Nadeem Ahmed ( Hemiplegic Migraine)

Most of you guys know me , My name is Nadeem Ahmed I am the administrator of Hemiplegic Migraines on facebook, I can be found using email address hemiplegic.migraines@hotmail.co.uk. I am also a sufferer in hemiplegic migraines.

My Story

On the 22 May 2007 I woke up as I normally would 6 am, I got ready for work 8am start. When I got out of the shower I had slight neck pain. I took pain killers. I then drove to work on the motor way to Coventry I commute from Birmingham every day. I went into work with still having neck pain and as I was working in the contact centre I began to get pain on my left arm and neck pains were coming and going every 6 to 7 seconds I had these neck pains. I informed my Team Leader that I am having neck pains and asked if I could go home to see GP. She refused and said that wait for 1 hour as we were busy at the time. I waited for 1 hour and then I simply could not take the pain any more. I informed my Team Leader and left the business to see my GP.

As I left the building my neck pain and left arm pain was quite bad. I drove back to Birmingham from Coventry . On my way back while driving , I started to get pins and needles shooting down my left side, I could not feel the steering wheel, I was trying to talk but could not understand what I was saying and why. I was also experiencing double vision on and off in my eyes. Somehow I managed to drive to my GP, I informed the receptionist , she said I cannot understand you , she put me down on a chair and rushed to the GP office, the GP then called me over . I went to his office and he asked what happened etc, It took long time explaining to him but he was very patient. He then said that I have had a Mini Stroke and could he not believe that I drove all the way from Coventry. He rushed me to hospital in an ambulance. I was taken to the critical care unit. The GP there said that I had a mini stroke.

I was hospitalised for 7 days. When I left hospital I thought I was fine and much better – how wrong was I!. I had another attack this time I was paralysed . This time I was in hospital for 5 days and was told that I had another Mini Stroke. For 6 months I have been taking stroke medication.

I had more attacks in the same year 2007 one after the other. I was taken hospital again this time I was told these are not mini Strokes. They said they are not sure what it is. My GP referred me to see a specialist at Birmingham Hospital. The Dr at the hospital was also not sure what it was. Then my GP referred me to Stoke on Trent Hospital in 2008. DR Davies at Stoke hospital saw my history and listened to me as how each attack happened and what effects I had. In the end 2008 he diagnosed it with Hemiplegic Migraine.

To date I have had many attacks they are so bad that I have been banned from driving and also lost my job. I live in hope.

Hello and welcome to the forum. I have seen Dr Davies many times over the last 4 years so I know what an excellent, caring neuro he is and that you are in good hands. He will do his upmost to help you in his usual caring and straight forward way.

Sorry you have had such a hard time lately but you are right to live in hope and I wish you all the very best in finding the correct treatment for your HM.

I am sure the others will be along soon to welcome you too as they are such a friendly lot.

Jane
x

Hi Nadeem

So glad you made it over

Your story is very touching and one (as you know) I can empathise with. I really wish I had a magic wand. HM has got to be the worst of the migraine family.

As Jane says Dr D is one of the good ones and I have only ever heard good things about him.

Tee x

Hi Nadeem I have the same symptoms as you I have lost my license as well ( two and a half years now ) but just been told its not long till I get it back, lost my job as well!! Just applied for a new one but not quick enough on the computer test!! But I keep trying
Keep happy and positive the medication gets, sorted you do get better and I am about to get put on medication for the Aura (mini strokes), mine happen 4/6 days out of 10. so all is good and I will let you know how meds work.
Im under Dr Shanahan and hes excellent.
Keep smiling
Sheena x

Hi Nadeem. Nice to meet you.

Sounds like you've had a very tough time. I currently don't work either (since 2007). As you say, we live in hope.

Greetings all,

I have similar symptoms, but stopped driving before someone snatched my license.

What sort of meds are you using to help the hemiplegic migraines? The only thing that I have found that helps is Topamax. It seems to reduce the frequency for me.

Do you also have migraine with aura in addition to the HMs?

Best to you all,

Scarlett

Hi Nadeem so sorry to read of your licence being taken I wish you so much luck with your applying for disability . take care

Hi Scarlett i am taking propanolol and i find atm they are working for me, i still get daily auras mainly tingling face, ear, fingers, numb knee/shin area, down left side, but i am now able to work thru them.

Thanks guys for the replies. Yes I love DR Davies he is the best in the UK or to me in the world!!.. He listens to me and treats me with care and offers the most excellent support - with out him ill be lost.

Just to let you guys know that I have been awarded DLA , Mobility Low and Care Middle rate. I am currently of work and have lost me job which I had for 5 years.

The hospitals in Birmingham are not good in health care, so I asked my GP in 2008 to refer me to Dr Davies up at Stoke on Trent - and I have to say that I am happy with the help and support from DR Davies. He wrote to DWP to help my claim for dla. He also put me on meds that suit me and the ones that he thinks are good - when ever I call his office he all ways replies.. when I ask for app I all ways get one within 2 to 3 weeks. He is a top man... I have told him that. x

Hi Nadeem ,i am glad you won your claim but so sorry you lost your job and licence ,it is good that you have a wonderful neuro that helps ,mine is also called Dr.Davies but at Northampton general so don`t know if he is flitting about between hospitals or just coincidence on name ? but he is also a good listener (cried like a baby i his office last week ...embaraassssing !!! ) ,he has phoned me at home also to check on me which i was surprised at and was nice . I hope you are having some improvement Nadeem and that life gets better for you here on in xxxxx Jacqui

Hi Jacqueline. Im so sorry to here about your HM. I hope you have a fast recovery. I am packed my job in now and im on DLA and also ESA. If you need any help then please ask me?? thanks nadeem xxx

After my stroke in 2006 I was plagued with what I was told at the time were a series of mini-strokes (TIA's) and had to take 18 months off work from 2007 to 2008 because of this. I only went back to work because my entitlement to SSP etc had run out, and we had to have some money coming in!

Early in 2009 I was finally told by the neurology consultant at our local hospital that these episodes weren't TIA's but were actually hemaplegic migraines. These migraines look like I'm having a stroke and certainly feel like I'm having a stroke and can last up to three days at a time so they really do leave me feeling as weak as a kitten!

I am allowed to drive (manual Ford Ka), but when I'm 'under the weather' with a hemaplegic migraine i have to rely on my husband to drive me as I don't honestly feel able to drive myself safely.