Hemiplegic Migraines
Hemiplegia => One Sided Paralysis
Hemiplegic Migraine =>
A Form of Migraine That Causes Paralysis To One Side Of The Body
With Hemiplegic Migraine:
You experience a temporary weakness on one side of your body, as part of a Migraine attack.
Yet — It’s Not Quite As Simple As That:
Hemiplegic Migraine Can Come With A Lot Of Other Symptoms, Too
Main
Symptoms
Along with the Weakness you might very well get one or more “Common Aura” symptoms:
- Visual Disturbances – changes in eyesight in both eyes, such as coloured spots, zig-zags or sparkles
- Speech Difficulties – slurring words or not being able to speak clearly
- Communication Difficulties – it can affect your ability to write and understand language which can cause problems with reading, listening, speaking and writing
People may also experience:
- Dizziness or Vertigo (a sensation of spinning or movement)
- Hearing Problems or Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
- Confusion
There Are Actually TWO Forms of Hemiplegic Migraine
1.
The FIRST TYPE is FHM:
Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
Familial hemiplegic migraine: Familial hemiplegic migraine or FHM, is Genetic and runs in families. When this occurs, at least two or more people in the same family experience weakness on one side of the body as a symptom with their migraine.
On average 50% of children who have a parent with hemiplegic migraine will develop this disorder. There are three identified gene mutations found in Hemiplegic Migraine – CACNA1A, ATP1A2 & SCN1A.
This causes the related Calcium Channel in nerve cells to work incorrectly every now and again. So, when it does, this results in a hemiplegic migraine attack. However, these specific mutations are not present in all families diagnosed with FHM.
2.
The SECOND TYPE is SHM:
Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine
Sporadic hemiplegic migraine: Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine or SHM is diagnosed when someone experiences all the physical symptoms of FHM but doesn’t have a known family or inherited connection. The cause of SHM is unknown but probably due to new or ‘sporadic’ gene mutations.
People with SHM usually also experience the more common aura symptoms with their attacks. For the most people the aura symptoms last around an hour to a day but can last longer.
Find More Information Below:
This NHS PDF Pamphlet Wasn’t Available When I
First Started Getting Symptoms in the Late 90s...
BUT… The Pamphlet the NHS Button goes to WAS published in 2010 — By The NHS.
I got my Diagnosis in 2017 — and no one ever told me THIS WAS Available to Read.
I Wasn’t HANDED ONE. Or Even TOLD of its Existence.
Despite it being published 7 Years Earlier.
The Worst thing….?
It’s been 12 Years Hence & THIS is STILL ALL They Have To Show For Themselves. In Terms Of Understanding, Research & Advice It Is Quite… Shocking… Nothing New Has Been Established or Published Since then.
So… Here It Is …. For Someone Else To Find
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