What The Heck Is A Hemiplegic Migraine?
Today’s scary word is “hemiplegic.” Sounds a bit like “paraplegic”, doesn’t it? There’s a reason. A hemiplegic migraine is an attack that can give you seizures and leave a limb or part opf your face partially paralyzed or numb. Oftentimes, the attacks are so bad that you convinced you are having a stroke. You do need to be hospitalised if you get a hemiplegic migraine; there is NO option.
The Good News
Hemiplegic migraine attacks happen VERY rarely. They come in two variations:
* Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM)
* Sporatic Hemiplegic Migraine (SHM)
As FHM’s full name suggests, you need to be lucky enough to have the genetic material to have it. There are tests that can diagnose whether you have epiliepsy, FHM or another nuerological condition. You need your doctor and/or nuerologist to look at your family’s medical history to help diagnose what you have and get the proper treatment.
With SHM, you have all of the fun of FHM, except for knowing who to blame. This is the trickier of the two to diagnose.
Symptoms
- Auras that last days or weeks
- Fever
- Paralysis in part of your body
- Big problems trying to coordinate your movements (ataxia)
- Headache (duh)
- Symptoms that seem a lot like menegitis
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Why Am I Mentioning This?
I’m blogging about hemiplegic migraines today to remind myself that I could be a lot worse off. As I type this, I am currently experiencing one of my “usual” migraines. But I can’t get out of work today (even though I work at home). So, I’m trying to do the best I can, taking Excedrin, rolling on Head-On, trying not to vomit and counting what’s left of my blessings.
Some more about hemoplegic migraines tomorrow.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
This article gives a good introduction to the rare types of migraines. Dr. Larry McCleary, an esteemed neurosurgeon, recently wrote an interesting article on familial hemiplegic migraine — especially its association with cortical spreading depression (CSD).
Sincerely,
Shaheen
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Brilliant link, Shaheen. Thanks so much!
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
[...] Migraines, Pt 2 by Rena Sherwood Yesterday’s post gave us a basic look at the two types of hemiplegic migraines (migraines with partial bodily [...]
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:21 am
I’m a recent diagnosee of hemiplegic migraines- fortunately, mine are generally on the milder side of the possibilities, but every day I wonder if today will be the day I have a severe attack. I’ve been having an aura at least once every day to every other day for the last few weeks, and each aura has been like itunes on shuffle- pick a muscle, pick a symptom (contraction, numbness, tingling, electric-like feeling). generally it starts with a blurry eye and a numb cheek and a weird feeling in my ear, and then the rest is up for grabs.
The bottom line though, even though I have what you’re thankful you do not, I’m thankful that so far I do not seem to have the kind that can land you with a DUI or other kinds of trouble because people either think you’re drunk, having a stroke, or just a drug seeking nut. I’ve been thanking my lucky stars I still have my drivers license and haven’t had a problem. There’s always something to be thankful for.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Touch wood that I don’t have a hemiplegic migraine yet
However, if I did get them, I would get comfort knowing that others get them and survive and are able to still enjoy life. I once thought I’d never survive homelessness, but I did. So the odds of me surviving a hemiplegic migraine are really high, thanks to folks sharing their stories like you. Thanks again for taking the time to share, Ioconut.
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
[...] Migraines Aggravated By Hormones by Rena Sherwood FMH migraines are also known as familial hemipleic migraines and, as the name implies, they run in families. This is a nasty type of migraine that often is [...]
July 11th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
i gave this post a thumbs up on stumbleupon. holla.