Complicated Migraines

[Gio0625]

I am a 35 yr old female with a history of migraines dating back to when I was 9. Through the years my migraines have become more severe and debilitating. Currently I have symptoms such as tenderness on the left side of my head, incoherence which can last for hours or days, during migraines I am unable to neither speak nor communicate clearly.  I have bouts of sleepwalking, insomnia, nausea, auroras which last beyond the "headache" pain.  Shooting, stabbing pains, impaired vision, tremors, problems with short term memory, tightness in my head (like I am wearing a ball cap that is too small). My equilibrium is off, thoughts are "foggy" as my anxiety level increases I begin to stammer and tremble. Syncope and pre-syncope episodes. I have had occasions of falling asleep while sitting, standing and during regular daily functions.
I have been diagnosed with complicated migraines and REM sleep disorder.  I have also been diagnosed with pseudo tumor cerebri in the past.
My concern is that these migraines are becoming more commonplace and the duration has increased. I have had a gastric bypass and full hysterectomy since 2000.  I was recently told to stop taking my hormone replacements due to the severity of the complicated migraines.
Nothing is working and no one is able to tell me why my migraines are getting to this point or what I can do to predict, or what I can do to stop them.

[SandyandSteven]

Hello,  I am a 29 year old female, that has been diagnosed with complicated and rebound migraines...  I also have a cyst in the pleteratary ?? gland which controls all of my hormones..  My migraines come and they make me draw up like I have had a stroke I have went numb completely on the left side one time...  These migraines don't last for days they last for weeks until I go back in to the hospital for DHE treatment...  I have been to 3 neurologist and the first 2 didn't do nothing and the last one is trying to help they have done the lithium and everything...  Does anyone know what could possibly help with these...  The treatments will help for about 2 to 3 weeks and then they come right back...  Please help...  Thanks

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
It is indeed commendable to help others, with your own example. Sometimes , this helps in the treatment of cure of many a cases.
You are right - both high blood pressure and hormonal fluctuations can cause severe migraine like headaches and both are treatable conditions if diagnosed correctly.
Magnesium replacement also helps in some cases.
It is important to eat well and sleep well and avoid alcohol and smoking and certain processed foods.
Good luck.

[natwee]

I have also been diagnosed with complicated migraines. I have had a hystorectomy and my doctor has put me on a hormone patch called vivelle-dot. This gives me the same amount of hormone each day. The fluctuation of hormones was the cause of my migraines. I had the same symtoms as you and very high blood pressure during my spells. I am also on topral xl for my hypertention. I have not had a migraine since July. I was having them constantly for the past 4 years. I hope this helps --Good Luck.  

[noops01]

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear that you have to go through so much. Which migraine medications have you tried so far? Usually calcium channel blockers and anti epileptics are given to prevent complicated migraine. In some recent studies sublingual nifedipine (calcium channel blocker) has shown beneficial effect in treatment of complicated migraine.
I think the doctor was right in advising you to stop taking HRT as it makes complicated migraines even worse. Also please avoid alcohol and smoking as these make migraines worse too.