The day my life changed!

As a kid, I was told that I was starting to have simple migraines. As an adult they were never a problem. Just Headaches!

In 1992 I was driving my car to meet my husband for lunch, when screech, here comes a car turning in front of me on the red light! I tried to stop and we hit. I hit my head and boy what a bump! It was as big as a golf ball! After being released from the hospital with a concussion, I went home. My head continued to hurt for 3 months, and after seeing many Doctors, I was to continue on bed rest. Every day, I woke up, took my medications and went back to sleep. On this day something happened. I woke up, took medications, and tried to go back to sleep. I started getting a sharp pain in the head and suddenly, I felt a pop! Like a short circuit or something. My husband came home and noticed I was slurring my words. He tried to get me up and I collapsed like a rag doll. He called an ambulance and I was admitted to the hospital with a possible stroke. All feeling in my body was gone. I could not stand, or use my arms or legs. I was so frightened. After many tests they determined that it was not a stroke but called it Basilar Migraine (like a stroke) and said it would get better. Well the next day, the Right side came back, but the left stayed weak. Lots of Rehab followed and I went home with a walker. I also had a drop foot. After much therapy, I was using a quad-cane, and the left side still had weakness. Doctor told me 7 years later that this is as good as it gets. Guess they were telling me that I would always be like this.

My migraines continued after that, but were under control, until the Florida 2004 hurricanes. Then zap, another episode from the changes in barometric pressure. Here we go again! This time only a trip to the emergency room and home, back on walker, therapy and more treatment, even some IV treatments.

Eventually I was back to the quad-cane which I continued to use until Feb. 2010. My life had changed, and in 2009 I went out with a group to a dance. Well not to sit alone, I got up with the cane on the floor. I had so much fun! Next time, the cane was at the edge of the floor and eventually at home. I was walking and dancing, something I never thought I could do again. Life was good.

Well, sometimes things do not always go as planned. In Sept 2010 I noticed some auras but no headaches, so I ignored it. I got some headaches a week later and went to a neurologist, he gave me some medication. That day, I felt sick and went to see my Doctor. I was told I had a severe sinus infection and gave me some antibiotic. I finished it, but felt tired all the next week and rested. Feeling better by weekend, I went out Fri and Sat. dancing. On Sunday, I woke up with a headache,and took the dog for a walk and met with a friend. It did not seem like a migraine, so I took some Tylenol all day and went to bed earlier. The next day, a friend called and wanted to get together. Well, I got up, got dressed and walked to the utility room to take out the dog. I put on her leash and then, a vertigo episode threw me against the wall. I got my balance and got myself back to bed. I called my friend to let him know I was dizzy and I will be delayed. He suggested resting and taking my blood pressure. Said that maybe I got up too fast. So I rested, got up and went into the bathroom. I bent down and Major Vertigo like I have never experienced before caused me to collapse. I could not get up. Fortunately I had my cell, and called my neighbor. They got me back to bed, and then the sharp pain started, Major Migraine. My body went limp again. They called the ambulance and at the hospital thought I had a stroke. After a few days in the hospital ,once again it was diagnosed as a Hemiplegic migraine attack. After 10 days in the Hospital, medication and therapy I was sent to a Rehab for treatment. I was there until Nov. 10th. Finally home again but getting rebound headaches. Had one rebound attack since then, but presently headache free for last two weeks. Again as with the other episodes,The left side weakness remained. I am now home using a walker, learning to walk again. Literally starting again from square one.

I hope to start finding a way to prevent these episodes from occurring again. I want to understand why this occurs. These debilitating headaches can change your life in a matter of moments.