Ocular Migraine Induced by Muscle Tension?

Dr. Hagen-

I am a 25 year old male, athletic, 165lbs and enjoy drinking and smoking on occasion. Since around the age of 18, I have suffered from what I am nearly positive are ocular migraines. The classic symptoms: small aura, which over the course of 15 minutes grows to encompass a large part of my peripheral vision, then disappears and a headache follows.  Sometimes on only one side of my head other times both. These happen once every six months to a year. And recently (twice today and one, two days ago) I had three in a very short period of time.

I’m not sure if the first occurrence of these migraines happened after this accident I’m going to tell you about or before, but I want to say they started after.

I had a pretty severe skateboard fall in which I landed very hard, from very high, directly on my right hip and shoulder. Ever since, I have had range of motion problems and a high level of muscle tension in the right side of my neck and shoulder. I should add, that the ROM problems can be fixed with some time and effort, but there is always an underlying tension.

Could this injury, and the over compensation of my other muscles/high level of tension be the cause of these migraines?

I haven’t been doing anything different the past few days that might have triggered these, and the fact that there were three in rapid secession is causing me concern.

Thank you,

Jeff

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The injury will not cause migraines. An injury could theoretically cause scaring on the brain that could cause siezure variants that might resemble migraines.

Certainly your age and general health and description seem to fit migraine to a "T" however if they get more severe, occur more often or new symptoms appear I would see a neurologist for evaluation and treatment.

JCH MD