Lunacur Stroke

[taylor1293]

Has anyone ever had one or had a stroke that is related to a migraine?

I spent the last few days in the hospital and apparently, when doing my CT and MRI, they discovered I had a lunacur stroke in the past.

I went to the ER due to severe visual disturbance on Sat. After some tests, they sent me home. On Sunday, it happened again and I went back, this time they admitted me. That's when I had several more tests.

Anywho...apparently I have migraines (who knew?) and I've had a prior stroke (again...who knew...I'm only 39!). So, now I'm on Topomax and aspirin daily. I am not diabetic, I do not smoke, I have low blood pressure, and I always thought my chronic headaches were sinus related. Also, I had no idea the damage that migraines could do if left untreated...very scary.

So, I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through this? Thanks!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I've had TIAs that were diagnosed as "complicated migraines". They believed they were caused by birth control pills. I went off the pills and have not had a recurrence.

up to that point, I thought I was having sinus headaches too, until the neurologist set me straight. Same as you: no smoking, or high blood pressure, etc.

I hope the meds work for you!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Sorry...I don't know about them. But it's weird to see this now! Today a coworker ended up in the ER. Her blood pressure was way up there. They gave her drugs to bring it down. And she complained of a headache. This lady is out a lot due to migraines. So we're wondering if there's a connection between her BP and migraines. They did a CT scan on her which didn't show anything.

I hope you're feeling better!

 

[kmp1191]

My grandmother had migraines, and had a stroke in her mid-late 30's. My mother has migraines and she too had a stroke in her mid-late 30's. I have been diagnosed with migraines also....I'm 39 and try to head them off early when I can. The thing that scares me the most....my 13 yr old son gets mirgraines too. His are much worse than mine, and that scares the hell out of me! He has medicine, but the fact, and the heredity is there.

Good luck OP...I hope they take good care of you!!
m

 

[MoniqueU]

I have never heard of that before. My son is getting migraines and on topamax too. As someone who is visually impaired I know how freaked out you must of been to have your eyesite compromised. I hope that is fully restored now. Hang in there and take your meds and hopefully this will be the last of that.

 

[bavaria]

did they tell you that you had hemiplegic migraine? It is quite rare and can mimic strokes. They are not like the more common form of migraine.

Some of the characteristics are one side weakness, ataxia, seizures, aphasia. Usually there is quite a complex visual aura as well. Sometimes there is also Alice in Wonderland syndrome, in which things are maginified or minimized - for instance a bed sheet might feel inches thick.

If you have some of those symptoms, I would ask for clarification as they are quite different than the more common form of migraine. From personal experience I would also suggest that if you have some of the more 'frightening' symptoms that you consider a MedicAlert bracelet - quite difficult to communicate that one is not having a stroke or epileptic seizure when one is going through the aphasia phase.

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks, I hope they work too . On Saturday, the first time I was in, they said said first it was a TIA. I'm not on the pill and haven't been since I was 31.

I've had TIAs that were diagnosed as "complicated migraines". They believed they were caused by birth control pills. I went off the pills and have not had a recurrence.

up to that point, I thought I was having sinus headaches too, until the neurologist set me straight. Same as you: no smoking, or high blood pressure, etc.

I hope the meds work for you!

 

[taylor1293]

I'm not sure if there is a connection, but it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks, I hope your coworker feels better too .

Sorry...I don't know about them. But it's weird to see this now! Today a coworker ended up in the ER. Her blood pressure was way up there. They gave her drugs to bring it down. And she complained of a headache. This lady is out a lot due to migraines. So we're wondering if there's a connection between her BP and migraines. They did a CT scan on her which didn't show anything.

I hope you're feeling better!

 

[taylor1293]

That is a very scary family history (I have family history of strokes, but not related to migraines). Are you taking anything like Topamax to help prevent the migraines? I'm sorry to hear your son gets them too.

My grandmother had migraines, and had a stroke in her mid-late 30's. My mother has migraines and she too had a stroke in her mid-late 30's. I have been diagnosed with migraines also....I'm 39 and try to head them off early when I can. The thing that scares me the most....my 13 yr old son gets mirgraines too. His are much worse than mine, and that scares the hell out of me! He has medicine, but the fact, and the heredity is there.

Good luck OP...I hope they take good care of you!!
m

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks . Yes, it was very frightening at the time.

I have never heard of that before. My son is getting migraines and on topamax too. As someone who is visually impaired I know how freaked out you must of been to have your eyesite compromised. I hope that is fully restored now. Hang in there and take your meds and hopefully this will be the last of that.

 

[taylor1293]

No, they didn't mention the term hemiplegic migraine. However, when I go back to neurologist next month I will ask him about it. Is this what you have?

did they tell you that you had hemiplegic migraine? It is quite rare and can mimic strokes. They are not like the more common form of migraine.

Some of the characteristics are one side weakness, ataxia, seizures, aphasia. Usually there is quite a complex visual aura as well. Sometimes there is also Alice in Wonderland syndrome, in which things are maginified or minimized - for instance a bed sheet might feel inches thick.

If you have some of those symptoms, I would ask for clarification as they are quite different than the more common form of migraine. From personal experience I would also suggest that if you have some of the more 'frightening' symptoms that you consider a MedicAlert bracelet - quite difficult to communicate that one is not having a stroke or epileptic seizure when one is going through the aphasia phase.

 

[bavaria]

Since I was a small child... it tends to be even more related to stroke than regular migraine, so especially if you have had a lacunar stroke you should ask the questions. Also if you have any issues with one side only ie tingling, numbness, etc it can be an indicator.

By the way, Topamax can really help but please make sure you read up on the side effects - some of them are nasty, others can be dangerous. I stopped taking it and just choose to deal with the issues as it really impacted me.

Also make sure that you read up on how it impacts your body's ability to regulate temperature - especially if you live/are visiting a hot climate.

Best of luck!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm not sure if there is a connection, but it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks, I hope your coworker feels better too .

Thanks! She was out today (thank goodness) and follows up with her doctor tomorrow morning. We'll see.

 

[HERSEY]

Depending on the type of migranes, it puts you at a higher risk for strokes. My doctor says it is the type that gives you an aura. Which is what kind of migranes I get, oh yeah.

 

[taylor1293]

I'm sorry you've had this problem since you were a small child.

I just so happen to live in Florida and already have trouble with over heating, ugh!

The side effects for me seem to be (so far) forgetfulness, tingling in my feet (both), living in la la land, and some change in taste. My Diet Pepsi doesn't taste right, it keeps tasting flat. That la la land might be OK, except that I'm a teacher! I teach three classes and couldn't remember the names of some of my students this week (without looking at their nametags). Is that normal?

Since I was a small child... it tends to be even more related to stroke than regular migraine, so especially if you have had a lacunar stroke you should ask the questions. Also if you have any issues with one side only ie tingling, numbness, etc it can be an indicator.

By the way, Topamax can really help but please make sure you read up on the side effects - some of them are nasty, others can be dangerous. I stopped taking it and just choose to deal with the issues as it really impacted me.

Also make sure that you read up on how it impacts your body's ability to regulate temperature - especially if you live/are visiting a hot climate.

Best of luck!

 

[taylor1293]

Hope her followup went well .

Thanks! She was out today (thank goodness) and follows up with her doctor tomorrow morning. We'll see.

 

[taylor1293]

Lovely isn't it!

Did your doctor put you on medication to prevent the migraines?

Depending on the type of migranes, it puts you at a higher risk for strokes. My doctor says it is the type that gives you an aura. Which is what kind of migranes I get, oh yeah.

 

[barkley]

i've had 2 strokes-both related to my migranes (i was 42 at the time, they occured 6 months apart). with both i started with my 'normal' migrane symptoms and they would'nt respond to my meds. i have residual effects including memory problems, hearing and vision loss (and if you notice-i don't use caps when typing-for some reason it no longer comes naturaly and takes so much effort to remember to and make my hands go through the motions i just don't deal with it unless i'm writing a formal letter). i did experience aphasia and still have some speaking problems, initialy i had a heck of a time reading but i was able to build my speed and comprehension back.

one thing i will suggest to anyone who has a history of this or has a history of strokes within their family AND a child who is having/showing signs of migranes-be very sure your child's neurologist is aware of these circumstances. reason being-there are a number of pediatric migrane meds used today that are spec. excluded for use with adults because they can contribute to later in life stroke. they are given to kids because the general belief is that since kids don't have the other stroke risk factors, will not be using them for decades and don't have an age factor that can already contribute to stroke the impact is minimimal or none. my ds (10) has had migranes on and off for the past couple of years, and when his ped neuro heard my history he immediatly ordered testing that ruled out any kind of pre-existing disposition to strokes for ds before he would prescribe meds (and even then he decided to take the safer route and totaly exclude use of many of the more well known meds).

 

[bavaria]

I'm sorry you've had this problem since you were a small child.

I just so happen to live in Florida and already have trouble with over heating, ugh!

The side effects for me seem to be (so far) forgetfulness, tingling in my feet (both), living in la la land, and some change in taste. My Diet Pepsi doesn't taste right, it keeps tasting flat. That la la land might be OK, except that I'm a teacher! I teach three classes and couldn't remember the names of some of my students this week (without looking at their nametags). Is that normal?

It sounds like you are dealing with the usual side effects - hopefully they will get better soon as in many people they do improve. Weight loss is another side effect, which can be a good thing or a not good thing.

The stupid effect is something many of us here noticed; I had a past head injury which impacts my name recall so even when I have known someone for 15 years I may still refer to them as 'you there in the corner' every so often. I don't know if it was worse for me on the drug or not, so cannot comment. But I did go through a 'stupid' phase when I started taking it (I was taking very high doses as the dosage for seizures is usually higher than for regular migraine prevention; you probably want to understand what type of dosage you are taking)

Apparently carbonated beverages do get impacted; I only drink sparkling water and not pop, so it didn't bother me as much. But I definitely had a reduced appetite which for me was a good thing.

The overheating doesn't get mentioned much and I didn't see it in many warnings. I would get especially stupid in the heat and didn't realise that it was because my body was unable to regulate temperature correctly. It can put you at risk of heat stroke so you really want to be aware of it and take care not to get dehydrated or over heated.

Here is a good explanation of what to watch for http://www.drugs.com/cons/topamax.html

Hopefully your side effects will go away once your body gets used to the medication and you will feel better soon!

 

[taylor1293]

I'm sorry about your two strokes. Do you worry that you might have another stroke? Now that I know I have had one, I worry about it, and I'm not normally a worrier but it's all I think about now.

How do doctors determine if a child has a future pre-disposition to a stroke? I don't believe my girls have migraines, if they do I'm unaware of it. My oldest does have optical nerve swelling though and has been to an optical neurologist numerous times. And my neice has migraines and is also on Topamax.

i've had 2 strokes-both related to my migranes (i was 42 at the time, they occured 6 months apart). with both i started with my 'normal' migrane symptoms and they would'nt respond to my meds. i have residual effects including memory problems, hearing and vision loss (and if you notice-i don't use caps when typing-for some reason it no longer comes naturaly and takes so much effort to remember to and make my hands go through the motions i just don't deal with it unless i'm writing a formal letter). i did experience aphasia and still have some speaking problems, initialy i had a heck of a time reading but i was able to build my speed and comprehension back.

one thing i will suggest to anyone who has a history of this or has a history of strokes within their family AND a child who is having/showing signs of migranes-be very sure your child's neurologist is aware of these circumstances. reason being-there are a number of pediatric migrane meds used today that are spec. excluded for use with adults because they can contribute to later in life stroke. they are given to kids because the general belief is that since kids don't have the other stroke risk factors, will not be using them for decades and don't have an age factor that can already contribute to stroke the impact is minimimal or none. my ds (10) has had migranes on and off for the past couple of years, and when his ped neuro heard my history he immediatly ordered testing that ruled out any kind of pre-existing disposition to strokes for ds before he would prescribe meds (and even then he decided to take the safer route and totaly exclude use of many of the more well known meds).