permanent visual aura

[Kris189]

Hello, i have suffered from visual snow for 11 years now and all the doctors i have seen have told me i have depression and anxiety.i have had an MRI and CT which were clear. I am convined that the migraines i started getting at the age of 16 have caused this permanent change in my vision and this has caused me to become anxious and depressed. Everything has an unusal glow about it and appears too bright. i have trouble with flourescent lighting and focusing on reading black text on white paper. computer screens are an issue and lectures at uni are difficult as the white background on the screen makes it hard for me to see beyong the flickering it causes me. after i look at an object then look away i see after images. i have trouble focusing on people when i talk to them due to the visual static. the vision is similar to the auras i used to suffer from before getting a migraine but not as severe.
I would give anything just to have normal vision, it's been so long that i've forgotten what it is like. i avoid social situations in bright lighting due to my focusing problems and i'm sick of this vision thing making everything appear dreamlike!
Do you have any advice?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi Kris.

You are going through a difficult period.

From the description, it appears that you are suffering from 'persistent aura without infarction', which is associated with migraine. Have you tried Valproic Acid or Lamotrigine ? Also, there are reports suggesting the use of Verapamil. I would suggest you consult your Neurologist regarding these medicines.  

Please do not let this affect your social interactions. I know this is easier said than done. But you have to keep your spirits high.

Regards

DrAbhijeetMD

[Kris189]

Thankyou so much! i have another appointment in January to see my neurologist, hopefully he will be able to prescribe one of these drugs for me. i'm trying to improve my diet and exercise everyday which helps to lessen the aura in the mean time. I appreciate your help, it's so nice to have someone understand me for once!!!

[Geet]

Pls do let us know if u find something !!

[Kris189]

The neurologist told me he is 110 percent sure that it is not persistent aura without infarction and that this condition would not last for 11 years. He said to have this i would have to have a blind spot in my vision and he refused to prescribe me any of the drugs which may help as he believes they won't do anything and doesn't want to be responsible for any adverse symptoms they may cause. He told me that what i'm seeing is normal i'm just extra sensitive to it all but had no explanation as to why. i told him that if it was a symtom of anxiety then the psychiatrist would've been familiar with it as he would deal with many anxiety cases. The effexor has not helped my vision. the neurologist referred me to a neuro opthamologist. It seems slightly coincidental that my visual symptoms began after I suffered from terrible migraines with auras and the symptoms i now suffer are similar but not as severe to the the aura i get prior to a migraine.  what should i do if this doctor can't help me??

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I think you may want to give a consult with the neuroophthalmologist a try. Migraine auras are usually reversible and you have mentioned that your symptoms lasted for like years.It is best to have a complete ophthalmologic examination done.Migraines are given as a diagnosis when there are no other underlying conditions.In your case, your vision needs to be assessed.

Keep us posted for anything.

[TaraLynner]

I also have this permanent aura and have had it since I was 23.  I have also had it for 11 years.  It tends to get worse as I get a migraine and will block out portions of my visual field.  I believe that this started when I was getting daily migrines and was taking Imitrex on a daily basis.  The auras would appear when I would get a migraine.  Since I was getting them everyday, the aura remained.  My neurologist thought it was because of the Imitrex and I stopped taking that.  But, the migraines did not stop, so I am currently using another triptan drug when I get a migraine.  I am on an anti-depressant but that is not curbing them at this time.  I have seen a neuro-optomologist.  I saw him about 8 years ago.  I had all of the visual tests performed and ,everything came out fine.  I was able to pass the visual field test although I always see white, floating lights in my visual field.  He told me that this is because of "crossed-wires" in my brain due to the daily migraines and Imitrex.  He had heard of only two other cases like mine, but there was no treatment or solution.  He said that I could try other meds to see if they help.  I was really tired of being on meds so I declined.  No one can seem to help me get a handle on these migraines, let alone the permanent visual disturbance.  It is frustrating and makes me feel quite out of control of my body!

[reggie82]

Hi,
I was just reading your symptoms and the likeness to what I have is identical - black writing on white paper, computer screens, lights etc. I've had it permanantly for about a year now with no improvement. I never really had migranes or headaches previously. Just wondering if you have made any headway in your search?
Cheers