Migraines with aura and MS

[lavon24]

Hello All:

I had temporary vision loss in my left eye 9 mons ago. My MRI was negative. No stroke. Since that time I have had strong blurred vision, visual disturbances such as stars and zig zag lines.  Additionally, I am battling dizzines, muscle spasms, and numbness in my legs. While under the care of an opthalmologist, I was told I have a subtle reduction in the nerve fibers in my optic nerve in both eyes.

The opthalmologist seems to think I am somewhere between migraines with aura and MS.  Is there a connection??

[PastorDan]

I'm not aware of a direct link between the two afflictions.  I've had migraines, several during the summer of 1997 and one about 2 weeks ago tomorrow.  Happens that I am in the middle of trying to find a diagnosis for a much more complex set of symptoms, some of which happen with migraines.  It could still turn out to be migraine with aura combined with something else to explain my assorted other stuff.  I do hope it's something that can be brought under control, at least.  As I mentioned to a couple folks, I find my full symptom list satisfied by only MS or brain tumor, and the tumor's been ruled out pretty surely.  However, it could also be two or three something-elses combined that look like MS when combined.  Glad you found us; this is a good place, and like most of fus, you'll probably be seeking answers for a while.  Stop in often.  We'll meanwhile pray for miracles all around.

[lavon24]

Thanks for responding.  I have been back and forth with doctors since last July.   It does get exhausting.  Glad I found this support, as well.

Take care.

[biowham]

Hi, Lavon--

There seems to be some indication of a connection, not necessarily in the literature (I haven't looked) but anecdotally. Several folks have said that they didn't have migraines until they had MS, and for a few, migraines were really the onset.

I'm not diagnosed with anything, but two weeks ago, I had my first ever aura. No headache, just the aura. I'm not a migraneur, so that was new to me and very very freaky. I have no clue what triggered it or if it's related in any way to my other symptoms.

That's not much help, I know, but it summarizes all I've heard about this question. I think there's something to it, personally.

Biowaddles

[wonko]

Hi lavon24,

I do not have MS.  I have Lyme disease that went undiagnosed for at least 1.5 years, which can (and does) cause a lot of confusing symptoms.  

I also get migraines with aura.  I never had them before my LD.  I also have eye pain and flashing lights upon movement, and mild double vision (since around May).  Sometimes I also wake up with sharp stabbing pain in my eyes.

My auras have included a gray squiggly circle in the center of my field of vision and taking up maybe 25% of my vision, weird bright pinwheels, and also green and purple light veils not unlike arora borealis.  Most of these events last less then an hour.  The longest lasting, and one I still get, is the arora borealis.

I did see an opthamologist and a neuro-optha.  I have no retinal problems and no physical problems with my eyes to explain the visual issues I have.  All they can see is that I have extensive blood-shotting (there is a medical term for it, but it slips my mind).  

My eye problems are bilateral, and thankfully I am now over two months into treatment for Lyme.  Sometimes, my vision is normal during the day now, and I get auras less often.  I hope to see ongoing improvement!

I hope your doctors are able to trace the source of your symptoms.

[lavon24]

Thanks for responding.  This does help.  At least I am not losing my mind. For a while, I thought I was.

If you have any type of visual disturbance, check with a doc just in case.  You can have the aura and no headache.  Kinda like a silent migraine.  Take note on how often you continue to have them, maybe what you have eaten.  This can help you track down a trigger.

Thanks for the info.

[lavon24]

Thanks for this info.  I never considered lyme disease.  How did your docs diagnosis this?  Are there any test for this disease?

[jason80]

My eye symptoms are well described by Wonko, except that my pin wheels and "Northern Lights" phenomenon occurs in dim light settings and when I wake up.  However, I also have Visual Snow all day long.  All opto and other neurologic doctors have suggested it's migraine aura.

I also have many neurologic symptoms, and the doctors have also told me that these visual symptoms are NOT optic neuritis, fwiw, since I thought I might have MS.

I assume that you are having a neurologist do a work up based on your symptoms, since it is appropriate.