Atypical Migraine

[Checked]

Hi, this is first time posting and I'm not sure if this is the right place. 

I have just gotten out of hospital, I presented with stroke symptoms but after many tests and observations I was diagnosed with atypical migrane. 

As I am and have been very stressed lately I am assuming that this is the cause. 

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can help myself to not go through this anymore as it was quite terrifying having stroke symptoms!

[Croix]

Dear Checked~

Welcome to the Forum, a good place to come as others, such as myself, have had similar very frightening circumstances.

My body responds to heightened stress/anxiety with a variety of symptoms, typically including head pain and stomach problems. I try to minimize the stress in a variety of ways including one I've found very effective, a free smartphone app called Smiling Mind. This takes practice but is then surprisingly effective and leaves me in a calm state, reducing my physical symptoms at least a bit.

Unfortunatly sometimes I get angry wiht my mental health issues and dig my heels in, refusing to take steps to make things better. Stupid I know, being fed up with one's condition does not always make one act sensibly.

My late wife was a diabetic, and occasionally would break out and eat everything she fancied and neglected her injections for much the same reason.

A few years or so ago I was in very stressful circumstances and got chest pain. I was very afraid, as I'm the right age and physique, that I had heart trouble and went to ED. It took a lot of tests over several days to pronounce  that it was due to anxiety.

If I had been sensible and done all the things I regularly did to reduce anxiety -including Smiling Mind - then I'm pretty sure this would not have happened. I have not dug my heels in since and the pain has not recurred.

I guess this is long enough for one post, if you want to know some of my other techniques sing out

Croix

[therising]

Hi Checked

I really feel for you. Atypical migraines can be horrible and absolutely terrifying, for sure, especially when you don't know exactly what's going on in your head. Being a gal who used to experience them in my late 40s, I also ended up in hospital with stroke like symptoms before the migraines were officially diagnosed in a brain MRI scan. Nothing short of a miracle, having one while in the MRI machine. The timing was perfect.

Originally diagnosed as 'panic attacks', I eventually worked out that the migraines used to interact with my nervous system something shocking, amongst other systems in my body. I ended up being put on a low dose of blood pressure medication, which helped with the blood pressure and electrical activity in my brain. A few months later I stopped taking the med (naughty me) and have never had another migraine of the same intensity since. That was around 6 or 7 years ago.

Whether it was the blood pressure med that reset things for me or a new way of seeing the energy surges/charges/glitches in my head, I'm not sure. Perhaps a bit of both. When I'd feel the initial symptoms coming on (beginning with a change in sinus pressure), I'd think 'Here we go. My brain's doing it 'glitchy' thing again'. Then I'd strategically breathe my way through it, keeping my nervous system calm. It stopped going beyond the sinus pressure stage. I think taking the fear of out them, knowing exactly what was going on, helped a lot.

I suppose the ultimate question, which we may never find the answer to, is 'What's causing the surges?'. With the body being such a complex thing, with a stack of energy systems interacting with each other and the brain, could be just about anything. Could they relate to the vagus nerve, hormonal changes/surges, added stresses in life, certain stimulants in our diet, increased electrical activity around us or something else entirely? Pays to wonder and maybe even become a bit of a researcher when it comes to how we tick.

[Checked]

Thanks, Croix. 

I will definitely look at smiling mind and yes, I would like to know some other techniques as I tend to internalise my stress and not actively deal with it.

Thanks heaps. 

[Checked]

Thanks heaps for your reply. 

I am having a good hard look at myself and actively looking for ways to deal with my stresses. 

But right now I am overly aware of every part of my body and every little thing I am thinking 'is this happening again or is this new'. Since I got up this morning I have been feeling weak and have a tingling in my jaw and ear..  which is new. I am aware that it is likely my brain playing tricks on me because I am scared.

[quirkywords]

Checked , Croix and the riding have given detailed supportive replies . I just want to say thanks for reaching out. Your posts will help others.

Stress affects my health.

Thanks again for your honest words. 

[Croix]

Dear Checked~

Before going further and talking about stress I think it would be a good idea (if you have not done so already) to see you clinician to see if you have a physical cause for the atypical migraine and also if you have a stress related disorder. After all it is your assumption the the stress you are undergoing at the moment  is the root cause of your problems.

I can't go further than these general tips below as it would be dangerous to assume anything, in fact tiredness and tingling need to be examined too.

My own expereice was to have symptoms that occurred often, went and had them  thoroughly tested and if no cause could be found then went further and was diagnosed wiht mental health issues including anxiety, and it was decided that this was the root cause.

Without the medical oversight you may be wrongly assuming the cause.

That having been said most everybody needs was of handling stressful periods in life. some of the things I've done excluding medical treatment have been

Trying to remove the stressors, in my case it was my job and things improved after I was no longer there
Exercise has been important, the body affects the mind so activity will have an effect. Ideally I try to walk beside a river, it is soothing and the antics of the ducks demanding feeding takes my mind away from my problems
Mindfulness (eg Smiling Mind) leaves the mind calm and ready to do something I enjoy. In my case comedy and reading. Laughing is good, however until my mind reached a calm state I'm not in the mood.
Talking to friends is a good way to focus on other things

Apart from which leading as healthy a life as possible with a balanced diet, enough sleep and limited caffeine and alcohol.

I'm sure other people will have further tips

If you would like to say how you go that would be great.

Croix

[Checked]

Croix, 

Thanks heaps for your reply. I have been able to make an appointment with a doctor today so hopefully this will be a step forward in determining the cause. 

[Croix]

Dear Checked~

I'm realy please you are checking in with a doctor, a most sensible step. Because this Support Forum concentrates on mental health issues it can be a common mistake to overlook straight physical causes, sometimes wiht serious effects.

I'm amazed how quickly you got an appointment, I have to wait several weeks:(

If you would like to talk more that would be great

Croix