Question: Sudden headache and stroke-like symptoms while runnink 5K?
Answer:
Full Question:
Six months ago I was running in a 5K (I’m 41years old and was in shape for the race) road race when I had, and here are the symptoms: 1) a sudden headache that spread-out through the back portion of my head; 2) I had the sensation of a surge up the sides of my neck; 3) immediately followed by vertigo that forced me to lay down on the pavement; 4) I felt cross-eyed and couldn’t see very well; 5) my speech progressively started to slur to the point where people couldn’t understand me; 6) I had right side tingling/buzzing feeling. I was completely aware of what was going on around me. This had never happened to me before.
Initially I think people thought I had a stroke. At the ER I had an MRI and CT scan, all clear. BP and heart rate normal. The neurologist on call diagnosed it as a “migraine seizure.” The ER doctor told me that 50% of the people they see that this happens to never have it happen again. An MRA done a few months later showed an all clear. I have not had this happen since the race.
My family doctor and neurologist indicated that this could have happened even if I had been sitting on the couch watching TV, but the incident has made me paranoid about running all out. Since the incident I run more than ever, but at generally a slower pace and always with a phone and someone knowing where I’ll be. So I wanted to see if you have seen patients with similar experiences and what adjustments, if any, they have had to make and in your opinion could the intense running have “set off” the chain of events. I would like to run a 5K again in the near future.
Interestingly I was given Zomig by the neurologist (contraindicated for hemiplegic/basilar) and it didn’t really provide any pain relief while at the hospital. It has, however, helped when I’ve had other “regular” migraines (which are pretty infrequent for me). My family doctor mentioned the possibility of blood pressure channel blocker medicine if I continued to have problems.
Both grandfathers were migraine sufferers but no other family history that I
know of.
Thanks, Darryl
Answer:
Dear Darryl;
Whew! That is some experience you describe! Yes, it could have been the equivalent of what happens during a stroke-like episode and imaging can be negative. There are such items as Migrainous stroke. These are rare and occur in women more than in men. The episode also could have been a basilar migraine, also rare. Either way, hopefully it won't recur. I'm not sure any adjustments in your lifestyle are necessary.
Good luck,
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz
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