"I'm so glad it's just a headache"
I get the sentiment. I really do.
However today marks 2 weeks of symptoms; and pardon me if I sound a little bitter, but it is NOT just a headache.
I am numb from head to toe. It has turned from interesting to annoying. It also has caused moments of "crazy" where I can be found sitting in my bed poking my face, rubbing my arms, trying to convince myself that they feel the same. It's hysterical (hind sight) if you could see me in my "rain-man" like state almost rocking and trying to convince myself "They feel the same, it's feels the same"...They don't.
Waking this morning thinking...I feel less numb today-I don't.
You can't hide my crazy!
Last Tuesday I was much more numb than I am now. I actually had noticeable facial paralysis.
If you drew a line down the middle of my body...left side=numb. Throat, tongue, every part of me!
I got my menstrual cycle Sunday and talk about crazy. Crazy! Laying there and only on 1 1/2 of my body being able to tell the cramps. I could tell you other things...but I will spare you. You are welcome.
The best is listening to my male neurologist on Monday morning tell me "hopefully you'll be better once your cycle is compete". I had a good laugh with my daughter about how males blame everything on a woman's period; pwaahahaha! Well, after a little research--he may be right, but who knows!
Last Sunday started a new fun symptom of an "intense" almost "shock" without the shock--like when your leg is waking up from falling asleep---but it just stays in the intense buzzing phase. Can we say-not fun! It has improved and I have only had a little of that lately.
I have visual symptoms that are like looking straight ahead while watching transparent sperm float in your visual field. Also, at times it will be various sizes of balls of white that block my vision on the left side. Then there are "sparkles" where it's the typical twinkling stars.
Headache was not my primary complaint but it is the most miserable. I can take the dull-hey-just letting you know-I-haven't-gone-away headache but the I-am-going-to-make-your-life-a-living-hell headache isn't fun. The I-am-going-to-use-a-crowbar-to-lift-this-left-back-piece-of-your-skull headache is what started this.
Last week I started a cycle of steriods that was supposed to "fix me" in 24-36 hours. They didn't. While some symptoms improved (paralysis) others got worse (headache and intense feeling). I went back to the neurologist and they did a repeat MRI just to check if everything is okay. It is. Except for how I feel. So...it's neurological. I guess I just needed to vent and let everyone know: I am not better.
It seems like I am just stuck in a cycle of "event" after "event" with varying severity, symptoms, and level of function. For the most part, I'm up and dealing. There are times though, where it's just too much. I am so thankful for my family and friends who at any moment in time would do anything I need. Thankfully I haven't needed much.
We are waiting to see what happens before we do something drastic like go on a preventative medication. I mean this has happened once (maybe twice) I don't want to go on something "chemical" to prevent it. I am not completely closed to the idea...just would rather try natural things first.
I have added magnesium to my regimen. So, we will see.
I guess I am glad it's just a HEADACHE. However, to me, because it's effecting EVERY area of my life--it's not JUST a headache...
Here is what Web MD has to say about these:
While the stroke-like symptoms can range from worrisome to debilitating, the good news is that no permanent nerve damage occurs from this type of migraine.
Migraines are unpredictable and unique to each person. You may have a hemiplegic migraine headache with extreme pain and minor paralysis one month. Then the next attack might bring extreme paralysis without much headache pain at all. (Geesh)I have read every (exaggeration) thing on Google about it. It's crazy! Truthfully, I only have a minor case all things considered. I have read too many stories in medical forums and here is what I have figured out: It's all guessing! Trying! and Figuring! They don't know.
Symptoms of hemiplegic migraine include:
- Severe, throbbing pain, often on one side of your head (check)
- A pins-and-needles feeling, often moving from your hand up your arm (check)
- Numbness on one side of your body, which can include your arm, leg, and/or one side of your face (entire left side of body=check)
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of your body (check)
- Loss of balance and coordination (occasionally=check)
- Visual aura, such as seeing zigzag lines, double vision, or blind spots (check)
- Language difficulties, such as mixing words or trouble remembering a word
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness or vertigo (occasionally=check)
- Nausea and vomiting (occasionally=check)
- Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell (occasionally=check)
- Confusion
- Decreased consciousness or coma
The best news (sarcasm) is that my stroke 3 years ago...could have been related to this because "stroke" is something that is associated with this type of headache.
Complicated Migraine, also known as Migrainous StrokeLink with video from Mayo Clinic: HERE
- In contrast to classic migraine (headache accompanied by transient neurologic symptoms) or acephalgic migraine (transient neurologic symptoms in the absence of headache), complicated migraine is an older terminology used to denote ischemic stroke that occurs in the setting of migrainous symptoms, often in patients with a history of classic migraine.
- The relationship between the migraine and stroke is uncertain, and may be due to vasospasm, hypercoagulability or recurrent neuronal depolarizations (spreading depression). These patients still warrant a full evaluation for embolic sources, but may benefit from migraine prophylaxis which includes antiplatelet therapy and calcium-channel antagonists. Consider avoiding medications which may precipitate vasospasm (e.g., tryptans, ergotamines, amphetamines,stimulants, silfenadil) or migraine (oral estrogens).
- Consider genetic and mitochondrial evaluation in families with migraine and stroke or stroke-like episodes (See below)
WHO KNOWS!
I am done talking about it now.
I knew I wasn't going to get "answers" that would satisfy my questions. I am trusting God and his SILENCE.
4 comments:
I'm so sorry all this is going on. I truly understand where you're at as I went through this nearly 4 years ago. I had a migraine 1 week after that surgery, then following that migraine all the numbness, tingling, etc. started and lasted over a month. No MRI could detect a thing. I took magnesium as well, had a couple of periods, and prayed ALL THE TIME...you remember. I remember sitting with a safety pin poking myself all over trying to convince myself that I wasn't numb. It'll get better, I promise. I just don't know when. Love you bunches!
Thank God, there is hope, and that hope is in Him. If we did not have this hope we would be among men the most miserable on earth. But we aren't, because we have this hope. And when we hope, we know that our faith has not failed. Praying this passes sooner than later.
When I first starting reading this I thought - GET TO A DOCTOR! But you did. So then I thought - GET TO A DIFFERENT DOCTOR! But you went back and got retested. So this is from a migraine? Good Lord! I had no idea how extreme it could be. I will be praying for you, my dear sister in Christ. Please keep us updated!
I understand the halloween season is so black...others have fun but I do not?? I hope your headache stays better
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