My brain is not quite normal...

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I went to the ER yesterday with neurological symptoms that mimicked a stroke...I was walking down the hallway of my office building when suddenly I had a tremendous sense of pressure on the left side of my head. I could not see out of my left eye and could not hear out of my left ear. I also lost the fine motor control in my left hand. These were scary symptoms, so I had someone drive me to the ER.

They immediately worked me up to rule out a stroke, did an EKG and put me through a series of imaging tests (MRI of my brain, ultrasound of my heart, carotid doppler). Those tests were all negative for stroke, and doctors concluded that what I experienced what a complex migraine - a migraine in which blood vessels constrict, lessening blood flow to the brain and producing temporary stroke-like symptoms. There's a slight chance that it was a TIA (transient ischemic attack), but they are really leaning toward the migraine.

Although the MRI was negative, there was a significant finding...when the neurologist reviewed the scan, he found that the arteries of my brain are configured in an usual way - the loop of blood vessels that make up what is called "the circle of Willis" is put together strangely and some of the arteries are missing. He was not concerned and stated that about 1% of the population have vascular abnormalities in the brain. Still this is the first objective evidence I have seen that my brain is a little different and I can't help but wonder if there is any connection to my AS. I think I'll jump on PubMed to see if I can dig up any relevant info.

The symptoms you listed could also apply to things like seizures, dystonia and even low blood pressure.

But after you mentioned the circle of Willis that makes me think you need to see a better specialist than this guy -just in case. Maybe go to a neurosurgeon. If you have this abnormality then you definitely need to do your research in case there's something important he didn't tell you. Maybe there's even a medicine for it. And BTW why did he do a EKG and not an EEG? Did you take any new medication lately that might have brought on the symptoms?

Hope you are feeling better soon! Try to get plenty of rest and good nutrition even if that's not what caused the issue it still helps to take care of yourself if you have a brain issue.

I have migraine approximations that cause blurred vision and sometimes a pulling sensation in the muscles around my eyes. It kind of feels like my eyes are wanting to cross. I wouldn't be at all surprised by vascular abnormalities in my brain. I also have a horseshoe kidney (they're adjoined at the top), so I would probably not be allowed to donate a kidney to anyone.