Hi from a new member (and a teacher) wanting information about recovering from a HM on June 15th

Hi folks! I live in the US and had a HM (drs called it a complicated migraine) on June 15th, but I am still struggling physically and cognitively. I would love some idea of how long others have had to endure before things got back to normal. My neuros said I should have recovered completely in 1-2 weeks but have not. I had right side hemiplegia/muscle incoordination and weakness. My right leg went completely weak, right upper arm and shoulder also, as well as right side of face incl. tongue and throat. By day 2 in hospital I was doing better, but still could barely carry weight on my leg and had to use a walker. Now I use a cane, but my right leg just spasms or freezes if I push it too much. I also continue to have difficulty finding words at times and with writing for any length of time or with reading comprehension and problem solving. My should and upper arm also continues to be weak, despite OT and PT 2 times a week. Sorry for the long list, but I was completely freaked out and kind of still am. I am a teacher and now have to take unpaid leave while I get better and the neuropsych testing recommended 6 months minimum. Is anyone else a teacher? How do you cope with not being able to work because you cannot follow more than one conversation or complete multiple steps or problems without a HUGE mental effort every moment of every day. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Tracy

Fisrtly BIG HUGS hun

I assume this was your first HM - a very scary experience indeed

I also assume they did a MRI to rule out anything else?

HM is a horrible migraine type (I know I have them) and they come in different severities, so recovery time is hard to tell. A small one could be over and done with in a few weeks, but from what you are describing, it sounds like you had a big one and I will be honest with you - it could take months to recover - a 6 mths minimum break is wise - but do not be surprised if it takes longer - sorry

The best tip I can give is to not push it too much - what you did today for 1 min do tomorrow for 2 mins. The weakness and thinking will come back, but it takes time and sometime a lot of time. When you feel tried go and rest. The brain is working hard to repair itself and you will get very tired very easily. OT and PT are great and whilst you may not be feeling the benefit yet, they will be helping - when you feel stronger try to swim a little too - that helped me and i only did 10mins to start with.

There are a lot of preventative medications for you to try, these may help to stop another one coming, but sadly there is no med to help you get better right now - that is just time.

Do you know what triggered it off? Stress plays a big roll in HM but there are also a lot of environmental and food triggers. It might also have been more than one? Trying to work that out, may help in the future, but do not stress over it at the moment - I understand that you may not be able to process stuff just yet.

There are a lot of people on here with HM and I am sure they will be along to offer support and advice. It is a slow process sweetie and we will help all we can. Please post as much as you like - even things you thing may be silly - we have ALL been there and will understand. Do not worry about spelling or getting words in the right order - we have the gift to work it out There is also PM if you need to.

I really do feel for you - I totally understand how frustrating this is. But it will get better in time.

Tee

Tee - thanks so much for your reply. Your comments have helped me immensely already and it is so great to talk with someone who has been through this before!

I still have questions though - and probably will for some time - including do HMs always come with headaches or auras? My attack was out of the blue - I had been reading when I stood up and suddenly my leg just stopped working! An hour later I was in the ER and barely able to talk or walk. My right arm was useless and uncontrollable and my face was getting more and more numb. The only word I could get out was dentist and pointing to my cheek - my hubby figured out that I meant my face was numb like when you get a shot at the dentist. It was scary and frustrating!

I get migraines 1-2 a year and always with a visual aura and always settling n the left frontal lobe area. However, I did not get a headache until after they did the MRI (about 30 mins after getting to the ER). I thought the headache was because of the MRI being loud. My headache though stayed for 7 days before it went away. I would never have guessed this was a migraine! I thought I had had a stroke and the neuro said that basically the migraine has tricked my brain into thinking it has had a stroke, so my body now has to recover.

Thanks for the support and for helping me through this!
Tracy

Your more than welcome hun - ask as many questions as you like...... If I cannot help I will find someone who can And if you do not want to ask in public private email me.

HM always comes with aura - the numbness and weakness are auras - when you feel like it have a look at this list (its a bit long) - but you may spot a few more things that you have not linked to aura.

https://migrainetalk.forumotion.co.uk/t250-types-of-aura

I understand the dentist feeling - I had that with my last one - I even had the dropped mouth and the dribble

Re the headache the answer is no - I often get HM with no headache or just a mild head pain. Acephalgic migraine is another form - its just that the aura is not as bad as with HM. With HM its like having a stroke and it takes time to get over it. You may find you have both. This might help explain a bit more.

https://migrainetalk.forumotion.co.uk/t185-types-of-migraine

Your husband sounds like a good one - and that will help you loads - make sure you take him with you to all medical trips - it helps loads to have someone with you who can ask questions for you and also remember what the doctors have said - it will also give your husband an insight to what you are going through.

Big hugs

Tee

Hi Tracy -

I know how you feel. I joined this forum a few months ago after receiving treatment for migraine. I get various types of migraine but the one I get now affects right side. When I was admitted to hospital I had weakness to the right side, drooping mouth, slurring words and no headache. After the MRI informed that I had hemiplgic migraine. I have taken months to recover. I went back to work on the 27th July, (been off since November) and I must admit it has been hard. My right side does not feel completely right even between attacks. I woke up last night with weakness and pain in my right side, I had been really tired at my work all that day finding it hard to concentrate. The tiredness then triggers weakness, so at work with a face all crooked, and top of head tender to touch

To be honest even though I have been told it's migraine, I still have doubt about all things to to with HM at times, and have been again. Just speaking to people here is a lifeline. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Hi there
I also have HM and had 3 attacks in a space of a few weeks and was treated for strokes at first. I had never had migraines or in fact never even suffered much from headaches either so it was a great shock to be eventually diagnosed with migraines!!
It took me months to recover from the first few attacks and I agree with Tee, rest is the best medicine!! it takes the brain a long while too mend its self from a huge shok and it take a lot of oxygen to do this, hence robbing you of your strength and ability to stay awake for long periods, so rest as much as possible.
I had a lot op pain in my hip and arm from the aura and found a body pillow helped at night as it meant I had something to "lean into" rather than just let my whole side drag down!!
I hope you can find some medication to work, mine is Flunarazine at the moment although the side affect is severe tiredness, but its better than the pain and now its taken hold a bit it seems to be working on the aura a bit as well.
I know it helps just finding people who are in the same position as yourself and knowing that you are not alone!!
Any questions dont hesitate to ask.
Sheena x x

Tracy, just wondered how you were getting on? Xx

Update but a new question:

I haven't been on for a while, but have been back at work full time since Jan and doing well. Not on meds at all since August.

My question is this - does face numbness reoccur for anyone? Is this an aura symptom? I am wondering if this is a mild HM? The past few days my right leg has been sore, but today the right side of my face feels really numb. I don't want to alarm my DH, nor have to take time off work, but could this be another HM? At what point should I call the neuro or just put up with it?

Thanks,
Tracy

The problem is that everyone is different when it comes to auras. It's possible the face numbness is an aura, but then again it might be unrelated to migraines at all.

For example several times a month I get a numbness starting between my upper lip and nose that eventually spreads until it covers an area from my chin to eyebrows. About half the time I develop visual auras an hour or so later usually followed by a migraine. The other times the numbness gradually reduces in area until it disappears. I suspect the numbness is related to migraines but cant be sure.

If I had only one severe HM attack so far, I would think it prudent to talk to my neuro - just in case

Best of luck.