Re: mom of autism ? stroke??

[Guest guest]

I just had an episode.  I don't know what happened.  2 days ago my

right hand up to my elbow was numb every 10 minutes and was on and off

of normal feeling.  My right eye was going blind but mostly doubled

vision and my speech was lost!  I was not able to get words out nor

understand what was said to me at all.  I did not know my aunt by

name.  I had a terrible migrane and was given many pain meds and they

did nothing.  the only thing that helped was when I passes out from teh

pain!  When I woke up I was all better!  I don't know what happened but

it does bring back memories of this when I was much younger.  Anyone

have any idea what it is?  We did a cat scan, x-ray, blood work and I

am getting an mri in 2 days.  Everything came back normal.  I was very

very scary to not understand what people said or talk back to them.  I

really feel bad for my daughter who used to struggle and sometimes

still does struggle with her words.

CAthy

[Guest guest]

it sounds like you are on it with looking into it, and just wanted you to

know that I am sending prayers your way that this wasn't a stroke. Just want

you to know there are quite a few people that go through these exact symptoms

that say it's from some sort of migraine. Here's just one thread on this under

the topic for them symptoms include: stabbing headache, numbness, loss of

speech/understanding, aura

http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/c/question/555517/49030

I found for you information on something called basilar-type migraines. May

just want to be aware of this diagnosis to check this out too. Best of luck

! At least if this is what it is -you are not alone. There would be

support sources all over the net for you just like there is for apraxia- so even

conditions most of the world never heard of! I do agree with the one suggestion

below that if this is what it is after all else is ruled out - you get some sort

of med alert bracelet so people know what's going on if you happen to have an

attack while out and about with strangers.

Here's some information on the speech aspect

Speech symptoms

Dysarthria

Dysarthria (slurred speech) is a characteristic aura symptoms of basilar-type

migraine (Bickerstaff, 1961), a subtype of migraine with aura in the IHS

classification. For a diagnosis of basilar-type migraine, the migraine sufferer

must meet the general criteria for migraine with aura and have two or more of

the following symptoms: dysarthria, vertigo, tinnitus, hypacusia, double vision,

bilateral visual symptoms, ataxia, decreased level of consciousness,

simultaneously bilateral paraesthesias.

" I have recently started suffering from migraines... My very first was at work

on 4th June this year. It was so bad that an ambulance was called and I was

taken off to hospital. First I got very hot, then I couldn't concentrate

properly. I was talking to a colleague and then just suddenly dropped my pen and

started shaking. I couldn't breathe too well and had to sit down on the floor.

My hands felt like they were vibrating, and I felt dizzy. I couldn't stand up

and my speech was slurred. I was taken off to the medical room for a lie down,

but things got worse. I developed a headache and couldn't focus properly. I

tried to stand up but just kept falling over, as though as I was drunk. I was

taken off to Casualty (the ER), and told I had had a bad migraine. "

(Dean Garraghty, Newsgroups: alt.support.headaches.migraine, Subject: New

migraine sufferer, June 21, 1998)

" My wife has experienced slurred speech, confusion, unsteady gait, on occassion

and all tests (mri's, cat's, brain spect's) show nothing unusual. She has had

migraines in the past but these symptons are not associated with a headache when

they happen. Her neurologist says this could be atypical migraines. "

(Brent, Newsgroups: alt.support.headaches.migraine, Subject: Slurred speech,

confusion..but no headache...is this a migraine?, September 8, 2000)

" I get slurred speech and confusion and fuzzy thinking with a migraine. "

(Elaine Gallant, Newsgroups: alt.support.headaches.migraine, Subject: Slurred

speech, confusion..but no headache...is this a migraine?, September 8, 2000)

" My migraine follows a very specific pathology... Sometimes, my face goes numb

on one side, and my speech gets slurred, almost like I'm drunk. "

(Melinda Milford, Newsgroups: alt.support.headaches.migraine, Subject: (a long

one) Just need to know if some things are normal..., February 12, 2002)

" ... a basilar migraine ... for me it is slurred speech, falling, staggering,

and memory loss... The scariest part of these is the fact that you don't usually

recognize it as a migraine while it is happening (my husband has learned to

recognize the symptoms and tell me to take my medicine). You can be accused of

being drunk -- I was stopped on suspicion of drunk driving one time when the

migraine came on while I was driving. I asked to do the breathalyzer, which of

course read zero. I *did* get a ticket for reckless driving, though. "

( Bonello, Newsgroups: rec.crafts.textiles.needlework, Subject: OT

Migraines, May 28, 2003)

" I often begin to have slurred speech and dizziness for about two days before I

get a migraine. I guess I should be glad to have the forewarning, but I have

never heard of the symptoms starting that far in advance.The slurred speech and

dizziness seem to be getting more intense in the last year, but it is a good

tool for predicting my migraines. Is this common for migraine sufferers? "

(a S, Email to Klaus Podoll, July 26, 2007)

http://www.migraine-aura.com/content/e27891/e27265/e26585/e26982/index_en.html

And here is information with the other symptoms

Basilar-Type Migraine - The Basics

by Teri , MyMigraineConnection Lead Expert

If you've heard of this form of Migraine before, you've probably heard or seen

the term Basilar Artery Migraine (BAM). Under the International Headache

Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition, the

newer name for this form of Migraine is Basilar-Type Migraine (BTM). It has also

been called Bickerstaff syndrome, brainstem Migraine, and vertebrobasilar

Migraine. The term Basilar-Type Migraine is actually a bit misleading as it

implies that the Migraine attack is vascular in origin. It was actually termed

Basilar because it was first believed to be a result of spasm of the basilar

artery and the subsequent ischemia. Since the time when the term Basilar came

into use, however, it has been shown that Migraine is a genetic neurological

disease, and BTM, as other types of Migraine are neural in origin. As with all

Migraine, there is a vascular component once the Migraine begins, but the origin

is neurological. Early literature on the subject suggested that BTM was most

common in adolescent females. However, continued research and statistical

analysis has shown BTM to affect all age groups and both male and female. BTM

does exhibit the same female predominance seen overall in Migraine; there are

three times as many female sufferers as male.

A Basilar-Type Migraine is a Migraine that has aura symptoms originating from

the brainstem and/or affecting both hemispheres of the brain at the same time,

but with no motor weakness. The aura of BTM usually lasts less than 60 minutes,

but in some cases can be more extended. Many Migraineurs who have BTM also

report Migraine with typical aura. The aura of Basilar-Type Migraine can include

temporary blindness, which is one reason they can be quite terrifying. However,

BTM is actually essentially Migraine with aura with the aura localized to the

brainstem. Still, because of that localization, Migraine-specific medications

such as the triptans and ergotamines are contraindicated for BTM. Of the

preventive medications, it's recommended that beta blockers be avoided in cases

of BTM. Because of the medication contraindications, I highly recommend that

Migraineurs who experience BTM wear some kind of medical identification at all

times. Diagnosis of Basilar-Type Migraine requires at least two attacks meeting

the following criteria:

* Aura consisting of at least two of the following fully reversible

symptoms, but no motor weakness:

o dysarthria (impairments or clumsiness in the speaking of words due

to diseases that affect the oral, lingual, or pharyngeal muscles)

o vertigo (sense of spinning)

o tinnitus

o hypacusia (impaired hearing)

o diplopia (double vision)

o visual symptoms simultaneously in both temporal and nasal fields of

both eyes

o ataxia (incoordination and unsteadiness)

o decreased level of consciousness

o simultaneously bilateral paresthesias (abnormal or unpleasant

sensation often described as numbness or as a prickly, stinging, or burning

feeling)

* At least one of the following:

o at least one aura symptom develops gradually over five or more

minutes and/or different aura symptoms occur in succession over five or more

minutes

o each aura symptom lasts five or more and 60 minutes or less

* headache meeting criteria Migraine without aura begins during the aura or

follows aura within 60 minutes

Migraine experts caution that when there is motor weakness, great care be taken

to arrive at the proper diagnosis as there are times when it can be difficult to

differentiate between Basilar-Type Migraine and Hemiplegic Migraine. The IHS

criteria also note that if motor weakness is present, the disorder should be

coded as Familial Hemiplegic or Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine. Another reason

great care must be taken in diagnosis is that many of the symptoms of

Basilar-Type Migraine are also stroke symptoms.

Basilar-Type Migraine presents symptoms that can mimic other, far more serious

conditions. It is essential that the diagnosis be definitive and correct. An

imaging study such as a CT scan or MRI should be performed to rule out other

causes for the symptoms, and an EEG is often performed to rule out seizure

disorders. If the doctor making the diagnosis is hesitant about it, definitely

seek a second opinion from another doctor. Since BTM is not common, seeing a

Migraine specialist is advisable when possible. It is also important to continue

medical treatment as advised by your doctor and not skip follow-up appointments.

Some other conditions that should be ruled out in diagnosing BTM are:

* seizure disorders

* space-occupying lesions of the brain

* brainstem Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): a congenital defect consisting

of a tangle of abnormal arteries and veins with no capillaries in between. The

blood pressure in the veins is higher than normal and may result in a rupture of

the vein and bleeding into the brain.

* vertebrobasilar disease

* stroke

As with other forms of Migraine, BTM can be disabling. Because of the

neurological symptoms that can occur during Basilar-Type Migraine aura, it can

present a larger hurdle than Migraine with aura because the aura itself is

debilitating and can last longer. This can mean special problems for people in

the traditional work force or trying to care for young children. If they are in

an environment where others are not educated about Migraine disease, it is

particularly important that efforts be made to educate those around them.

Basilar-Type Migraine is one of the most frightening of head pain disorders, but

the symptoms are usually more frightening than harmful. However, as with other

forms of Migraine, if the pain is extreme, it is best to seek emergency care.

BTM does increase the risk of stroke slightly more than Migraine with aura and

Migraine without aura, so additional care should be taken. Once diagnosed with

BTM, it is important (as with any form of Migraine) to consult your doctor if

your symptoms or Migraine pattern change. Without consulting a doctor, it's

impossible to be sure that new symptoms or changes in pattern are attributable

to BTM, and that no other condition is present. While BTM isn't cause to panic,

it is more than reason to be sensible and take good care of yourself.

References:

Saper, R., M.D.; Silberstein, , M.D.; Gordon, C. , M.D.; Hamel,

L., P.A.-C; Swidan, Sahar, Pharm.D. " Handbook of Headache Management. "

Baltimore, land: Lippincott & Wilkins, 1999.

Tepper, J., M.D. Understanding Migraine and Other Headaches. University

of Mississippi Press, 2004.

Young, B. and Silberstein, D. Migraine and Other Headaches. St.

, Minnesota: AAN Press, 2004.

, Randolph W.; Ninan T. " Handbook of Headache. " Philadelphia:

Lippincott & Wilkins. 2000.

The International Headache Society. " International Classification of Headache

Disorders, 2nd Edition. " Cephalalgia, Volume 24 Issue s1. May, 2004.

doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2003.00823.x

http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/types-of-headaches-40278-5.html

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