Re: My migraine update

[Guest guest]

Wow , How incredibly scary....that sounds just like what my MIL went

through on 3 differnt occasions, and they said it was a stroke. How scary,

i am glad you found something that works for you, just keep some of that

onhand just n case for when/if it happens again. take it easy...get lots of

rest.

Beckie and Mikayla 2/17/00

----Original Message Follows----

Reply-To: breastfeeding (AT) e

To: breastfeeding (AT) e

Subject: My migraine update

Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 16:46:58 -0000

A couple of days ago I started to get a migraine. I've had migraines

for years and years, so this was nothing new.

The first thing that happens is that I get into a ridiculously bad

mood, just short-tempered and mean.

And then I start to see some serious spots. You can kinda see what I

mean if you rub your eyes really hard (don't hurt youself) until your

vision sparkles. That's what I see.

Then my vision clears, after about 15-20 minutes, and I feel okay for

a bit.

Then one side of my body goes wrong. Wrong is the only way I can

describe it. It's kinda like going numb, like when you sit on your

leg wrong, but it doesn't tingle. It's as if I'm wearing thick

gloves (and pants, and just fabric covering an entire side of my

body) and sensations are delayed and muted. It feels like that side

of my body isn't mine. I can still control it just fine (I tested

that out by doing the complex finger exercises I learned playing the

clarinet), but I really have to concentrate.

By now, one side of my bead is killing me. And it's always the side

opposite the wonky side of my body. (Because the right hemisphere of

your brain control the left side of your body, etc.)

I also lose the ability to speak coherently, which is by far the

scariest thing. I am not confused in my thoughts, but looking back

now, I see I think mostly in pictures while in a migraine. I can no

longer communicate. It's usually harder to talk than write, but both

are very very difficult. I forget words and how to spell them and

what they mean. For the longest time I couldn't remember my son's

name. His name is (or Jake) and I kept calling him

(which is my aunt's name) or (who is my cousin). That was

very scary.

These things always happen when I get a migraine, but they are

terrifying anyway.

For a while I was able to write, so I emailed my mom at work and she

insisted I call my midwife. I argued with her, because I assumed

there was nothing that could be done. I was sure I was just going to

be told to take some Tylenol and go to bed. My migraines have always

been minimized.

But I called my midwife anyway, and I got a bit of rather polite

scolding that I didn't tell her I got migraines, and she was

immediately concerned as my speaking ability degenerated during the

conversation.

(It is very very much like a stroke. I lose the words I learned

last, big words, adult words. The words I'm left with are from my

childhood. For example, I can say " No " but have a hard time

with " Yes " . I couldn't for the life of me remember 'coherent', and

the names and are definately from my childhood. It

is excruciatingly frustrating to know what you want to say and not be

able to say it, especialy when it is super simple like my son's

name. I cried a lot out of fear.)

And , my midwife, insisted I needed to see a neurologist, even

though my migraines are not unusual, I mean for migraine sufferers.

They are called Classic Migraine with Aura and Aphasia.

Anyway, we spoke several times on the phone yesterday, and she called

in a prescription for Fiorcet for me, which my mom picked up after

work. Fiorcet is codiene (in the form of barbitol), caffeine, and

Tylenol. There is also an aspirin version called Fiorinol. Both are

*very* good at killing my migraines, even the ones like yesterday

when I was having trouble walking because my right side was 'wrong'.

Fiorcet is safe to take while pregnant and nursing, which is

important because I'm doing both.

I took it about 6:30 yesterday evening, as soon as my mom walked in

the door with it, and I was better by 7:30, which is nothing short of

miraculous, trust me.

And this morning I feel great.

Sometime during the day yesterday, I got a call from a person from my

midwife's office. But I had already gone into the unable-to-speak

phase and managesd to tell her, very very slowly, that I couldn't

talk right now and that I'll call her tomorrow. And I actually

remember her name!

So sometime this month, I'll be getting an appointment with a

neurologist. I have tried to see one before, but she stopped

accepting Medicaid, and so we never got anywhere.

Btw, this message would have been crossposted if my email server was

working. But now I can make this nicer for y'all, and

post it through eGroups.

My point in telling you all this was to vent (I was scared!) and to

tell you if you have very bad migraines/headaches go see your care

provider. There are lots of stuff that can be done.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

The catch is, unless the neurologist

or my primary care provider (who I've never met) agrees with sending

me to a chiropractor, I can't go.

,

I know this is such a catch 22 for so many people. Just a thought, though, you might try contacting a couple of chiropractors and just ask over the phone if the chiro works with any neurologists/dr.s who would see you and offer the referral. I know my dh does have it set up with a neurologist in the area where they both do referrals out to each other and it's nice for them both. Or consider explaining your situation to the receptionist, or even ask if you can speak to the chiro and explain your circumstances along with your extreme symptoms. I know my husband's office offers payment plans or will even work something out with a patient who really needs the care but has financial difficulties. It might be hard to find, but it's worth a few phone calls if you really are interested.

Fawn

[Guest guest]

I still do want to see a chiropractor, but I really

think there is not a thing wrong with my spine.

Thanks!

,

There may be nothing wrong that you're consciously aware of but chiropractic philosophy is based on the premises that since all nerve connections stem from the spinal cord that it controls the function of the whole body--joints, nerves, organs, etc. By having the spinal cord in total alignment it helps in the function of these nerves to properly perform their jobs in keeping our bodies working/running smoothly. (misalignment of the spinal cord puts pressure on nerve endings inhibiting their ability to function) EVERYONE has spinal misalignments just from normal daily activities and such and there is no one that cannot benefit from chiropractic treatment. I know from having migraines all my life (of course not as serious as yours) that chiropractic treatment does help. I'd never seen a chiropractor until I met my husband and began being treated. I used to have migraines a couple times a month, where I was about dead in bed, no sound/light, cold room all that, and now I might have that kind once or twice a year. Again, I don't want to seem pushy. I just know that a lot of people are misinformed about chiropractic treatments and think it's merely for 'back pain' but it truly is not. Almost any problem that a person can have is treatable by chiropractic care.

Hope your feeling better soon!

Fawn