Migraines & Headaches Community

Hi! This is the my first time to post on this blog. Approximately, one year ago, I woke up with slurred speech, facial drooping, couldn't see out of left eye, dragging left leg and paralysis of left arm and left side of face. I have a history of migraines and was being treated with Topamax. I had been on Topamax about one year prior to this event and I must say it was helping. Of course, I was admitted to the hospital, had the million dollar work up to initially be told I had a movement disorder and was treated with Requip, which caused more problems. I was eventually taken off Requip and the Topamax was increased. I continued to have these "episodes" 4-5 times a day with no "headache" initially; however this has since changed. These events would occur during eating, walking the dog, etc. I had spastic hands, legs and drawing of the face became so painful. My speech up to this point would be slurred during an event but would eventually return. About 2 months into this nightmare, my speech changed to constantly being slurred or my speech sounded like someone with a hearing impairment. I went to Speech therapy and this gave me some relief. The neurologist that I was seeing just kept increasing the Topamax until I wasn't getting any better and went out of state for help. I initially went because I was told I had a movement disorder and so this neurologist was a specialist in movement disorders... he is the one who said I did not have a movement disorder but had hemiplegic migraines. He wanted to do genetic testing but my insurance wouldn't cover it and they are very expensive. He did say, I was on to high of a dose of Topamax and I needed to get off of it immediately because it was causing more problems. After returning home and finally finding a local MD to follow me, I have been on several "cocktails" of different meds. I was doing well with the recent "cocktail" until I experienced a pretty severe episode at work. Most of my episodes, I'm coherent but I can't respond. I just had more testing and was told I had a type of epilepsy that can accompany hemiplegic migraines. So, I guess this post is to see if these signs and symptoms sound familiar. I understand this is something I am going to have to battle for the rest of my life but no signs or symptorms of the attack about to happen is very scary! Also, I am willing to travel anywhere in the United States for another opinion or to see a MD who specializes in treating hemiplegic migraines. Anyone with suggestions, I am open. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and I am truly sorry that you too, suffer from migraines.