I was hoping that someone could help me out. I have migraine headaches that start with a bright spot in my vision (like when u look directly into the sun), and the spot grows until I cannot see. I have a full blown blind spot in my eye, and then I can see these zig-zag looking lines, which then turnes into something that you would see in a kalydascope. I went to see a neurologist because I feared that I had a brain tumor, he assured me that I was fine, and sent me to my eye doctor..who informed me that this is a type of migraine, but I also have panic attacks so when this happens, and I cant see I get really scared. Has anyone else had this problem??
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to any replies
I do not have this type of migraine on a regular basis...but I have had these type of symptoms before where you have the typical aura (do you know what that is??-the visual symptoms as well as other symptoms that tell you that the migraine is on its way...) and then the migraine comes and you continue to have visual symptoms that can be as bad as not being able to see AT ALL...
I specifically remember one night, I was laying in bed with my boyfriend at the time...we were watching tv, and something happened and the pain started creeping in...I started getting a grey spot of my vision that I just simply could not see. It slowly started getting bigger until I could not see at all from on eye and had limited vision from the other. I, of couse, like any other responsible person went to the doctor and eye doctor also, and found that it was "just" more migraine symptoms...
I have not had any that were that drastic since, I have been taking migraine preventatives and tried to keep the migraines from coming...instead of waiting for them to get here and then dealing with them.
Let me TRY to find some specific information and post it here...
Sara
Oh, I think having panic attacks with this type of migraine symptom would be understood, anytime vision is being taken away that is serious and will make you very scared and panicky...take deep breaths...and talk to your doctor about that, I have medication I keep on hand to fight anxiety and I can take it as needed...
Ocular migraine is a term which may have different meanings to different physicians.Many times migraineurs will have just the visual warning signs or aura of their migraine attack without the headache.This occurs more frequently as one gets older and can be a frightening phenomenon.This is also referred to as acephalgic migraine, or migraine aura without headache.
Some physicians refer to ocular migraine as retinal migraine, where there are repeated attacks of one-sided blind spots or blindness lasting less than an hour and associated with a headache.
It is important to rule out eye disease or a disorder of the blood vessels leading to the eye as possible causes.
(borrowed from National Headache Foundation-topic sheet)
Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator
Thanks for Visiting HealingWell.com
Post Edited (tysmyboo) : 9/26/2005 8:50:50 PM (GMT-6)
Some migraineurs get what is known as "aura" which are visual disturbances that can include wavy or zig zag lines, tunnel vision, blind spots, strange odors, or even sensations in the body including numbness or "pins and needles" The aura occurs before migraine pain begins. These neurological events may last as long as sixty minutes and will generally fade once the pain starts.
Hi I am visiting from the ulcerative colitis site, but saw the post about the zig zag aura and will put my 2 cents in. When I had my first one, I had just gotten home with my new baby boy, and was in the rocking chair, feeling so wonderful, etc. And then it happened. I couldn't see. I cried for my Mom and she called the Dr. I thought I must had had a stroke or something from childbirth. My Dr. thought it was from stress of having a baby, but later I was diagnosed with migraines. I was 25 then and now 54. I do get more of them when under stress, or very tired. I have the zig zag pattern, and the sensitivity to light, etc. It is a pain, but I have adapted well. As soon as I have the aura I take a couple of asprin. Sometimes I will need a stronger med.
I have migraines with the same aural patterns. I don't go completely blind but everything becomes blurred. The worst thing is when I get those I know that I am going to end up with a headache and a queasy feeling (almost nauseous) in my stomach, and that the rest of my day would be wasted. I too had a MRI and opthamologist visits, which ruled out everything else.
One thing that has definitely helped me is attention to my diet. I used to eat rice, beans, chickpeas, peanut butter, lean meat. My diet was very healthy, but it turns out that all the items I have named above are high acid foods. I have made a conscious efforts to eat more fruits, most of which are alkaline. Even orange juices have an alkaline effect on the body, something which I didn't know. All this thanks to a friend who recommended me a book on importance of keeping our body more alkaline. Fruits, esplly, was something I never used to eat much of. I have also pretty much given up on coke and other carbonated drinks.
So my regimen is keep eating regular meals, eat more fruits, drink a lot of water, limit carbonated drinks.
Since I have changed my diet, my migraines have practically gone. I got one this month and one last month, so am not saying that I am completely off the hook (though both times I either missed a meal/drank coke). However, I don't wake up each morning anymore, and worry if this day is going to be another depressing migraine day. Another thing, I keep raisins with me all the time now. When I did get my migraine the last 2 times, I just gobbled up a bunch of those and drank water too. Believe me, it works much better than the Imitrex I used to take.
I am not saying that this will work for everyone (I'd write a book if I thought it did :)), but hopefully it does help some of you reading this.
Post Edited (scm1970) : 9/28/2005 12:20:59 PM (GMT-6)
For years, I have had blinds spots in my center vision, about one or two times a week that lasts for about 10 or 20 min. This soon fades away and the darkness starts closing in from the edges as if I am looking out of a cave. Then the "fire flies", and electric eels start, I see colored spots blinking and chains of electric spots flying in my field of vision. Sometimes it is as if I am looking through a window with raindrops running down. I feel very mild, or no pain at all, but it always whips out my energy for the rest of the day, I just need to sleep and rest. I went to my Dr Today and he said it was the ocular migraine, and gave me elivil, , , , ,I hope it helps.
I get migraine headaches that involve visual disturbances, though not quite the same as yours. I have had them checked out and have been cleared by the doctor that they're just migraines. I believe they're caused by blood vessels dilating and putting pressure on part of the optic nerve.
I experience anxiety with my migraines which tends to make my headaches worse. I don't experience panic attacks but my headaches do pound worse the more upset I get. I have found valerian root, a natural remedy you can get at the health store, really good at calming anxiety.
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. Buddha
I am new to this forum. I was looking at the other posts. One other post mentioned taking magnesium/calcium and that seemed to help. I have first hand evidence that cutting down on Acidic food (do a google search and be surprised at how many common foods we eat are acidic) and increasing Alkaline food intake, has helped me with my Migraines. When I read the other post about magnesium helping too, I did another google search:
Again, if it were this easy doctors would have cured migraines by now. Hopefully one day we can pinpoint what the root cause of this is. However, if an alkaline diet with foods rich in magnesium; cutting down acidic food (esplly coke and other carbonated drinks) helps someone, then do post about your experiences too.
I was dumbfounded when it hit me that oranges and orange juice was one of my triggers...cause I love it dearly...I knew that it jacked up my stomach and was irritating the IBS issues...but when it hit me that it was triggering migraines too I wanted to cry (I am the kind of girl that can drink a half gallon of OJ in one morning!!!)
Why don't we list our known FOOD and other triggers????
Mine are weird,...and not at all the normal ones...
OTHER- WEATHER (storms, cold fronts, pressure changes, heck...any weather!) EMOTIONAL (like the crying fit I had last night!!! ) PMS (guys, thank God on that one) SCENTS (chemicals, perfumes, TAR!!!) LIGHT (fluorescent, flashing-police/ambulance-strobe) NOISE (even if the TV is up a little too loud)
SOMETIMES A TRIGGER:
alcohol, chocolate-in mass quantities, pizza, ice cream, extremely greasy foods, too much physical activity, oranges/orange juice
Well, I thought I had more...but can't remember off the top of my head..I will come back and edit as I remember...Everyone post and add yours too....That will help us all keep an eye out for new possible triggers?!
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. Buddha
I too get the whole weird visual thing. It starts out like a blinking light or a blind spot. I was looking at my son and his chin was gone, then my vision started turning into a kalidascope then a zig zag shimmer. It is so scary I think I am having a stroke. I panic. I have panic attacks anyway but it just freaks me out. The worst thing is that on occasion I loose my ability to speak correctly. I know what I want to say but it comes out garbled! I hardly get the headache but if I do it is just a dull ache. I used to get one headache a year but lately I have been getting more. I am trying to learn to be calm when this occurs but I have just had two in less than a week and that scares me. I am not sure why I am getting them more frequent other than I am 43 and heading into menopause???
I have read all these posts with great interest and not a little measure of relief. I have had migraine for all of my life (now 52) but recently the usual type for me has been replaced by this gradual blindness always in one eye and lasting between one and five minutes. It is as though a curtain comes down gradually with the light becoming more "mesh like" then it clears again and I am fine. Interestingly I never get the headache now, just this ocular effect.
I have gone to TIA clinic and been cleared of any danger there so that's a relief. What strange things sometimes happen to us!!
I have a VERY SIMILAR symptom to what Hairdoday has.. I am male, 37 years old. I first had this symptom in 1992, then it seems like I get 1 or 2 episodes per year. I also get visual disturbances, usually in the corner of my right eye.. I can't really focus on it but it seems to flash and get to the point where I cannot focus on an object (it seems like a blind spot). Also, I also have problems articulating my words. It's like I got a brain block and I cannot say what I want to say.. It's really scary! I have seen a few primary docs and both have said that I am having migraines. I also am trying to determine triggers but am not 100% sure what it is.. I am suspecting a few things.. Caffeine, Aspartame, Granola bars, and sodas (especially in aluminum cans). Now, I am not sure that this is causing the issue.. I can tell you I had some iced tea and lemonade mixed earlier in the day.. the lemonade was the "Light Lemonade" at Del Taco. I am thinking that it has aspartame.. but i am not sure.. again, I am just throwing a couple of things out there to see if anyone else has these things.. As far a headache, it seems I get a throbbing headache but in the back of my head. It's not severe it's just throbs a little.. this happened to be about 9pm last night and right now, i just have a throbbing Headache in the back.. I can deal with the Headache, I just cannot deal with the flashing light/visual issues and especically the issue of not being able to say what I want to say...
By the way, someone also mentioned on here having what appears to be a visual issue of a window with raindrops falling down. I have had that too.. You can't really focus on it directly, it's kind of in the corner of your eye.. it's like you can see it in your peripheral vision.
Does this sound familar to anyone??? What's the deal?
Post Edited (mikemix) : 5/16/2008 1:01:45 PM (GMT-6)
From a 'newby' Back in 1996 I had a TIA as described by a few of you, where I had a blind spot develop, and then some very pretty (but worrying) zig zag 'special effects'. I was teaching at the time, and had gone up 4 flights of stairs to the staffroom for a coffee. (There was no headache). This attack passed off after about 10mins, but when I returned to the classroom I found I was talking nonsense to the students. I gave them an assignment and sat and relaxed (and worried!) My doctor sent me to a neurologist, who tested me in various ways and suggested that this was a 'visual migraine' and there was not a lot to worry about. However my doctor prescribed an enteric coated aspirin each day (75mg Aspec). I have had three TIAs since then, and in each case the effects were only visual, lasting 10-15mins, and no garbled speech. (Once I was driving, and the right rear wheel of the car (auto) ahead of me vanished! Scary!) On each occasion, I had been lax in my taking of the aspirin for a few days (up to a fortnight for one time). Moral of the story FWIW is: for me, the daily aspirin seems to help!
I am new here, but i have to let you know,i have felt a great deal of comfort reading all the posts. I have for years suffered with migraines, with pain. Starting back in 1990 after my first child i had my first ocular migraine without the pain, this continued once a year, until recently when i was having them weekly. My symptoms were like a lot of you, with the blind spot and zig zag lines, feeling my words would come out wrong. I also suffer with panic attacks which i had under control, but since i have had these recent attacks my anxiety is so high. One of my biggest fears is going blind, and this is feeding into it. I am trying to keep track of what i eat, i can't figure out a trigger yet, but i have noticed the day before or of the attack, i am really tired, a little down and notice words come out a bit funny, like my lips are dry. Does anyone else experience this??? I have been worked up with MRI and CT's, eye docs and they all say migraines. It really freaks me out!!! I wonder if blocked sinues could lead to this, my CT showed i had very blocked sinuses, and now i am having very frequent attacks. I wonder if it is hormonal??? I am 43, not in menopause, but maybe perimenopause, it seems strange they started after my first child and then i had them in clusters after my other two children. Would appreciate anyones thoughts. I think i am going to try the aspirin.
Does anyone else wake up with these auras???? I often wake up in the night, with the visual stuff happening, zig zag lines even when i close my eyes. Sometimes i think i am dreaming about it, and i awaken and it is happening, this really freaks me out. I do think stress and broken sleep trigger these things. I never get a bad headache, sometimes only a very dull one. Would appreciate any feedback.
Hello- I have been getting these "ocular migraines" for a couple of years now, not too frequently up until recently (just had one this morning) but I have noticed that I always seem to get them when I have been extra stressed out and overworked, and not been getting enough sleep. the strange thing is, i have noticed the last couple times that they seem to be occurring at around 10-11 in the morning. I have never thought until today to see if there is a common food trigger. I was drinking a large cappucino before it started, so i am quite sure caffeine is not helpful to the situation. I also suffer from a panic attack every time. The first time I ever got one, I had no idea what was happening to me, so my body naturally panicked and it was to the point where I thought I was having a heart attack or something. I wonder then if I still get the panic attacks every time because subconsciously my mind is rembering what my body did that first time, and just follwing protocol on how to react. It is terrifying, and I keep telling myself I just need to practice meditation and relaxation techniques, and it will help-does anyone have any input on that?
Hazeldove, i also get a panic attack each time and i do believe it is because my body, without me consciously knowing goes into the fight or flight response, the adrenalin is released and before you know it, you have all these symptoms on top of the awful symptoms of these ocular migraines. Mine is also triggered as my biggest fear is going blind. I have tried to calm myself down to some degree, but it is very difficult, i sometimes just go and lay down, close my eyes and put on a relaxation tape, but they don't always happen at convenient times. I have even wondered what comes first the migraine or the panic??? Is panic a symptom of the migraine, along with the tiredness, and mood change????
I definitely think that for me, the migraine comes first. I may already be stressed without realizing how stressed I am (I always look back after it has gone away and think about all that has been going on and realize, 'man, I really have been stressed!'). I first either get the blindspot or that "i've been staring at a lightbulb filament" spot in my vision and I immediately close my eyes and realize the zig-zag (or, lightning bolt as I like to refer to it)is there. It is always only in my left eye. I keep wondering if I have ever had anything happen to that eye that may be causing this and the only thing I can think of is about 10 years ago, I had someone shine a laser scanner from a register in that eye (nice, huh?). Has anyone else ever had anything similar happen that they think may have been the original trigger? It is probably unrelated, but you never know.
Anyhow, as soon as I know the lightning bolt is there, the panic immediately hits. I try to make myself do deep breathing and calm down, but it never works. Usually I will call someone up on the phone and ask them to just talk to me about anything to try to keep my mind off of it until I can calm down and it starts going away. Family members, I have found, while they love you and mean well, are not the best people to call for this. All my family does when I call for that is tell me how concerned they are and that I need to go to a doctor. That really doesn't help the situation. The most luck I have had with that was when I called my boss at my 2nd job, she has a very soothing voice and when I told her I just needed her to keep my mind off of it, she was brilliant. She told me all about some things she heard on the news and celebrity gossip, the panic was barely there that time and it went away a little more quickly than normal. The next one I got I put on my iPod and listened to my favorite album(Funeral by Arcade Fire), it is an album I can lose myself in, I sing along with all the words and it just takes me away from whatever I am doing. That was a less horrible attack than normal also. Both of my last ones happened at work-interesting, right?
Another thing I have started doing is carrying lavender with me. I haven't yet had an attack since I have started this (thank goodness) but I know lavender has a very calming effect when inhaled. And one more thing I have noticed is that I always seem to get really thirsty after an episode. So I am really starting to wonder how much of a role dehydration has to play in the whole thing- that could also tie in with the sinus thoery as dehydration is quite unkind to the sinuses.
) PMS (guys, thank God on that one) SCENTS (chemicals, perfumes, TAR!!!) LIGHT (fluorescent, flashing-police/ambulance-strobe) NOISE (even if the TV is up a little too loud)