Hemiplegic Migraine: How does Mayo Clinic help?

Posted by cmnoriega28 @cmnoriega28, 3 days ago

Good morning. I had my first hemiplegic migraine 10 years ago. I was driving with my daughter and thought something had hi my forehead through the windshield. There was a bright light. I started to lose the ability to drive and feeling in my left side. Fortunately, I was able to pull over and get myself and my daughter to safety.

I now run a large support group (8000 women) on IG and Facebook for women with Hemiplegic Migraine. I have so much to share from what I have learned through my own experiences and through the women in my group. One of the biggest questions we have is why do so few medical professionals know about hemiplegic migraine? What ways can the Mayo Clinic help educate other medical professionals about this debilitating disorder?

Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Headache & Migraine Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 3 days ago

You ask about Mayo Clinic's role in education. The logo of Mayo Clinic is made up of 3 shields, which represent its commitment to Care, Research & Education. Mayo Clinic healthcare professionals have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating migraines and other types of headaches. Each year, Mayo experts treat more than 24,000 people with migraines.

This expertise extends into research as well as sharing their knowledge with other medical professionals to educate and inform, through research, medical school, and conferences. You can read more about the pain and migraine specialty programs here:
- Pain and Headache at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayo.edu/research/departments-divisions/department-neurology/research/pain-and-headache
- Migraine Research Program https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/migraine-research-program/overview

@cmnoriega28, how frightening that this happened to you while driving. How are you managing your condition now? Are you able to drive?

cmnoriega28 | @cmnoriega28 | 3 days ago

Thank you for your message. We have discussed the Mayo Clinic in our group many times as an excellent medical clinic for treating hemiplegic migraines!!

I did have driving anxiety but had no choice but to drive. My daughter, who has autism, needed to get to her therapy sessions. It's definitely challenging being a mom and having a serious neurological disorder.

As for my treatment now, I receive Botox every three months. This has been very helpful. Topamax 100 mg once a day. Tizanadine 4 ml a day. I also take Nurtec and Zofran when I start getting symptoms.

I think it is important to look at the combination of mind, body and spirit to have the best outcome for battling HM. For example, I meditate, practice mindfulness, stretch, and I just started yoga. I have also started to slowly change my diet to healthier choices. I'm hoping I will have less migraines with these changes.

Thank you.