Please help No one seems to know what is wrong.

I have had what was told to me by a Neurologiest an occular disturbance. I have read that an occular migraine looks like fence posts floating in your vision. This is not what I have and no matter how many times I describe my symptoms the dr.'s say they don't know what I have so they are calling it a migraine eventhough it is not really a migraine. It starts out as a small blurring spot in center of my vision the the circle gets bigger until it consumes my entire vision and it appears to be like a kaleidoscope of light flashes and in my peripherial vision its like a flourescent light flickering. It lasts at least an hour and half some times for several hours. After it goes away I have a headache with nausea and seem to have memory loss of details but thses are not bad I just dont recall small details. What can this be?

[Jeri27302]

I thought about telling you all I know about migraines (Yes I have them and so do many members of my family).  But, after doing research, I have found a great website with PICTURES of what visual disturbances can look like.   I hope this helps you!  


http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

[SteelerGirl1969]

I recently went to the opthomologist and they asked me if I had regular migraines or "occular migraines". I didn't know what occular ones were so I asked. They described pretty much what you did, but they said most of the time, the person has the visual disturbance without the pain. I said, "I wish I had those!" Just meaning the aura/visual deal and no pain. But what you're describing is that the pain comes after. I'm willing to bet it's along the lines of an occular migraine. I'm sorry you are having these. I hope you find answers and relief soon.

[mary607]

there are many different types of ocular migraines.. you should be on some kind of medication for them because people who have migraine with aura are 3 times as likely to have a stroke... i learned this the hard way.. i had a stroke when i was 20 years old ...

[sara12345]

Hi Mary,
Just wondering what kind of stroke you had.  Was it by any chance, a carotid artery dissection one, the one most common in people 30-60 years old, unlike the other ones who are more likely in much older people.  That's the kind of stroke that I had after some terrible migraines.

Look forward to hearing about you.

Sara

[mary607]

i am a tough case.. i have been to over 11 doctors and they still arent 100 percent sure of what caused it. because i have basiliar migraines (migraine with aura) it made me even more likely to stroke ... i also had a PFO patent foramen ovale the hole in my heart.. i also have had these weird episodes where i kind of freeze/black out for 2 seconds and then snap out of it and then my balance is off and im confused and i get this hmm in my ears for a little bit my left arm feels a little numb and i feel extremely tired.
so they arent that sure what is going on.
my stroke on mri was spotted - right cerebellar wedge infarction

[sara12345]

11 doctors!  I sure hope that at least some of them were neurologists.  So too bad that no one can put it together for you.  I'm not familiar with the type of stroke that you had, but am guessing it must have been an eschemic stroke?  It sounds like you must have had your stroke about a year ago.  Did these weird episodes start long after your stroke?  Strokes can cause a lot of weird stuff.

Also, you should be monitored because of those who have had a stroke, "5 to 14 percent will have a second stroke within one year.
Within five years, stroke will recur in 24 percent of women and 42 percent of men." from the Stroke Association

I really hope that your strange sensations which must be somewhat alarming at the time, do get better and go away altogether..

Sara

[mary607]

they actually started when i was very little. they aren't sure what type of stroke it was, because there are just so many unknowns.no one told me it may happen again within five years !! wow !!!!
thank you for this information!!

[sara12345]

Unfortunately you have plenty of company where the doctors can't diagnose or properly treat the problems.  But there are always break throughs and let's hope that somebody either figures it out, or they may just go away on their own, especially since you are so young.  The stroke information really appalled me.  

[mary607]

yeah they dont.
thank you!!!!  and thank you for you input :)

[mary607]

your*