If you are having medical problems and believe that you may either have BAM or a related neurological disorder, I urge you to see a neurologist to obtain a diagnosis and proper treatment. Though this forum is useful to many, it is no substitute for personalized medical care. A neurologist who knows you personally, has had opportunity to examine you, take a thorough history, and order appropriate tests is the only one who should be diagnosing any potentially serious neurological condition. This includes BAM.

If you are experiencing some of the more severe symptoms described on this site, it is imperative that you not delay in seeking the help of a qualified neurologist. One of my goals in establishing and maintaining this site is to help both patients and medical professionals understand the potentially very serious nature of Basilar Artery Migraine. Either lack of diagnosis and treatment, or improper diagnosis and treatment can exacerbate this condition. BAM can, and in some cases does, cause neurological damage and can lead to the devastation of stroke and other permanent changes in the brain.

If you believe you are experiencing BAM and/or TIAs, do not settle for being "shrugged off" as "just having a migraine." Although BAM is termed a migraine variant, it is quite different from either common or classical migraines. It can cause permanent damage and stroke. It can be literally terrifying. It can cause coma and a host of other problems not seen in "regular migraine." It is to be taken quite seriously. If you are seeing a doctor who is not taking BAM seriously, or if you feel you may have BAM and are being incorrectly treated and diagnosed, see another doctor. See a neurologist. I am working hard to increase awareness of this frightening and powerful neurological disorder, but it takes time. And you can help both yourself and other sufferers by taking a stand and demanding that you receive proper care.