Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Migraines Diagnosed, Swollen Face, Temple Pain, Numb, Tingly, Dizziness, On Birth Control. Stroke?
I have seen a neurologist and been diagnosed with migraines. It is always on the left side of my head. Recently, I had such a severe migraine attack I actually had to visit my local urgent care for a pain injection after my abortive medication failed to work. I noticed the next morning that the left side of my face was swollen. It has slowly since gone down. But last night I started to feel a sharp stabbing pain in my left temple, something I've never felt before that lasted for a couple of hours. It was causing the left side of my face to go somewhat numb and tingly and caused some dizziness. Someone suggested to me it might have been a stroke. I also take birth control and am somewhat concerned about being at higher risk of having a stroke. What could this have been?
Wed, 16 Oct 2013
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have gone through your symptoms in detail, and most likely you had a severe migraine attacks. A feeling of swelling on the face, numbness, etc are common in severe migraine attacks.
Birth control pills increase the risk of getting migraines too.
Findings that could be more suspicious of stroke would be weakness of face, arm or leg; slurred speech, imbalance of gait, etc.
In any case, if doubt persists, an MRI of brain would sort out the diagnosis.
I hope it helps.
Please get back if you require any additional information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Thank you for posting your query.
I have gone through your symptoms in detail, and most likely you had a severe migraine attacks. A feeling of swelling on the face, numbness, etc are common in severe migraine attacks.
Birth control pills increase the risk of getting migraines too.
Findings that could be more suspicious of stroke would be weakness of face, arm or leg; slurred speech, imbalance of gait, etc.
In any case, if doubt persists, an MRI of brain would sort out the diagnosis.
I hope it helps.
Please get back if you require any additional information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Stroke
Loading Online Doctors....