Anomolous Phenomenon

Allow me to apologize beforehand should I format this thread in any way incorrectly; while I have been a fan for some time, this is my first post here on ATS.

I am requesting any information, advice, help, or personal experiences relevant to my story. Now, let me begin.

I was twelve, and I was spending the day at a friend's a few miles from my house, up in the hills. We were riding bikes most of the day (it was hot June and I still am to this day an avid bikerider), and the sun was starting to go down. We went indoors to his house and had some pizza. It was some local pizzaria. Honey mustard barbeque, I remember. The food was delicious, and I had a good few slices. We played some video games in his room, where I noticed a peculiar sensation in my right fingers. Immediately I associated it to the feeling of a hand 'being asleep', for it felt similar, only not as akin to pins or needles. More like, numb. I mentioned it a few times, but he laughed at me and told me I must've been sitting on my arm -he said its happened to him a dozen times. I took his word for it, butI had to get home before it got dark though, so as it was just beginning to draw near I took my leave. I got on my bike and traversed the endurance-sapping hills towards my house. But my arm...It was starting to grow more and more 'asleep'. I could feel the sensation spreading! It moved up my right side, from my fingertips to my shoulder. Slowly it reached my neck, my face, and finally my mouth. By now my thought process was feeling disoriented. Words on signs or in my head didn't make any sense. A random thought popped into my head: "I hope mom made some macaroni." As I tried to speak I began to panic.

"Ma-narc-a-narc-a-ni." I couldn't say the word! Gobeldeegook, all of it. I frantically tried to speak...my mouth was slanted towards the right, and I was starting to drool. Riding my bike grew increasingly difficult. I made it home, pulling into my driveway and briskly heading towards the house. One of my brothers' friends was out front, and I shouted gibberish at him, trying to tell him something was wrong. We tried to work it out inside, to determine what caused it, but we couldn't. My head started to hurt...Like someone was pressing my eyes out from within. Agonizing...

We went to the ER, where the doctor on hand told me I had hyperventilated. He gave me something to calm down, and I fell asleep for some time. When I woke up, I was in a hospital room, and had had a few CATScans and MRIs done. The reason for this was due to a sinus infection at the time, which caused some confusion. I was releaed a week later, undiagnosed. I went to doctors in Syracuse, NY, and had an EEG done. My brain levels were perfectly normal, nor did my brain have any damage. But I wasn't cured.

They happened between doctor visits, periodically, about every month. I wouldn't expect them when they came; at the local park, school, et cetera. It would be incredibly panicking and frightening. Worse yet, the after affects; even if I managed to sleep during what became known as an episode, the morning would entail the most excrutiating pain. I've yet to experience worse. As if my head were ready to implode on the slightest movement. This headache could last for days.
The symptoms are awfully stroke-like, but the damage is not present. I have been given a diagnosis of Migrane Phenomenon, which is a most vague a word than any a doctor can give you. They told me I'd grow out of them. Years later, I still have these stroke-like lapses, erratically, unexpectedly. I have heard of what are known as Cluster Headaches, but my symptoms do not match consitently. Also of note, the side that the 'numbness' tends to attack, if you will, has changed before. It has moved up my left arm on only one occassion. Oddly, the side that begins to feel swollen and numb in my mouth is always opposite (left arm, right side of mouth, and vice versa).

Could somebody please lend me some advice?

RC,
I also have cluster headaches and they can have some very frightening neurological symptoms associated with them. I once went totally blind. It was painless and lasted for about 30 minutes. I thought my retina was detaching (same symptoms). Had the full workup and the neurologist that was called to the ER to consult had only one question after 4 hours of testing: do you have migraines? He told me it was an "aura" which some people get before getting a migraine. I protested that I didn't even have a little bit of a headache. He said, "you're lucky. you just got the aura and the headache never came". Sounded like BS to me but I'm not a neurologist so I don't know. If you've had a second opinion already then ask what can be done about the debilitating symptoms. There's a pill for everything-gotta be one for that. I went to an iridologist who gave me a diagnosis of particular food allergies. I got rid of the offending (and favorite) foods and haven't had a migraine or scarey aura since. Worth a shot. Good luck.

I have also experienced temporary dehabilitation of the eyes, but never completely. I always lose the periphery vision of my right eye.
I think it is very strange how fickle the symptoms tend to be, and even stranger the lack of scientific study. I've perused many webpages regarding cluster headaches, and have read extensively about various cures, some appealing to me for their own reasons. Here are some I've found:
-Caffeine. Simple enough, I've kept an over-the-counter box of caffeine pills handy in my nightstand for some time. They don't seem to aid any in the recovery or the process itself. Infact, they made me tremble uneasily.
-Psilocybin. Remarkably, some people debate that the psilocybin in magic mushrooms relieves them of cluster headache phenom. Worth looking into, if you can look past the illegal points.
-Banana Peels. Haha, I'm not sure the name of their property, but its also found in cheese, chocolote, and other foods. I've heard that it provokes the migranes, and I've also heard it relieves them.
There are others, also, and I'd be grateful if anyone could find them.

Thank you very much for your reply, by the way.

I was given cafergot (caffeine and ergot) to combat the migraines and I must say, it works swell. Unfortunately, it's such a powerful vasoconstrictor that it can cause stroke/heart attacks. That was a bit scarey for me so I found that by taking aspirin, chasing with a cup of coffee usually staved off an impending migraine. Cheese, chocolate and alcohol are common precipitators. I find that I can have one or the other but a combo of all 3 is a guaranteed headache. Also, smoking, while generally bad for one's health, is helpful during a migraine. The nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and actually reduces the severity of the headache. If you're a non-smoker, then a nicorette patch would probably do the same thing. Your symptoms sound like they mimic a stroke/heart attack or some other vasoconstrictive activity. Next time you feel one coming on, you could try the aspirin/cup-a-coffee and see how it works for you. It's the least dangerous thing to try. If it doesn't help, you may have some sort of intermittent blockage that you'd need to see a cardiologist for. Neurologist know neurology-they seldom think of cardiac problems if you present with neurological symptoms. Specialists tend to find whatever they specialize in.

Actually, I do now remember reading about Ergotamine being used as a cure for migraines, but no specialist I have talked to has ever recommended its use. Once in the past, however, I had smoked tobacco after what is the supposed 'aura'...It didn't so much as relieve me of the headache as distract me with a nicotine buzz.
As for circulation, I have found that I might have problematic symptoms. On my brow, once for instance, I noticed that the vein that runs across my temple was buldging out significantly. I have restless legs and get cold extremeties when substantial temperatures are not even present.
I have explored the effectiveness of painkillers on the migraines, as well. I once took a very powerful Vicatin as my episode was at its peak --despite being familiar with the medicine, I vomitted profusely.

Perhaps I should approach a specialist in the field sooner.

Sounds like a seizure, whether caused by head trauma or a congenital problem.

Take a look. Pick your favorite!

ca.geocities.com...

www.epilepsy.org.uk...

ResonantChakra, I don't mean to scare you, but you should go get your heart checked out as soon as possible. What you describe sounds like Transient ischemic attacks. An Ischemic attack is what happens when not enough blood gets to your brain. Symptoms are numbness, weakness, vision changes, slurred speach, confusion, vertigo, lack of coordination, eye pain and loss of balance. Almost all causes of Transient Ischemic Attacks are cardiovascular. Since you said you smoked, especially if you did so from an early age, one of the many heart problems you may have developed is Atherosclerosis. Cold extremities suggest a heart problem too, since not enough blood is getting to your arms and legs.

I'm no doctor, so don't rely on what I tell you to make a self-diagnosis. You should go see a Cardiologist or at least your family doctor right away. Tell them everything. From what you've said, it appears you have some kind of cardiovascular problem. With luck it will be treatable, best luck to you.

OP...Been there before. I have cluster headaches. They come and goes as they please. It's intersting how you describe not being able to speak. I called my doctor and asked him what it was. He said it was cluster headaches that caused my brain to panic. I am extermely energetic, an anomoly to my specialists. They checked my thyroid and everything. I'm fine, just have a really fast metabolism. Nothing more or less. The cluster Headaches are a mystery to them. They say it might be stress..

I experience this numbness in the fingers almost every day due to carpal tunnel

When I went for a checkup they inserted a needle on the tips of my fingers
and elbow to measure the current that goes through and compare it to
charts they have.

From what the Neurologist told me:
-Vitamin B defficiency
-If I drink alcohol this will make it worse specially the day after
-Avoid Stimulants (And I drink cofeee like crazy)
-and sice my hands are affected im not supposed to rest my elbow in hard surfaces

Im just sharing information I had but my best advice is to seek the professional help from a Neurologist I am not an specialist Im just sharing the advice I was given. Do not follow my advice but a professional Neurologist.

My Best wishes.