Migraine and stroke

Hello all,

I am writing because I have long had ocular migraines following vigorous exercise. This happens frequently - about 1x per week - but has never been more than a nuisance lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. However, last month at the time I would normally have a migraine following exercise, I had a Transient Ischemic Attack. I was subsequently hospitalized and an MRI confirmed the stroke. All other tests that were run were negative. The stroke was said to be caused by vasospasm caused by migraine. Thankfully there were no lingering effects after 24-48 hours. Which is what brings me here today.

After following up with a neurologist, he said that I should not be concerned about subsequent migraines leading to another stroke. I'm having an extremely hard time wrapping my head around this. How is it that I have ocular migraines that appear to have caused vasospasm that caused a stroke. However, I should not be at a particularly high risk of this happening again? The neurologist I saw while I was hospitalized said the same thing. I have been trying to follow up with doctors with expertise related to migraines. Unfortunately the area where I live, Seattle, appears to be short on migraine experts. The few that there are have long wait times for appointments (6 months or more). I have already been waiting almost a month to see if one of them will accept my case to allow me to set up an appointment next year!

So, I am wondering any thoughts or experience anyone has regarding migraine and stroke. Anything is helpful - questions to ask, types of physicians to see, places where they have expertise, etc. I've stopped exercising for the moment while I try to figure this out but don't want to continue to do this unless it's necessary. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Sounds familiar - similar to my experience three years ago. Migraine with aura but little pain followed by stroke. No lasting effects here either, but still dealing with the psychological aspects. Have been doing regular aerobic exercise for over two years now, and I'm much fitter at least. Do your best to minimize your risk factors and live your life with a Lot more appreciation for what you do have.

Ps - if you look under migrainous stroke on this site you will see a post by miss molly, which I responded to last year. Her experience plus my more lengthy reply might help. There's not lots of info unless you really search.

Leroy, many thanks for the thoughts. Unfortunately the aerobic exercise is what got me in trouble in the first place! Planning to go back to it soon and hope for the best though. I agree that the information that is out there is really scarce. Very frustrating. Thanks again for the comment and for directing me to the post from last year.