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Is Migraine A Symptom Of A Neurological Problem?

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Posted on Wed, 5 Aug 2015
Question: I have what seem to be symptoms of a neurological issue and have had tests done but Doctor hasn't found anything.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Migraine with neurologic deficits is a possibility.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM,

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

In my opinion, a possible cause of your concerns is a variant of migraine headaches that is manifested with neurologic deficits too.

It is partially inherited, but there is no clear relationship with your mother's and grandmother's condition.

It is obvious that this health issue caused psychological symptoms too.

I suggest you to get a second opinion by a Neurologist and a Psychologist evaluation as well, in order to have a better understanding and evaluation of your condition.

Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (19 hours later)
Hello Doctor, thank you for your kind reply. The strange part of this is that the headache I do get on left side is not really a painful thing but rather like a tightness or like tension headache with associated tingling, numbness on left side of head, tightness in left sie of neck, tingling in left arm and left left usually start at above knee and extend down to ankle. I had gone to a chiropractor and his x-rays found a singkle vertebrae in neck that was canted and he says could be pinching on nerves but neurologist says this would not explain tingling in lower extremity(leg) and would only explain arm, face, etc on left side. Chiropractor said that is not true and it could also explain same tingling in left leg. That difference of opinion between them has me a bit perplexed. I am sure a neurologist is also pretty smart when it comes to the nervous system so they both obviously view it differently. I also occasionaly get a needle stabbing sensation in left foot whenever the situation is intense. When it is really bad the only thing I feel like doing is laying down until it goes away. Hot weather has never really bothered me in general but if this is acting up then it does and left side feels very weak at times. Because the symptoms are so odd and can be rather transient I have been hesitant to go to Dr beccause I feel that he will downplay this and make it out to only be in my mind. It very definitely is not all psychological. The psychological effect such as a bit of anxiety spring from the physical part. It can make me feel anxious not the other way around. While I do not want to self-diagnose because I am not a Doctor, I have looked into it and found things like 'hemiparesis', 'spastic hemiplegia', damage to thalmus etc as things that sound like the sensations I am experiencing. While you would think anything stimulating might exacerbate it, in reality substances like coffee(caffeine) actually make it go away a little bit when I drink it. Also, ibuprofen has a small positive effect as well. Cigarettes, alcohol are 2 substances than also exacerbate it a bit so I drink only on occasion and very little when I do. I am however a regular smoker. Maybe have an allergy to cigarette and don't even realize it(?). As I say, it is a strange thing because there is no real actual pain to speak of but just extreme discomfort that is more tightness around head, and neck on left side with the weakness, tingling, etc in left limbs. I also notice that when it is really intense I will ocassionaly get what feel like mild atrial fibs or a skipped heartbeat sensation though I am so used to it that it really does not worry me as it did when I was first experiencing all this back in my 20s. All in all it just seems like my left side from head down seems to take off on its own and feel completely different than my right side. No sensations whatsoever on right side. Your words "neurological deficits" caught my attention because of this article on that very things related to migraine -

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/syndrome-of-transient-headache-and-neurologic-deficits-with-cerebrospinal-fluid-lymphocytosis-handl

With all this info please clarify your recomendation and I will go from there. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Spinal cord MRI is valuable.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

A x-rays imaging study is not the chosen one to evaluate/exclude pinched nerve(s), and if the leg is involved too, a pinched nerve in your back can explain it.

There is need for an exclusion of organic causes of your symptoms with diagnostic tools and neurologic examination, and if the appropriate diagnostic procedures are exhausted, after that could be concluded that your symptoms are related to psychological issues.

A spinal cord MRI and an nerve conduction study (EMG) of your left extremities could give sufficient information about any nerve damage as a cause of your symptoms.

Unfortunately migraine is a clinical diagnosis mostly, about this possibility I recommend you to have a second opinion by a Neurologist.

Hope this helps. Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4502 Questions

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Is Migraine A Symptom Of A Neurological Problem?

Brief Answer: Migraine with neurologic deficits is a possibility. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for posting your query here at HCM, I have read your question and understand your concerns. In my opinion, a possible cause of your concerns is a variant of migraine headaches that is manifested with neurologic deficits too. It is partially inherited, but there is no clear relationship with your mother's and grandmother's condition. It is obvious that this health issue caused psychological symptoms too. I suggest you to get a second opinion by a Neurologist and a Psychologist evaluation as well, in order to have a better understanding and evaluation of your condition. Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications. Take care.