Specializes in School, Camp, Hospice, Critical Care.
I have very occasionally suffered from what my doc calls "classic" migraines . . . they do mimic stroke symptoms: hemiplegia, aphasia, etc.
They were very scary for me (my mother has suffered repeated strokes) until I had a couple and realized the symptoms would subside in several hours. I had my first at 28 while on BCPs--docs at that time thought they it was due to the BCPs. I have also had them while lactating with each of my children; now that my youngest is nine, it's been a good seven years since I've had one.
I've also read about "familial hemiplegic" migraines which seem to have the same symptoms. But my PCP and the neuologists always referred to mine as "classic." After my first, I insisted on a neuro workup.
thanks for replies folks, it certainly seemed strange so I have called doctor and insisted on MRI scan of brain and have asked to have a referral to a specialist
I'd do the same thing. You have to be an advocate for your wife -- sometimes that means getting a second (or third) opinion. Did they determine the cause of her first stroke? Does a vascular surgeon or a neurologist follow her? My specialty is vascular nursing & I'm curious as to whether she has blockage in either of her carotid arteries, she had a hemmoraghic (bleed) stroke, or if she shot a blood clot. Is she on any kind of medication/blood thinners?
I wish you both well & continue to seek answers to your absolutely valid questions/concerns. Good luck. Sue
I would be wayyy leery of that. My mom went to the ER after a "worst headache of my life" and she blacked out briefly. They determined that she had the worst migraine of her life and put her on a medsurg floor with a BP that was reallllly high.
You guessed it...she stroked from an aneurysm that night. She started vomiting and the doctor said it was from the Demerol. Yeah right. She died 4 days later from a ruptured aneurysm that if it had been caught that first night could have been coiled or clipped.
Never trust an internist with something like that. Just my jaded opinion.
After performing an MRI at my request they have discovered there is further damage to the brain, suggesting a TIA or another CVA, so much for the migraine.
anyway, they are performing Cardiac Ultrasound today and a few other tests to ascertain the reason for a 31 year old having repeated blood clotting episodes.
Thankyou all for your advice and I am glad I decided to pursue the issue of conducting an MRI despite the interns insistence that this was unnecessary.
My 16 yo daughter suffers severe Migraines and goes to a headache clinic in Chicago Il. When she has been hospitalized for treatment ( IV DHE ) we have met so mainly people with so many different types of Migraines and we met two women who had this type of Migraine....... so while your wifes was more it CAN be a Migraine but I can assure you that this clinic would INSIST that a MRI be done because Migraines can cause a stroke. Have read of numerous cases of this. A great site for Migraine information is the National Headache foundation Good luck and we will pray for you and your wife
How often are women's symptom's dismissed -- just think of cardiac symptoms. You are your wife's best advocate -- you know her better than anyone else. Again -- she needs a full workup -- carotids, clotting, etc. Start writing down any questions you have on a pad -- often when it is a loved one -- we forget to ask specific questions ... then remember after the doc has left. There are many different reasons if/why your spouse has a clotting problem ... don't let your thoughts run away with you. Continue to be supportive, follow your intuition -- and don't let a resident. intern, or an attending sway you from what you believe is in your wife's best interests. She is young, she has a supportive hubby, babies -- she needs to focus on the positive and continue to strive to get her health back. On another note, is there anyone who can assist her with the babies during the day? She needs to take care of herself and rest (which is hard to do with kiddos.) Prayers, and best wishes. Things will be fine.
JudithL_in_NH
355 Posts
I have very occasionally suffered from what my doc calls "classic" migraines . . . they do mimic stroke symptoms: hemiplegia, aphasia, etc.
They were very scary for me (my mother has suffered repeated strokes) until I had a couple and realized the symptoms would subside in several hours. I had my first at 28 while on BCPs--docs at that time thought they it was due to the BCPs. I have also had them while lactating with each of my children; now that my youngest is nine, it's been a good seven years since I've had one.
I've also read about "familial hemiplegic" migraines which seem to have the same symptoms. But my PCP and the neuologists always referred to mine as "classic." After my first, I insisted on a neuro workup.
Hope it all works out for your wife.