numbess in knees/aura in vision

Question

I am a 31 y/o female. I have suffered from chronic migraines for about 8 years and have been on Topamax for that long as well as blood pressure medicine and it has seemed to work. About 3 months ago, I started having auras in my vision which the doctor (and Optometrist) said were now Ocular Migraines. They did not run a cat scan or MRI. About 2 months ago, I noticed something else that has worried me. When I wake up in the morning sometimes (I think it has happened maybe 4-5 times), I go to stand out of bed and just collapse on the floor. It feels as if my knees are asleep. I have to lay there from anywhere between 3 - 5 minutes until the feeling comes back. I've tried standing up to walk before my knees were ready and just collapsed again. I have also noticed my arms doing it. I'll go to turn my alarm clock off and the best way I can describe it is it feels like my arm is dead and I have to pick it up with my other arm. I didn't put the two together until yesterday and could be totally off base by doing so. I just got really worried because the last time I collapsed (this past Wednesday) I was about 2 inches from slamming my head against the wall. I had not said anything to the doctor because at first I merely thought I had just slept in a weird position and lost circulation in my extremeties, because the feeling eventually comes back. I just wanted to get some advice and see what others have to say. By the way, I have an appointment for my physical on the 28th of July, so I was going to say something to the doctor then... Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

anuragsrivastava · Accepted Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. As you must be aware that, one sided throbbing (or sharp) headache & orbital pain (eye pain preceded with aura) with numbness symptoms could be suggestive of migraine. Other factors that may induce your migraine attack may be contraceptive pills, stress or depression, bright lights, loud noise and traveling. Few women experience headache more commonly during the time of their menstrual periods & at the time of hormonal imbalance. The mainstay of the migraine treatment is always to identify the triggering factors and to avoid them. Triggering factors could be different foods such as cheese, chocolate, alcohol and even few fruits. I would suggest careful record of events that have proceeded with the attack and avoid those factors. In addition, try to rest in a dark & quiet room, meditate, have a balanced diet and avoid taking unnecessary drugs. Please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the further underlying disorders by clinically examine you that may be in addition reason of your knee numbness & ordering MRI or CT scan here that may be the main reasons of your headache attacks & other symptoms and can provide you an appropriate treatment. Hope this information proves helpful to you. Take Care & Regards!!!

tjj3761 · Answer

Hello,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms.

I too have had migraines since the age of 9 with auras.

It concerns me when you talk about the numbness in your legs and arms.

I also had the same exact thing happen with my right arm a few years ago (trying to turn the alarm clock off).  When I went to reach for it, not knowing my arm was dead asleep, I fell out of bed and could not catch myself with my left arm, falling to the floor.  It took about 15 minutes for my arm to return to function.

I personally would highly suggest if you do not have a neurologist, you need a referral for one.  I feel you should have an MRI definitely.

I would start to make a time-line of your symptoms (history) to take to a neurologist.  I feel you need more diagnostic testing.

Neurological diagnoses can sometimes take a long time.  I currently am in limboland for 7 years since acute onset of symptoms.  My last MRIs still have not shown any lesions, but I know they are too small to be seen.

I hope this has helped....

terri