"Complicated Migrane With Neurological Effect?"

[baker49098]

My mom recently suffered an attack we thought was a stroke. It began with a severe headache (worse than any pain she ever felt) along with weakness on her left side, numbness on left side of her face and the inability to open her left eye. She also seemed to mumble when she spoke. She was rushed to the er by ambulance and a number of tests were run including blood work, ct ,mri and spinal draw. Se was admitted and it wasnt until the following day when we were told it was not a stroke but a "complicated migrane with neurological effects". Most of the symptoms became better and she was sent home 2 days later. It has been 2 days since she was realeased and she is unable to eat, continues to vomite and doesnt even want to move because the pain in her head is so severe. My question is is this normal? Can a migrane actually mimic a stroke? Should she still be having such pain after 4 days? She has a long list of medical conditions including...arthritis, degenerative disc disease, anxiety, factor 5 liden (genetic clotting disorder) and some audo immune disorder (antphiosphilipids) not sure of the spelling. Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[baker49098]

Thank you for your advice and answers. It has been 6 days since her initial attack and she is still suffering a severe headache and is unable to go on with her day to day activities. They have given her more pain meds and she returns to the neurologist tomorrow. We are hoping she gets some relief soon. It is still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that a migraine can last this long.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Yes the symptoms of complicated migraine are very similar to stroke. During attacks of complicated migraine the patient develops symptoms similar to those of stroke so it becomes very important to differentiate between the two by neurological exam, CT scan and MRI.
Since your mother has undergone these tests and results have been negative for stroke the diagnosis of complicated migraine becomes very likely.
Acute attacks of migraine are followed by dull headache which can last for many days at a stretch. Please advise her to follow her doctor’s prescription and ensure that she takes her medications on time.
Let us know if you have more questions.

[Nichole28]

I was diagnosed with complicated migraines, when I went to the ER by ambulance they as well thought I had a stroke. I had left side weakness, twitching, loss of speach, the next day I started having seizures. All the tests I had done CT MRI blood work came back normal. Unlike your mother I had no headache at all when it 1st happened to me and it came out of no where. I also had extreme dizziness and all of this happened while I was picking my kids up from school last March. It has been almost a year and I still have daily issues, memory issues and memory loss. Headaches every day, some studdering problems and twitching on occasion. My Neuro keeps insisting it was complicated migraines, he also did a 72 hour EEG that came back abnormal because of spikes in my brain waves. Anyway if you look up complicated migraines all the symptoms fit and they can cause stroke like symptoms. I hope you mother is feeling better soon, I know it has been a long and painful road for me!!

[hjcrew1]

There is a form of migraine called hemipalegic migraine, which can mimic a stroke in the way of causing paralysis on one side or both sides of the body and may also impair speech and vision. I dont know where you live but I would make an appointment with a neurologist specializing in headaches. I have a type of migraine my neurologist thinks is a form of hemipalegic migraine but without paralysis and that is how I know this.