Hemiplegic migraine
A rare form of migraine with aura that includes temporary weakness on one side of the body. Frightening to experience and easily confused with a stroke, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.
Rare · familial and sporadic forms recognised
What hemiplegic migraine is
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare subtype of migraine with aura in which the aura includes motor weakness, usually on one side of the body, alongside visual, sensory or speech symptoms. The weakness is temporary and fully reversible, but can last hours to days.
It runs in some families, known as familial hemiplegic migraine, and also occurs without a family history, known as sporadic hemiplegic migraine.
Why diagnosis matters
The symptoms overlap with stroke and other serious conditions, so a first episode always needs urgent assessment.
- Confirming the reversible, migrainous pattern over time
- Excluding stroke and other causes at the first presentation
- Caution with certain acute migraine treatments that may not be suitable
- Genetic and specialist input where a familial pattern is suspected
From your story to a working plan
- 01The intake captures the aura pattern in detail so the picture is clear for your clinician
- 02Your assessment flags when urgent or specialist neurology review is needed
- 03You receive a plain-language summary; your clinician receives a structured SOAP note where licensed
- 04Education explains which acute treatments need caution and why monitoring matters
