Share

‘I went to bed with a migraine – and when I woke up, I couldn’t talk or write’

accreditation
Woman with headache. (Photo: Getty Images)
Woman with headache. (Photo: Getty Images)

Michele Cloete (46) from Bloemfontein battled with migraines on her own for years, taking painkillers instead of visiting her doctor. But a terrifying ordeal one night made her wish she had.

“One evening, I was suddenly struck with an agonizing headache. I thought the best thing to do would be to take some painkillers and go to bed.

When I woke during the night, I tried to drink some water – but it just ran out my mouth as if I had no control. I thought it might just have had something to do with the painkillers, and fell asleep again.

The next morning I woke up early and went to sit in the lounge to watch some TV. My head felt better – but when I tried to drink some water, it ran out my mouth again. I felt like I could not swallow.

In the meantime, my cat came into the lounge and started scratching the lounge chair. When I wanted to tell him to stop it nothing came out my mouth but a strange slurring sound!

Panicked, I went to wake my husband up. He kept asking me what was wrong but I could not answer him. I then tried to write him a note, but I couldn’t – no matter what I did, my ‘words’ came out like scribbling! Desperate, I drew a vehicle with a light on top and wrote ‘082 911’ and showed him to phone.

For four days I could not talk. It was the scariest situation I’ve ever been in! I could think clearly and knew what I wanted to say, but it just did not come out my mouth.

At the hospital, I was seen by a neurologist, had an MRI, a spinal tap, heart tests, blood tests you name it! I felt like needle case after day two.

Only four fingers on both hands were numb and I had a bit of numbness on my face.

Finally, the doctors gave me the results – I had a stroke due to a migraine. I have lesions on my brain from previously suppressed migraines.

Thank goodness the only lasting effects from the stroke are that I slur my words when I get tired, but mostly I’m okay.

So I want to warn people that suffer from migraines — don’t try to self-medicate! Go to your GP asap.”

Ed’s note: According to Migrainetrust.org, there is little evidence to suggest that a stroke is more likely to occur during a migraine attack than at another time.

In some people migraines and strokes may occur simultaneously, but “the nature of the causal relationship, if any, is difficult to establish firmly.”

“Migrainous infarction is the term given to an ischaemic stroke occurring during a migraine attack. But does a migraine cause a stroke or vice versa? Research doesn’t show that.

“Studies do show that if you get a lot of migraines, you may have a higher chance of having a stroke later in life. But the risk is small.”

This story was submitted to YOU by one of our readers and has been minimally edited.

Do you have an incredible story to tell? Whether it’s an incredible achievement, a heartbreaking obstacle you were forced to overcome, or just something that made you laugh – share your story with us and you could feature in YOU or on our website.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()