Optical Migraine
Discussion
I get these about once a year and never knew what they were until I heard Steve Davis mention that he had an optical migraine during his match against John Higgins last month. After a quick Google I could see the symptoms were exactly what I experience - like a blind spot and zigzag bolt of lightening across my vision, normally top half of left eye flashing white light.
Just had one this afternoon, only both eyes this time lasting about half an hour, a quick lie down always gets rid of it, just left with a slight head ache.
Does anyone else here suffer these? I wonder how common they are?
Just had one this afternoon, only both eyes this time lasting about half an hour, a quick lie down always gets rid of it, just left with a slight head ache.
Does anyone else here suffer these? I wonder how common they are?
Apparently an Aura precedes a normal migraine, which is caused by constricting cranial blood vessels. But an optical migraine apparently mostly occurs in only one eye, caused by blood vessels in the retina. I don't know much about it, but you don't get the head ache and nausia with an optical migraine, just the zigzag vision.
I get zig zags once every couple of months, no headache, no nausea, never really knew why- maybe that's what it is?
I also get some rotten headaches- no aura, come on either 3pm or about 7pm- one minute fine the next I cannot hold my head up or look at light- real physical pain- makes me want to bang my head against the wall cos I know it will hurt less, and my pillow feels like a brick.
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Next day I feel fab
I also get some rotten headaches- no aura, come on either 3pm or about 7pm- one minute fine the next I cannot hold my head up or look at light- real physical pain- makes me want to bang my head against the wall cos I know it will hurt less, and my pillow feels like a brick.
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Next day I feel fab
That sounds like migraine without the aura, not everyone gets the warning aura, or can you notice a pattern between the zigzags occuring and the onset of the head ache? If you can, the doc should be able to prescibe something that limits the head ache before it starts. GL, sounds horrible!
If you want to talk to a specialist doctor about migraines you can contact The City of London Migraine Clinic.
http://www.migraineclinic.org.uk
http://www.migraineclinic.org.uk
missdiane said:
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Have you tried migraleve or co-codamol? Probably made a mess of spelling those.Paracetamol and ibruprofen do nothing for me but I've had limited success with either of those, with a can of coke and a chocolate bar (I promise it's not that I've not been eating property and I've no idea if any of those ingredients aren't required, but it works and I'm not prepared to risk changing the formula)!
Sometimes I get the blurry vision and spots, sometimes followed by a migrane, sometimes not. I used to get migraines every monday (or tuesday if that was the first day of the working week) but it seems less regular now, fortunately.
I had that once (flashing in both eyes and loads of fuzziness). No pain, though. No idea what caused it but it was irritating. Decided to get off the computer and go play the piano for a bit. I wonder if it is stress-related - back then I was seriously daytrading/scalping, opening and closing trades 20-30 times a day with the associated pounding heart and sweating. 
cs02rm0 said:
missdiane said:
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Have you tried migraleve or co-codamol? Probably made a mess of spelling those.Paracetamol and ibruprofen do nothing for me but I've had limited success with either of those, with a can of coke and a chocolate bar (I promise it's not that I've not been eating property and I've no idea if any of those ingredients aren't required, but it works and I'm not prepared to risk changing the formula)!
Sometimes I get the blurry vision and spots, sometimes followed by a migrane, sometimes not. I used to get migraines every monday (or tuesday if that was the first day of the working week) but it seems less regular now, fortunately.
I have heard- may not be true, that caffeine helps speed up the process of tablets working, may explain the coke success, if it's true
Edited by missdiane on Monday 17th May 17:24
Migraine is a subject close to me, in that I get them from time to time and I also do a lot of research work in this and other neurological disease states (I'm not a Doc, however).
The visual impairments that the OP describes are very typical in cases of 'classic' migraine with aura. Currently, there is divided opinion on the physiological aspect - i.e. is it a vaso-constrictive or neuro-chemical - or something else - disorder?
It is not uncommon for the optical disturbance (and other prodromal impairments, like facial numbness, tingling, light/sound sensitivity, cognative issues and nausea) to manifest itself without the following headache - and for that you should be grateful. Many sufferers have incapacitating headaches and post-dromal 'hang-overs' that really affect their ability to function normally.
What is known is that there is a very strong familial link - and that often, migraine subsides with the passage of time and after hormonal changes associated with older age (cold comfort for young sufferers, of course).
OTC meds do work for some people - but the only truly effective preventative drug is sumatriptan. It is highly effective for treatment of episodic migraine, if it is taken at the very first signs of an attack. Downside is that it is inappropriate for patients who have any kind of cardio-vascular co-morbidity and it is expensive - so sometimes 'rationed' by healthcare systems.
It may be worth pointing out that untreated episodic migraine has the potential to progress to a chronic state - where the attacks become less severe, but way more frequent - and more difficult to treat. Chronic migraine sufferers have very few effective treatment options and those that are available (topiramate- based) are side-effect laden.
People who suffer with migraine with aura (I do) are statistically more susceptible to stroke than those who don't, so a prophylactic low dose aspirin therapy could have value to these patients.
Over-use of preventatives (either OTC or by prescription) can exascerbate migraine symptoms (often called re-bound headaches).
Identifying triggers (diet, lifestyle, sleep patterns etc) help a lot of people minimise/avoid attacks. But migraine is very rarely caused by a single trigger factor (red wine, chocolate and cheese usually get the blame, but are usually found to contribute to, rather than cause attacks).
If your migraines trouble you, see a neurologist. GP's have very little training in this disorder and often associate it with hysterical, nit-picking women - a stereotype that is now considered ridiculous - but it persists in general medicine.
The visual impairments that the OP describes are very typical in cases of 'classic' migraine with aura. Currently, there is divided opinion on the physiological aspect - i.e. is it a vaso-constrictive or neuro-chemical - or something else - disorder?
It is not uncommon for the optical disturbance (and other prodromal impairments, like facial numbness, tingling, light/sound sensitivity, cognative issues and nausea) to manifest itself without the following headache - and for that you should be grateful. Many sufferers have incapacitating headaches and post-dromal 'hang-overs' that really affect their ability to function normally.
What is known is that there is a very strong familial link - and that often, migraine subsides with the passage of time and after hormonal changes associated with older age (cold comfort for young sufferers, of course).
OTC meds do work for some people - but the only truly effective preventative drug is sumatriptan. It is highly effective for treatment of episodic migraine, if it is taken at the very first signs of an attack. Downside is that it is inappropriate for patients who have any kind of cardio-vascular co-morbidity and it is expensive - so sometimes 'rationed' by healthcare systems.
It may be worth pointing out that untreated episodic migraine has the potential to progress to a chronic state - where the attacks become less severe, but way more frequent - and more difficult to treat. Chronic migraine sufferers have very few effective treatment options and those that are available (topiramate- based) are side-effect laden.
People who suffer with migraine with aura (I do) are statistically more susceptible to stroke than those who don't, so a prophylactic low dose aspirin therapy could have value to these patients.
Over-use of preventatives (either OTC or by prescription) can exascerbate migraine symptoms (often called re-bound headaches).
Identifying triggers (diet, lifestyle, sleep patterns etc) help a lot of people minimise/avoid attacks. But migraine is very rarely caused by a single trigger factor (red wine, chocolate and cheese usually get the blame, but are usually found to contribute to, rather than cause attacks).
If your migraines trouble you, see a neurologist. GP's have very little training in this disorder and often associate it with hysterical, nit-picking women - a stereotype that is now considered ridiculous - but it persists in general medicine.
Matt Harper said:
People who suffer with migraine with aura (I do) are statistically more susceptible to stroke than those who don't, so a prophylactic low dose aspirin therapy could have value to these patients.
Thanks for reply Matt, I wonder why would they be more susceptible to stroke, and what about those that have aura but no headache?I found this on the net, quite an interesting description of what happens...
For certain people, ones with the migraine gene, a mild instability of the nervous system
and blood vessels it begins when a tiny spreading depression of tiny electrical currents travel from
the back to the front of the brain. This causes the blood vessels in the brain to tighten and deliver
less blood. Then, a hormonal combination of serotonin and thromboxane cause a dramatic
decrease of blood flow to the brain. This is where certain migraine sufferers may experience aura,
blurry vision, or dizziness from the partial blood shut down. Next, serum serotonin levels drop a lot;
blood vessels dilate fast. This causes intense, terrible pounding pain. The reason it feels like
pounding is because the blood pulsing through the swollen arteries are in time with the pounding of
the heart. Then, in the post headache phase, the headache slowly subsides, but is not replaced by
a constant pain. Blood vessels become thicker and more rigid. When blood vessels rebound, they
dilate, or swell up. This may cause them to leak a small amount of pain-causing chemicals into the
skin of the scalp. So, now, what happens is the structures in the head that may hurt are the
nerves, blood vessels, and the covering of the brain, not the brain itself. Nerve endings can become
so sensitive that just running ones fingers through ones hair may hurt.
One of the key issues with migraine is that relatively little is known about the causes, influences and physiology of the disease - and it is thought to be a biological disorder, rather than a psychological one - which says a lot about how thinking on migraine has changed, during the last 20 years or so.
The stroke/TIA risk is statistical - and there is no real understanding of why it should be the case - but the fact is that more migraine patients who experience aura have subsequent stroke issues than those that don't. Low dose aspirin can reduce the stroke risk in certain patients.
There is a strong link between migraine and anxiety and depression disorders - many (but by no means, all) migraine sufferers are also anxious or clinically depressed. There is some thinking that anxiety can have a causal effect on migraine - i.e. if you fret enough about the anticipation of an attack, it can cause one.
Those of us who have infrequent attacks, however unpleasant, are in some ways the fortunate segment of migraine sufferers. I recently interviewed a group of patients, some of whom were experiencing more than 15 attacks per month - which, to me, is unimaginable and kind of illustrates why depression can be such a common co-morbidity.
Finally, a word on triggers. Although some docs feel that it is vitally important to try to identify and eliminate migraine triggers, it can be hugely frustrating and stressful to do so.
A small change in sleep pattern (a lie-in at the weekend perhaps) can trigger an attack one time, but not another - because, it is thought that there needs to be multiple triggers that all interact and cause the neuro-chemical changes that initiate the attack. As a result, some patients become obsessed with potential triggers - behaviour than can adversely effect their quality of life in general.
Overall, my learnings suggest that speed of response to an attack, rather than anticipatory action is what counts. Treating the attack with either OTC or script meds at the very first hint of symptoms gives the best chance of avoiding the often very nasty headache phase.
Hesitation, due to either the decision to 'tough-it-out' or caused by cognative lapse - an inability to make the decision, which is, in itself a migraine symptom, makes the attack so much more miserable.
The stroke/TIA risk is statistical - and there is no real understanding of why it should be the case - but the fact is that more migraine patients who experience aura have subsequent stroke issues than those that don't. Low dose aspirin can reduce the stroke risk in certain patients.
There is a strong link between migraine and anxiety and depression disorders - many (but by no means, all) migraine sufferers are also anxious or clinically depressed. There is some thinking that anxiety can have a causal effect on migraine - i.e. if you fret enough about the anticipation of an attack, it can cause one.
Those of us who have infrequent attacks, however unpleasant, are in some ways the fortunate segment of migraine sufferers. I recently interviewed a group of patients, some of whom were experiencing more than 15 attacks per month - which, to me, is unimaginable and kind of illustrates why depression can be such a common co-morbidity.
Finally, a word on triggers. Although some docs feel that it is vitally important to try to identify and eliminate migraine triggers, it can be hugely frustrating and stressful to do so.
A small change in sleep pattern (a lie-in at the weekend perhaps) can trigger an attack one time, but not another - because, it is thought that there needs to be multiple triggers that all interact and cause the neuro-chemical changes that initiate the attack. As a result, some patients become obsessed with potential triggers - behaviour than can adversely effect their quality of life in general.
Overall, my learnings suggest that speed of response to an attack, rather than anticipatory action is what counts. Treating the attack with either OTC or script meds at the very first hint of symptoms gives the best chance of avoiding the often very nasty headache phase.
Hesitation, due to either the decision to 'tough-it-out' or caused by cognative lapse - an inability to make the decision, which is, in itself a migraine symptom, makes the attack so much more miserable.
I have experienced these on & off for years. They tend to last ½ an hour or so & rarely leave me with a headache afterwards but I am left feeling lethargic.
I had no idea what it was the first couple of times until I experienced one while I was at the opticians having my eyes tested (!!) - he explained that they are quite common.
I find they are more frequent when I am tired or run down over a long period. If I get enough sleep I don't seem to have them.
I had no idea what it was the first couple of times until I experienced one while I was at the opticians having my eyes tested (!!) - he explained that they are quite common.
I find they are more frequent when I am tired or run down over a long period. If I get enough sleep I don't seem to have them.
Matt Harper said:
Overall, my learnings suggest that speed of response to an attack, rather than anticipatory action is what counts. Treating the attack with either OTC or script meds at the very first hint of symptoms gives the best chance of avoiding the often very nasty headache phase.
Hesitation, due to either the decision to 'tough-it-out' or caused by cognative lapse - an inability to make the decision, which is, in itself a migraine symptom, makes the attack so much more miserable.
I agree with this, the sooner I take a Zomig or a Syndol the better. Too often I try to wait and see, not being keen to take tablets.Hesitation, due to either the decision to 'tough-it-out' or caused by cognative lapse - an inability to make the decision, which is, in itself a migraine symptom, makes the attack so much more miserable.
Some doctors think there may be a link between migraine and epilipsy . . . I take 2 x Epilim chrono 300 tablets a day which has reduced the frequency and the severity of my migraines. I used to have 2 or 3 a week at worst point, now it can be as little as a small cluster of 3 or 4 minor migraines every 2 or 3 months.
Although it's probably not recommended I often reduce the Epilim to one tablet a day when I feel the chance of a headache is ow and go back to two a week later or so, you do get a feel for these things after a while.
The one thing which has puzzled me is that the Epilim has eliminated the optical aspect of the migraine, I can't remember the last time I had the lights, black hole etc I used to use the visual disturbance to know when to take tablets but without that it's when the pain starts.
missdiane said:
I get zig zags once every couple of months, no headache, no nausea, never really knew why- maybe that's what it is?
I also get some rotten headaches- no aura, come on either 3pm or about 7pm- one minute fine the next I cannot hold my head up or look at light- real physical pain- makes me want to bang my head against the wall cos I know it will hurt less, and my pillow feels like a brick.
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Next day I feel fab
Look up cluster headache, I had a one week episode about 1996 and one about 2006, horrible. The second one was while we were in Menorca, it could have spoiled the holiday but like you I knew when they were going to happen and we went back to the villa so I could lie down after two or three large gins.I also get some rotten headaches- no aura, come on either 3pm or about 7pm- one minute fine the next I cannot hold my head up or look at light- real physical pain- makes me want to bang my head against the wall cos I know it will hurt less, and my pillow feels like a brick.
Tablets don't work, I just toss and turn in bed til I wear myself out and fall asleep, the only thing that fixes it.
Next day I feel fab
Nothing touches them in my experience, no painkillers work.
baughany said:
Look up cluster headache, I had a one week episode about 1996 and one about 2006, horrible. The second one was while we were in Menorca, it could have spoiled the holiday but like you I knew when they were going to happen and we went back to the villa so I could lie down after two or three large gins.
Nothing touches them in my experience, no painkillers work.
I had a spate of these and was prescribed Sumatriptan. This just pushed the headache into the back of my neck and made me so "stoned" I had to go to bed. Slept the headache off. Ish.Nothing touches them in my experience, no painkillers work.
Lots of investigative work later decided that I had been suffering from a sinus infection of viral origin, possibly shingles. My eye and the side of my face to my ear was swollen, and I had a rash (partially obscured by my extremely cute freckles).
I was sensitive to light and cold. Either of these set me off.
The "cluster" headaches (GP diagnosis, not an expert) differed from Migraines i've had in the past. They lacked the aura, and the deeply intense pain was less... sharp somehow? And only on the affected side of my head.
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