Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Tc on December 02, 2019, 08:27:34 PM
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Hita ladies.
As many of you may know I've been suffering from migraine.
I was under a neurologist in my 30s for mixed migraine but they had become few and far between in my late 40's. It's only since my surgery and HRT they have come back with avengance
But I've also been having some very strange "neurological" symptoms over the last year which come and go and I never had before.. Tingly pins and needles in extremities. But more worryingly episodes where my left foot and leg and arm and hand go weak and numb. Also around my mouth and lips and I feel sort of "spacey" as though I'm going to pass out. It goes away within about half an hour.or so. It can happen when standing or lying down.
I told my gp a couple of times but she didnt seem concerned. 2 weeks ago I told her it's still happening . . She tested my sugar level as she saw I had a tremor in my hands and said we may refer to neurologist and to come back for blood results.
I saw her today and she said my sugar is normal but has urgently referred me to the TIA clinic. Put me on statins right away and, sent me for an ECG tommorow and told me not to drive.!!!
she thinks I've had a "series" of TIAs. But this all started happening around the time the migraines came back.
I'm wondering if these episodes are not TIAs but insyead a feature of my migraines. I've had so many migraines this last year I cant say whether I always have one when these episodes happen
If these "episodes" are in fact TIAs then there have been several in the last year which is realy worrying. !!
Any advice, experience greatly appreciated. Xxx
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Hi Tc,
This might interest you:
https://www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/types-of-migraine/hemiplegic-migraine/
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Migraine symptoms can be very severe. My mother used to go blind for several hours as a young woman. On the other hand my nephew, who collapsed and had temporary, mild one sided paralysis at 35, had had a stroke. This was initially diagnosed as a migraine.
It is a complex area and a scan is the only accurate way to diagnose a stroke.
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More info Tc:
https://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/hemiplegic-migraine-menopause/
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Thank you ladies.
Jenna. Thank you for the link. I cant believe it. It describes my symptoms to a T.
I've been referred urgently to TIA and I suppose it makes sense. But it's just the number of times it's happened makes me think, that's a lot of TIAs. !! A new and different type of migraine to what I've had before might explain the number of episodes more.
I hope the doc is wrong about it being a "series" of TIAs. But I suppose it has to be ruled out. She has referred me to a neurologist too but said that could be a long wait.
Thank you.
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Migraines can cause all sorts of symptoms. Mine caused nausea and pain and occured around Day 1 and mid cycle. They were always on the left hand side with about a 2 hour period leading in until they became so severe that I would be bedridden for 8 hours with a pounding feeling on the left side of my head, watering eyes and severe nausea. The total migraine lasted about 30 hours. Dad and mum were also migraineurs and they had the whole aura issue as well at the start of their migraines.
Unfortunately, I think you are going to have to undergo some tests as some of what you describe does not sound typical for migraine, but migraines are a strange beast. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon.
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You are very welcome Tc and I hope that's “all†it is, but it is best to get these things checked out.
Good luck! :)
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Thankvyou. Just read the second link jenna. Very interesting.
How strange that ladies with ovary removal "fare worse" when it comes to migraines decreasing after menopause if the reason for migraine with aura decreasing is put down to lowering eastrogen One would think that means ovary removal would do the same. In fact levels would be even lower. Maybe more ladies in surgical meno are on HRT.
Xxx
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Thank you so much lola. Yes. The migraine trust seems a great resource. I will have a look at what else is on there.
I'm going to start a diary. I think because my current migraines have been different to in the past I havent realy connected the dots.
I'm sorry to hear you were in hospital with one and had to have a lumbar punch. Not nice at all. I have an aunt who has been hospitalised with migraine several times.
I hope going back on HRT will help you. I realy do.
Its got to the point with me where I feel like I'm either building up to one, in the middle of one, or getting over one. With the odd few days I'm o.k. as you said on your thread even small changes in HRT seem to trigger. I've definitely found that. Maybe with no ovaries to offer a "buffer" or "reserve" as back up even slight changes are more more significant for us.
Sending love xx
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Tc - I was thinking of you late last night, wondering why you hadn't been around!
Maybe you will get some answers in the next few days so that any treatment required will be recommended.
I had bad++ period pains for years but am so pleased that I never suffered migraines etc.. Awful.
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I haven't read any replies so apologies if I'm repeating anything that has been said.
Someone I know in RL had ONE suspected TIA and was sent off for a brain scan ( waited two weeks) if your GP suspects this then you should have one also as I'm sure your aware TIAs can be a precursor to a stroke.
The RL friend was all good and was indeed her migraines changing how they behave.
💐 for you.
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Thank you everyone. I'm going to phone the TIA clinic later to see when my appt will be. I assume they will arrange a brain scan. Xx
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Hiya birdy. Good to hear from you. My gp doesnt want to test it again. She actually said "you've had so many blood tests!!! It's frustrating. To say the least. I'm looking online at the b12 sprays I'm going to order one.
My ecg seemed to go o.k. they let me go straight after so that's a good sign nothing untoward showed up.
I've got TIA clinic tommorow.
How are you?
Xxx
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Good luck tomorrow TC...
Very pleased to hear the ECG went ok.....😘
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Hi tc
Pleased to hear about your ecg results. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and sending positive vibes your way.
Birdy, what do you mean thick headed? Like when you have a cold?
Jeepers xx
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YES, I'm all of the above! 🔝....☹️
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Aww. Me too bird.
Thanks ladies. I had another ecg, a vascular scan of my neck and a CT brain scan. The doc said they all looked o.k. relief. He said he doesnt think its TIA.
he wants me to have an MRI and to see a neurologist. Said it could be nerve related or it could well be related to the migraines.
Glad my gp sent me realy aas I got all those scans over in one day. Just have to wait for the MRI now.
Sending love to you all xxxx
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Thanks lola. Xxx
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TC, thats brilliant news, I am so, so pleased for you.
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Thank you. I've got an MRI monday morning
Xx
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Well done TC...great news...you must be relieved...keep us updated plz...😘
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We will all be thing of you on Monday, and sending positive vibes :-*
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Thank you lovely ladies. It was o.k. took 40 minutes as they did the neck/ rop of spine too. That was a surprise. I thought it was just brain scan. Anyway it's over now. Much love to all. And thank you for thinking of me. Xxxx
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Hiya bird. I guess they go back to Tia clinic. They said they will be in touch.
At the moment my hospital are running the scanners 24/7 so it's not a big wait for tscans itself but it's taking them weeks to read them
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I've just received choose and book for neurologist.
How are you. ? Are you still under neurologist?
Xx
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You had to wait far too long birdy. Have you got a follow up neurology appt?
Because I had choose and book I dont know if I was lucky and when I logged on there was a cancellation as I had a choice of 10 clinics and only one available appt, waiting lists for all the rest. But this is on 16th Jan. It mustve been a cancellation.
Are you taking anyone with you to your MRI?
Xxx
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Yes. The waiting for results is hideous. But you have been so worried about this for so long at least some answers are in sight. Let's hope for the best for both of us bird xxxx
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Absolutely. I am a bit worried about them scanning the spine. I think that might mean they are going down the MS route.
Xxx
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I will xxxxx
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O.k. so I've received a letter asking me to have a 24 hours ecg monitor next week. The doc told me my ecg was o.k. x
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Hiya bird. It was from the cardiac unit.at hospital xx
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Thank you birdy. I will tommotow. Xxx
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Hiya ladies. I thought I should give an update as it's not helpful to others who might be looking at the same issue to just leave it hanging. With no answers..
I had a brain/spine MRI and saw a neurologist. TIA was unlikely. My 24 hour ecg was normal too. The neuro has ordered a lower spine scan just to rule out disc compression. But brain scan normal "for my age" no tumours and no signs indicative of MS in the upper spine. Which are all the things they were looking for. So im very relieved. .
He ordered a b12 test. I'm waiting on results. It will be frustrating to say the least if it turns out to be b12 as my gp refused to test before she sent me down this path which has been so worrying!!!!
Migraine with aura could account for some of my symptoms. I've had it in the past. But having aura without the headache is new.
I will update when I know the scan and blood results and hopefully be able to give some closure on this experience.
Xx