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Differentiating Migraine from Transverse Myelitis?

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with TM but I also have been diagnosed with chronic migraines.  My migraine symptoms cause burning, pins and needles, eye twitching, weakness, numbness etc.  I struggle to tell which is what and then worry if I am having a stroke when I get the facial symptoms with the migraine.  My migraines don't always involve head pain, more just the aura which can last on and off throughout the day for weeks, so is this migraine or is the TM after affects.

Does anyone know how I can tell the difference?  I find the symptoms similar.  I get a lot of pain as well with these symptoms.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply.  I am under the care of a neurologist but I don't see him for 6mths.  I think most of my problems at the moment are migraine related.  T10 is level of lesion but neuro thinks my TM has reoccured but MRI didn't confirm.  I have a clear sensory loss from this level and I get or experience a lot of pain through my legs, like nerve pain bolting down to my toes, would this be migraine or the TM.

Thank you so much for your reply
Udkas.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
The symptoms of muscle twitching, weakness, numbness and tingling in the facial area are related to migraines. Migraines are associated with paresthesias or a feeling of pins-and-needles experienced in the hand and arm as well as in the nose-mouth area on the same side of headaches. Paresthesias migrate up the arm from the hand and then extend to involve the face, lips and tongue. Transverse myelitis is characterised by symptoms that generally do not involve the facial area but are experienced in the region below that of the level of the spinal cord affected. The symptoms and signs of the disorder depend upon the level  and the extent of the spinal cord involvement. In some cases, there is almost total paralysis and sensory loss below the level of the lesion. In other cases, the loss is only partial. Please go for MRI of the brain and spine to know if there is any other cause of muscle twitching besides migraine such as nerve compression in the neck, Multiple sclerosis etc. Please consult a neurologist for the management of the symptoms. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!  


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