Hello Im 25 and recently hit the brakes with my career due to debilitating migraine. Im scheduled for an MRI as my neurologist wants to check some abnormal symptoms for migraine. I have been trying to reassure myself it is vestibular migraine, maybe it is, but it has been years of a creeping dread and odd new symptoms. Im relieved for an mri finally but scared of the answer it may produce. For xontext, 3 years ago at the age of 22 I started getting migraine and dizziness. That got worse and heavy fatigue followed suit. 2 years ago I noticed my fingers would spasm, my thumb moving horizontally by itself. I dissmissed as strain. Now all my fingers and toes spasm periodically and my hands tremor mosy days. My left arm goes numb on and off, i can still feel but it is reduced sensation, that started 1 year ago, it is still strong but clumsy and doesnt feel like it belongs to me. Eyesight in left eye sometimes is desaturated for days, faded reds ectera. My ear buzzes which is weird and annoying along with my right foot which buzzes, jerks upwards and burns like my leg is in the sun. I also sometimes feel like water is dripping on my face and that there are things crawling on me. This could be migraine, but i feel it probably is something more. I am scared to find out but i know knowledge is power and whatever the case i will be fine. But it is lonely, I havent told my family and friends how much these symptoms both me as I dont want them to worry, so all these feelings are just sat here. It is nice just to write them down. I would love to hear about other peoples experiences either with diagnosis, migraine or managing life with different limitations on the body. Thanks for reading - Liz
Hi @lizzieblackledge . My sympathies to you but I don’t think my experiences are going to be of much help to you. My diagnosis was fairly quick and simple after relatively rapidly losing most vision in my right eye. The vision returned over a period of weeks maybe a couple of months. An MRI of my brain showed ‘quite a few’ lesions. I was put on Avonex and for years experienced no other symptoms but then slowly developed problems with my right leg. 19 years after diagnosis and aged 72 I can still walk but tend to use a Rollator, stick or mobility scooter when out and about. Now also experience constipation and bladder urgency, my balance is pretty poor ( as in I’m very cautious about climbing step ladders) and I’m useless/ flattened in hot weather.
I experienced a few migraines when I was much much younger but none for maybe 40-45 years now.
I hope you soon find out what lies behind your various symptoms.
I am glad that your neurologist is on the case. Have you been assessed by an optometrist? That’s something you can get on with yourself if you’re twiddling your thumbs waiting for MRI results. They are very good at their work, and a careful inspection of your eyes and vision is always a good idea if there’s something up with how your eyes are working, whatever else may or may not be going on for you.
Hi Liz, I don’t think I can offer much advice here bug have lots of empathy as I’m going through similar. Pretty much all of the symptoms you described..not so much the migraines but get numbness and tingling in the face. I’ve used same description of arms not feeling they belong to me. I’m awaiting first appt with neurology and it’s a very lonely and scary time. My husband knows and that’s about it as don’t want to worry family either. I have 2 children in early teens. The worst time for me is waking in the night when everyone else asleep and worrying about it all and what lies ahead.
Just wanted to say that I hear you and hope you can get some answers soon and some treatment that will help. I try to focus on the positive stories about the newer treatments available in more recent years etc..trying to hold on to some hope! It’s all we can do..and one day at a time xx
Thank you @Hank_Dogs for such a considered response. It seems everyone’s journey is very different. I am glad they got on your case quickly - i have heard that eye problems are often one of the first signs. Going blind must have been awful. I think my eye issues, as theyre less dramatic, are more easily dismissed. When you get migraine it seems doctors are rather quick to diagnose you on the spot without tests as moat things neuro can hypothetically be caused by it. Hopefully the mri will clarify. Reassuring to hear you are still mobile, i am very glad and it sounds like you’ve made the best of it. I appreciate your time thank you!
@alison100 thank you - yes I did just have one! They were great and very efficient. However nothing structurally wrong with my eyes apparently. Good to rule put though defo. A family friend and doctor did say that some neurologists are finding a way to help diagnose ms by scanning the optical nerve and checking for inflammation? Very interesting stuff. Thank you for your help, much appreciated 
out of curiosity how long do brain scans in mris typically last? Google has a range of answers
Thank you @Jk32 - i think knowing youre not alone is the most important thing and I appreciate your msg 
I am sending you a hug and hope you get the answers and suppprt you need too. Definitely agree with focusing on the positives - it is the one thing we can control.
All the best and thanks again 
How long in the scanner? It depends on what’s been asked for, I think. And on how good you are at keeping still - keep still and don’t fidget is all you have to do - the machine does the clever stuff. It’s a bit noisy as it goes about its business and the radiographer will warn you of that and give you some ear plugs and maybe headphones as well.
I have had many MRIs over the years and I’m not particularly claustrophobic, but to be on the safe side I always shut my eyes before I’m wheeled back into the machine and keep them shut until I’m wheeled out again. Works for me. One more thing it can be pretty cold in there so if you have a fleece jumper or something with no zips, you might be glad of it.