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Hemiplegic Migraine

After having my second child 3 and a half years ago I experienced my first hemiplegic migraine attack. I was on shift as a staff nurse and out of no where developed the most crushing headache and left sided paralysis. After that I have no memory of the next 12 hours as I collapsed and stopped breathing. On being resuscitated and coming round I had no feeling down my left side which lasted several days, a horrendous headache and extreme fatigue.

Through neuro physio I gained the feeling back in my left side and was able to walk unaided again. After seeing two neurologists I got a diagnosis of Hemiplegic Migraine and was started on Topamax and Sevredol for the pain when the headache strikes.

After 6 months off work and several more migraine attacks I managed to return to work. However, I frequently have hemiplegic migraines with the paralysis lasting anything from 12 hours to 2 weeks! I have varying symptoms from extreme fatigue to memory problems. But with the amazing support network I have from my husband, parents and work colleagues I still continue to work as a staff nurse.

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