Dammit. Just got my 2nd visual migraine in so many days.

[Fla Dem]

Not life threatening, just annoying. I've gotten them over the years, but never 2 days in a row. Haven't had one in a long time so to get one, 2 days in a row is surprising.

But glad it happened now. They don't usually last more than 30 - 45 minutes. Glad I'm not driving. Going to the 5:15 showing of "Late Show" starring Emma Thompson. Would be really irritated if it happened during the movie.

[MLAA]

1. Sorry about the migraines. I loved Late Show....super movie.

[still_one]

2. I have noticed that fluorescent lights, and sometimes computer work where the screen is set to a

certain Hz frequency can sometimes cause it for me.

For me they usually last about 30 to 45 minutes, as you observed. Some people experience a headache afterwards, but that doesn't occur with me, and doesn't happen that frequently, as you stated.

For those that have never had one, if it first occurs it can be quite alarming.

What I have noticed to shorten the length of the event is taking a 2.5 mg Valium. Also, going outdoors into natural light seems to shorten its duration. Usually I can sense it coming on because the visual artifacts seem to subtly appear at first, before it gets worse.

The important thing is that you have had an exam by an ophthalmologist to confirm that you are dealing with an occular migraine.

Anyway, regardless, it should be over within an hour as you noted.

Take care

[Fla Dem]

4. Thanks for the additional information

I get them so infrequently, I never think to mention them to my opthamologist. I'll try to remember next time I go. I also don't usually end up with a headache, but today it did leave me with a bit of a one. And you're right I think the first one I got I was sure I had stroke or some other brain injury.

Some are kind of pretty in their own way. A small circle of colored triangles starting out in the middle of your eye, and then as it expands becomes a circle which grows to cover your entire field of vision.

[still_one]

9. Exactly

[ashling]

11. My wife frequently has them last 3 days.

I have had them for that long as well

She just gave herself an injection w/ Amoveig (sp) as a preventative. So far so good.

[still_one]

12. I have never heard of an ocular migraine lasting three days. That is quite unusual

An ocular migraine is not the same as a migraine or migraine with an aurora

Aimovig is specifically for those types of migraines to reduce or prevent their frequency

I hope it works for you and your wife

[ashling]

23. Sorry if I misunderstood - or rather was not as complete

as I should have been.

We have each had different types of migraines. ... including ones that mimicked a TIA . She was treated and tested in the ER for that. Later the Stroke Center at UT Southwestern said it was a migraine without headache. which they called a hemopalegic migraine She frequently has suffered from both.

She gets care for Acute Migraines with and without an aura as well - as have I.

I remember a bad one from walking through the new mall in Ridgeland MS years ago ... they took the neon lights out of there later and so I could go there, but not at first .

My daughter has gotten them since she was 3. We all have had extensive personal experience with them, including the type with intense nausea. I picked my daughter up from school after her teacher (who didn't believe her at first) and as soon as she got in the car she blew chunks all over the windshield.

I could seriously go on...

[still_one]

24. Sorry what you and your family are going through. I hope injections are able to prevent them for

your family

[LastDemocratInSC]

3. I had 2 in 2 days earlier this week

It must be contagious.

I have often wondered if they are responsible for "visions" that people have had in the deep past.

[Fla Dem]

5. Could be! I'm sure many things we can explain now were interpreted as visions or visitations.

Maybe there's something going on in the atmosphere.

[3catwoman3]

6. I've had 2. Visual only, and...

...very fortunate not to be afflicted by regular migraines.

The first one occurred after the C-section delivery of our first son, in 1990. I saw a pair of jagged black lines that rather looked like lightning bolts - very geometric and symmetrical. Right eye.

The second one was many years later, and happened right in the middle of examining a patient. A very pretty turquoise ribbon appeared, rather ruffled looking and edged in gold along the top. Right eye again.

Very interesting, and a bit disconcerting when you blink and they don’t go away.

[Fla Dem]

7. I hope you weren't in the middle of doing anything intricate with the patient.

Yes, at first I couldn't figure out what was going on and why it wouldn't go away. Obviously before google. Later learned what they were and not dangerous unless you're driving or doing something else where impaired vision is not a good thing.

[3catwoman3]

8. I'm a nurse practitioner in a pediatric office.

Looking in ears is about as intricate as we usually get. IIRC, the physical exam part of the visit was done, and we were into the discussion/explanation/ teaching/ reassurance/ conclusion part of things.

It was only in part of my visual field, and everything else was clear.

[red dog 1]

10. Are,'t those called "Ocular Migraines"?

[still_one]

13. Yes, that is the usual term

[Fla Dem]

20. See my response to Red Dog1

I'm not a professional, so may be wrong. Just from what I have read feel mine are "Visual".

[still_one]

21. I never had vision loss, and when it does infrequently happen it occurs in both eyes

I had a complete exam when it was occurring, and my ophthalmologist referred to it as an occular migraine.

I understand the distinction that you made, and by that definition it would implies a "visual" migraine.

Regardless, any vision loss should be an immediate concern for a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), which closely matches the description you gave for an "occular" migraine. I never had vision loss.

The reason I suggested a follow-up with an ophthalmologist, is to insure the optic nerve, retina, blood vessels in the eye, and other parts of the eye are functioning properly.

Appreciate the distinction between the two, and obviously my ophthalmologist applied the term too generically.

Thanks

[Fla Dem]

19. There are Ocular and Visual Migraines

Based on what I've read, I feel mine fall into the "Visual" migraine category except that generally they have occurred in only one eye.

Ocular and visual migraines: What's the difference?
By Gary Heiting, OD

An ocular migraine is a rare condition characterized by temporary vision loss or even temporary blindness in one eye. Ocular migraines are caused by reduced blood flow or spasms of blood vessels in the retina or behind the eye.

In an ocular migraine, vision in the affected eye generally returns to normal within an hour. Ocular migraines can be painless or they can occur along with (or following) a migraine headache.

Unfortunately, the term "ocular migraine" is often used to describe a much more common (and harmless) condition — called a visual migraine or migraine aura — characterized by temporary visual disturbances that generally disappear within 30 minutes.

Unlike ocular migraines, a visual migraine typically affects both eyes.

Now let’s take a closer look at ocular migraines and visual migraines:

Ocular migraine and visual migraine symptoms

Ocular migraine symptoms generally include a small blind spot that affects your central vision in one eye. This blind spot gets larger, making it impossible for you to drive safely or read with the affected eye.

In some cases, the entire visual field of one eye may be affected. Generally, the episode lasts less than an hour.

Visual migraine symptoms can vary, and may include:

Medium-sized visual distortion - ocular migraine
Visual migraines often appear suddenly and may create the sensation of looking through a cracked window. The visual migraine aura usually moves across your field of view and disappears within 30 minutes.

A flickering blind spot in the center or near the center of your field of view
A wavy or zigzag ring of colored light surrounding a central blind spot
A blind spot that slowly migrates across your visual field
The symptoms of a visual migraine typically affect both eyes and last 30 minutes or less. A migraine headache may occur shortly after the symptoms of a visual migraine subside or no headache may occur.

More>>>>
https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm

[lunatica]

14. I get them when I'm under extreme anxiety for a prolonged

period of time. But never for more than one day.

[Laffy Kat]

15. Wonder what triggers those?

I got two in two weeks not long ago. They only lasted a few minutes each.

[appalachiablue]

16. What about diet? Think I read that could be a trigger, along

with stress, etc. Feel better soon.

[Marthe48]

17. If you continue getting migraines

and feel like you have severe eyestrain, or notice straight lines getting wavy, go see an eye dr. I had wet macular degeneration 19 years ago, and those were the symptoms. I was treated and ended up with a small blind spot.
I got cataract surgery the beginning of June this year. I went back today for my follow-up and the dr. discovered that I had blood leaking in my retina. I had to go immediately to a retinal specialist and ended up get a shot in my eye. And I have to go back for at least 2 more. I couldn't tell what my symptoms meant, thought they were normal for cataract surgery.

But keep an eye on yourself. You can download an Amsler grid and instructions for use to monitor your vision health.

Hope your post caught my eye only because it was vision related and I saw it today of all days. And I hope it is just migraines you're having and they go away soon.

DEnjoy the show.

[Fla Dem]

18. Hi Marthe48, OK you made me cringe when you said you got a shot in the eye. Ouch!

But no, I don't get migraines at all, and very few headaches. These visual "migraines" don't occur very frequently. As I related in my top post, it was a while since the last one.

I will be seeing my eye doc soon; annual c/u. We're keeping an "eye" on my cataracts, but they haven't reached the point where they're ready to be removed.

Best to you as you deal with your eye issues.

Oh and the movie "Late Night" was terrific. Both Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling were delightful.

[Marthe48]

22. Glad you got to see the movie :)

and hope it is never, before you have another migraine