Shimmering flashing blurring vision between migraines

[SandyDn]

Hi

I wonder if anyone else with migraines has these symptoms.

I started getting migraines 8 weeks ago and have had 7 migraine attacks in that time.  I get very little headache pain, more like a foggy head, but do get blindspots and zigzag shimmering aura that grows to fill my field of vision, also on a few occasions have had speech difficulties. I have been prescribed pizotofen as a preventative, as it's early days I am waiting to see how that works out.

What is disturbing me now is that I seem to have developed visual problems at times when I am not having a migraine attack. I am experiencing them now and my last migraine was over a week ago.  These are as follows:

Shimmering -  moving vision - particularly of patterned or busy surfaces - trees, pebbles on beach, bath mat etc. Carpets/flooring rippling/waving like made of water

Focusing - When I try to focus on something in the distance my eyes feel like they are moving and I have to struggle to try and pull them back to the point I want to focus on, like they are moving around in a slow side to side motion

Flashing - small patch of vision flashes/changes colour. Particularly noticeable when watching tv
Reading -  close up it is difficult to see the words, I get a dark patches, like I have just looked at a bright light, words don't seem clear, particularly if looking at a device - iphone/ipad.  Can at times make me feel queasy.

I have had optician check my eyes, CT brain scan, blood tests and all has come back as clear.  
Other info: I pulled my back 3 weeks before the migraines started and had to be prescribed codine and paracetamol for searing pains to nerve in my hip - could this be connected?
I had sinus polyps about 10 years ago and suspect they may have come back - have been prescribed beconaise nasal spray - could they be a cause?

GP has referred me to hospital 'headache clinic' and Optician to eye hospital for further investigations - I am waiting to hear back from both.

I am concerned at having to wait in case there is something more serious that needs more urgent attention.  Has anyone else experienced these symptoms relating to migraine.

Thanks.

[SandyDn]

Hi

Thank you so much for replying.

I know these sound like aura symptoms but I am getting the 24/7 and my last migraine was 10 days ago. Also much less severe than aura I get during migraines which is extremely trippy.

The symptoms seemed to be worse when I was taking beta blockers as a preventative a few weeks ago and I assumed they were a sude effect, but I am still getting them niw after 2 1/2 weeks on pizotifen.

I have been taking sumatriptan during a migraine attack and keeping a food diary.

Thanks for expressing your sympathy and I hope you are well again soon.

[Pinkchichi13]

Yes i have been getting migraines since 1998 and i am currently having severe issues now....the medications can cause side effects but the visual problems sounds like an aura it is visual disturbance usually before a migraine it is different for everybody cracked vision focusing problems and many other weird visual symptoms have you tried any of the triptan drugs they are for acute attacks and there are various preventative treatments talk to your dr...finding triggers by keeping a food and activity log cheese, alcohol, dyes and all kinds of things in your diet can cause migraines keeping a log can help you identify certain ones... Keep up with your dr for any tests he suggests but it sounds like migraine symptoms there are also great nausea meds...hope you feel better .... I have sympathy for you i know how it is....best wishes!!!