On-Air Complex Migraine, Not Stroke Caused TV Reporter's Bizarre Symptoms

Medical test results are in. After a week of speculation and worry, Serene Branson a CBS- TV entertainment reporter got the good news that she did not have a stroke while reporting live at the Grammys. She suffered a complex migraine.

Thousands of viewers saw Ms. Branson gradually become incoherent while reporting outside the Grammys on February 13^th. The camera caught her lapsing into gibberish while one side of her face seemed to twitch. Her ordeal was broadcast all over the internet.

Paramedics were called and after checking Ms. Branson decided she was well enough to go home.

The incident fueled speculation that Branson had suffered an on-air stroke. Others theorized that she was on drugs, had been drinking and most bizarre, that she had been "beamed" by some mind control laser device. Most were puzzled that she had not immediately been admitted to a hospital for observation and tests.

The next day Branson did see a doctor. She said that she was terrified and confused. She still had a headache and blurry vision and was very tired. She was later diagnosed with a migraine aura complex headache, given medication and recovered at home.

Neurologist Dr. Andrew Charles who examined Branson at UCLA said that "a migraine is not just a headache. It is a complicated brain event" . Many people have migraines and treat themselves.

Half the people who have migraine headaches don't even get diagnosed. 18 percent of women and 6 percent of men and 6 percent of children get migraines. There are treatments and medications available that can stop migraines and vastly improve one's quality of life.

A complex migraine, like the one Ms. Branson suffered, can mimic a stroke, or a TIA, transient schematic attack. The symptoms are: severe headache, loss of vision, paralysis on one side of the body, trouble speaking and trouble walking. All are the symptoms of a stroke.

If someone experiences these symptoms, they should be treated as if they were experiencing an actual stroke. They should immediately be taken to a hospital where life saving clot busting drugs can be administered.

A complex migraine is caused by an electrical malfunction in the brain. Stroke is caused by restricted blood flow to the brain. Complex migraines are not very common but unlike a stroke, the effects are reversible and gradually disappear.

Ms. Branson said it was nearly three days before she felt 'like herself.' She has since been put on anti-migraine medication and is feeling better.

Sources:

EarlyShow

St. Pete Times

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