Sister with vomiting, diarrhea, left arm pain and numbness, legs numb...

Question: Sister with vomiting, diarrhea, left arm pain and numbness, legs numb...

Answer:

Full Question:

My sister recently had chest pain, left arm pain & numbness and her legs were numb. She had diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. The first EKG was off the wall. All other ok. Stress test she passed. Waiting on other test results. They are leaning towards these symptoms being related to Migraines. She has had headaches for over 30 years. Takes several meds to help control. Have you heard of this? Where could I find info on this? Thanks, Shar.

Answer:

Dear Shar;

Your description is quite vague. Who are "they?" Has your seen seen a headache specialist? You can get plenty of information here if we know what to direct you to.

Good luck,
John Claude Krusz

Dear Shar;

The first thing that has to happen is for your sister to be properly diagnosed. The diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea are very common with Migraine attacks. Numbness can also occur with Migraine, but when it extends to the legs, the next question is, "Was it numbness only or were her legs weak?" That question needs to be evaluated and answered because there are different types of Migraine, and she needs to be properly diagnosed so she receives proper treatment. Dr. Krusz asked if she'd seen a specialist. That's often necessary when the diagnosis isn't clear. There's a link below to our directory of recommended specialists. Also, here are a few articles on Migraine that should be helpful to you:

• Anatomy of a Migraine
  When many people think “migraine” they think only of the pain of migraine. In reality, a migraine episode consists of far more. The typical migraine episode actually consists of four parts, referred to as phases or components.
• What Is Basilar-Type Migraine?
  If you've heard of this form of Migraine before, you've probably heard or seen it called Basilar Artery Migraine (BAM). A Basilar-Type Migraine is a Migraine that has aura symptoms originating from the brainstem and/or affecting both hemispheres of the brain at the same time, but with no motor weakness. It's frightening, and caution is needed in diagnosis and medications, but it's not as dangerous as it is frightening.
• What Is Hemiplegic Migraine?
  To understand Hemiplegic Migraine, we have to understand that Migraine attacks are episodic manifestations of a genetic neurological disease. Migraine can present in a variety of ways. Hemiplegic Migraine is a rare form of Migraine disease, made more confusing by there being two variations: Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) and Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine (SHM).
• Migraines, Not Really "Headaches"
  When people who don't have migraines don't understand, it can be a problem. Let's start by realizing that migraines really aren't headaches.

Please keep in touch and let us know how your sister is doing?

best of luck to you both,
Teri Robert
 

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