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Migraines, Nausea, Light-smell-noise Sensitivity, Imitrex

Posted on Sat, 19 May 2012

Question: I am a 40 year old female, 5'3" weighing 170 lbs. and I have been experiencing severe migraines. my symptoms are my right hand and arm get tingly then go numb, then I have nausea, sensitivity to light -smell-and noise they usually last up to, if not longer, 8 hours. my imitrex 100mg doesn't stop them. afterwards my right arm and hand are weak and feel as if I have a band tied on my arm as if you were drawing blood. Is this normal with migraines?

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (26 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query,

The symptoms you have are definitely consistent with migraine.The sensitivity to light,heat,sound,noise etc is very common.Symptoms last for several hours and then reduce.However,although the numbness can be a part of the migraine i would like to rule out some nerve compression disorder first.The high blood pressure can also cause the numbness due to nerve compression.

I would suggest that you have a neurological examination first.If the exam is found to be normal,then the cause of the numbness is most likely the migraine.However,if the exam is not normal,then a nerve conduction study can be done to find out if there is compression.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (1 hour later)

My blood pressure is normally 110 over 54. It has only gotten upto 132 over 76 when I was having a lot of pain from a migraine about 2 months ago but since then it has stayed at 110/54. With this last migraine I also acquired a case of severe heartburn sensation for 3 days past as well as the numbness in my arm which is still acting up and the migraine I went to the ER for was on Saturday April 23rd. The gave me an IV, dalotid, benedryl, and phenergan. The imitrex had not touched it. I have never had heartburn before and was wondering if it was also a symptom

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (8 minutes later)

Hi again,

Thanks for your query.

No,heartburn is usually not associated with migraine.That is more or less a GI symptoms for which you were given medications.The blood pressure,migraine,numbness etc may be associated with other or not.That is what has to be clarified.Its possible that you are taking lots of medication,and that's causing the gastritis.Your migraine also seems to be escalating so some dose adjustment might be necessary.If you are taking many medications together,then you should also take some antacids before meals.Gastritis is a side effect.

Hope i have answered all your doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar