is...Peace and Blessing be to you all...

[Katl7578]

Good luck at the doctors.  Let us know how you made out.

[confuseddotcom]

In August 2006, i was aged 35 years old at the time, I was in town with my daughter. We came out of the market and i had suddenly forgotten what i'd gone to town for. dint think anything about it. we walked approximately 30 yards when suddenly i went blind in my right eye.  my daughter made me sit down. i sat down and then my right arm went numb. i said to my daughter i think we better go home, i'll phone your dad to come and get us. as i stood up my legs buckled they felt really weak. we got to the phone box but i couldn't dial the number.  my daughter dialled for me when i finally got through my son answered i told him to tell dad to come and pick us up outside the college because i wasn't feeling well with this my son put down the phone on me.  within a minute my husband called me on the mobile but i couldn't answer it. my daughter answered it for me and i told my husband to come and get us.  by the time my husband got to me i was sat on the floor and couldnt get up. he put me in the car and asked me what was a matter i went to reply but nothing would come out.  when i got home i layed on the settee, by now about a hour and a half had passed.  after about half an hour of laying on the settee things started to return to normal but my speech was slurred and i wasnt making any sense at all. my husband said i was talking jibberish. after this i ended up with the most horrendous  headache i have ever experienced and felt hungover for days for days after.  In January i experienced the same again but before i had this episode i been getting a pain in my head for about two weeks before and just before the onset i got the same pain in my head then suddenly went blind and got all the symptoms i had had before. This episode was different to the first.  afterwards i felt weird, something had changed.  i couldn't concentrate, i'd become really forgetful, i kept stuttering and couldn't get my words out and i was falling over and bumping and banging into stuff. this went on for days so i went to my g.p.  she referred me as an emergency to the neurologist. some emergency it was 3 weeks after my episode that i got to see someone. i was admitted straight away and had loads of tests including a lumbar puncture. everything came back normal. (i have done some research and it is common that by the time a patient actually receives medical treatment any evidence of a tia is non existent) i was told it was possible i had had complicated migraines or a tia they honestly didnt know. i was sent home and put on aspirin. i'm confused i've never suffered with a migrain in my life and do migraines leave longlasting side effects such as memory loss and concentration problems. i still have problems with my speech sometimes and i have terrible mood swings. since being put on aspirin i have had no more episodes and i am currently under investigation at the hospital for suspected temperal lobe epilepsy.

[dougross]

i to suffer from cm..... starts off with blurred vision,  to the point where i cant make anything out, then the numbness on my right side, and then the major slurred speech. after these symptoms dissapear, about an hour and a half to 2 hours, a very bad headache begins and lasts until the next day, no matter how many advil i take!!! when i seen a nuerologist he told me many things to try and avoid. dark pop, chocolate, which i tried to no avail.  he also said it could be stress, to much sleep, not enough sleep, etc. , etc. ive been having these for about 15 years and am just tired of it....... it can happen anytime, anywhere with no warning. it would be nice some day to have relief!!!!!

[Kat275]

by Kat

I went through the whole TMJ disorder treatment for migraines and it didn't work.  I have arthriits and bone spurs in both TMJ joints and was referred for pain management.  You can expect trigger point injections in your neck of Depo Medrol and Botox injections in your head if you choose.  They help some people.  I still have breakthrough migraines even with 10,000 cc's of botox injected into my scalp so  I saw a neurologist last week, also because I was having falling spells without dizziness and  He said "they we're pre-fainting spells".  He did a carotid doppler and heart workup but not an MRI.  I had a heart workup in 2007, perfect.  He put me on blood pressure medicine, which I couldn't breathe on and had to discontinue and Maxalt.  What kind of neurologist doesn't do an MRI, particularly when my father died of brain cancer?  He said my left thyroid was enlarged on the carotid doppler, which gave me a scare.  Thankfully, it turned out it wasn't but the endocrinologist performed some thyroid tests anyway since I have autoimmune disorders (seronegative Rheumatoid, Sjogren's).    Anyway, if you get a good pain management guy, it will make the difference of feeling like living or dying.  They will give you sleep meds, anxiety meds, pain meds and you can start functioning more like a human being and feeling better.

[XanaDeanna]

I am a 35 year old woman who has never had any kind of migraine ever. My mother had them years ago and my sister while she was a teenager. My mother also had a stroke caused by a anuerism in her brain when she was 27. That was later found to be caused by a hole in her heart. About a week ago, I developed a lingering headache that seemed to get sharper in the evenings and my right eye developed a tic about the same time. I thought nothing of either. The headache seemed to get stronger and was not responding to the Tylenol I was taking. I could not take anything stronger, as I have had a gastric bypass about 18 months ago and cannot take any Motrin based drugs. Then last Friday, my headache worsened and my face was out of control. Twitching and going completely numb. The only feeling to liken it to would be after you go to the dentist and are shot with novicane. The twitching of the nerves and muscles made my face look as if parasites were crawling under my skin. I called my doctor and reccomended I come in. While there I desrcibed my symptoms and he stated that I had described a Migraine and gave me a shot and sent me on my way stating it should kill the headache. He could not explain the twitching but made a joke that it looked like there was a chipmunk playing under the skin of my face. Ha Ha. I went home still with a headache and went to bed. When I woke up the next day the headache was still there and so was the twitching and numbness, but I went to work anyway. About noon, I starting feeling really strange. I could not put a thought together and was having trouble typing and focusing. My vision blurred and I got scared. I looked at my co-worker and she knew immediately something was not right. After rushing to the hospital and her praying over me the whole way there and not even being able to tell the nurses or doctors what my name was, I was scared and confused. Why did the words not come out right when  I tried to talk. I was stuttering  and mumbling and shaking so bad, she was holding me as they checked my vitals. After a CAT, MRI, EEG,EKG, and blood work. They decided to keep me over night as my speech was so slow returning to normal. The next morning, my meeting with the resident Nuerologist yeilded nothing new other than him calling it a "complicated migraine" and it may or may not come back. It might go away eventually or it may not. The twitching might go away or it might not. I work in the hotel business and after spending an unfruitful night in the most expensive 5-star hotel there is, I was no closer to an actual answer than the one I got in the ER. The shots they gave me knocked me out but did nothing to get the headache to go away. They gave me Midrin to go home with and it has done nothing. I still even now have a headache and my face is twitching like crazy as I sit here and type this. I went to work today, and started doing research like crazy to find that I am not crazy and I am not alone. I would not wish this kind of pain on anyone, but glad I do not suffer alone. It is so crazy and surreal to me. I have not had any health concerns since my gastric bypass and think this is so strange that a headache could bring me to this. I have to follow up with my doctor and am wondering if it is even worth the co-pay. They obviously have been going to web-md and looking up my symptoms themselves in order to diagnose me it seems. Later today I learned another woman in our departments 12 year old daughter suffers from the same thing. If this is happening, why cannot they not diagnose this and prevent it better. I'm so scared it gonna happen again. I'm scared for my family who looked on in horror as they tried to make sense of my mumbling and incoherent speech.

[overhise]

I too am a 30 something woman who recently had a 'complicated migraine'.  I too have been put on asprin.  I have also been taken off birth control because of a DVT in 2002.  I have had a constant regular headache since May of 2007.  No test has found a problem- I've had a lot of blood work, MRI and CT.  I've seen an eye doctor, a dentist, had pt and a sleep study...  My doctors all say that I am a healthy woman!  I had several migraines on top of the dull headache.  Then came the complications...  my lips went numb and my legs collapsed from under me.  I had slurred speech and a foggy brain.  This went on for over 5 minutes and I wasn't back to normal for several hours.  I'm scared that this might happen while I'm driving or while I'm teaching.  I cannot continue like this... I can't focus, I can't think, I'm loosing my mind.  Has anyone either found something has helped or a symptom that appears early so I can get somewhere safe before I collapse?

Thanks,
Melissa

[lisaloves]

I am a 32 year old female who was daignosed with cm by a Dr. at the Cleveland Clinic when I was 12. At one point he told my family and myself that he would like to write about me in a book he was planning on writing.

I have read others comments on here and basically I have the same thing, hands & legs go weak, can't speak, can't understand people I don't know, blurred speach, blurred vision, BUT and I was wondering if this is the case with anyone else, mine last a WEEK. I am basically bedridden for a week.

Basicaly it goes like this

First day - 3rd day
  cant walk , talk , see , use hands (allthough and this is weird to me)
after I sleep for a while I wake up and there is like a 3-5 min window where I AM able to walk but after that I go back to Not being able to walk again. Not able to chew or swallow

4th day - 5th day
  walking is better am able to get around but, not exactly like normal, now able to eat, blurred speach, but like the walking - there are short periods  3-5 min where I wake up and  my speech is normal but then i go back to not being able to speak.

6th day
Walking like normal , speech is still slightly off, vision is still blurred

7th day

everything is pretty much normal but have slight dizzyness.


I just had one last week and It started out I fell down in the bathroom and was unable to move at all for 2 hours , was then able to scoot on my butt not walk, into the bedroom.

I have these about 2-4 times a year and I am just so frustrated and TIRED of having them. Everytime I have one I am off work for a week.

thanks for taking the time to read this

   Lisa

[janiceCraig]

I am searching this board to find information for my boyfriend. He had been told he had optical migraines, but he has started to get the paralysis on the left side of his face and his eye cross and he cant see. The paralysis and blurred speech lasted about 5 minutes. The cross eyed thing has happened twice in the last year and that may last maybe an hour. He is 51 by the way. He was afraid it was a stroke but I found info while researching the optical migraine that points to what some of you have said. He just went to the doctor and again was told it was probably an optical migraine, but he is also going to the neurologist for tests. thank you all for posting your experiences.

[cmitchell]

OMG!  Thank goodness there are others out there like me! I am a 32 year old mother of two and I have suffered with migraines since jr high.  I started experiencing so many of these wierd symptoms since after the birth of my first daughter 6 years ago.  Loss of feeling would start in my hands and work its way up to my elbows.  Then it would start in my lips and work around one half of my face.  After a trip to the ER because I thought I was having stroke, my family physician told me they were a type of migraine and prescribed Maxalt.  That worked and the numbness and tingling  would stop, but I would always feel "hungover" afterwards.  I had two attacks this past year that scared me so bad bc I couldn't control my speach or thoughts.  One happened while driving home and I had to pull over and wait for my husband to get a ride and drive 30 miles to pick me up.  The other one happened when I was at home by myself with my two girl's and one of their little friends.  I had to call my husband to come home which he did imeddiately bc I wasn't making any sense.  I happened to mention this to my ENT doc who was removing my tonsils and he scared me into going to a nuerologist bc he thought my symptoms sounded like MS!  Yikes!  So after my initial nuerolgist appt and an mri, they have diagnosed me as having hemoplegic complicated migraines.  She put me on the siezure medicine Keppra which is used as a preventative migraine med as well and I haven't had a "Wierd" migraine since I began taking Keppra over 6 months ago.  Huge milestone bc I was having 2-6 a month and taking Maxalt, a tryptan to stop them.  If you have been diagnosed with this kind of migraine, DO NOT take any kind of Tryptan.  My doc told me today that if I am ever given a tryptan it could cause me to have a stroke.  If you have this type of migraine ask your doctor about Keppra bc it truly has been a lifesaver.

[mle928]

It is refreshing to know there are others out there with similar symptoms as me.  I am a 28 yo female.  Relatively healthy with high cholesterol...which runs in my family.  However, I am still hoping to find some definitive answers...if my neurologist's answers don't give me a sense of ease...who should I go to next?  I saw some posts talking about a headache specialist, is that a possibility for me?  

First episode occurred in Oct 2007, starting with extreme blurred vision, confusion, then tingling and numbness in my right arm.  Was on birth control and smoking at that time, stopped both immediately.  Results from CT, MRI, and MRA were inconclusive.  All came back normal.  Neurologist did put me on a daily aspirin regimen, with a new prescription for migraines.  (Previously treated for migraines since high school as well).  

Second episode occurred this past Thursday.  Started with blurred vision for 20 minutes, and numbness, tingling in my left arm, followed by tingling in my mouth?  (no one mentioned that before).  My bp was elevated to 160/90.  Slight confusion occurred...couldn't remember my boyfriend's phone number...also said that I was having a hard time finding info in my cell phone.  Of course the headache came after all that.  Went to ER...they did a CT and blood work, which came back normal.  I did notice a slight elevation in the amount of oxygen in my blood...don't know if that is related, dr. said nothing about it.  (Also note that 3 weeks ago I started birth control again)

My gp said I need to be seen by a cardiologist to rule out PFO.  Which was the wrong thing to tell me because all weekend I have been worried about it...imagining things with my heart that probably aren't really there.  Why do drs do that?  

Also just recalled an instance prob 5 years ago that I originally didn't relate to these current instances.  Was diagnosed with an optical migraine.  Seeing wavy lines (blurred vision)...and then a headache.  


Were these instances a TIA, complex migraine, or related to PFO?  

Thanks for listening,
Michelle