Migraine with many visual and speech problems

Hi, @taiylort - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I'm terribly sorry to hear you are experiencing these symptoms with feeling like your brain is melting, you are having vision loss and stuttering issues. As I also work a professional job, I can imagine how that might cause issues at work.

I'm assuming at this point you have been talking to your primary care doctor about these symptoms? Did the doctor give you a diagnosis at this point?

sorry, just read this while going through comments: I have had migraines all my life from 13 to 82 the pain, the visual aura - and the last 20 yrs only the aura .... have you checked internet to see if vison loss and stuttering are part of the migraine symptoms... am wondering if you need to see neurologist etc. J.

@lisalucier I talked to my doctor and all he said to do was to take something OTC. I asked for a referral for more testing but was always declined. Just feeling lost

..I just took the liberty of checking AI - which is of course not always correct: re vision and stuttering ... was going to go down the responses but noticed Mayo written .. I haven't clicked on that yet - but I now do recall something that happened right after my usual migraine aura (ziz zag moving bright lights in an arc shape gradually getting larger til leave "vision" after 20 or more minutes). I have had a rought five years but just recalled couple years ago after several migraines and my mind wandering: could not recall the names of my meds. Next time, could not recall names of my close neighbours. Another time my inlaws ! I dont know why I forgot about this.Happened about 6 times and then didnt happen again and I am now wondering if it was on some meds I was taking or totally related to the extreme stress I was under! In fact I did mention it only over the phone with a Dr. who felt it was all part of the migraine scenario but had never had it before nor after - this memory "loss" occurred during an 18 months period. Soo, was wondering if stuttering and vision loss similar. Of course, not trying to diagnoze you (or evenmyself) but if your doctor isnt helping, perhaps yo might like to somehow search if Mayo discusses? Then decide wht to do - maybe keep diary/notes of when this started etc? Best of luck, it IS scary. J.
"AI Yes, both temporary vision loss and speech difficulties (which can present as stuttering, slurring, or word-finding trouble) can be part of migraines, particularly those accompanied by a "migraine aura". These symptoms are usually temporary and reversible, serving as a warning sign before a headache begins.
Mayo Clinic +4"
?? Did your extra symptoms occur before or aftr migraine/aura? Just trying to help, J.

Hi, @taiylort - I can understand you'd feel lost if you were experiencing stuttering, vision loss and feeling like your brain is melting with your migraines and your doctor told you to take something OTC and declined a referral for more testing.

Tagging a few more members of the Mayo Clinic Connect Headache & Migraine support group who may have some thoughts on these symptoms you've had with your migraines that are starting to cause problems at work. Please meet @jprj @dcain01 @jdp3 @thisfatoldlady @loupy @eastbaydave @guderianj @hemichill.

taiylort - did you end up taking something over-the-counter like the doctor suggested, then? If so, did it help at all? If not, what are you thinking of doing next to deal with your symptoms?

I'm so sorry. My main recommendation - find a new primary. You are not being listened to. You have severe symptoms. This sounds like a healthcare professional who is over their head and won't admit it. Or next time you are in the throes of a bad attack, head to the ER. Anything to get some appropriate help. I wish you well.

@lisalucier I take the OTC every time and it doesn't help at all. I don't know what else to do at this point, just feeling lost and wondered if anyone else has had similar experiences.

@lacy2 They happen during the migraine. sometimes also a few days before hand I notice them and that how I know I will end up having one at some point in the next 24-48 hours.

Oh ... mine were after the "blind spot" which evolved into the bright zig zag lights - was my telltale sign of impending terrific headache one side from about ae 13 to I think late 30s... and thankfully only get the aura since then... but dont feel well before or after. The memory loss was during a few really bad years with other issues. Many yeas ago a Dr gave me Cafergot PH - I think spelling correct.. and I took the recommended 6 pills and couldnt wake up to go to work the next day... in fact my supervisor came to house to see if i was OK.. so I swore off any strong meds and after only took Tylenol or Aspirin (long time ago). *by the way I developed "Musical Ear Syndrome" over the past years and I found a "group" on Facebook of fellow sufferers and it was such a relief to discuss with others same symptoms esp. as fam. dr. had never heard of it. Just discussing with those unknown people helped me - similar to people who are kind enough to share their issues here - so perhaps at the least to maybe find otheres here or Facebook who have same symptoms while you try and cope and perhaps find a new dr. Here we can go to a walkin clinic and without our prime dr. or nurse even knowing... get a dr. over zoom or such and get referred to a Neurologist... anyway, it sounds horrible and I hope you can get some help dealing with it.....J.

I experience slurred speech, double vision, hallucinations, ice pick in an eye, zig zag lines, odd smells, nausea, stiff neck, confusion (the list can go on & on) during migraines with head pain and silent migraines without head pain.

It's like the circus has come to town.

My primary now prescribes topiramate (topamax), an older seizure med approved as a migraine preventative around 2004 which my insurance will pay for.

I still get migraines but they're milder and shorter without the wild circus show.

It often takes persistence to get primaries AND specialists to listen. They become numb to what they hear as another "headache".

I find bringing brief updates and questions and before they can start talking, ask if I can have one minute of their time. This puts you in the position of being your own advocate.

Good luck and don't give up!