right diangnosis?

[savannab]

my name is savanna. i am almost 18 yrs old and have just been diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines. my 1st episode was about 6 weeks ago. since then i have had 3. when was havng my first one i went to the hospital and was told that i had a mini stroke or TIA. i had MRI, ct scans,ect! about every test you could think of. my 2nd episode was about 3 days ago. i was rushed to the ER and later was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines. i am so thankful that i finally know what i have got. i was beginning to think it was all in my head, but i knew i wasnt going crazy!!! my symptoms are on my left side as well. i can tell when i am about to have an episode because i all the sudden become tired and cant talk! then my left side feels so heavy an weak. i also get dizzy and i notice i stare into space a lot! i am on varapamil and 2 other meds that i cant remember the name of. but so far they have worked. like the other night i was in CVS and had an episode. my speech started slurring and i ran into the med. shelfs. i knew instantly that i was about to have one. when i have my episodes i always just want to lay down!i become restless and cant sit still. this is new and very scarey for me. but i am thankfull that i nw know what is going on. does it sound like i have been diagnosed right? thanks for listening about my hemiplegic migraines and the things i go through with them.

-SAVANNA

[missnanny]

How long did the previous person doing the job you have now ... work in the job?

and how is his/her health? (You said to me that you worked in a photo lab)

You have had a lot of exposure to some serious chemicals if you are working in the photo printing business for 3 and a half years & have been noticing headaches that whole time.  The doctors are probably right about the exact diagnosis, but unless you share with them what work you have done for this whole time, they won't realize what you are dealing with .... many, many things can be caused by chemical exposure such as you are getting

Ask them to find out everything about the red blood cells.  To LOOK at the red blood cells

http://www.valdezlink.com/pages/crackthecase.htm#these

Ask to see the Material Safety Data Sheet for all the products you are using

Is there any butyl ether?  Any 2-butoxyethanol?
http://www.valdezlink.com/re/avoidpesticides.htm

or take the name of the product and put MSDS in the internet search ... & see what is in the print chemicals you are using in your job

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Yes I understand, this sort of thing can be quite frustrating. I would also suggest you to try magnesium supplements which have shown great benefit in preventing recurrent attacks of migraine.
Other options are acupuncture and biofeedback therapy. Please look into them as well.
Take care!

[savannab]

thanks so much!:) oh! but evertime i feel like i am gettin back to normal i have another attack:/

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Yes I understand your anxiety. Hemiplegic migraine affect one side of the body causing weakness and numbness and that’s the reason that are so easily confused with strokes, The weakness on left side may last for a few days. I would suggest you not to over exert yourself and take rest till your symptoms go away completely.

[savannab]

i am ok. but i am very weak and cant hold things well with my left side.i am taking verapamil. thanks so much for your help and concern!:)

savanna

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
Yes it does sound like hemiplegic migraine. Migraine is characterized by a preceding aura. The symptoms of aura can be visual, auditory, slurred speech, tiredness, and dizziness.
Calcium channel blockers like verapamil are prescribed as preventive medication for migraine. It is very important that when you get these attacks to lie down in a dark quiet room and apply cold compresses to the head.
http://headaches.about.com/od/migrainediseas1/a/hemiplegic_mig.htm
Please check this link it has some useful information about hemiplegic migraine.
Take care!

[missnanny]

Dizzy?  Tired?  Speech slurred?

What kind of job do you have?

Is there anything different in your life now than there was before 6 weeks back?

Any sniffles?  Diarrhea?  Flu symptoms?

Anyone new in your life this past 6 weeks?

Using any new cleaning products at home? ... around paint fumes?  things like that