Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Conventional Drug Migraine Treatment

Question:
I was told by my doctor that I have hemipalegic migraines. Some light research explained that it is rather a rare form of headache and most likely inherited. Can anyone confirm this? Do any of you experience the loss of use of one side of the body (ex. left arm) during the start of an attack? As for this variety being inherited, no one even remotely related to me has migraines. Also, can any of you explain why conventional migraine treatments such as Imitrex are not for those who have this type of migraine? Further more, have any of you ever taken Butalbital and can tell me your experiences? Was it effective? Thanks in advance for your

Answer:
I am not sure to the rarity of these types of migraines. I have read where they are inheirited, although to date no one in my family owns up to having them like I do. I beleive, I could be wrong, but from talking with the doctors about the use of triptans with this type of mg, that it could lead to something more permanent and not too pleasant taking place. How much of a chance there is for a stroke to take place I don't know. One reason for not using the triptans is that they seem to cause alot of vasoconstriction. My numbness feeling increases. They (doctors) may be worried about too much constriction. It this happens it wouln'd be good on the body. As far as tx. When I get this type, I blast it with Phrenilin (Fiorinal w/o caffiene) and an analgesic like aleve or currently, Celebrex. It is fairly effective. It this doesn't work than I go to the Doctor and give him my best smile. All types of headaches and migraines are miserable. This one for me pretty much tops the cake. The good thing is, that at least for me, the aura part is slower so I have half a chance of treating it during the aura, it is when I let it get to the pain state that it is going to take powereful drugs to stop it.