Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Paeresthesias, migraine, and cognitive concerns

Hi!

I have recently had some issues concerning paraesthesias, migraines, cognitive concerns, possible MS. I am a healthy normal 25 year old woman with no other major health concerns to date. Below are my symptoms and questions! Thank you for your help!

4:00 pm
Started by feeling like I might pass out.
Seeing black or sparkly spots
Had numbness in my right fingers, right arm, and right side of mouth and into the cheek
The numbness was a tingly feeling, like when your foot falls asleep
I had various states of cognitive function. I knew words but I just could not articulate them.  They were on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't grasp the word that I wanted to use.
I tried reading an article. I could read the words but I was not able to comprehend what I was reading.
I then was just functioning in a very confused state. I just did not feel like myself. I felt that my cognitive and motor function were just very slow.
At about 5:30 I got a major headache. It was very painful at the base of my neck and on my forehead. I had light and sound sensitivity.

I had blood work done 3 times, 2 EKG's, 1 CAT scan, 1 chest X-ray
All results were normal

Being referred to a neurologist and family care physician for follow up with migraine control, MRI and further testing of MS.

In my area it can take 6 months to get into a neurologist. Have any of you experienced these same health issues? How are you coping? What other concerns or questions should I have for the doctor?
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi,
Sounds like very classic migraine disease. I have been dealing with this disease process for 18 years now.
Things I have learned:
1. Migraines are not just a bad headache. It is a disease process and is serious.
2. Women who experience the aura and the headache pain are much more likely to experience a stroke during the debilitating migraine.
3. OTC meds may work work a time, but each can cause rebound headaches. If you don't take them regularly you can get a withdrawal type of headache. I only take prescription meds for mine now that I have a neurologist.
4. They have gotten worse after menopause. For some women they go away after menopause.
5. On days when I feel the aura coming on, I plan on just giving myself time to go through the process no matter how long it may be. I get a massage if it is really bad and this helps a lot.
6. Migraine Central has helped me stay informed about treatments.
7. Since I was over 15 migraines a month it made me eligible for Botox shots and they work on the pain part, but do not make the vaso constriction/dilation go away, so I still have the confusion, inability to do small tasks, the sensitivity to light, the nausea, etc. So, I have to be aware that when I have those symptoms I take my Maxalt even thought there is no headache. Some times I am not aware and my husband has to tell me that I am 'off' and he gets my med for me.
8. Some meds work for a while and then stop working. Right now I am on Clonazepam at night, gabapentin morning and night, amtriptyline at night. I have flexeril to take when I feel my muscles getting tight (it is the migraine that is making the muscles tighten). I also have an anti-nausea med for when I am nauseous.
9. Accupuncture works great.
10. Giving myself permission to ride to storm by resting and not doing anything that makes things worse. I cannot work due to the migraines, so I have a wonderful husband who gives me lots of TLC too.
11. Meditation helps with the stress and fear of what the disease is doing to my brain.
12. I am a Rieki Master so I have taught my husband Reiki to do on me and it works quite often to lessen things.
13. Best thing you can do is stay as clam as you can while waiting to get in to see the Neurologist.
Best of luck to you,
Charlotte
Helpful - 0
746512 tn?1388807580
sounds like my migraines .... although mine have got worse and I have the cognitive disfunction before/during/after the full blown migraine (which lasts 3-5 days with severe head pain).  

Cant help too much other than I feel for you - I just had my MRI after 5 months of waiting - get results on Thursday woot.  And on waiting list for neurologist at a special headache clinic but may take 12-14 months for me to get in.  

Those are classic migraine symptoms - I've even had worse ones where I couldn't do small tasks like fill a glass of water or literally fallen over when I've tried to walk (thats fun, i've fallen down the stairs a couple of times too).  There are medications that can stop the migraine pain from coming if you take it during those symptoms - called triptans if you haven't tried them yet.  

craniosacral massage helps me function - seems to relieve the pressure in my head and is overall relaxing so great for stress.  Might be something to look into - or regular massage or acupuncture some people have had success with.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi and welcome to the Migraines & Headaches Community.

It does sound like chronic migraines accompanied by stress. And the more severe or frequent the migraines the worse you will be able to focus/think.

The spots/sparkles are due to a migraine aura. Auras happen before, during or after a migraine.

Here are some over the counter tips to help you through until you can see a doctor for preventative medication.
1. There are several symptoms of migraines and what causes the pain of a migraine is the blood vessels in your brain become dilated. So, sometimes it helps it you put a bit of pressure on your head. I am sure you have already been doing this unconsciously with your hands from time to time. So, get a bandanna or a cloth headband and wrap it snugly around your head.
2. If you rub Mentholatum across your forehead and on your temples that helps relax those tense muscles. You can do this with or without the wrap, depending on if you like the heat or not.
3. Try either a cold or hot pack, whichever is more comfy to you.
4. The best OTC meds that I have found that works is Excedrin. It is a combo of Aspirin, Tylenol and Caffeine and that happens to be an excellent combo for migraines.
5. I mentioned caffeine before...well, drink coffee, Mt Dew, take Vivirin...sometimes a mega dose of caffeine will stop it in its tracks.
6. If you get nauseous or dizzy get some Meclizine from the pharmacy (the stuff behind the counter) you can take 25mg three times a day as needed. Yes it works on both.

When you see your doctor be sure to ask about the possibilities of anxiety/panic attacks as well as the migraines. They go hand-in-hand and it does sound to me like you are dealing with both. Xanax or Ativan are usually prescribed as needed.

Make lots and lots of notes. I use the notepad in my cell phone to remind me of things, make lists, keep track of what time I took what medication and so on. It helps to alleviate the stress when you are not constantly worried that you are forgetting something. So, just keep you cell or paper with you always so you can jot things down as they come to you.

Be sure to keep us posted and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Avatar universal
Trinity , TX
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease