TBI - Complicated Migraines - Look like a stroke

J

jessicacm

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
I've been keeping a low profile on the forums, just posting my updates on the IDES experience at my base. I need some help, though.

I've had four major concussions in my career. The last two were a direct result of a back injury that caused numbing in my right leg. Because I couldn't feel my leg/foot, I fell off my bike during a long ride and cracked my helmet in three places from the fall. The last concussion was slipping on ice and cracking the back of my head. Since the bike ride, I've had moments of confusion and light sensitivity.

This last one, however, has me in a bad way.

I have been diagnosed with complicated migraines. These migraines are like a stroke in symptoms: overall body twitches, convulsions, paralyzation of the left side of my face, weakness in the right side of my body, incredible head pain, loss of coherency (and sometimes speech), stuttering when I can speak, and memory loss.

I've been in the ER for these migraines six times in the past two months. This last one lasted four days and two ER visits before they could get it under control. Every episode is lasting longer with more impact to my memory. This time I couldn't remember the month, the day, or that my son had tried to call 911 during the episode.

I keep trying to get neurology to do something, but they keep giving me "preventative" care that isn't working. TBI has been very adamant about keeping my stress down and following all care protocol. Does anyone have any experience with these issues? To tell you the truth, it's pretty terrifying for me and my family. Any help would be awesome.
 
I have almost the same problem except for the confusion and twitches. I have been dealing with these issues since January so I really feel for you. You just have to keep after them keep going to the ER even if it is mild migraine. The TBI clinic does not care they just want to get you out of there hair. You have to take care of yourself and keep bitching and just go to sick call every morning and be a pain in the ass. Always remember the greasiest wheel gets the grease and if that don't work your senator will. That is if you can take the backlash from ur chain of command. If at all possible talk to ur chain of command and see if they can put some pressure on your PCM. I still have yet to see the headache specialist or really get any relief from these damm migraines. The best advice I can give you is just do not trust the doctors at MTF they really don't have your best interest in mind. Most of them are just PA trying to act like Doctors. My TBI doctor/PA didn't even know what a M107 Barret Sniper Rifle was. I told him my story and he was like how did you carry a 50 cal up the side of a mountain those things are like 250lbs with the tripod. Did you guys take it apart or what, I just sat there in disbelief because I didn't think you could be in the military much less be a man and watched any kind of action movie and not know what that gun looks like . Just make sure you everything documented and you look at ur medical records for that visit. I had one doctor put I was here for a gynecology exam.
INCOMPETENCE AT IT'S BEST. Good luck to you.
 
Ladies and Gents:
I can relate to your problem and know from experience that the longer you wait, the more the damage builds. If you don't mind, I'm not getting any answers to my problem and request for guidance. If I could here please.

Question: 10 yr. vet PDRL with 50% VA rating granted 19 years ago. I continued to have a degrade in my mental faculties over the years to the point I couldn't get a single sight picture, my hearing degraded to the point of all sounds were noise that couldn't be discerned, and the depression/anxiety/comprehension skills all declined to the point I needed brain surgery X 2 to relieve the pressure for the TBI. I was told by a VA clinic that I should get re-evaluated since there were major indications for PTSD and the two brain surgeries warranted a relook into my case. Long story short, the re-evaluation by the psychologist revealed an interesting point which brings me to my question. During the evaluation, he spoke up and stated he'll write up the fact the TBI was misdiagnosed as a conversion disorder even though the prognosis revealed TBI by the first Psychologist. I perked up and said...what? He said, yeah, he indicated TBI in his diagnosis but the PEB write-up indicated conversion disorder. I'm not sure what to think on this, mis-diagnosed and evaluated by the board with a lesser condition is sending up huge warning flares in my mind. I need some guidance/advice. Any help is welcomed. The recovery is making this too complicated to sort out in my mind and need help. Thank-you ahead of time for any help.
 
jessicacm said:
I've been keeping a low profile on the forums, just posting my updates on the IDES experience at my base. I need some help, though.

I've had four major concussions in my career. The last two were a direct result of a back injury that caused numbing in my right leg. Because I couldn't feel my leg/foot, I fell off my bike during a long ride and cracked my helmet in three places from the fall. The last concussion was slipping on ice and cracking the back of my head. Since the bike ride, I've had moments of confusion and light sensitivity.

This last one, however, has me in a bad way.

I have been diagnosed with complicated migraines. These migraines are like a stroke in symptoms: overall body twitches, convulsions, paralyzation of the left side of my face, weakness in the right side of my body, incredible head pain, loss of coherency (and sometimes speech), stuttering when I can speak, and memory loss.

I've been in the ER for these migraines six times in the past two months. This last one lasted four days and two ER visits before they could get it under control. Every episode is lasting longer with more impact to my memory. This time I couldn't remember the month, the day, or that my son had tried to call 911 during the episode.

I keep trying to get neurology to do something, but they keep giving me "preventative" care that isn't working. TBI has been very adamant about keeping my stress down and following all care protocol. Does anyone have any experience with these issues? To tell you the truth, it's pretty terrifying for me and my family. Any help would be awesome.
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Hi, we'll I have 3 different types of migraines. The first one I had was just like a stroke. Was in the hospital for 7 days with seizure like shakes on my left side. The gave me blood thinners but nothing would stop them, After they finally stopped I was able to go home. I have aura, complicated and one other kind of migraines. I get them several times a month and it is just like a stroke every time. Have a hard time speaking or understanding things. I am very confused and speak very slow and walk slow. It's strange and very scary....it's comforting to know I am not alone. Kim
 
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