hemeplegic migraine?

I hope someone can give me some info ASAP. I have a family member that is experiencing what sounds like a severe migraine on left side of head but she also has left side weakness. This has been going on for about 3-5 days & none of her pain meds will stop the pain. Does this sound like a hemiplegic (sp?) migraine? I did not think they lasted this long. My advice was to get a cat scan immediately. Thanks.

Well, if they're truly having the 'worst headache of their life' and one sided weakness, and that's not their typical migraine, I would have said to call 911, those are stroke symptoms...but 3-5 days later there's nothing the medical people can do other than pain meds and starting the rehab process. If that IS their migraine pattern, it's waaaayyyyy past the call your doc wait time. Get them into their neuro/pain management/primary (whoever cares for their migraines) doctor.

I have had hemi's that lasted for weeks, with slowly improving weakness on the left side.  Most of the ones I have now are gone in a couple of days at most.  My NP and I agree that if nothing is different about the migraine, it is safe to wait up to 24 hours before heading to the ER if no significant improvement is noted.  I have had to have Occupational Therapy on my hand and left arm following a hemiplegic migraine.  Thank goodness I'm an OT myself, so I know what to do and can save a boatload of money doing my own therapy.  

Thanks for your replies. Cat scan & mri ruled out a stroke or other vascular problems. Neuro said "could be" migraineous, was given atenolol (which is not helping) & sent home with no other explanation.