Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
I'm 20 years old and I have been prone to headaches my whole life.
There are few days which pass that I don't have a headache of some kind and from the age of 15 I started experiencing Migraine with Aura. First my visual field would be disturbed with red zig zags darting across my view as well as star bursts; during which point I'd start to feel a pressure in my head and I'd feel sort of fuzzy/ confused - after which the migraine attacked and would normally last anywhere between 4 hours to 2 days. Light and sound sensitivity was prominent and I would begin to slur and feel dizzy... always resulting in my lying in a pitch dark room to relieve the discomfort.
The pain was so bad that I just wanted to stab at it to make it stop (I didn't though) and the experience was always so over whelming that I'd cry.
I experienced this every day when I was 16 for roughly 4 months and was put on Propranolol, after having tried numerous other unsuccessful medication.
I still get the same migraines to this day but not to the same frequency so I'm no longer on the medication. I now have a migraine 1 - 2 times per week but they've worsened and it's been horrible and scary.
Recently the aura has only lasted a maximum of 15 minutes and all the symptoms including pain would then come with a blind fury but on top of everything already mentioned, I've been experiencing weakness on my right hand side - which is the new development - my eye and mouth would droop as well as weakness in my arm and leg to the extent that it makes walking an incredibly difficult task.
A woman recently stopped me in the street worried that I was having a stroke. It was terrifying because it's something I'm not used to and I felt I had even less control of myself in this vulnerable state.
Do any of you experience something similar or know if this is normal?
There are few days which pass that I don't have a headache of some kind and from the age of 15 I started experiencing Migraine with Aura. First my visual field would be disturbed with red zig zags darting across my view as well as star bursts; during which point I'd start to feel a pressure in my head and I'd feel sort of fuzzy/ confused - after which the migraine attacked and would normally last anywhere between 4 hours to 2 days. Light and sound sensitivity was prominent and I would begin to slur and feel dizzy... always resulting in my lying in a pitch dark room to relieve the discomfort.
The pain was so bad that I just wanted to stab at it to make it stop (I didn't though) and the experience was always so over whelming that I'd cry.
I experienced this every day when I was 16 for roughly 4 months and was put on Propranolol, after having tried numerous other unsuccessful medication.
I still get the same migraines to this day but not to the same frequency so I'm no longer on the medication. I now have a migraine 1 - 2 times per week but they've worsened and it's been horrible and scary.
Recently the aura has only lasted a maximum of 15 minutes and all the symptoms including pain would then come with a blind fury but on top of everything already mentioned, I've been experiencing weakness on my right hand side - which is the new development - my eye and mouth would droop as well as weakness in my arm and leg to the extent that it makes walking an incredibly difficult task.
A woman recently stopped me in the street worried that I was having a stroke. It was terrifying because it's something I'm not used to and I felt I had even less control of myself in this vulnerable state.
Do any of you experience something similar or know if this is normal?
First off, I feel so bad for you having to deal with migraines at such a young age. While there is really no normal when it comes to migraines, (because everyone's symptoms can vary so widely), I would definitely contact your doctor very soon about the weakness and drooping you're experiencing. It sound like these symptoms aren't part of your usual pattern. Please keep us updated...
Take care.
Lynn
I had a change in my symptoms last year and it was scary. The doctor ended up ordering an MRI on my brain to rule out non migraine causes, then we discussed different meds. I was so glad I got it checked out quickly,. I think you'll feel the same.
Anyway, I don't mean to go on, I just want you to know you are not alone. I am really sorry this has hit you at such a young age, it is terrifying and I hope the symptoms lessen over time as the meds kick in, that is what has happened for me for the most part.
Along with the propranolol medication I also get botox for migraines that has helped and I recently started gabapentin, that has helped with the muscle tightness in my neck and back of head, it wasn't meant for that, it is for my fibromyalgia it was a pleasant surprise that it helped that too. I hope you find some relief soon, I know how crippling these migraines are, you are not alone, hugs, ellie