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Friday, February 18, 2011

Complex Migraines In The News


So you may have heard about the reporter who was slurring her speech during an on-air spot she was doing after the Grammy Awards. Today it is being reported that she was actually suffering from migraine symptoms. If you haven't seen the story here is the link.

I love that this story is getting so much coverage because so many people (doctors included) don't understand that migraines can be so much more than the common pain and nausea. I was excited to share the story on my facebook page, I guess I'm feeling a little validated. My experience with migraines have been complex and somewhat atypical. I remember going to the ER when my migraines were first getting seriously out of control and they were certain my symptoms were a sinus infection so I went home with antibiotics. A week later I was back, same symptoms and was told it is a bad sinus infection and I should do a more rigorous and longer antibiotic treatment. So, I'm taking these drugs and still experiencing all my symptoms and then had the added upset digestive system from the drugs. Turns out my symptoms were not an infection, just migraines. The docs were certain, even when I suggested it could be my migraines.

I understand that many many people suffer from migraines and that serious pain and nausea are typical experiences for many. But I want everybody, especially every doctor, to understand that it can be so much more. When our brains are under attack, all kinds of crazy things can happen. Hopefully the coverage of this woman's complex migraine will be the start of a more common understanding the the spectrum of migraines.

Have any of you had the same feeling of validation after hearing this report?

4 comments:

  1. I am thankful that maybe this story will bring attention to the seriousness and potential debilitation of migraine. What has bothered me though is that so many people have made fun of her garbled speech, now that they know it was "just" migraine and not a stroke. This is what I posted on FB today:

    I am so APPALLED that so many people are actually MAKING FUN of this reporter for slurred words. Do people think that it is OKAY to laugh since it was "just" a MIGRAINE, not a stroke? I have chronic migraine disease. I cannot speak well or walk well sometimes. I routinely have needle injections directly into my head for my pain. Does that sound funny? It is my life. PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU LAUGH.

    Hopefully, with the reporter (Serene Branson), Percy Harvin, Cindy McCain and other famous people suffering, compassion for migraine sufferers will prevail. I am so sorry you have such a hard time with your migraines. I am so thankful to connect with you and others who truly understand the life of living with migraine. God bless! Love Laurie from Scene of the Grime

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  2. Have been there with gargled words I was always well into a migraine when it happened.

    I wondered if this was what it was when I saw the original video. I have had people ask me if I was having a stroke with some of my migraines becuase I sometimes had my face slump on one side. Then all you can do is lurgle at them with stupid sounding words and for me I could then vomit on their shoes!!! My only revenge.

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  3. Wow, I can't believe people are laughing at her, at this! Very inappropriate. I'm so sorry you have had to deal with that directly Laurie. People can be so clueless.

    Winny, I hope you get their shoes :)

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  4. I saw this on the news and was very concerned. It did appear that she was having stroke symptoms. I can't believe people are making fun of this/her either. That's ridiculous! Poor woman. So many people are so small minded.

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