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Complex & Confusional Migraines
worriednwearywife posted:
I am a wife that is desperately searching for hope. My husband, over a year ago, began losing conciousness and became unresponsive for various amounts of time. Our first visit to the ER was riddled with accusations of drug overdose and attempted suicide. When the drug screen came back with NOTHING in his system (which I knew but they didn't believe...) they just gave him something and sent him home.
Over months of ER visits, DR appointments, blood tests, brain scans, etc. It was determined that he (and the whole family actually along with him) suffered from Confusional Migraines. We tried all different types of medications ranging from seizure meds to blood pressure meds. Propranylol has helped but not enough. My husband, about 4-5 months ago, had a stiuation occur where he had stroke like symptoms (slurred speech, loss of muscle use on one side, confusion, etc.). He was evaluated by his neurologist and was told that he was now dealing with Complex Migraines as well.
I am exhausted. I am at my limit. I don't know what else to do. There has to be something more than medication. I was recommended by a friend to have a "bubble echo" done to see if there is a hole in his heart. Every time he has an "episode" (which is at least once a week) he misses work if he is scheduled that day, I have to miss work so I can take care of our kids while he is "out", and it takes a SEVERE emotional toll on him and me. I want to be able to count on him to be a partner in rearing our family and keeping our home clean but at this point I cannot. It is discouraging and stressful.
I feel like I have been supportive in every way I can. I know there are things he could be doing to improve his health (using his Bi-PAP machine, exercise, etc.) but he doesn't even try. :(
SUGGESTIONS welcome, criticism not so much........
Over months of ER visits, DR appointments, blood tests, brain scans, etc. It was determined that he (and the whole family actually along with him) suffered from Confusional Migraines. We tried all different types of medications ranging from seizure meds to blood pressure meds. Propranylol has helped but not enough. My husband, about 4-5 months ago, had a stiuation occur where he had stroke like symptoms (slurred speech, loss of muscle use on one side, confusion, etc.). He was evaluated by his neurologist and was told that he was now dealing with Complex Migraines as well.
I am exhausted. I am at my limit. I don't know what else to do. There has to be something more than medication. I was recommended by a friend to have a "bubble echo" done to see if there is a hole in his heart. Every time he has an "episode" (which is at least once a week) he misses work if he is scheduled that day, I have to miss work so I can take care of our kids while he is "out", and it takes a SEVERE emotional toll on him and me. I want to be able to count on him to be a partner in rearing our family and keeping our home clean but at this point I cannot. It is discouraging and stressful.
I feel like I have been supportive in every way I can. I know there are things he could be doing to improve his health (using his Bi-PAP machine, exercise, etc.) but he doesn't even try. :(
SUGGESTIONS welcome, criticism not so much........
6 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesI am a wife that is desperately searching for hope. My husband, over a year ago, began losing conciousness and became unresponsive for various amounts of time. Our first visit to the ER was riddled with accusations of drug overdose and attempted suicide. When the drug screen came back with NOTHING in his system (which I knew but they didn't believe...) they just gave him something and sent him home.<br /> <br />Over months of ER visits, DR appointments, blood tests, brain scans, etc. It was determined that he (and the whole family actually along with him) suffered from Confusional Migraines. We tried all different types of medications ranging from seizure meds to blood pressure meds. Propranylol has helped but not enough. My husband, about 4-5 months ago, had a stiuation occur where he had stroke like symptoms (slurred speech, loss of muscle use on one side, confusion, etc.). He was evaluated by his neurologist and was told that he was now dealing with Complex Migraines as well.<br /> <br />I am exhausted. I am at my limit. I don't know what else to do. There has to be something more than medication. I was recommended by a friend to have a "bubble echo" done to see if there is a hole in his heart. Every time he has an "episode" (which is at least once a week) he misses work if he is scheduled that day, I have to miss work so I can take care of our kids while he is "out", and it takes a SEVERE emotional toll on him and me. I want to be able to count on him to be a partner in rearing our family and keeping our home clean but at this point I cannot. It is discouraging and stressful.<br /> <br />I feel like I have been supportive in every way I can. I know there are things he could be doing to improve his health (using his Bi-PAP machine, exercise, etc.) but he doesn't even try. :(<br /> <br />SUGGESTIONS welcome, criticism not so much........
allie_bf responded:
Just a couple of thoughts here:
1. If the "whole family" has something, it sounds like environmental factors need to be considered (e.g. did they consider carbon monoxide poisoning, for example.) Even given the strong tendency of migraines to run in the family, it's not all that common for every child to have migraines.
2. Do his doctors know that he is having significant symptoms of depression? Lots of men won't level with their doctors about this, so they end up continuing on medications that can aggravate an already bad situation (e.g. propranolol.)
In the meantime, try to take care of yourself, and protect your job. Even if you are using FMLA to cover your absences from work from a HR point of view, they will add up (certainly in your coworkers' and managers minds.) Is there a neighbor or a relative who could help take care of the children? Are you getting enough exercise and recreation time? It may seem like you can't afford it at a time like this, but you do have to have some way to cope with stress yourself.
1. If the "whole family" has something, it sounds like environmental factors need to be considered (e.g. did they consider carbon monoxide poisoning, for example.) Even given the strong tendency of migraines to run in the family, it's not all that common for every child to have migraines.
2. Do his doctors know that he is having significant symptoms of depression? Lots of men won't level with their doctors about this, so they end up continuing on medications that can aggravate an already bad situation (e.g. propranolol.)
In the meantime, try to take care of yourself, and protect your job. Even if you are using FMLA to cover your absences from work from a HR point of view, they will add up (certainly in your coworkers' and managers minds.) Is there a neighbor or a relative who could help take care of the children? Are you getting enough exercise and recreation time? It may seem like you can't afford it at a time like this, but you do have to have some way to cope with stress yourself.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesJust a couple of thoughts here: <br />1. If the "whole family" has something, it sounds like environmental factors need to be considered (e.g. did they consider carbon monoxide poisoning, for example.) Even given the strong tendency of migraines to run in the family, it's not all that common for every child to have migraines. <br />2. Do his doctors know that he is having significant symptoms of depression? Lots of men won't level with their doctors about this, so they end up continuing on medications that can aggravate an already bad situation (e.g. propranolol.) <br /> <br />In the meantime, try to take care of yourself, and protect your job. Even if you are using FMLA to cover your absences from work from a HR point of view, they will add up (certainly in your coworkers' and managers minds.) Is there a neighbor or a relative who could help take care of the children? Are you getting enough exercise and recreation time? It may seem like you can't afford it at a time like this, but you do have to have some way to cope with stress yourself.
carpetcrawler5 replied to allie_bf's response:
allie_bf can you get on this board more often? We appreciate the help. I think I remember you from a few years ago.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional Migrainesallie_bf can you get on this board more often? We appreciate the help. I think I remember you from a few years ago.
carpetcrawler5 responded:
Also give him some lukewarm coffee or chocolate right away when he first starts to get the pain. If it gets really bad and he needs to be somewhere, try taking some Indomethicin. Take it with food, and don't take it often because It's hard on the stomach.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesAlso give him some lukewarm coffee or chocolate right away when he first starts to get the pain. If it gets really bad and he needs to be somewhere, try taking some Indomethicin. Take it with food, and don't take it often because It's hard on the stomach.
Cherylwilk responded:
I was diagnosed with Complicated Migraines about 4 years ago. My symptoms sound exactly like your husbands. It actually looked like I was having a Stroke. I thought that is what was happening. Could not Move, Speak, and would just go limp. It lasted up to 45 minutes. I call them episodes. I went to 3 neurologists. Finally on who did every test known to man I even had previously done the Sleep Study. The Neuologist that Diagnosed me with Complicated Migraines put me on Depakote ER 1000 mgs a day. It changed my life with in days. Truly changed my life.I had gotten to where I could not go anywhere because I would have an Episode and have to call someone to come get me where ever I was. I would Mumble where I was because like I said I could not speak. But after taking the Depakote I could finally function normally again, One problem I gain A Lot of weight. That is one of the side effects. No Harm Trying it, I know how it feels to feel so helpless. I have tried going off the Med in the 4 years and I do start getting the symptoms right away. I do Not have insurance and have to pay for the med and it is a bit pricey. 110.00 for 30 pills. Hope I helped you worriedwife.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesI was diagnosed with Complicated Migraines about 4 years ago. My symptoms sound exactly like your husbands. It actually looked like I was having a Stroke. I thought that is what was happening. Could not Move, Speak, and would just go limp. It lasted up to 45 minutes. I call them episodes. I went to 3 neurologists. Finally on who did every test known to man I even had previously done the Sleep Study. The Neuologist that Diagnosed me with Complicated Migraines put me on Depakote ER 1000 mgs a day. It changed my life with in days. Truly changed my life.I had gotten to where I could not go anywhere because I would have an Episode and have to call someone to come get me where ever I was. I would Mumble where I was because like I said I could not speak. But after taking the Depakote I could finally function normally again, One problem I gain A Lot of weight. That is one of the side effects. No Harm Trying it, I know how it feels to feel so helpless. I have tried going off the Med in the 4 years and I do start getting the symptoms right away. I do Not have insurance and have to pay for the med and it is a bit pricey. 110.00 for 30 pills. Hope I helped you worriedwife.
Sounds like a dificult problem to sort out. Loss of consciousness is very very uncommon with migraines (in fact, is not included in the current diagnostic criteria for migraine). The confusion can be from migraine, but what you describe sounds much more than what we see with migraine.
If he is having these episodes once a week or more, then he could be admitted to an EEG monitoring unit.
The EEG monitoring unit records the brainwaves 24 hours a day for several days to "catch" one of these episodes.
This type of monitoring is done at a hospital (as an inpatient) and is very good at telling if the episodes are seizures, or some sort of non-seizure event.
If he is having these episodes once a week or more, then he could be admitted to an EEG monitoring unit.
The EEG monitoring unit records the brainwaves 24 hours a day for several days to "catch" one of these episodes.
This type of monitoring is done at a hospital (as an inpatient) and is very good at telling if the episodes are seizures, or some sort of non-seizure event.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesSounds like a dificult problem to sort out. Loss of consciousness is very very uncommon with migraines (in fact, is not included in the current diagnostic criteria for migraine). The confusion can be from migraine, but what you describe sounds much more than what we see with migraine. <br /> <br />If he is having these episodes once a week or more, then he could be admitted to an EEG monitoring unit. <br /> <br />The EEG monitoring unit records the brainwaves 24 hours a day for several days to "catch" one of these episodes. <br /> <br />This type of monitoring is done at a hospital (as an inpatient) and is very good at telling if the episodes are seizures, or some sort of non-seizure event.
Cherylwilk replied to Timothy Collins, MD's response:
Thank you Dr. Timothy My daughter says the same thing she is not a doctor but she is a Nurse Practitioner. She has seen my episodes and has said she thinks they are some sort of seizures. I do not have insurance at this time so I am unable to have extensive tests ran, When I went to the hospital in California the Neurologist took MRI but did not do a 24 hour EEG. I have another thing that has been bothering me for several years and have had NO one be able to give me an answer. At night when trying to go to sleep, right before I fall asleep I get these Shocks in my head. That is the only way I can describe the feeling. Like when being shocked by an Electric outlet but it runs through my head. Stuns me for several seconds makes my heart beat out of control. I have been to 3 Neurologists and no answers.
Report This| Share this:Complex & Confusional MigrainesThank you Dr. Timothy My daughter says the same thing she is not a doctor but she is a Nurse Practitioner. She has seen my episodes and has said she thinks they are some sort of seizures. I do not have insurance at this time so I am unable to have extensive tests ran, When I went to the hospital in California the Neurologist took MRI but did not do a 24 hour EEG. I have another thing that has been bothering me for several years and have had NO one be able to give me an answer. At night when trying to go to sleep, right before I fall asleep I get these Shocks in my head. That is the only way I can describe the feeling. Like when being shocked by an Electric outlet but it runs through my head. Stuns me for several seconds makes my heart beat out of control. I have been to 3 Neurologists and no answers.
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