The lasting Aura

Hello,

this is my first time posting about my Migraines so I'll give some backround info about myself:

-I'm 24 years old, White male, 6'4 215 lbs
-I started having migraines with Aura when I was 11
-I normally only have 4 or 5 migraines a year but they are completely incapacitating

My Aura:

-Almost always Begins in the peripheral of my left eye
-Comes to the center of my left eye and covers everything to the left of center within 30 minutes
-Consists of bright radiant flashing lights, like a thousand diamonds shimmering in the sun, forming various assymetric shapes, that slowly move in unison.
-1 out of 10 occurs in both eyes
-at first I think maybe I've looked at a lightbulb or the sun for too long, then I realize it's something else.


I've been reading many of the websites about migraines with aura and mine (for the most part) fit the mold, the Aura begins, I freak out and my heart rate goes up... through the roof as if i just ran a marathon. Then the aura dissapears and pain like I've never known sets in a for at least 4 hours, sometimes as long as 24 or 48.

A few years ago i began to realize that the entensity of the pain in my migraine was directly related to how i reacted when the Aura began. If I could stay calm, control my breathing, stay seated, away from noise, in the dark... the migraines would almost pass without ruining my entire day or the next few days.

However as a result I now experience a Lasting aura, my longest is 2 weeks (and currently I have one thats been going on for 3 days). In the past I only knew 2 things that would save me from the pain of my migraine. The First was to make myself fall asleep within 10-15 minutes of the aura, So I had to be at home, and then I had to be able to force myself to fall asleep, then I would wake up with what felt like a hangover and the migraine was gone. The 2nd was to induce vomitting, normally I would have to wait about an hour after the onset of the actual migraine, then force myself to throw up, and within 30 minutes the migraine would start to recede (This sounds bad, but I would do almost anything to escape the pain, and the experience is nauseating anyways).

However, it seems that now that I can control the pain.. the Aura DOESN'T go away, it's insane.. the only time i don't notice it is if I stare at a forest, or something natural. I'm starting to get worried becuase it brings out the hypocondriac in me... i start thinking I have glaucoma.

Can a continous aura be an indication of a greater medical problem? or have I just made matters worse by trying to control my migraine?

For me it seemed the level of the pain, following the aura was all tied in with fear and anxiety, and i could control it, and maybe in doing so I've retarded some sort of natural process and now I'm left with these illusions.

Any input is greatly appreciated, reply here or email me (Kichinko@yahoo.com) my apologies for making the post so long, theres just so much to tell... this isn't the half of it.

-Chris K.

Some really good news for you Chris is that since you experience Aura, you have a great indicator that the actual migraine is on its way and you can take abortive medications to get rid of the migraine and even nausea before it fully arrives. (Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax and Zomig are all good options) You could even discuss with your doctor something for the anxiety and even panic symptoms that you get when the Aura arrives...if relaxation and biofeedback methods are not enough for you something like Xanax or Valium would do the trick so you could relax and let that phase pass on and let the medication kick in.

Now, doing research on your condition is wonderful, being informed is one of the best things you can do-but have you seen a doctor and actually been diagnosed?

If not, that would definitely be your next step!

Let us know how things go?

Sara