A warning for fellow migraine sufferers

Koala · July 12th, 2016, 07:59 PM

I just got over a major scare. Seriously thought I was having a stroke!

I had been watching tv and got up to go get a drink of water and to take the trash out. When I went to grab my water bottle my left arm suddenly went completely floppy numb. I was frantically trying to shake it out to no avail when my brain said "hello!!! stroke symptoms!!! call 911!" I called and explained my situation. The total numbness only lasted like 30 seconds tops but while I was talking to 911 my whole left side went tingly numb from the shoulder down to my toes. They checked me out and told me it wasn't a stroke since I was able to walk to the door for them and talk and my face wasn't drooping but I was pretty scared.

After they left I remembered that earlier in the day I had experienced a slight headache with visual aura. I'll get that once in a while and it's normally just a signal that a migraine is on the way. After doing a little research the two situations actually go together to form what is called a Hemiplegic Migraine. Quite scary, but the common symptoms are headache/migraine with visual aura, sudden numbness down one side, and a history of migraines.

So if any of you get migraines, hopefully this type won't happen to you one day, but I would look it up just in case. That way if it does you don't freak out like I did. Definitely still call 911 cuz you never know if it's a stroke but it might not be. I was so freaked my pulse was 108 and BP was 140/87 (I'm always like 112/70).

dcj13 · July 12th, 2016, 08:16 PM

Wow. Glad you're ok.!

csmith12 · July 12th, 2016, 09:38 PM

Happy it was "less than more serious"...

CaliGrrl · July 12th, 2016, 10:06 PM

Good that you got checked out and it was "only" a migraine headache.

Koala · July 13th, 2016, 04:09 AM

Thanks everybody

The paramedics were all cynical and acting like I was freaking over nothing. I wanted to ask them what they would do if out of nowhere half their body went numb. I'm glad I'm ok, and I know what to look out for now just in case it happens again but I sure hope it doesn't.

CaliGrrl · July 13th, 2016, 10:27 AM

Paramedics would stay calm, in order to keep you calm. If the paramedics freak out, you as the patient are more likely to also get upset. We take emotional cues from each other, and if someone else looks worried, we think there's something to be worried about.

They shouldn't dismiss your fears, though.

I'm glad you're ok!

tgold · July 14th, 2016, 11:16 AM

I get the "visual aura" thing on occasion where one eye briefly goes almost completely blurry. It usually lasts no more than 15 minutes from when I notice it starting to happen to being back to completely clear again. I asked my eye doctor about it and she said that it was actually a migraine but I was one of the lucky ones becasuse I don't get the headaches that other people do, only the blurry vision in one eye. I can still do almost anything when it happens, but it's pretty distracting so I suppose if I were on a motorcycle when it happened I would pull over and wait till it cleared up.

Koala · July 14th, 2016, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgold

I get the "visual aura" thing on occasion where one eye briefly goes almost completely blurry. It usually lasts no more than 15 minutes from when I notice it starting to happen to being back to completely clear again. I asked my eye doctor about it and she said that it was actually a migraine but I was one of the lucky ones becasuse I don't get the headaches that other people do, only the blurry vision in one eye. I can still do almost anything when it happens, but it's pretty distracting so I suppose if I were on a motorcycle when it happened I would pull over and wait till it cleared up.

When I get it it's the sparkly squiggly lines in one or both of my eyes. It is pretty distracting even though it only lasts a few minutes. The crazy thing about migraines is that some people can have them without the head pain. I've had the migraines with aura for several years now but this is the first time I've ever experienced the full on hemiplegic migraine. My opinion is that it was caused by the fact that I had just started drinking boatloads of water with the squirt bottle flavorings added to it. Those flavorings have sucralose and sucralose is known to trigger migraines in people that suffer them. Straight water only now and I will always have to check labels on what I eat or drink for sucralose. As for working, driving, riding when I do get my bike, I'll just have to watch out for the aura. I usually only get it a few times a year. Now I know that if I get it that I'll just have to be real careful for the couple hours after. No riding, and if I'm driving to pull over immediately.

MrAtom · July 14th, 2016, 11:41 PM

I believe you. Doctors and paramedics can be dicks sometimes. I think they get into that line of work because they figure "blood n guts are cool. I can stomach seeing people in pain. so why not?" which stems from a lack of empathy for the pain of others, not the desire to help them.

At the end of the day, though, I'm glad they're all there.

motodancer · July 15th, 2016, 02:01 PM

Glad you're okay.
This happens to me once in awhile as well, but it's both of my arms that go numb & tingly, and my fingers/hands freeze up. I also get really dizzy/nauseated during this time.
I've gone to the doctor several times for different things related to it and they've never found anything wrong with me. I also faint sometimes as well. Only one time have I ever had numb arms and fainted at the same time.
It's never happened while driving or at work or out in public by myself. The few times it did happen in public, I was always with someone.
I do get severe headaches and quite a few different kinds, which has been happening my whole life. I get pretty bad motion sickness too, even if it's just on a swing going back & forth.
No one has ever found anything wrong so.. what can ya do but suffer?

alex.s · July 15th, 2016, 03:04 PM

i've gotten them a few times before. i mostly get ocular migraines... AKA scintillating scatomas. annoying, and scary if you dont know its harmless.

Koala · July 15th, 2016, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i've gotten them a few times before. i mostly get ocular migraines... AKA scintillating scatomas. annoying, and scary if you dont know its harmless.

Wow, ocular migraines do sound scary.

The unfortunate thing is that there must not be much money in migraine research. At least not with these rare types like ocular and hemiplegic. All of the articles I've read on the hemiplegic just state that no current research is being done and the condition is rare. Nice....

Koala · July 15th, 2016, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motodancer

Glad you're okay.
This happens to me once in awhile as well, but it's both of my arms that go numb & tingly, and my fingers/hands freeze up. I also get really dizzy/nauseated during this time.
I've gone to the doctor several times for different things related to it and they've never found anything wrong with me. I also faint sometimes as well. Only one time have I ever had numb arms and fainted at the same time.
It's never happened while driving or at work or out in public by myself. The few times it did happen in public, I was always with someone.
I do get severe headaches and quite a few different kinds, which has been happening my whole life. I get pretty bad motion sickness too, even if it's just on a swing going back & forth.
No one has ever found anything wrong so.. what can ya do but suffer?

I'm glad that you have always been with someone when it happens to you. I don't really have anybody, I'm on my own unless in public or work. Please be careful if you have had the numbness and fainting. I've read instances of people with hemiplegic migraines fainting and then going into a coma for a few days each time they have one

It's reading stuff like that that makes me a bit twitchy.

alex.s · July 16th, 2016, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koala

Wow, ocular migraines do sound scary.

The unfortunate thing is that there must not be much money in migraine research. At least not with these rare types like ocular and hemiplegic. All of the articles I've read on the hemiplegic just state that no current research is being done and the condition is rare. Nice....

i usually find someone who smokes and smoke one of their cigarettes. it makes it go away in about 5 minutes. something about blood vessels constricting, i donno. but it works

Koala · July 16th, 2016, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i usually find someone who smokes and smoke one of their cigarettes. it makes it go away in about 5 minutes. something about blood vessels constricting, i donno. but it works

That's good. I smoke but I think I'll try to avoid them while going through one of mine. They say the reason they don't like using some common migraine medications for them is because constricting the blood vessels during one could lead to an actual stroke.

So I don't know, I'm going to try what is recommended, avoid known triggers and keep as stress free as possible.

Motofool · July 16th, 2016, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

............ AKA scintillating scatomas. annoying, and scary if you dont know its harmless.

About ten years ago, I started suffering one of those, simultaneously in both eyes, at least once a week, but were never followed by a headache.
Many times, I had to stop a trip because I could not see other than some peripherial areas.
They lasted about 20 minutes.

I seldom have those now, but strong headaches, especially if my wake up time changes.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma

July 12th, 2016, 07:59 PM	#1
Koala ninjette.org sage Name: Koala Location: Ohio Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589 MOTM - May '18	A warning for fellow migraine sufferers I just got over a major scare. Seriously thought I was having a stroke! I had been watching tv and got up to go get a drink of water and to take the trash out. When I went to grab my water bottle my left arm suddenly went completely floppy numb. I was frantically trying to shake it out to no avail when my brain said "hello!!! stroke symptoms!!! call 911!" I called and explained my situation. The total numbness only lasted like 30 seconds tops but while I was talking to 911 my whole left side went tingly numb from the shoulder down to my toes. They checked me out and told me it wasn't a stroke since I was able to walk to the door for them and talk and my face wasn't drooping but I was pretty scared. After they left I remembered that earlier in the day I had experienced a slight headache with visual aura. I'll get that once in a while and it's normally just a signal that a migraine is on the way. After doing a little research the two situations actually go together to form what is called a Hemiplegic Migraine. Quite scary, but the common symptoms are headache/migraine with visual aura, sudden numbness down one side, and a history of migraines. So if any of you get migraines, hopefully this type won't happen to you one day, but I would look it up just in case. That way if it does you don't freak out like I did. Definitely still call 911 cuz you never know if it's a stroke but it might not be. I was so freaked my pulse was 108 and BP was 140/87 (I'm always like 112/70).
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

July 12th, 2016, 09:38 PM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Happy it was "less than more serious"... __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 14th, 2016, 11:41 PM	#9
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	I believe you. Doctors and paramedics can be dicks sometimes. I think they get into that line of work because they figure "blood n guts are cool. I can stomach seeing people in pain. so why not?" which stems from a lack of empathy for the pain of others, not the desire to help them. At the end of the day, though, I'm glad they're all there.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

July 15th, 2016, 03:04 PM	#11
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i've gotten them a few times before. i mostly get ocular migraines... AKA scintillating scatomas. annoying, and scary if you dont know its harmless. __________________________________________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
To All My Fellow New Englanders	CC Cowboy	Off-Topic	5	January 4th, 2014 05:44 AM
Hello fellow riders :)	redsuns03	New Members	9	August 18th, 2012 08:22 AM
Hello from L.A. looking for fellow racers!	Diablita	New Members	10	January 27th, 2010 04:44 PM
Hello fellow ninjetters	NinjaBuckethead	New Members	12	October 13th, 2009 03:19 PM

July 12th, 2016, 08:16 PM	#2
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Wow. Glad you're ok.!

July 12th, 2016, 10:06 PM	#4
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	Good that you got checked out and it was "only" a migraine headache.

July 13th, 2016, 04:09 AM	#5
Koala ninjette.org sage Name: Koala Location: Ohio Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589 MOTM - May '18	Thanks everybody The paramedics were all cynical and acting like I was freaking over nothing. I wanted to ask them what they would do if out of nowhere half their body went numb. I'm glad I'm ok, and I know what to look out for now just in case it happens again but I sure hope it doesn't.

July 13th, 2016, 10:27 AM	#6
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	Paramedics would stay calm, in order to keep you calm. If the paramedics freak out, you as the patient are more likely to also get upset. We take emotional cues from each other, and if someone else looks worried, we think there's something to be worried about. They shouldn't dismiss your fears, though. I'm glad you're ok!

July 14th, 2016, 11:16 AM	#7
tgold ninjette.org sage Name: Timm Location: West Seneca, NY Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2006 1050 Speed Triple, 2010 250 Ninja racebike, YZF320RR? Racebike Posts: 556 MOTM - Nov '15	I get the "visual aura" thing on occasion where one eye briefly goes almost completely blurry. It usually lasts no more than 15 minutes from when I notice it starting to happen to being back to completely clear again. I asked my eye doctor about it and she said that it was actually a migraine but I was one of the lucky ones becasuse I don't get the headaches that other people do, only the blurry vision in one eye. I can still do almost anything when it happens, but it's pretty distracting so I suppose if I were on a motorcycle when it happened I would pull over and wait till it cleared up.

July 15th, 2016, 02:01 PM	#10
motodancer ninjette.org member Name: S Location: Midwest Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 Posts: 134	Glad you're okay. This happens to me once in awhile as well, but it's both of my arms that go numb & tingly, and my fingers/hands freeze up. I also get really dizzy/nauseated during this time. I've gone to the doctor several times for different things related to it and they've never found anything wrong with me. I also faint sometimes as well. Only one time have I ever had numb arms and fainted at the same time. It's never happened while driving or at work or out in public by myself. The few times it did happen in public, I was always with someone. I do get severe headaches and quite a few different kinds, which has been happening my whole life. I get pretty bad motion sickness too, even if it's just on a swing going back & forth. No one has ever found anything wrong so.. what can ya do but suffer?