Hi,
Yes migraine is often misdiagnosed as stroke so do not worry. If amitryptiline was working for you i suggest you continue to take it. Also if possible try and identify the trigger for your migraine mostly it sis a food product like MSG, sodium nitrate used to preserve hot dogs and bacon, chocolate, cheese and beans. Also sitting in a quiet dark room and applying cold compress to the neck helps during the attack.
Thank you for the info. I appreciate it. My physician prescribed me Amatryptalin at one time that actually helped keep them from coming on, but I have not been in to see her in a while to where she can prescribe me more. I guess it is time for me to go see her again. It just seems to be weird when I get the strange spacy feeling. That part worries me. I have gotten what were diagnosed as complicated migraines before too, which have that aura effect to them before the migraine comes on. It diminishes my peripheral vision and make me have tunnel vision, usually in one eye or the other. The first time I had one the doctore said I had all the symptoms of a stroke, and I was only 22 or 23 years old. The only thing I was missing was numbness in the face. I had the mixed up speech, the vision issues, and the migraine shortly after. I often get scared and start wondering if there is something more severe causing them. But at the moment I dont have insurance and cant afford to get an MRI or anything done. So in the meantime thank you for the info, it does help. Thanks again.
You are having severe form of migraine .
A severe migraine attack can cause a persistent throbbing or pounding pain, with sensitivity to light, sound and movement. The pain may be on just one side of the head, though there may be pressure on both. Attacks last between four and 72 hours. You may also feel nauseous, be sick, have diarrhoea, or feel exhausted.
Some migraines can cause other neurological (to do with the brain) symptoms - called aura. These are usually visual disturbances that start before or accompany the headache, including flashing lights, black spots, zig-zag patterns or distorted vision. You might also get a stiff neck, have tingling or stiff limbs, or have difficulty speaking.
For many, the symptoms are so severe that they are forced to lie down in a quiet dark room and wait until the migraine stops.
Some people find that their migraines are triggered by something. Some example triggers include:
Try to stay away from these migraine triggers.
certain foods such as chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, coffee, tea
alcohol
too much or too little sleep
changes in hormone balance in women - such as periods, the pill, menopause and hormone replacement therapy
emotional stress, or relaxation after a period of stress
irregular meals
physical activity
smoking
bright or flashing lights
loud noise
weather - high pressure conditions, changes in pressure, hot dry winds, change of season and exposure to sun and glare
intense smells such as paint, fumes from cars or perfume
Unfortunately, avoiding triggers is not always possible, and even then this may not prevent an attack - most migraines have no obvious identifiable trigger.
There are other treatments for migraine that your doctor can prescribe. The medicines metoclopramide and domperidone can be used to treat nausea and vomiting. They are often combined with over-the-counter painkillers.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen or tolfenamic) are sometimes used to treat the headache, and they can also be combined with drugs which reduce sickness.
If standard painkillers don't stop the pain, your doctor may prescribe you triptans such as sumatriptan, fovatriptan or zolmitriptan. .
take care