< Neurology Headache Clinic

Hemiplegic Migraine

Complicated migraine refers to migraines that cannot be specifically diagnosed. The term also refers to a severe and rare form of the headache called hemiplegic migraine. The symptoms of hemiplegic migraines mimic a stroke and can be serious. Symptoms include:

  • Visual, auditory, sensory or speech auras
  • Throbbing pain on one side of the head
  • Tingling feeling in the hand and up the arm
  • Numbness on one side of the body
  • Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
  • Loss of balance
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness or coma

Treatments include the use of anticonvulsant medicines to prevent the headaches and reduce pain and the use of calcium channel blocker heart medicines to relax and widen blood vessels.