Hi from Pittsburgh

I am a 46 year old female and have suffered from migraines since I was a teenager. However, the twist began a year and a half ago. I began having brain fog, memory lapses, inability to focus, fatigue, buzzing in my head, pressure behind my eyes, and many more symptoms. After the regular visits to my PCP, and being told I was depressed and suffering from anxiety, I fought back and insisted that he refer me for more tests as these symptoms were 24/7 and I was at risk of losing my job. He sent me for an MRI which was negative. Off to a Neurologist I went and have been working with her since. I am currently on a treatment of 100 mg of Topomax a day and we are still tweaking meds for the buzzy feeling and brain fog as it seems to come and go every couple of months. I really don't have "pain" on a regular basis with my migraines. Mine are a different kind I guess. So that's my story. I'm looking forward to learning new ways to deal with this. Currently researching the Magnesium theory.

Hello there and welcome

Sorry you have been suffering so long. But pleased you fought back!

Its sounds like you may have Acephalgic migraine. Its something I still have everyday - its just the strength of it that changes. (Mine has a lot of left side weakness too - so Hemiplegic undertones)

Acephalgic migraine (also called acephalalgic migraine, migraine aura without headache, amigrainous migraine, isolated visual migraine and optical migraine) is a neurological syndrome. It is a relatively uncommon variant of migraine in which the patient may experience migraine symptoms but does not experience headache. While it is generally classified as an event fulfilling the conditions of migraine with aura with no (or minimal) headache, it is sometimes distinguished from visual-only migraine aura without headache, also called ocular migraine.

However saying that do you have any body weakness or tingling?

How are you finding the Topomax? Has it helped at all?

Let us know how you get on with the Magnesium?

Tee

Hi - nice to meet you. I'm very interested in all things magnesium (as you'll see from the thread I started).

Im on Magnesium and B vitimin complex my neurologist advised me on taking them both,alas Neither has improved my migraines...But i do know there has been good results in taking both xx

Just wanted to say 'Hi' and glad yo fund the site. I hope you find talking to the other sufferers helpful and I know we will all be supportive to each other.

Nice to hear of someone who can tolerate Topamax, It can be helpful if you don't get too many side effects (much like anything else I guess ).

Jane
x

Tee, I get tingling in my fingers and toes occassionally. But no weakness. The worse part of this for me is not being able to "think" when these headaches peak. It seems they are always there, but the topiramate(Topomax) keeps them subdued. When they break through, I can't thnk clearly, I can't even make eye contact with people because I can't focus my eyes, and my speaking becomes a challenge. I feel like I've had 3 glasses of wine. I search for common words and then I can't get the wrods to come out. Very frustrating because I manage a staff of 6 people and work with the public. I'm getting to really appreciate the good days of little or no "episodes".

Oh I am so sorry - but you know you are doing so well to work with this

The thinking, eye focus and speaking are all physical aura - I get the same all the time - I have found that the more I do the worse it gets.

But I am pleased you are doing OK on Topomax, I had a bad time on that one. Have you tried Fluarazine? It is the only drug which seemed to reduce the aura significantly for me. It can make you sleepy. But if your coping with Topomax, you should cope with this one.

I do wish I had a magic wand at times.

How do you think the magnesium is going? _ I have just started to use that via a spray.

Tee

After reading and having a nosey at these threads i didnt realise that there were so many different types migraines.
How come dr's dont tell you that or is it something that we all have to find out for ourselves!! I knew there were classic migraines or common migraines. I'm a bit confused to all the other ones, mind you it doesnt take much to confuse me haha.
Any help in clarifying them would be appreciated,altho theres probably a bit about them that i've failed to see. (Sorry if thats the case!!)
xx

Hi again Figgy,

As you have rightly said there are classic migraine (meaning migraine with aura) and common migraine (migraine without aura). However, classic migraine can be subdivided into other rarer types of migraine, such as hemiplegic migraine (meaning there are additional aura symptoms including weakness down one side of the body like a stroke), Basilar Artery Migraine, which is similar to hemiplegic migraine but the basilar artery in the brain goes into spasm causing severe vertigo, and weakness in both sides of the body), etc. If you have a look around you will find more information regarding the different types of migraine.

I hope this helps.

Michala
x

Thanks,that is useful. :0)
Not sure my doctor knows that though!!
xx

Hi Figgy Have you seen a consultant yet or are you just under a GP then.
Sheena x

figgy wrote:
Any help in clarifying them would be appreciated,altho theres probably a bit about them that i've failed to see.

I have added a sticky on the different types of migraine - was on my list to do anyway lol - hope it helps.

EVERYONE - If i have missed anything please do shout.


Tee

Hi Sheena,
am have always been under the doctor. Think he just gets fed up with me moaning!!
I've always thought i'd kept a strict diary of my migraines but it looks like i havent. So i'm on a mission to 'figure it out'.
I have noticed that i am getting them when i'm really busy,with bday parties,and appointments etc. Maybe i stress myself out more than i thought.
I'm getting some magnesium spray today too so fingers crossed!!

:0)

Just a note the topamax "gives" me tingling in my fingers and toes its one of the side affects X

I get tingling in my fingers most of the time, i'm always thinking i'm gonna have a stroke!!
I'm really liking this site, everyone is so darn friendly and nice :0)