1. I've Had Complex Migraines for 5 Years
    Karen Peltier Karen Peltier United States says:
    August 3, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    Thank you for this article.  I've had complex or complicated migraines for five years now.  Came out of the blue around menopause; and I had no personal or family history prior.  It is difficult for people to understand them; even some physicians are not familiar with the 'complicated' part of these type of migraines.  People hear the word 'migraine,' and a certain image pops into their head of someone with a bad headache.  Complex migraines go way beyond the traditional migraine.  The symptoms do resemble a stroke (as mentioned above); however, usually nothing shows on any scans.  So, in the case of the article, the patient was very fortunate that something showed up.  Generally, physicians think if nothing shows up, then you the patient are making it up, exaggering, etc.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I strongly advise anyone with this condition to work with a neurologist; they are about the only ones capable of understanding all the nuances, as far as I'm concerned.

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    • Thought i was having a stroke
      chrystie chrystie United States says:
      August 31, 2012 at 10:51 PM

      I saw your comment and totally related. i went through menopause a couple years ago due to hysterectomy. I've had migraines since puberty but at the age of 45 I had my first complex one. This one required a trip to the hospital. The pain came and went for 6 days. During the 6 days, I had difficulty working on my computer, could not spell words that should have come easily and had tremendous confusion. At the er, i was given medication for pain and a ct scan, which i was told was normal but referred to my regular dr. She referred me to a neuro, because of what she said was "altered mental status." This was about 3 weeks ago and I'm waiting for appt.  My usual migraine med failed me miserably with this one. What have you found that helped? I am terrified of having another. Especially when I might be home with my 11 year old or driving.

      Reply
    • Beyond Pain
      Vanessa Lewis Vanessa Lewis United States says:
      September 12, 2015 at 7:54 PM

      I was just diagnosed at the ER with these type of migraines. I spent months having the headaches and then all the sudden I couldn't move! I couldn't speak and my entire left side was tingling and almost numb. I am 56 and thought I was having a stroke. Stroke and heart problems are all through my family so it didn't occur to me that it was migraines. I've had migraines all my life, but this was over the top insane pain. Wakes me in the middle of the night and makes me want to put my head through a wall if it will stop the pain. The pain doesn't last days like other migraines, but the intensity is like having my head in a vice with a white hot spike being repeatedly driven into my brain. Because I also have diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure the doctors are hesitant to put me on meds. I am seeing the Neurologist very soon.

      Reply
The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
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