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ocular migraines

I have ocular migraines. They come in threes. I can have one and the next one could be a day or so later, and the next headache, the next day or day after. I could also have two in one day. They come sometimes every month, then could go away for a few months. I do get a mild headache after. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone about their experiences. I do not know anyone, personally, who has this problem. I've had it for several years. My eye doctor says it isn't anything, doesn't know what causes it, but it is troublesome and I'd like to know more about it. Thank you all very much for any help.
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I wear sunglasses all the time when I drive, shop, anywhere there is bright light.  My eyes are very sensitive to light.
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I started getting frequent auras a few years back when I was involved in a very stressful situation. Since then, I had a few here and there, and now they are back full force. (Another time where stress and anxiety is abundant.  I have to think this is what brings them on. I had about 5 in the last week alone. I also have neck pain and discomfort and wonder if I could have a pinched nerve. I spend a lot of time on the computer and I am sure that doesn't help my eyes.
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Hi everyone. I am 66 years young, and I have CMD, DDD and MD in addition to mild cataracts. The Chronic Migraine Disease has been with me since the age of 12. I get the "variety pack" - all the possibilities, both neurological and vascular-based. Each day is a challenge; however, having done thorough research on it, I was convinced early on, and still to this day, that it is most assuredly on my daily invisible "things to do" list. Over and above the chronic migraine, I have Degenerative Disc Disease in my lumbar spine and both hips - so I am in constant body pain of one sort or another. My "saving grace" is my beautiful 152-pound Newfoundland Medical Service Dog, BUBBLES, who multi-tasks and never complains. She is my "AWS" (Advance Warning System). Bubby handles Migraine, Stroke, Disorientation, Vertigo, Vision Loss, Paralysis and Blood Pressure attacks. She is always with me and assists me to either help or home or safety - she does the judgment call. I rescued her in July 2009 - and now she rescues me, each and every single day. Ocular Migraines are the worst, as you are in jeopardy when both eyes' entire visual fields go black. It happened over the years before I had a "canine partner". I have one now in my right eye and down the right-hand side of my face. It has been hitting me intermittently about 12 times in the last 2 days. They tend to not show up for long periods, and then hit in clusters - I guess they are trying to make up for lost time. Whatever. The world does not stop, nor - I find - does most of it care, if you suffer from CMD - so the best way to handle it is to learn how to cope and live your life the best way you can under the circumstances. I am now disabled and retired and had a wonderful career, despite the recurring pain and the "added cost options" of CMD, over the decades. At 66, and with my cancer in remission as of September 22nd 2015, I and my animals are survivors. I also have 3 Tabby-point Siamese from rescue too. They are my best "therapy clinic" for constant pain. Trust me. God bless and take care. Val Frost and Bubbles, my Newfoundland Medical Service Dog and very best friend and nurse.
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Hi, I two have had ocular migraines since I was 9, I am 47 now. The worst ones I have had seems to stem from lack of drinking water, something I ate or trying to detox. I have so many allergies and found out two years ago I have celiac. This year I found out I have a mthfr gene mutation which can be culprit to migraines and a lot of other things I am experiencing. Get checked for the gene mutation. and check out www.mthfr.net very interesting. I am just in the beginning of trying to figure out what to do and take etc... From what I read though this is probably why two of my pregnancies were tough ones. One wasn't. But within 12 hours of giving birth, or during the birth I had an  migraine with aura.Lately the migraines have changed a bit. Usually eat something wrong to cause them. or dint drink my water. Also lately my vision has been getting worse. I am going to neurologist and neruo opthamologist in the coming months. Takes forever here in NJ to get an appt.  Like I said find an integrative MD and get tested for the mthfr gene. It may be as simple as avoiding folic acid in your diet and vits to cure you. ??? Like I said I am still figuring things out.
God Bless
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Avatar universal
It's amazing finding this post- I have had ocular migraines since I was 12 years old. I am now 47 years old. Up until reading this post I didn't even know they had a "name". When I got my first one- the doctor at that time ( a long time ago at the age of 12 ) thought I had a reaction to medication as I had just gotten over being sick and he had prescribed triaminic cough syrup- I think it's counter medicine now.

I had many of them in varied months during my early teenage years. I didn't have any for many years after. When I was in my 20's and most of my 30's I had a few here and there through the years- same symptoms as posted above. "Tracers" is what I used to describe them as to others- until tonight the "kaleidoscope" description is perfect. Another interesting fact is that until reading this post- I never knew another person to have them.

They would be sudden in onset and no particular series of events led up to them- they last about 20 to 30 minutes and as with others they leave me feeling exhausted afterwards- weak and a mild headache. I have- through the years taken Aleve at onset- but, I honestly don't think that makes much of a difference. I can only lay down and sleep/rest until they are gone.

In my late 30's early 40's they started again - and they are more frequent- not at all every day-- maybe one or two possibly three a year- Praise God- and not as severe as some posts I have read here. I am so sorry to those who have endured such time periods with these migraines- especially the military gentleman.

I only went to the eye doctor once through the years- he said 20/20 vision and nothing I could do- so I never went to anyone else. I've never taken any medication and I don't want too. I do think some times it is stress that brings them on- accompanied with long days on the computer. I don't find any correlations. It's interesting that they started during puberty years ( also no computer)  went away in my 20's and then came back in my late 30's and into my 40's now. I am "postmenopausal" since 19 (  it was surgically necessary _ so I don't know what role that plays ( hormonal)  if any.

I only know two things have remained consistent when experiencing them the most. I am usually under a lot of stress or "worrisome" during those times and I have usually been using the computer for hours and hours at a time. I have gotten reading glasses in my mid forties, but that doesn't seem to affect them - they are the same.

If anyone ever finds a "medical" answer I would love it if they would post it here- but, as with my life up until now- I just keep praying and believing they will one day completely go away- thanks for sharing your experiences  and let's hope we all get better!! :)
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Hi Shawna, hope all went well at your appointment on Thursday.
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Hi Linda its shawna :)
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Please let me know what your doctor had to say at your May appointment. I've been experiencing reoccurring ocular migraines and saw both my eye doctor and medical doctor and both say not to worry!
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Please let me know what your doctor had to say at your May appointment. Thanks!
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I would appreciate any advice from you regarding these reoccurring ocular migraines. Seems like they're always triggered in the early AM and when I first turn on the bright lights in our bathroom. Please see my prior post too. Thank you.
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I have been experiencing reoccurring ocular migraines for the past two months. I just had my 6th this morning. I have an appointment this morning to see my primary care doctor. In the past I've had maybe one or two a year but this is starting to worry me. Just curious, we have black mold in our bathroom and I was wondering if this could be a trigger. Any advice greatly appreciated.
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are you a chocoholic like I was ? maybe caffiene? worth a try to stop.?
Avatar universal
I have been experiencing ocular migraines like you.  Since February, I've been recording when and what I was doing or eating before it happened.  So far, I have had 14 migraines in 2 1/2 months.  It's so annoying.  My primary gave me rizatriptan to ease the headaches. It'll help the migraine last from 10-15 minutes vs. the 20-30 minutes I always experience.  I went to a neurologist and he asked about my family history.  My mom used to get them, too, but not as often as I do.  He asked if the fluorescent light in his office bothered me, and it actually did.  It made my eyes feel tired.  He prescribed me topiramate (Topamax) and said that it would help prevent the migraines from coming, but I would have to take it DAILY.  He also said that it would also cause me to lose weight.  I found out that the prescription is also for epilepsy? Well, I ditched the prescription and called for a 2nd opinion.  I didn't want to take meds everyday to prevent it.  So, I am waiting for my next appointment which is in May.  It may be because I'm getting close to my menopause years and the hormones are all out of whack.  I'll keep you guys updated.
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Avatar universal
OH MY GOODNESS! I HAVE THE SAME EXACT VISION ISSUES! I have NEVER had migraines but had what my doctor thought was an Ocular Migraine about two months ago. It was extremely scary to say the least and I had no idea what it was. I described it to my husband as coming inside after being in the bright sun all day too! Then I had terrible zig zag lines in my peripheral vision. I am at the end of a 20-25 minute episode right now. Same vision issues as before. Right now my vision is still wonky, but I can focus again. So good to hear that someone is experiencing that same thing!
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2 Comments
I experience the same things.
me too..people who dont understand are generally unsympathetic.
Avatar universal
I've had classic migraines with aura for 30 years. I used to get very bad headaches with them and vomiting. As I've gotten older, they have decreased in intensity, and now if I do get a headache, it's very mild. I often don't experience any pain. However, lately I have gotten some new visual disturbances that are different than the typical aura. It's like it gets dimmer and spotty, then I get a spot that's like the kind you experience after a camera flash. Or like coming inside after being out in bright sunlight. It may last a few seconds or a few minutes. Has anyone had any like this?
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Your history sounds similar to mine.  I now get ocular migraines so wear sunglasses all the time everywhere outside the home.  At home I draw the curtains to limit the light.  The number of OM has decreased greatly since I stopped eating chocolate.  the spot I see is the same as yours but then I see an arc of broken glass that slowly moves off to the side.
Avatar universal
I'm 54 and have developed ocular migraines over the last 2 or 3 years. I 've come to get a little more info after getting two in the last week and not having had any in a few months. I've had at least a dozen I think, usually in clusters (several within a month) which have been when watching TV or at the computer (which I do a lot of), although I do recall it happening once when I was in a store. Like clockwork they end after 20 minutes. Until reading your post it never occurred to me that these only started about a year or so after undergoing chemo and radiation for head and neck cancer (Dec. '09 - Feb. 2010). I did go to an ophthalmologist 6 months ago after a 3-minute isolated blurred vision occurrence and all checked out fine.
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I am experiencing my 3rd opthomolic migraine since 8:30 this morning.  It is 2:30 right now.  I had a complete eye exam last week.  While I have had these for many years, they are becoming more and more frequent, 2-3 a week and now, so far, 3 a day.  What should I do?
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2 Comments
Try stopping chocolate.
Yes..and caffiene...good luck
Avatar universal
Actually, ocular migraines arise from the eye - retinal blood vessels.  Regular migraines arise from the brain - occupital cortex (visual processing area of the brain).....that's what I've been told.
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Meant 5 and 9 days  and two weeks
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I just had a third in three days, sometimes have had two close together before. They started 15 years ago and I thought it was the menopause at fault, but they only came every year or so until last year when I had two, then waited 8 months and darted going down to 2 months, 1 month and now twos and threes 5, 9, two weeks apart. I've had anti anxiety pills because life has been pretty stressful, but now the fear of one coming is my biggest stress and it's really spoiling my life. I spend all my time reacting to every little light or shadow with floods of adrenaline and panic expecting another, and I dread the thought of driving on a motorway where I can't stop if one comes on, but I don't want to keep running to the doctor and stuffing dodgy medicine.
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Avatar universal
I have had occular migraines with aura for a little over 6 years now.  Seemed to start after my latest round of radiation therapy for cancer.  Head and neck variety.  Second time for that treatment, both sides.
In the past month or two, they are coming sometimes as often as 6 times daily.  I tend to not bother with the doctors anymore, they have no answers for me.  One doctor shared there just isn't enough known to properly diagnose or treat.  He felt it possible I have some damage from radiation therapy and just have to "live with it".  I do agree these have increased since I installed energy efficient bulbs in my home.  Will take them out and see if that helps.  I'll do whatever I have to, these are ridiculous and makes you think you are losing it.  Stress seems to trigger as well.  Hope everybody here finds relief, this is certainly no fun at all.
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i have had migraine for 2-3 years...and recently my neurologist said dat i have developed severe migraine now...i have been on medication since but today for the first time i experienced dizzines and all other symptoms of occular migraine followed by severe headache... i am away from home and cant contact my neurologist...please guide me as to what is happening to me and what shud i do...
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I get optical migraines as a direct result of reflections of fluorescent lighting & diffusers in my office - I have had three today alone - if I keep looking at th ecomputer screen, they turn into regular migraines and I have to vomit & go home - if the fluorescent lights are turned out, I don't have the problem.
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This is my story and I pray that it may be of some help in diagnosing the cause of these irritating and obnoxious reoccurring migraines.
When I was a child I fell of a horse while he was running full out.  When I came to I was in the hospital with a mild concussion. I remained there overnight for observation and returned home the following day. From that time forward whenever the humidity was high I would be overcome with a major pain in the left side of the head and numbness of my entire left side of the body. My speech would become slurred, my stomach nauseated and my eyesight impaired.  Another symptom was that it felt as if I were inside a large crane pulling leavers to operate my legs and arms.
After about 6 years of going through these annual (summer after summer) symptoms, my parents sent me to the mayo clinic in Rochester MN for observation. After examination the doctors prescribed Phenobarbital and Dilantin. Unfortunately the drugs did not prevent or even alleviate the symptoms or the amount of times they would occur.
In 1976 I joined the military and in the summer of 1977 I had another bought while serving in south Texas. This time however I lost complete vision where for about 10 to 15 minutes I was completely without vision. The corpsman sent me to the clinic where I was given a shot of Dilantin and I completely passed out. Leading up to the incident was much different than before though. This particular incident occurred because I was carting a door up a flight of stairs when I heard within my head a sound of squishing.
Altogether 5 different times while I was stationed in Texas I went through these bouts. I was ultimately transferred to Virginia, where I did not have any of these symptoms. In 1982 I was discharged from the service and moved back to AZ. In the fall of 1983 I was in an automobile accident and subsequently the ocular migraines returned so I visited a chiropractor for treatment. They found that I had a bulging disk at T1 and T2. After about 6 weeks of treatment the migraine symptoms subsided where even my vision improved. You see when I was 12 years old it was necessary that I wear glasses.
Since that time until present these migraine symptoms and occurrence where slight. Meaning they would happen only periodically and they would only have the symptoms of ocular and not full body like they were when I was a child.
I went to an optician back in 2007 where I was prescribed glasses again. I explained my ocular vision problems to him and he merely stated that yes I had ocular migraines and there was nothing he could do to stop them. I was working as a hack at the time and my employer had difficulty keeping me as an employee because of them.
Recently I moved back to the mountains of AZ and the ocular migraines have been noticeably more recurring.  Now they come in the morning, afternoon and the following day with an interval of maybe 2 to three days in between. They come without warning and last anywhere from an hour to three hours. I have to completely stop what I am doing and lay down and most usually sleep until it passes. I have tried just sitting there and relaxing and they linger for about an hour leaving me exhausted and disorientated. I try to make up for lost time and try to reorganize my thoughts to make up for this distraction and in so doing brings on another.
I find that when applying for employment the employer does not want to hear anything about this and if they do I am not even considered for the position. Without lying about this condition, what am I supposed to do? These annoying ocular migraines need to be addressed and completely eradicated so that we the people that have to deal with them can live a normal fulfilling life. I am 52 and I am extremely tired of having to hide the truth from potential employers to get employment and then be terminated because I get one while on the job.
Is there anything out there that can completely eliminate the annoyances?  
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1395415 tn?1280347883
For some ten years I have had once or twice a month a bright scintillating lights, shimmering zig zag lines lasting some 25 minutes. I managed to discover the trigger, which is a special position where I bend over and look down.

After ten years of despair, last year I discorered a position which could controll it. I sit in a chair, entirely still - looking up in the roof, and exhaling slowly air and concentrating with all my mind doing so. Amazingly, the build up to the familiar "ring" slows, reverse and ends within three to five minutes. It is not as easy as it sounds, since my heart is pumping each time the aura occurs - however, it fell unbelievable that it could just go away after all that fear and anxiety.

I would like to hear if others have had the same experience ?? I would also like to hear whether any medicaments could help? Off cause I have been to eye specialists, not able to find anything wrong with the eys.

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