Question42 yr/o female.
I have had "sick headaches" since I was a young child.
Last year my headache changed from it's usual pulsing general (all-over head) to dull pain/pressure in the lower-back part of head (base of skull) with severe pain/pressure behind both eyes.
July of last year I started having a mild tingling sensation in left foot, gradually working it's way up the left side of my body, including face. My lips basically have a "tingling burn" sensation. Started having recurrent dizziness in Nov. along with visual disturbances. (one instance of tunnel vision and frequent quick, jerky, almost vibration like eye movements)
In March I got "patchy dead areas", (topical numbness) left side only, that lasted for a couple of days, followed by intense burning, almost hypersensitivity, that lasted for maybe a day and then subsided. About 6 weeks later, it happened again, affecting the same areas.
I have had numerous tests... 1st MRI showed one hyperintense lesion in frontal white matter. 2nd MRI done 3 months later showed a total of 5 lesions.
Neuro was at first considering MS, but now says maybe it's microangiopathy from possible "rare form of migraine" that could cause all of the symptoms and mentioned something about vessels in brainstem and hemeplegic migraine.
I have read some about migraine variants, but wonder if it's common for general migraine to evolve into a more severe form, especially since I'm 42?
Just how rare are these migraines?
does it sound more like basilar or hemiplegic?
Do you agree with his assumption, or should I seek 2nd opinion?
He currently has me on Lamictal for the tingling and numbness, Midrin for migraine, as well as low dose aspirin.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
AnswerI think all those are good ideas... MS, angiopathy... I assume you are seeing a good neurologist. The head symptoms may be atypical migraines, but all these symptoms below the neck suggest other neurologic diseases... sorry, can't help more than that.
