Stroke?

[dynamic-deluge.livejournal.com]

I don't know where to begin, so I guess I'll just start out with the basics.
I've had problems with migranes (+ auras) for about 5 years now.
I've been on many different types of BC for 3-4 years.
I brought up concerns with my mum about my migranes getting worse over the years, and wondered if this was only because of the birthcontrol's I've been on. After a while, I talked to my gyno about it and she said the BC shouldn't be causing migranes and told me although I SHOULD quit smoking, I shouldn't be at risk for a stroke.
This is well over a year ago.
She referred me to see a neurologist since I was worried.
Well, the nuero was a complete ass, basicaly ignored my questions, said I was paranoid and I don't need a MRI or CT scan...after telling me that 17 year old's can get strokes and she had a patient who was having minor strokes without knowing it.
So after all that I basically ignored my problems, even though I knew something wasn't right.
I've been dealing with my migranes the best I can, popping an excedrin wehn I get one.
Problem is, I've had a migrane EVERY day, all day.
And this friday, I was in the theatre with some friends, when the right side of my face started going numb, and I shrugged it off, until I couldn't feel my jaw or tongue.
I left the theatre, and was shaking, and trying really hard to be verbal with my friend, but I was confused and messing up my words, as well as leaning up against a wall to stay balanced.
That really scared me, and I've realized this has happened many times to me, but not as intense.

I also looked up stroke symptoms:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

I'm really scared and no one seems to be taking me seriously.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank-you.

Comments

[rag-grrl-nz.livejournal.com]

Get a 2nd opinion NOW. And if they don't listen get a third etc until someone listens. Good luck *hugs*

[briar-witch.livejournal.com]

Exactly my thoughts on the matter.

[inkydragon.livejournal.com]

That sounds very serious. See a different doctor. See a different GP or a different neurologist. Is your mom on your side? Tell her everything. Document each and every one of these incidences- don't dramatize them but don't downplay them either. Keep a diary of them. Call your doctor and visit them until someone listens. Don't be polite and don't be demure. Bitch until you're blue in the face because that sounds SCARY and you shouldn't have to deal with it alone.

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

I agree with this comment completely.
Also, if you do decided to recording everything that happens (which i think is a really good idea) make sure to take down the time. It can help you maybe recognize patterns. Definitely get a second (or third) opinion on this!! It sounds terribly scary and the people around you need to take this seriously. Not to mention you shouldn't have to deal with daily migraines, let alone experiences like you mentioned above. good luck!

[amigone.livejournal.com]

1) Go to urgent care. I wouldnt' mess around with brain damage. once a brain cell dies, it dosent' come back.

2) if you won't/can't go to urgent care, post this to ask_a_nurse and see what they say.

[rearrangedfaith.livejournal.com]

be persistant.

and if they still don't take you seriously, tell them to give you whatever they say in writing, so that you can sue them when you suffer from a stroke.

they might change their mind.

as for the migraines, if it weren't for the other symptoms, i'd suggest talking to your doctor about relpax. it's the only thing that works for me these days.

[evr1bugsme.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with the comment to get a second opinion, especially if your doctor isn't prescribing something like imitrex or maxalt for the migraines. Daily migraines are often cause for stronger drugs, too (though then you get into weighing drug side effects v. no/lessened migraines).

But, with your stroke concern, I wouldn't be so worried. My migraines come with all of those symptoms and the doctors I've talked to (who I trust!) have never batted an eyelash at my description. I think those symptoms really are not cause for concern with migraines. My sister has seizures and I was concerned about numbness and such, but apparently it can just be part of migraines? That said, my doctor did do an MRI just to make sure nothing else was going on. And it really sounds like an MRI may be warranted in your case since the confusion is a pretty big seizure symptom, too (and seizures come in many forms).

So yeah, get a second opinion, you do NOT need to suffer with migraines as there are numerous medications you can at least try, and those stroke symptoms are apparently not a huge cause for concern with migraines (once other things are ruled out anyway). Good luck, migraines suck!

[oompaprincess.livejournal.com]

Find a doctor, soon. I assume you're worried, I know I would be. Best Wishes!

[maggiewatchie.livejournal.com]

Please, please, PLEASE find a neurologist who will give you a full screening including MRI. I had for a while what I thought were migraines. They even increased in frequency at certain points of my cycle, which is typical of migraines for many women. The campus doctor at my small private university treated them as such, even though no medication really helped, without ever referring me to a neurologist. I got to the point where I was popping 10-12 Excedrin Migraines every day just to make it to classes, and taking Darvocet to make myself pass out if the pain was terrible. I also had vision problems, tingling on one side of the face, one leg would stop working properly, problems with balance, vomiting from the pain, etc. All of the classic neuro symptoms.

Turns out I had hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation caused by a cyst above my brain stem. Since having the cyst drained and a shunt put in to prevent fluid from building up again, I have had 2 small headaches in 5 years. My point is, with head stuff, you really should be SURE they're migraines. It could be any number of things, and even though migraines may be most likely, it's better to know. Certainly better than having, say, an aneuryism that could be lethal.

[snippetchick.livejournal.com]

Hell, even if you saw the same neurologist and mentioned the numbness as well, he'd probably be more likely to want to do more tests on you.
Go see someone. RIGHT NOW.
You shouldn't be on here posting about it.
That sort of stuff is emergency room material.

[grazioso-1130.livejournal.com]

I have heard of migraines causing slurred speech and such, but it is usually not common. What you're going through sounds much like a TIA (transient ischemic attack) where parts of your brain are not getting enough oxygen. They can cause sudden confusion, disorientation, loss of balance, sudden personality change, etc.

Get to a doctor.

[mercy-rain.livejournal.com]

I have migraine with occasional aura, and birth control gave me those TIA symptoms. Have you considered just stopping the BCPs and seeing if there's improvement?

[glasspumpkin.livejournal.com]

While I do not know a lot about stroke symptoms, and I do suggest speaking with your doctors ASAP, I know a lot about migraines.
First of all, documenting all symptoms day by day is something that is so important - I do it no matter what. I would do it so you have it ready to take into any doctor you see about this problem.
I am 21 and have been medicated for migraines for 10 years. I would suggest finding a different neurologist who will listen to you and work with you in order to find a medication regimen that will work with you to decrease the frequency and intensity of your migraines. While nothing will probably ever completely relieve them, the right neurologist can make life changing differences. Personally, I am on a preventitive that I take every day and then I have medicine for active migraines when they occur, or when my auras start.
There is a lot that can be done for migraine sufferers beyond excedrin migraine, and I would highly recommend you find a neuro who will listen to you. It can be hard because of your age, but my parents were able to find one for me at age 11, and I've had to switch a few times, but have one now who takes me seriously. I wish you the best of luck.

[cthulhulicious.livejournal.com]

Doctor. Now. Stop what you're doing. Go now.

They'll start doing some tests and scans to figure out what's causing this, but really -- now.

[bluegrrl314.livejournal.com]

I agree with everyone saying to go to the doctor immediately. People who have migraines with auras are more likely to suffer strokes, especially if it runs in the family. If you have a blood clotting problem, you are even more likely to suffer stroke. Consider these things also when you talk to your doctor! Make sure you keep telling the doctor your concerns until s/he runs tests!!!!

[ellinht.livejournal.com]

apparently.. I may be wrong but if HBC gives you migranes with Auras you shouldn't take them at all.

Good luck!!! *hugs*

[bronwe.livejournal.com]

The folks at the Ask A Nurse community might be helpful, too.

[kaiann.livejournal.com]

First, you need to see a doctor immediately. An urgent care or ER physician will make sure that you aren't having a medical crisis.

Second, you have to stop taking hormonal forms of birth control. A recent study showed that women who have migraine with aura are at increased risk of stroke if they take hormonal birth control. This includes birth control pills, depo provera, the patch, the ring, etc. I have migraines with aura. I see a neurologist who only sees patients with migraines. I use a copper IUD for birth control.

If you are not having a medical crisis, you need to find a good neurologist that can help you manage your migraines. Every migraine patient needs a full neurological workup. If there is a live journal community for your city (mine is denver) post and ask if someone can recommend a good migraine specialist. That's how I found mine, and she's amazing. Prior to seeing her, I saw a few really horrible doctors who dismissed my migraines.

There are many preventative drugs for migraine. There are also drugs that you can take to stop a migraine that aren't narcotics or excedrin. A good neurologist can really help you a lot.

I hope you get everything worked out soon and start feeling better.

[littlemissalien.livejournal.com]

Please go back to your doctor. Also, please stop taking combined BC. I was on the combined pill until my Dr. questioned how my headaches were (leftover from having meningitis 10 years ago). I described the same symptoms as you had and he wouldn't prescribe me anymore combined BC. He said what I was describing sounded worryingly like the beginnings of a stroke, and was doubly worrying as there is a family history of stroke (my Grandfather, and my Dad is on blood-thinning treatment). My Dr put me on progesterone-only BC and I've not had any trouble with migraines and numbness since. You must get this seen too immediately, please get a referral to a different neurologist.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_norma_jeane_/]

Get 2nd, 3rd, however many necessary opinions. If the numbness occurs again before you can get a second opinion, GO TO THE ER.

[dynamic-deluge.livejournal.com]

Thank-you to everyone who commented. I went to the doctor's today, and stopped taking BC last night. He made me do a serious of balance/reflex/etc tests that apparently would tell you if something is really majorly wrong neurologically. He also put me on Cyproheptadine 4mg, which is a migrane preventative. He also prescribed to me Imitrex for when the migranes are completely unbearable. I am still pretty worried, but I have a blood test tomorrow and he told me if the problems persist, he'd schedule me an MRI.