At first I did not know what this was or even that it happened to Migraine sufferers.
Over the years I have experienced a few migraines. In the beginning I only had mild symptoms including the patchy vision followed by the headaches. As the years have progressed so too have my symptoms.
My last two migraines I also started experiencing the numbness and tingling sensations in my hands and face.
However, this time it was different again. I had been feeling a little under the weather for the past couple of days. I had also been putting myself under a bit of pressure and possibly feeling a little stressed.
If the kids yelled or the dog barked it was like fingers down a chalk board – I just cringed every time. I was on edge.
During the day of the Migraine I felt unwell, cranky and irritable. If the kids yelled or the dog barked it was like fingers down a chalk board – I just cringed every time. I was on edge. I had been working hard all day, cleaning, organising just busy in general. I was planning to go on a girl’s night out. I knew I should stay home, but didn’t want to let anyone down and thought if I just pressed on it would be fine. Telling myself maybe a night out is just what I needed.
I had all my hair and makeup done and was about to get dressed, when I noticed a slight change in my vision. Every time this happens I try to shake it off pretending it is nothing and that the sensation will go away.
As always with a migraine you can’t just shake it off, this patchy vision is the warning signal for the onset of a migraine.
I was planning to say “I think I have a migraine”. However, the words did not come out quite the same they were all garbled and mixed up. I thought that is weird if not a little alarming. I tried again and the same thing happened. Feeling a little worried at this point I asked him to get his Dad. I thought to myself am I having a stroke???
It was at this time when one of my boys came in to talk to me. I must have looked at him strangely as he sensed something was up and asked “What’s wrong Mum?”.
I was planning to say “I think I have a migraine”. However, the words did not come out quite the same they were all garbled and mixed up. I thought that is weird if not a little alarming. I tried again and the same thing happened. Feeling a little worried at this point I asked him to get his Dad. I thought to myself am I having a stroke???
Rob phoned my friends and let them know that I wouldn’t be going out. I then tried to take a few breaths and calm down as I was feeling a little panicked.
It was at this stage that I googled (as we do) Migraines with loss of speech – I had no idea that this was a thing. It is called Migraine Aura and basically it is one of the first symptoms along with the change in vision that come prior to the headache. I have also found out that there are different types of migraines.
Even after finding out about the loss of speech being a symptom I still felt overwhelmed and couldn’t suppress the tears. I cried it all just felt too much. I’m yet to find out if this is symptom or not. For no real reason just an overwhelming sense of despair and sadness that just washed over me.