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Ocular migraine concerns and questions
Hello,
I had my first ocular migraine about 7 months ago. It consisted of around 40 minutes of flashing lights and loss of peripheral vision in my right eye. There was no observable effect in the left eye, only the right. The symptoms cleared up after 40 minutes, and I regained complete vision. Needless to say, being my first experience of temporary vision loss, I saw an opthomologist and he said there was nothing wrong with the eye.
Since then, I've had two additional ocular migraines with similar symptoms at about 3 month intervals. Today was the latest one I've had, and I thought I would throw the symptoms of these headaches and ask a few basic questions. I'm still pretty new to this, so any help is greatly appreciated.
The symptoms of my ocular headaches are as follows:
- I'm a 24 year old male, pretty healthy with no known illnesses or disease
- All have occured in the early morning (between 8AM and 9AM)
- All have occured while working on a computer
- All have effected only my right eye
- Symptoms have varied only slightly and include: flashing lights, zig-zagging lines, missing spots in vision, peripheral loss of vision, and flashing geometric shapes
- Ocular migraine has been followed by general headache behing BOTH eyes on one occasion (1 out of 3), other two did not have general headache following ocular migraine
- Right eye feels tired and "pressure" all day following ocular migraine
- Right eye "pressure" has lingered for months following ocular migraine (not sure if this is related, could be sinusitis)
- Right eye is now pretty consistently bloodshot, especially in the morning, with a few veins that are very noticeable and never really "clear up". I don't remember this happening before the ocular migraines started.
After the second ocular headache about three months ago, I had this constant "pressure" or sensation on the inner corner of my eye. This lasted months, and I eventually saw my regular doctor about it. He gave me generic flonase and said it was probably sinusitis. I think it helped clear up the pressure a bit, and instead of constant "pressure" it turned into only occasional pressure. After today's ocular migraine, however, the "pressure" is once again back. I have an appointment with an ENT doctor about this a few weeks from now (they were booked for a long time...), but I think it might be more worthwhile to see someone who specializes in these types of migraines. My regular doctor is the one who referred me to the ENT doctor, but I'm not sure my regular doctor is that well versed on ocular migraines.
So, knowing all of this, my questions are as follows:
1. Do ocular migraines sometimes result in lingering headaches behind the eye ("pressure") that lasts for months? Is this normal?
2. I've heard that these type of migraines are most common among young people under 30. If this is the case, can I expect these events to go away as I age (I'm 24)? Or should I still expect to be having these things at 50?
3. The opthamologist I saw told me there was no retinal issues, and also told me (almost laughingly) that it definitely wasn't optic neuritis. Is it worth seeing a specialist about this if it continues at this 3 months interval, or should that examination be sufficient to rule out more serious things? The only other thing I've read about that could be checked is for stroke, but it seems I'd have other serious symptoms if that were the case.
4. Are there any medications that are recommended that provide immediately relief for this stuff? Is there anything I can do that will act as preventative? I've tried to avoid "triggers", but the only "triggers" I can deduce are morning (which I can't avoid) and working on the computer (which I also can't avoid... it's a big part of my job).
Thanks so much for any input or help.
Ben
I had my first ocular migraine about 7 months ago. It consisted of around 40 minutes of flashing lights and loss of peripheral vision in my right eye. There was no observable effect in the left eye, only the right. The symptoms cleared up after 40 minutes, and I regained complete vision. Needless to say, being my first experience of temporary vision loss, I saw an opthomologist and he said there was nothing wrong with the eye.
Since then, I've had two additional ocular migraines with similar symptoms at about 3 month intervals. Today was the latest one I've had, and I thought I would throw the symptoms of these headaches and ask a few basic questions. I'm still pretty new to this, so any help is greatly appreciated.
The symptoms of my ocular headaches are as follows:
- I'm a 24 year old male, pretty healthy with no known illnesses or disease
- All have occured in the early morning (between 8AM and 9AM)
- All have occured while working on a computer
- All have effected only my right eye
- Symptoms have varied only slightly and include: flashing lights, zig-zagging lines, missing spots in vision, peripheral loss of vision, and flashing geometric shapes
- Ocular migraine has been followed by general headache behing BOTH eyes on one occasion (1 out of 3), other two did not have general headache following ocular migraine
- Right eye feels tired and "pressure" all day following ocular migraine
- Right eye "pressure" has lingered for months following ocular migraine (not sure if this is related, could be sinusitis)
- Right eye is now pretty consistently bloodshot, especially in the morning, with a few veins that are very noticeable and never really "clear up". I don't remember this happening before the ocular migraines started.
After the second ocular headache about three months ago, I had this constant "pressure" or sensation on the inner corner of my eye. This lasted months, and I eventually saw my regular doctor about it. He gave me generic flonase and said it was probably sinusitis. I think it helped clear up the pressure a bit, and instead of constant "pressure" it turned into only occasional pressure. After today's ocular migraine, however, the "pressure" is once again back. I have an appointment with an ENT doctor about this a few weeks from now (they were booked for a long time...), but I think it might be more worthwhile to see someone who specializes in these types of migraines. My regular doctor is the one who referred me to the ENT doctor, but I'm not sure my regular doctor is that well versed on ocular migraines.
So, knowing all of this, my questions are as follows:
1. Do ocular migraines sometimes result in lingering headaches behind the eye ("pressure") that lasts for months? Is this normal?
2. I've heard that these type of migraines are most common among young people under 30. If this is the case, can I expect these events to go away as I age (I'm 24)? Or should I still expect to be having these things at 50?
3. The opthamologist I saw told me there was no retinal issues, and also told me (almost laughingly) that it definitely wasn't optic neuritis. Is it worth seeing a specialist about this if it continues at this 3 months interval, or should that examination be sufficient to rule out more serious things? The only other thing I've read about that could be checked is for stroke, but it seems I'd have other serious symptoms if that were the case.
4. Are there any medications that are recommended that provide immediately relief for this stuff? Is there anything I can do that will act as preventative? I've tried to avoid "triggers", but the only "triggers" I can deduce are morning (which I can't avoid) and working on the computer (which I also can't avoid... it's a big part of my job).
Thanks so much for any input or help.
Ben
I've been getting ocular migraines since I got a concussion at 14 and I'm 16 now. It starts out with no being able to tell I'm moving my right arm(really strange) and then I almost have complete vision loss in either eye ( never both at the same time) and I have the worst pulsing migraine almost to the point of vomitting. I was prescribed a medication that got rid of the migraine but I not the silvery shapes that cause the blindness. It helps a lot. It's called Rizatriptan Benzoate Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Not over the counter you take it when you start to see sparkly shapes blocking your vision. I hope this helped
Hi, this was to be short but I kept typing??? ,, I was excited to find the post until I saw that they were quite old..... Then Rocketdriver posted in Aug. of 2013 so hopefully this is still alive???
My name is Duke,, I have had all of the above symptoms in varying degrees ,,,my first starting at age 16-17 while driving my dad's car . After that I would get an episode once every 3-4 years. ,,,,,,, 2002 at age 43 I had a marked increase in the episodes and started on an imitrex treatment / prevention plan from my PCP. After a few months of them occurring more often,,, I lost total vision in the rt eye for 20-35 minutes. Further testing ( MRI and carotid artery Doppler test) confirmed that I had a stroke and was 100% blocked in both my internal and external right carotids. I required almost immediate neurovascular surgery. I mention this because I was told that I was getting older and that the ocular issues followed by the dull but stabbing headache lasting 2-4 days was increasing from hormones, stress, and or from the pain I was having from an unsuccessful cervical disc surgery.
I was lucky to survive it. The symptoms were nearly identical to how my previous occular migraines presented.
So in my case I don't know if I was slowing reacting to the gradual blocking of my arteries or if it was just a coincidence that I had in increase in episodes prior to the stroke,, ( symptoms of which were nearly identical)
I would suggest that if you haven't already , get a ultrasound of your carotids ( arteries in the neck) or at the very least ask your PCP to listen with a stethoscope . My dad and his dad all had the same issues and follow up surgeries. Both past at early ages of 60 and 62. ( they had clear arteries and tests, while being on blood thinners and other medicines available in 1989 and before ,, for blood pressure ..)
PLEASE GET YOUR NECK ARTERIES CHECKED ,, either by you PCP or diagnostic test..
I have had a significant increase in these episodes again. Hence the reason I searched for these posts!! I had a recent angiogram that was clear,, but I'm having one right now and I had trouble getting my words together and reading during the first few hours of onset. This is what happened to both my dad and my grandpa within months of their passing due to severe seizure/strokes. I keep being told that I am clear now ( blood vessels) , but so were my dad and grandpa.. I'm 53 now and have missed many if my yougest daughters dancing because of all this. I have several,other medical issues that required surgeries but I omitted since I've gone on quite long enough..
Please make sure you rule out the carotid issues. The symptoms for me were identical. !!!
My name is Duke,, I have had all of the above symptoms in varying degrees ,,,my first starting at age 16-17 while driving my dad's car . After that I would get an episode once every 3-4 years. ,,,,,,, 2002 at age 43 I had a marked increase in the episodes and started on an imitrex treatment / prevention plan from my PCP. After a few months of them occurring more often,,, I lost total vision in the rt eye for 20-35 minutes. Further testing ( MRI and carotid artery Doppler test) confirmed that I had a stroke and was 100% blocked in both my internal and external right carotids. I required almost immediate neurovascular surgery. I mention this because I was told that I was getting older and that the ocular issues followed by the dull but stabbing headache lasting 2-4 days was increasing from hormones, stress, and or from the pain I was having from an unsuccessful cervical disc surgery.
I was lucky to survive it. The symptoms were nearly identical to how my previous occular migraines presented.
So in my case I don't know if I was slowing reacting to the gradual blocking of my arteries or if it was just a coincidence that I had in increase in episodes prior to the stroke,, ( symptoms of which were nearly identical)
I would suggest that if you haven't already , get a ultrasound of your carotids ( arteries in the neck) or at the very least ask your PCP to listen with a stethoscope . My dad and his dad all had the same issues and follow up surgeries. Both past at early ages of 60 and 62. ( they had clear arteries and tests, while being on blood thinners and other medicines available in 1989 and before ,, for blood pressure ..)
PLEASE GET YOUR NECK ARTERIES CHECKED ,, either by you PCP or diagnostic test..
I have had a significant increase in these episodes again. Hence the reason I searched for these posts!! I had a recent angiogram that was clear,, but I'm having one right now and I had trouble getting my words together and reading during the first few hours of onset. This is what happened to both my dad and my grandpa within months of their passing due to severe seizure/strokes. I keep being told that I am clear now ( blood vessels) , but so were my dad and grandpa.. I'm 53 now and have missed many if my yougest daughters dancing because of all this. I have several,other medical issues that required surgeries but I omitted since I've gone on quite long enough..
Please make sure you rule out the carotid issues. The symptoms for me were identical. !!!
I didn't start experiencing 'scintillating scotomas' until I was 59 years old. Scared the crap out of me, but after seeing a retinal specialist I accepted them. At first it was every six to seven months. By my present age of 62 it has amped up to weekly, and has become almost daily right now. The reason I found this forum was I was wondering if the computer screen, (which I'm typing at through a crescent shaped scintillating scotoma right now --LOL!) could trigger this symptom. It seemed to me when I sat down and turned the desk lamp on, briefly staring at the bulb, I couldn't focus at a spot in the center of my field of vision, but within a minute I realized it was the onset of an ocular migraine, so was not particularly upset; instead I was simply disappointed that this symptom continues to occur and has become more frequent. So I and decided to do some research.
There are definitely emotional factors involved in my case; as with most Americans, the past five years have been the most stressful of my life. I went from the comfortable lifestyle of an airline captain to medically disabled in 2006 after a ruptured lumbar disc was left to resolve for too long, and by the time it was operated on the peripheral nerve had been permanently damaged. Then, with a reasonable disability income and time on my hands, I contracted to build a new home. But in 2008 my airline, which provided the medical benefits, went bankrupt and was allowed to walk away from their pension plan. Suddenly not able to make the payments on the construction loan and having all my life's savings tied up in the home under construction, I went back to the doctor and resurrected my aviation medical certificate, got myself re-trained, and found a flying job in Iraq, which I worked at until a couple of years ago. I'm still in aviation, but at a private jet company, and I commute to the middle east. We work a rotating schedule and it's stressful, which also causes increased pain in the affected leg, but I have no real options since I've been in aviation all my life and need income right now. (Classic baby-boomer case of suddenly being unable to retire). So I definitely feel that the built-in stresses of my job, the continuous round-the-world travel, jet lag, bad sleep habits, prior medical problems, plus a history of migraine in my family have all contributed.
I would mention to Benjamin, since his scotoma appear in one eye, that I can close each eye and still see exactly the same phenomena in the other, so this is to some degree different. Ocular migraine, I'm told by the ophthalmologist, is a disturbance in the ocular cortex of the brain. So one would think it would appear in both eyes, and I've always experienced it thus. I find the single eye symptom interesting, but of course I don't have any sort of opinion or anything else to say since all I know is of my own experience and that of my sister.
My sister, age 65, has had migraine headaches with aura for most of her life. She takes imitrex and abstains from sugar, which works for her. In fact, I don't think she has any migraines at all right now as a result of the above. (I'll return to that in a moment.)
I experienced what I would certainly call a migraine headache, though it's just my conclusion since I didn't go to a hospital, at age 23, when I was attending University. It was at final exam time, so it certainly was a stressful period. All I can say is that it was the most horrible headache I ever had, and it did not respond to any amount of aspirin or Tylenol I took.
When I was working in Iraq I began to get headaches, but they weren't anywhere near what I would call migraine. I drank too much, which was common for all the pilots and other expat workers there, and I ate a lot of chocolate and junk since everything from whiskey to beer to Swiss chocolate was available at dirt cheap prices from Duty Free. And frankly, when you're under mortar attacks and people are shooting at your airplane, and since you can't take any pain medication and hold an FAA medical certificate you tend to find ways of numbing all of it! When I returned from Iraq I read a book called Good Calories, Bad Calories, by Gary Taubes, basically a journalist's account of the history of food science. As a result I stopped eating any kind of sugar and went on a very low carb diet. Within a day the headaches stopped, and now I rarely get any headaches at all. (I also lost 26 lbs.) When I do have a headache I can find the spot on my scalp where the muscles have knotted up. Usually a few Advil or one fioricet tablet will eliminate it quickly.
So, to wrap up the post, and to get back to my original question, I was wondering if anyone else feels that the flash of bright light from a light bulb, or the strain of staring at a computer screen can trigger an ocular migraine?
Thank you for reading all this. Sorry, I didn't mean to write such a long comment.
Steve
There are definitely emotional factors involved in my case; as with most Americans, the past five years have been the most stressful of my life. I went from the comfortable lifestyle of an airline captain to medically disabled in 2006 after a ruptured lumbar disc was left to resolve for too long, and by the time it was operated on the peripheral nerve had been permanently damaged. Then, with a reasonable disability income and time on my hands, I contracted to build a new home. But in 2008 my airline, which provided the medical benefits, went bankrupt and was allowed to walk away from their pension plan. Suddenly not able to make the payments on the construction loan and having all my life's savings tied up in the home under construction, I went back to the doctor and resurrected my aviation medical certificate, got myself re-trained, and found a flying job in Iraq, which I worked at until a couple of years ago. I'm still in aviation, but at a private jet company, and I commute to the middle east. We work a rotating schedule and it's stressful, which also causes increased pain in the affected leg, but I have no real options since I've been in aviation all my life and need income right now. (Classic baby-boomer case of suddenly being unable to retire). So I definitely feel that the built-in stresses of my job, the continuous round-the-world travel, jet lag, bad sleep habits, prior medical problems, plus a history of migraine in my family have all contributed.
I would mention to Benjamin, since his scotoma appear in one eye, that I can close each eye and still see exactly the same phenomena in the other, so this is to some degree different. Ocular migraine, I'm told by the ophthalmologist, is a disturbance in the ocular cortex of the brain. So one would think it would appear in both eyes, and I've always experienced it thus. I find the single eye symptom interesting, but of course I don't have any sort of opinion or anything else to say since all I know is of my own experience and that of my sister.
My sister, age 65, has had migraine headaches with aura for most of her life. She takes imitrex and abstains from sugar, which works for her. In fact, I don't think she has any migraines at all right now as a result of the above. (I'll return to that in a moment.)
I experienced what I would certainly call a migraine headache, though it's just my conclusion since I didn't go to a hospital, at age 23, when I was attending University. It was at final exam time, so it certainly was a stressful period. All I can say is that it was the most horrible headache I ever had, and it did not respond to any amount of aspirin or Tylenol I took.
When I was working in Iraq I began to get headaches, but they weren't anywhere near what I would call migraine. I drank too much, which was common for all the pilots and other expat workers there, and I ate a lot of chocolate and junk since everything from whiskey to beer to Swiss chocolate was available at dirt cheap prices from Duty Free. And frankly, when you're under mortar attacks and people are shooting at your airplane, and since you can't take any pain medication and hold an FAA medical certificate you tend to find ways of numbing all of it! When I returned from Iraq I read a book called Good Calories, Bad Calories, by Gary Taubes, basically a journalist's account of the history of food science. As a result I stopped eating any kind of sugar and went on a very low carb diet. Within a day the headaches stopped, and now I rarely get any headaches at all. (I also lost 26 lbs.) When I do have a headache I can find the spot on my scalp where the muscles have knotted up. Usually a few Advil or one fioricet tablet will eliminate it quickly.
So, to wrap up the post, and to get back to my original question, I was wondering if anyone else feels that the flash of bright light from a light bulb, or the strain of staring at a computer screen can trigger an ocular migraine?
Thank you for reading all this. Sorry, I didn't mean to write such a long comment.
Steve
I am a 54 year old woman and I recently had almost the exact same experience. I had a splitting headache behind my left eye and had bright flashes of light/patterns from left eye for about 20 minutes. Afterward the left eye was extremely bloodshot and swollen. I went to a walk-in clinic and they told me to go to the ER. My vitals were all fine and I saw an opthomologist. He dilated my left pupil and saw no "permanent damage." I then went to a neurologist who gave me an exam-no problem. I'm having an MRI and MRA done this week to check my brain. I then have an appointment with a neuro-optomologist. What was your outcome?
You could be overly sensitive to all the chemicals put into foods nowadays. Try eating just unprocessed foods, such as fresh organic vegetable, fruits, grass fed beef, wild caught fish, organic chicken, organic free range eggs, and raw nuts and seeds.
I have read a million posts here but never anything that comes close to what I experience. It's frustrating. I've had migraines all my life and know all about triggers and have my own system down pretty well. I take imitrex and methocarmomol and zanaflex and sometimes tramadol. My migraines became transformed in 2004 and they've been daily ever since. Now I get three to five a day. The latest thing is I've developed white round scotoma in both eyes. I also see halos and long streaming lights that come out of the tv. This is not an ocular migraine. This is permanent. I have an appt. to see a neuro-opthamologist at Stanford in April. The regular opthamologist said the eye itself was fine and that the problem was either vascular, neurologic, or toxic. I also have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I deal with a lot of pain. And I have interstitial cystitis. I thought maybe MS but the MRI and lumbar puncture were clean. I'm supposed to have an upper spine MRI and maybe that will tell us something. Having three migraines a day is so much. I wonder what the eye doctor will say. Also, my eyes have been blurry and I had a few days of vertigo.
Hi Marileew,
Thank you for your reply. It's good to know that these things don't seem strange to people. The first time I experienced an ocular migraine, I actually thought I was going blind - so I rushed immediately to an Optometrist, who couldn't find anything wrong with the migraine eye, but found a retinal hole in the periphery of the other eye (I hadn't been to an eye doctor in probably 10 - 15 years at that point...). The Optometrist referred me to an Opthamologist (retinal specialist) who then sutured the retinal hole, but didn't find anything wrong with the eye I came to the doctor about in the first place... c'est la vie.
It's interesting that you mention caffein being a trigger. I drink two cups of coffee most days, and it just so happens that yesterday I delayed my cup of coffee to shoot off an e-mail in the early morning. I wasn't sure if this could be a trigger, but I suppose delaying my "morning routine" could have an effect on these migraines - I will try to keep things consistant from here on out.
Thanks so much for your input.
Ben
Thank you for your reply. It's good to know that these things don't seem strange to people. The first time I experienced an ocular migraine, I actually thought I was going blind - so I rushed immediately to an Optometrist, who couldn't find anything wrong with the migraine eye, but found a retinal hole in the periphery of the other eye (I hadn't been to an eye doctor in probably 10 - 15 years at that point...). The Optometrist referred me to an Opthamologist (retinal specialist) who then sutured the retinal hole, but didn't find anything wrong with the eye I came to the doctor about in the first place... c'est la vie.
It's interesting that you mention caffein being a trigger. I drink two cups of coffee most days, and it just so happens that yesterday I delayed my cup of coffee to shoot off an e-mail in the early morning. I wasn't sure if this could be a trigger, but I suppose delaying my "morning routine" could have an effect on these migraines - I will try to keep things consistant from here on out.
Thanks so much for your input.
Ben
4. Are there any medications that are recommended that provide immediately relief for this stuff? Is there anything I can do that will act as preventative? I've tried to avoid "triggers", but the only "triggers" I can deduce are morning (which I can't avoid) and working on the computer (which I also can't avoid... it's a big part of my job).
Yes. Triptans. Triptans are migraine medication. You take a triptan as soon as you feel the migraine coming on... that means the first weird visual thing you see, or, if you happen to feel something else prior to each individual attack that you don't feel other times. The triptans will stop the headache and will likely also shorten or stop the visual symptoms as well.
There are things you can try to do with regards to your computer that might help... such as turning down the brightness... taking short breaks... looking around the room every few minutes.... closing your eyes every few minutes... etc. just gives your eyes a break every few minutes. That might help. Wearing sunglasses. Make sure your computer screen is at the right level so you are looking directly at it. Make sure the screen is not too close or too far away so that you are stressing your eyes at all. Try a few things and see if any of those help.
The mornings... bright lights are a common migraine trigger. I find that quickly opening the blinds in the morning triggers my migraines... or turning on my light in the morning. Instead, I let my eyes adjust to the "natural" light in the dark room first and then I get up and walk in the kitchen, where it is much brighter, but without turning the lights on, until my eyes adjust to that... and then, once my eyes have adjusted, then I slowly bring up the lights in the house.... and I ALWAYS wear sunglasses during the day, no matter what season it is.
Also... morning... make me think of caffiene withdrawal too. Do you drink coffee in the morning? Caffeine is a strong trigger for many people. Could be related to caffiene consumption. Either your morning cup of coffee is triggering your headache... or not getting your morning cup soon enough... both can trigger migraines (and migraine does not have to include "pain" remember... just the visual symptoms count!!!)
Also, what do you eat for breakfast that is different than during the day? Do you eat breakfast? Blood sugar levels are very connected to migraines. You might want to try drinking a cup of juice or something before going to bed (remember to brush your teeth after!!) so that your blood sugar levels aren't so low first thing in the morning. And always remember to eat breakfast. Even if it's just one of those breakfast bars or a smoothie or something.
Well... hope that helps!! :)
Yes. Triptans. Triptans are migraine medication. You take a triptan as soon as you feel the migraine coming on... that means the first weird visual thing you see, or, if you happen to feel something else prior to each individual attack that you don't feel other times. The triptans will stop the headache and will likely also shorten or stop the visual symptoms as well.
There are things you can try to do with regards to your computer that might help... such as turning down the brightness... taking short breaks... looking around the room every few minutes.... closing your eyes every few minutes... etc. just gives your eyes a break every few minutes. That might help. Wearing sunglasses. Make sure your computer screen is at the right level so you are looking directly at it. Make sure the screen is not too close or too far away so that you are stressing your eyes at all. Try a few things and see if any of those help.
The mornings... bright lights are a common migraine trigger. I find that quickly opening the blinds in the morning triggers my migraines... or turning on my light in the morning. Instead, I let my eyes adjust to the "natural" light in the dark room first and then I get up and walk in the kitchen, where it is much brighter, but without turning the lights on, until my eyes adjust to that... and then, once my eyes have adjusted, then I slowly bring up the lights in the house.... and I ALWAYS wear sunglasses during the day, no matter what season it is.
Also... morning... make me think of caffiene withdrawal too. Do you drink coffee in the morning? Caffeine is a strong trigger for many people. Could be related to caffiene consumption. Either your morning cup of coffee is triggering your headache... or not getting your morning cup soon enough... both can trigger migraines (and migraine does not have to include "pain" remember... just the visual symptoms count!!!)
Also, what do you eat for breakfast that is different than during the day? Do you eat breakfast? Blood sugar levels are very connected to migraines. You might want to try drinking a cup of juice or something before going to bed (remember to brush your teeth after!!) so that your blood sugar levels aren't so low first thing in the morning. And always remember to eat breakfast. Even if it's just one of those breakfast bars or a smoothie or something.
Well... hope that helps!! :)
Hi there,
I am a migraine sufferer too. I usually get severe headaches with no aura, but I have had headaches with aura before and also aura without headaches before. So, I know exactly what you're describing in terms of what you're seeing... a lot of us here do!! Don't worry, you're not alone!! The first time it happened to me, I had recently seen the film "the ring" and what I saw in my vision looked exactly like "the ring" in the killer video!! I was soo afraid and I thought I was going insane!!! I also had the blind spots and everything too. It wasn't until looking up what others had drawn online of what their migraines "looked like" that I realized I was seeing what everyone else was seeing!! Anyway, to answer some of your questions...
1. Do ocular migraines sometimes result in lingering headaches behind the eye ("pressure") that lasts for months? Is this normal?
Migraine headaches are often described as "pressure behind the eye". Also, although migraine headaches usually resolve within hours, or at least days, it is possible for them to last for months or years. Now, if the pain, or "pressure" you are feeling is not severe, then it is possible you have what is called a "transformed migraine". That is when the severe migraine pain turns into milder chronic pain. So yes, it is normal. It is not common, but it is also not something that is rare. It is just unfortunate that it is happening to you.
The best way to avoid transformed headaches is to make sure that you stop the original headache. This means properly treating the original headache with proper migraine medication. You should be treating your migraines with triptans the moment you feel them coming on, at the first sign of the aura (the visual symptoms). The triptans will interup the headache and stop it from continuing and stop the possibility of it from becoming a transformed headache.
Also, you might want to avoid treating your headaches with over-the-counter NSAIDS like advil... as this can also cause rebound headaches. BUT if you are going to do that, you MUST replace them with something, PREFERABLY PROPER migraine medication... and that's triptans. You will need a prescription from your doctor.
It is good you got your eyes tested. That would have been everyone's first suggestion. But you did it. Continue getting yearly eye tests. Make sure they test the pressure in your eyes (they do this by freezing your eyes slightly and then poking them with something). Make sure you go to an eye DOCTOR, that's an Ophthalmologist, don't ever go to an optometrist to get your eyes tested if you are worried that there is something wrong with them, please always go to an actual eye DOCTOR, and those are ophthalmologists.
Also, if you ever experience any NEW strange visual symptoms, sudden severe eye pain, what looks like a "veil" has been placed over your vision or any complete visual loss (as opposed to blind spots) or any undiagnosed lasting visual symptoms that do not resolve themselves on their own or with medication, please seek immediate medical attention, please do not mistake these as being normal just because you have suffered from migraines before. Such new symptoms could be signs of a stroke or serious eye problems and you will need emergency medical attention.
2. I've heard that these type of migraines are most common among young people under 30. If this is the case, can I expect these events to go away as I age (I'm 24)? Or should I still expect to be having these things at 50?
I haven't heard that any type of migraine is more common among young people except for "stomach migraines without headache" that are more common among very young children.BUT! No, you should not expect to still have them around 50. MOST people find that their migraines decrease in both severity and frequency the older that they get.
3. The opthamologist I saw told me there was no retinal issues, and also told me (almost laughingly) that it definitely wasn't optic neuritis. Is it worth seeing a specialist about this if it continues at this 3 months interval, or should that examination be sufficient to rule out more serious things? The only other thing I've read about that could be checked is for stroke, but it seems I'd have other serious symptoms if that were the case.
First... what you described sounded like a migraine. I know it feels scary and looks scary and seems like something huge. I thought I was going insane the first time it happened to me. I totally understand how freaky it is. But... really, you don't have to worry about scarier things. All the stuff you described are migraine symptoms. But, to answer your questions about the other stuff...
At this point, if you'd had a stoke... well, you'd have had a stroke. The point of identifying stroke symptoms early and early medical intervention is so that lasting brain damage does not occur and so that physical/speech/behaviour/etc therapy can begin taking place ASAP. If you had a stroke months ago... well, it was probably minor. Now, you've said it's happened three times. So, the next time it happens, if you are worried about a stroke, then go to the ER. They will be able to do a CT scan and an MRI to rule out a stroke and to do any corrective surgery that needs to be done on the very very off chance that it is a stroke. At this point, had they all been mini strokes, it's possible that it might show up on scans (quite possible) and it's possible that you could start medication and stuff to prevent further strokes... but, it's also possible it wouldn't show up at all and that not a lot could be done... and, anyway, from what you are describing, the likely hood of it being anything other than a migraine is so small... because, you are describing what so many of us see on a regular basis!! ;) I know it's scary!! But... it's really nothing to be afraid of!
Hmm... sarcastic laughing doctors... trust me, we're all familiar with that on here as well too. Don't know why there are so many doctors out there with such terrible bed-side manners!! When something scary happens to us... we are scared.... and, we don't have medical degrees. We are going to ask questions. It's natural. And, we're not going to understand what's happening to us. It's up to the doctors to EXPLAIN what is happening to us and answer our questions so that we UNDERSTAND... because scary events are some-what traumatizing!! But, a lot of doctors skip the explaining part, just tell us we're fine, and shoo us out of their offices... leaving us feeling just as confused and afraid as when we first walked in.
So, your ophthalmologist was probably right, it probably has nothing to do with optic neuritis. He should have explained why. But... if you are still concerned, it would not hurt for you too get a second opinion... not being you might have optic neuritis, but just so you can understand WHY that's not the case. Although, if you live in America where you have to pay for doctor's visits or some other country like that... then I'd suggest instead visiting a neurologist, as they will help you understand the migraines, and understanding the migraines will probably help you the most right now.
I am a migraine sufferer too. I usually get severe headaches with no aura, but I have had headaches with aura before and also aura without headaches before. So, I know exactly what you're describing in terms of what you're seeing... a lot of us here do!! Don't worry, you're not alone!! The first time it happened to me, I had recently seen the film "the ring" and what I saw in my vision looked exactly like "the ring" in the killer video!! I was soo afraid and I thought I was going insane!!! I also had the blind spots and everything too. It wasn't until looking up what others had drawn online of what their migraines "looked like" that I realized I was seeing what everyone else was seeing!! Anyway, to answer some of your questions...
1. Do ocular migraines sometimes result in lingering headaches behind the eye ("pressure") that lasts for months? Is this normal?
Migraine headaches are often described as "pressure behind the eye". Also, although migraine headaches usually resolve within hours, or at least days, it is possible for them to last for months or years. Now, if the pain, or "pressure" you are feeling is not severe, then it is possible you have what is called a "transformed migraine". That is when the severe migraine pain turns into milder chronic pain. So yes, it is normal. It is not common, but it is also not something that is rare. It is just unfortunate that it is happening to you.
The best way to avoid transformed headaches is to make sure that you stop the original headache. This means properly treating the original headache with proper migraine medication. You should be treating your migraines with triptans the moment you feel them coming on, at the first sign of the aura (the visual symptoms). The triptans will interup the headache and stop it from continuing and stop the possibility of it from becoming a transformed headache.
Also, you might want to avoid treating your headaches with over-the-counter NSAIDS like advil... as this can also cause rebound headaches. BUT if you are going to do that, you MUST replace them with something, PREFERABLY PROPER migraine medication... and that's triptans. You will need a prescription from your doctor.
It is good you got your eyes tested. That would have been everyone's first suggestion. But you did it. Continue getting yearly eye tests. Make sure they test the pressure in your eyes (they do this by freezing your eyes slightly and then poking them with something). Make sure you go to an eye DOCTOR, that's an Ophthalmologist, don't ever go to an optometrist to get your eyes tested if you are worried that there is something wrong with them, please always go to an actual eye DOCTOR, and those are ophthalmologists.
Also, if you ever experience any NEW strange visual symptoms, sudden severe eye pain, what looks like a "veil" has been placed over your vision or any complete visual loss (as opposed to blind spots) or any undiagnosed lasting visual symptoms that do not resolve themselves on their own or with medication, please seek immediate medical attention, please do not mistake these as being normal just because you have suffered from migraines before. Such new symptoms could be signs of a stroke or serious eye problems and you will need emergency medical attention.
2. I've heard that these type of migraines are most common among young people under 30. If this is the case, can I expect these events to go away as I age (I'm 24)? Or should I still expect to be having these things at 50?
I haven't heard that any type of migraine is more common among young people except for "stomach migraines without headache" that are more common among very young children.BUT! No, you should not expect to still have them around 50. MOST people find that their migraines decrease in both severity and frequency the older that they get.
3. The opthamologist I saw told me there was no retinal issues, and also told me (almost laughingly) that it definitely wasn't optic neuritis. Is it worth seeing a specialist about this if it continues at this 3 months interval, or should that examination be sufficient to rule out more serious things? The only other thing I've read about that could be checked is for stroke, but it seems I'd have other serious symptoms if that were the case.
First... what you described sounded like a migraine. I know it feels scary and looks scary and seems like something huge. I thought I was going insane the first time it happened to me. I totally understand how freaky it is. But... really, you don't have to worry about scarier things. All the stuff you described are migraine symptoms. But, to answer your questions about the other stuff...
At this point, if you'd had a stoke... well, you'd have had a stroke. The point of identifying stroke symptoms early and early medical intervention is so that lasting brain damage does not occur and so that physical/speech/behaviour/etc therapy can begin taking place ASAP. If you had a stroke months ago... well, it was probably minor. Now, you've said it's happened three times. So, the next time it happens, if you are worried about a stroke, then go to the ER. They will be able to do a CT scan and an MRI to rule out a stroke and to do any corrective surgery that needs to be done on the very very off chance that it is a stroke. At this point, had they all been mini strokes, it's possible that it might show up on scans (quite possible) and it's possible that you could start medication and stuff to prevent further strokes... but, it's also possible it wouldn't show up at all and that not a lot could be done... and, anyway, from what you are describing, the likely hood of it being anything other than a migraine is so small... because, you are describing what so many of us see on a regular basis!! ;) I know it's scary!! But... it's really nothing to be afraid of!
Hmm... sarcastic laughing doctors... trust me, we're all familiar with that on here as well too. Don't know why there are so many doctors out there with such terrible bed-side manners!! When something scary happens to us... we are scared.... and, we don't have medical degrees. We are going to ask questions. It's natural. And, we're not going to understand what's happening to us. It's up to the doctors to EXPLAIN what is happening to us and answer our questions so that we UNDERSTAND... because scary events are some-what traumatizing!! But, a lot of doctors skip the explaining part, just tell us we're fine, and shoo us out of their offices... leaving us feeling just as confused and afraid as when we first walked in.
So, your ophthalmologist was probably right, it probably has nothing to do with optic neuritis. He should have explained why. But... if you are still concerned, it would not hurt for you too get a second opinion... not being you might have optic neuritis, but just so you can understand WHY that's not the case. Although, if you live in America where you have to pay for doctor's visits or some other country like that... then I'd suggest instead visiting a neurologist, as they will help you understand the migraines, and understanding the migraines will probably help you the most right now.
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