Hemiplegia Help

[Jasmine85]

I have been getting classic migraine with aura since I was 18 (I am now 29).  I went to see my family doc recently because migraines have increased in the past year from once or twice every three months to once per week.  my last four migraines have been hemiplegic, with travelling numbness (tongue to lips to left medial fingers to left leg to left toes) and aphasia (both not being able to "find" words and mixing words, like saying "eyebrow" when i mean "doctor") and some slurring.  My very first migraine had some aphasia, but none of the others have in 11 years until the last four. Doc put me on Amitriptyline 25mg, and sent me to neuro.  I told Neuro the above, and that I had been in a serious car accident where i hit my head two years before first migraine.  He said symptoms describe classic migraine and should not be a concern; to continue meds and see him for a check up in 6 months.  I am wondering if this opinion is correct.  Can anyone advise?  Thank you.

[AKC_75]

It started at the same time.

And for me....the worse my migraines or the more often I have them the worse it is. If my migraines let up then the hemiplegia gets better, not necessarily completely gone but, better.

[Jasmine85]

Yes it is, and it is helping.  Just wanted to make sure I shouldn't be looking for a second opinion in case the changes are a sign of something more serious. Thank you :)

[Jasmine85]

Hey, thanks a lot.  I do suffer from anxiety, but never put those two together because they rarely occur together.  Really glad to hear some good news about the Amitriptyline; I haven't had much feedback from anyone who's on it.  

One more question:  when you started to experience hemiplegia, did they do any testing for you?  Or has your migraine always presented that way?

[Jasmine85]

Thanks for the help!

[AKC_75]

Most prescriptions take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to start working and up to 12 weeks for the full affect. So, you have to give it time.

[jen_gerard]

Is this your first time on Migraine meds Jasmine? The most important question to ask is if you feel better on the medication because if it is helping then I wouldn't worry but if it isn't then I would try a different approach and talk to your Nuero again.

[AKC_75]

Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

Your case sound very similar to mine. I also get the aphasia quite often due to anxiety. Migraines and anxiety often go together. It is very frustrating and at times embarrassing but, you are not alone.

I took Amitriptyline for years with great success. The thing you have to remember is treating migraines is a marathon, not a sprint. There is no quick and easy fix. It is a continual treatment process. As long as your doctor listens to you and you feel comfortable working with him/her then I think you are on the right road.

[Ball123]

It does not sound bad. It is probably migraines you are suffering from. Hemiplegic migraine is always a bit scary because it resembles stroke symptoms so much. Usually the doctors want to do some testing first just to make sure it is not something serious.

The medicine is one of the standard medicines for migraine. There are others to try if this one does not help you or if it gives you nasty side effects.