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What Causes Episodes Of Migraine And Shortness Of Breath?

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Posted on Fri, 6 May 2016
Question: I had a off the charts migraine two days ago. I had a flash go off in left eye and then it was blood red. I felt like a tourniquet was around my head and being tightened constantly. Have numbness across forehead and top of head that started that day. It goes down into neck and chin. Had a cat scan they said it is normal. Today I am extremely fatigued and have shortness of breath when I walk up our stairs. I feel like the the numbness is growing and going over the right side. Is this need for concern? YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Migraine headache

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to hear that you had such an event. If you already visited the ER and they obtained a CT scan and sent you home this means that they did not find any evidence of either a bleed/aneurysm, stroke, infection, or tumor in the brain. I'm a little surprised they didn't try and stop the headache while you were there. If symptoms were consistent with migraine headache or cluster as it sounds like could've been the other possibility then, there are acute treatments that are very effective to stop that headache. But the fact is they did not. The after effects of the episode yesterday is not surprising as it usually takes most people at least several hours up to a day afterward to recover from a headache of that magnitude. You may wish to call your physician or ask to be referred to a neurologist if you still have any residual symptoms from the headache be they headaches or numbness that you're feeling. I wouldn't worry about the numbness unless it is also accompanied by difficulty with speech, comprehending things either verbal or written or that your right arm or leg becomes involved or weak. Do not overdo medications that are OTC and drink plenty of fluids. Try and eat something if you don't have any nausea or vomiting.

If this is not the first time you're having these types of headaches then, a headache specialist would be to your advantage to see at your earliest convenience. You should also start keeping track of your episodes as this will help your doctor track what's going on so they can either determine the presence of triggers or some other attribute of the headache may be present that will aid in its treatment or management.

I hope this addresses your initial concerns and that you'll keep me in mind for future questions regarding these or other neurological/medical issues. Feel free to upload images if you'd like

Otherwise, I'd appreciate your rating this interaction with a HIGH STAR SCORE and look forward to a few words of feedback. In addition, I'd appreciate your CLOSING THIS QUERY if you're satisfied with my response.

Write to me any time at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional comments, concerns, or to provide status updates if you'd like which I would love to receive from you to see just what has been discovered.

Many thanks for using this service to ask your questions. Be well.

This consult request has taken a total of 28 minutes of time to read, research, and respond.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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What Causes Episodes Of Migraine And Shortness Of Breath?

Brief Answer: Migraine headache Detailed Answer: Sorry to hear that you had such an event. If you already visited the ER and they obtained a CT scan and sent you home this means that they did not find any evidence of either a bleed/aneurysm, stroke, infection, or tumor in the brain. I'm a little surprised they didn't try and stop the headache while you were there. If symptoms were consistent with migraine headache or cluster as it sounds like could've been the other possibility then, there are acute treatments that are very effective to stop that headache. But the fact is they did not. The after effects of the episode yesterday is not surprising as it usually takes most people at least several hours up to a day afterward to recover from a headache of that magnitude. You may wish to call your physician or ask to be referred to a neurologist if you still have any residual symptoms from the headache be they headaches or numbness that you're feeling. I wouldn't worry about the numbness unless it is also accompanied by difficulty with speech, comprehending things either verbal or written or that your right arm or leg becomes involved or weak. Do not overdo medications that are OTC and drink plenty of fluids. Try and eat something if you don't have any nausea or vomiting. If this is not the first time you're having these types of headaches then, a headache specialist would be to your advantage to see at your earliest convenience. You should also start keeping track of your episodes as this will help your doctor track what's going on so they can either determine the presence of triggers or some other attribute of the headache may be present that will aid in its treatment or management. I hope this addresses your initial concerns and that you'll keep me in mind for future questions regarding these or other neurological/medical issues. Feel free to upload images if you'd like Otherwise, I'd appreciate your rating this interaction with a HIGH STAR SCORE and look forward to a few words of feedback. In addition, I'd appreciate your CLOSING THIS QUERY if you're satisfied with my response. Write to me any time at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional comments, concerns, or to provide status updates if you'd like which I would love to receive from you to see just what has been discovered. Many thanks for using this service to ask your questions. Be well. This consult request has taken a total of 28 minutes of time to read, research, and respond.