Complicated Migraines???

DH has been diagnosed with what they are calling "complicated migraines." Basically when he gets a migraine, he loses his motor skills including the senstation in his hands and feet. Sometimes his legs too. He can't talk (slurred speach) and he vomits. The dr. said they are triggered by something bright like looking into a light or stepping outside from darkness into the sun without sunglasses on.

The dr. told him that they won't give him any meds for them because they "don't happen often enough " (usually about 1-2 times per year). But, when they happen they completely disrupt DH's work (they usually happen when he is at work) and my work because I have to go pick him up. Obviously, unable to feel his hands and feet...he can't drive.

Anyone heard of these???

Re: Complicated Migraines???

That sounds crazy and scary!!!

I get migraines and was perscribed Relpax. I can't take it when I'm at work because they really knock me on my butt, but I would mention to the Dr. that he needs a Rx due to the fact that they happen at inconvenient times. Chances are though, that even if he took a Rx when they happened and he was at work, he still wouldn't be able to drive because the meds would knock him out.

Re: Complicated Migraines???

Re: Complicated Migraines???

I have. I get them sometimes too.
It is very very scary to say the least.
Normally my migraines aren't as bad as this.
They start with vision loss in one eye - called an aura (seeing spots or zig zags or flashing lights- or just losing part of my vision). This last for about 20 minutes or so and then the vision returns but BAM- the headache comes- along with nausea and vomitting.

However- sometimes- I get them where I get numbness and tingling in my hands and feet and face. I also have trouble making sentences or thinking straight. I once was trying to send a text message and it was coming out all f-ed up. It's like I just can't seem to comprehend things.
This part normally only lasts for a little while but while it's happening it is so scary. I have thought I was having a stroke a few times.

To be honest- I don't get them often enough for meds either- and honestly some of the side effects from these meds are even worse than the migraine itself. However, regardless of how infrequent it happens- I know what you are saying about how life disrupting they are!

What I have found helps me- believe it or not- is some natural things I have researched.
Melatonin (the sleep supplement) every night and Magnesium every day has seemed to decrease the frequency and severity of my migraines.
I'm not sure why or how- but studies have been done on both of these which you can look up online.

Good luck to him! I know how awful and scary these things can be!

Re: Complicated Migraines???

Yes! When he is in the middle of a migraine he seems to be very confused and he starts yelling at me because he is freaked out. The last time he got one he drove home!!! But, it took him about 2 hours (normally 45 minutes) because he could not figure out how to get to our house! I was asking him to stop driving so I could meet him on the LIE but he refused to pull over.

He ended up getting one today and I went to his job and picked him up. He took 3 excedrine migraines and he is sleeping now. I just feel so bad for him because there is nothing that makes him feel better but time. In a few hours he will wake up and be STARVING and feel totally fine.

Re: Complicated Migraines???

Re: Complicated Migraines???

Posted by anonttcer

I have. I get them sometimes too.
It is very very scary to say the least.
Normally my migraines aren't as bad as this.
They start with vision loss in one eye - called an aura (seeing spots or zig zags or flashing lights- or just losing part of my vision). This last for about 20 minutes or so and then the vision returns but BAM- the headache comes- along with nausea and vomitting.

However- sometimes- I get them where I get numbness and tingling in my hands and feet and face. I also have trouble making sentences or thinking straight. I once was trying to send a text message and it was coming out all f-ed up. It's like I just can't seem to comprehend things.
This part normally only lasts for a little while but while it's happening it is so scary. I have thought I was having a stroke a few times.

To be honest- I don't get them often enough for meds either- and honestly some of the side effects from these meds are even worse than the migraine itself. However, regardless of how infrequent it happens- I know what you are saying about how life disrupting they are!

What I have found helps me- believe it or not- is some natural things I have researched.
Melatonin (the sleep supplement) every night and Magnesium every day has seemed to decrease the frequency and severity of my migraines.
I'm not sure why or how- but studies have been done on both of these which you can look up online.

Good luck to him! I know how awful and scary these things can be!

Re: Complicated Migraines???

That sounds horribly scary. I do get migraines, much less frequently now, but they always have an "aura" and 99% of the time I will lose the hearing in my right ear. I really hope he feels better.

Re: Complicated Migraines???