TIA? Migraine? Scared & Confused, Help

[Karla_62]

Since June 2008 I have been having episodes of numbness in my face, slurred speech, loss of words, confusion, numbness in my right arm, inability to control or use my arm but can feel it, same with my right leg, unable to walk and control my right leg. Not all symptoms always present at the same time, sometimes just the speech, sometimes just the leg or arm. These episodes last anywhere from 15 minutes to longest 1 1/2 hours. Have had Migraines in the past with flashing lights, but not frequently and only treated with 2 Aspirin or 600mg of Ibuprofen. I have had 11 episodes since June.
Test Reults: I have had an MRI with contrast and it showed several lesions on the left side of my brain, my EEG was negative, Ultasound of Carotid Arteries all negative, Heart Enzyme test neg, all blood work neg, EKG neg, MS ruled out.
Medications: Gabapentin (was 2 every night @ 300mg) recently increased to 2 - 300 mg 3x's per day, Citalopram 20mg 1 daily, Metformin 500mg 1 daily, Mirapex 1.5mg 1 nightly, Enablex 7.5 1 daily, Lisinopril/HCTZ 20-25mg 1 daily, Aspirin 325mg 1 daily, CPAP machine Nightly.
Diagnosis: High Blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, Restless Leg Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Periodic Leg Movement, Fibromyalgia, Depression.
Recent Neuro visit Doc said sounds like TIA's due to circulations problems somewhere. He icreased my Gabapentin hoping to decrease my Migraines that I have no headaches or with? He also said keep taking Aspirin.
Scared & Confused, Karla  

[tonyam]

Karla,

You may have Hemiplegic Migraines (HM), as I do.  This is a rare form of migraine that has neurological complications that can emulate MS, TIA, stroke, etc.  The symptoms are temporary however.  As you have a history of migraines, you should see a migraine specialist and not just a neurologist.

I have similar symptoms except on my left side including seizures, left side of my face is paralyzed and mouth droops to the right, left leg is weak and heavy (thumps when I walk), stammer when I talk (can't find the word or words), unable to grasp or hold things with my hand, muscles will shake uncontrollably at times (especially after excersion), cold/wet/sore spots on my head, and then there's the confusion days where I may not know my name, where I'm at, what day it is, etc.

Be well, Tonya

[heart2heart]

The dizziness upon looking up is called "top shelf vertigo" and could be due to , BPV (benign positional vertigo- also known as ear rocks in the inner ear, or it could be due to a circulation problem in the back of the brain or even due to the BAM migraines I mentioned. Incidently I have this symptom too and the dr. dx'd me with BPV along with migraines.  Tell your dr. about this symptom so they can rule out the problems.  You may need an MRA to rule out vascular problems that an MRI can't pick up. May I ask your age? Vascular problems would be more likely if you were older.

[Karla_62]

I looked up MRA and No I have not had one. Perhaps because I have had Two total knee replacements and have metal in my body, I don't know. A TEE (TransEsophageal Echo) was ordered and postponed due to a bad upper respiratory infection so that will be reordered soon. Again, thank You,
Karla_62

[Karla_62]

I have had just a couple bouts of dizzyness and vertigo especially upon looking up and reaching up that I have noticed this past week. I have also noticed my headaches that I do get are more like in the back of my head/neck and radiate to my temples if this helps. They tend to feel more like a stiff neck than a headache, they don't feel like other banging, throbbing migraines that I have had in the past. I don't know what a MRA is so I don't believe I have had one because I make note to always research and know what is being done and why. I would be interested in that website. Is this what you suffer from? Thank You so much for responding I truely appreciate it.
Karla_62

[heart2heart]

I'm not a doctor, but these could be just complicated migraines. The lesions on the scan could be from migraines or high blood pressure. I have a few also on my MRI. I sometimes have numbness one side of the face with migraines too. Do you by chance get vertigo/dizzy spells also?  Maybe you have BAM (Basilar artery migraine?)  There is a BAM website for people who suffer these kinds of migraines.  You've had an extensive work up, did you have an MRA also?