Basilar Type Migraines

Farmer,


I don't have this type of Migraine, but wanted to post and say, "Hello" to you. BTM isn't very common, but from other people who have them, I've heard enough to be glad I don't have them.


Even though I don't share that type of Migraine, I'll be around if you need some support.

Farmer and Teri,


My father was diagnosed 50 yrs ago with "sinus headaches" that he gets almost daily now. Recently, he has begun having numbness to one side of his body. He got scared thinking it might be a stroke. He saw a neurologist who told him it was not a stroke, but he thought it was an "artery spasm" that might be related to his "headaches". Oh how I wish I could have been there to ask about 100 questions, but dad comes from the generation that asks nothing. He just went home to continue suffering with them. Honestly, the first thing that came to mind was BTM when he mentioned an arterial spasm. His numbness and tingling are relegated to only one side of his body though, and he doesn't think it has anything to do with his "headaches". Hi speech wasn't affected either, although the side of his face went numb. I would love to see him go to a Headache Specialist, but he insists that his "headaches" are sinus related because he gets a runny nose, and because he has seen a neurologist there is no need for further investigation. Any thoughts?

Ellen,


I can remember my father lying in bed for days with "sinus headaches." With what we know now, I'd bet they were Migraines. 90% of what people think are sinus headaches are actually Migraines. Sinus headache is very rare in the absence of infection. Have you seen this? Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably a Migraine - http://www.helpforheadaches.com/articles/ahs-sinus-mig.htm.


I don't know that I'd think BTM too much from the doctor's comment about "artery spasm." BTM isn't very common, so if your dad has Migraines, they're not highly likely to be BTM. Still, in your place, I'd be dragging his butt to a doctor. 😉

Teri,


Yes, when I explained my dad's "sinus headaches" to my doctors, they shake their heads and tell me he's most surely got Migraine, not sinus problems.


I'm going to try to get him to go - - again. He's 2000 miles away though, so finding a headache specialist in Oregon is going to be my next task, then a trip out there to try to go with him.


You can't tell him that it might be Migraine, he won't listen. But he's miserable right now and needs help. Sometimes we have to get to the bottom of the "pit" before we're ready to do something - especially those of certain generations that don't ever question their physicians. Although he is adopted, we know that one of his relatives died from stroke and had what sound like chronic Migraines as well.