complicated migraine with altered mental status

[gpsybld]

I was diagnosed with complicated migraines w/left sided facial numbness a year ago. MRI, MRA, CTscan all negative.  I am on 200 mg topomax daily and still have at least one migraine a month lasting sometimes as long as a week.  I am concerned because during the headache I no longer have the ability to concentrate to the point where I can't drive or do normal tasks.  Is this normal?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Complicated migraines can present as facial numbness, lack of concentration and headache. I would suggest you to use the migraine tracker of maintain a headache diary to identify the triggers. Also take magnesium and B complex supplements after consulting your doctor as they are known to reduce the frequency of migraines.
Once you get the attack it is best not to venture out and take rest in a quiet dark room and apply ice packs to the head and neck.

Thanks

[marileew]

Since you already have other diagnosed stroke-like neurological symptoms associated with your migraines... I think that losing your ability to concentrate is normal.

Also... migraine pain is classified as "severe pain". When people are in "severe pain"... it is RARE for a person to be able to do "normal" tasks and it is Dangerous for people to attempt to do normal tasks when in severe pain. Some people have very high pain tolerances, and can focus and complete normal tasks when in severe pain. Other people may have been in severe chronic pain for so long that they begin to regain the ability to do some tasks while they are in severe pain. BUT... it is NOT normal to be able to complete complicated tasks or every-day tasks when you are in severe pain. So... the fact you are not able to drive or do normal tasks IS VERY NORMAL!!!

Migraine is a disability. It is a disabling condition. It is recognized as a disability because it prevents people from being able to do normal tasks.

Now... if it's not just the pain that is preventing you from focusing... if you are actually feeling "confused," "disoriented," "detached," "disassociated" ... or anything else that you would describe as something very unusual to you that you would not attribute to pain... then this is probably a neurological symptom of migraine.

Although, if it is a NEW symptom that you have not discussed with your family doctor or neurologist before, then you should book an appointment ASAP to discuss this new symptom... because new neurological symptoms associated with a headache should always be discussed with your doctor as there is always the possibility as it could be something unrelated to the migraine and maybe even something more serious.

But, don't stress about it... it is probably a migraine symptom, and not an unusual one at that... especially since you also suffer from facial numbness as well. Still, best to book an appointment with your doctor just to be safe and put your mind at ease.

Glad to hear the topamax has brought your migraines down to only one a month... it is not good they are still lasting so long though!! But, hopefully that will continue getting better.

(Just so you know, I cannot concentrate at all when I have a migraine that is an 8+/10 on the pain scale and I have difficulty concentrating whenever I have any migraine at all. I also suffer from the numbness thing and the facial paralysis/paralysis on one side of the body from time to time along with the migraines... a few other people on the boards do too... so, we're here to talk if you ever want to message us or anything! :) And... yeah... don't try to force yourself to drive or do tasks when you have a bad migraine, you don't need to torture yourself like that!!... migraine is considered a disability, and if you need help with getting employers to understand this so that you can take the day or morning off work... or if you need help getting delivery services set up to have groceries or prescriptions delivered to your house when you have a migraine... just ask, and I can send you support information from some useful migraine support sites!)