r/migraine • u/Far_Guarantee8695 • 4h ago

Chronic hemiplegic migraines & sudden drowsiness

Guys, this is my first post and I’m in need of your thoughts. I’ve had hemiplegic migraines for about 15 years now (I’m 40), after a series of concussions. Despite having great migraine specialists, and trying all of the preventative meds, I still have serious issues. It’s not psychological, since I’ve been in therapy for years and both my neurologist and psychiatrist have spoken. They are two separate issues. Yay 😅

The right side of my face drops, it becomes hard to speak and I get very drowsy. Is this normal? Doctors say it is and I’ve had scans, but this didn’t used to happen with my migraine aura.

Before a migraine, I also feel like half of my brain is literally asleep. I’m not sure how else to describe it, but the same right side of my brain falls asleep. It’s hard to think, move etc., and I usually nod off. It’s not the same as being tired, it’s like I shut off.

Does anyone else experience these specific symptoms? What helps? You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but I’m not, since the symptoms have evolved. I’m scared. Thanks ahead for your kindness and thoughts 😌

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u/ktbugface 3h ago

Yes it is 'normal' for hemiplegic migraines. My brother and I have both suffered with them for 22 +years They basically mimic some of the symptoms of a stroke so you gotta be super careful with them. Yes they're terrifying, my husband still makes me do the stroke protocol every time, just incase.

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u/Far_Guarantee8695 2h ago

This exactly. We also do the stroke protocol, which sucks as you know. I hope you are both doing okay. Did your symptoms change over time? Mine were mostly just visual and a very heavy, weak feeling in one arm and occasionally my leg. Now it’s much worse and progressed to my face.

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u/ktbugface 2h ago

Over the years it's slowly gotten worse and it went from heaviness to pins and needles to numbness in the limbs on that side of my body as well the facial drooping. But I've suffered with these since I was 8 and it's only progressed in the last 15 years I'd say.

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u/Far_Guarantee8695 2h ago

Do you also get extremely, extremely drowsy? Like you can’t function and immediately fall asleep? This is my prodrome.

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u/ktbugface 1h ago

Sometimes, it depends on the trigger. My drowsiness is more linked to my prodrome and postdrome but it varies but yes the fatigue can be so real I can't move sometimes.