Posted , 4 users are following.
I've been getting these symptoms for several days now. It starts in the morning shortly after I get up, and conitnues for a few hours. Symptoms point to retinal migraine. It is interfering with my day and I am worried could cause permanent damage to my eye. What should I do?
2 likes, 11 replies
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lily65668 anver
Posted
How do you know it's retinal migraine? Have you had it before, and had it diagnosed?
You need to see a doctor immediately if you haven't already. There are other, more serious, eye conditions that could be causing these symptoms.
anver lily65668
Posted
I've never had it before. It started out of nowhere a few days ago (I had anxiety and bad sleep prior to that) and follows the same pattern - starts in the morning and ends after a few hours. What kind of doctor shoud I see for this? Neurologist, eye doctor, or general practitioner?
lily65668 anver
Posted
It depends where you are in the world. If you're in the UK you'll have to start with a GP unless you want to go private. If you're in a country where you can self-refer to a specialist, I'd advise starting with an ophthalmologist to rule out eye damage first. If it is an eye problem it could require immediate treatment to stop the damage spreading. If an eye problem is ruled out, then you should see a neurologist.
If you are in the UK, you might want to see a high-street ophthalmic optician while waiting for your GP appointment. They do excellent in-depth eye examinations, and would almost certainly be able to rule out damage to the retina. They can also write a referral note to your GP if necessary, which might speed things up if you do need to see an ophthalmologist.
However, I know this category of optician doesn't exist in every country. No point wasting your money on seeing someone who'll just do a basic sight test. You need someone who can examine - and preferably photograph - the retina, and test intra-occular pressure, visual field range etc. Ask first if you're unsure what tests opticians/optometrists are authorised to do in your country.
anver lily65668
Posted
Sgt.lindalee anver
Posted
If you have terrible head pain,(that continues w/o relief &/or gets worse, weakness(in limbs),facial drooping, slurred speech, visual disturbance, vomiting(even though it can be from Migraine)you need to go to ER, HOWEVER, It sounds like optical migraines, I have had migraines for 20yrs,with aura(only in last two yrs have had optical ones too) I have a lot of experience dealing w/ people and Migraines(there are MANY side effects, different in each person & even from one migraine to next in ONE person)Have a visit with your doctor to be sure its migraines only, An eye doctor may be a good thing to rule out anything else, they can look into retina to diagnose retinal detachment & etc(you can have a stroke in your eye but it usually isnt painful) ...since your symptoms are on one side,happens in AM, last for few hours and keeps happening...it sounds like migraines/optical migraines (they cause blood vessels to almost spasm, dialating and constricting) I had totally lost my vision for about 10 min...head pain worse than normal...I called 911, any visual disturbance from MIGRAINE is a side effect & TEMPORARY...people have lost all vision to get it back after migraine was gone. It is extremely scary but every neurologist,doctor,specialist I have seen said its ALL temporary(circulation IS NOT cutoff) there are many things that can trigger migraines, lack of or too much sleep, anxiety,stress, dyes, foods, bright lights, alcohol, etc etc, a journal can help find patterns to find triggers, that can help prevent them...there are medications and etc your doctor can give you called TRIPTANS, that work well...if you have any more questions or want more tips, feel free to ask I have a lot of experience in this area...hope they arent often or last long...be sure to consult a doctor ASAP(PLS dont panic, this is what is needed to BE SURE its Migraines)...once diagnosed w/migraines then you can focus on prevention and treatment. Hope you feel better and contact me anytime, Best Wishes?💙😊
anver Sgt.lindalee
Posted
Thank you so much! I saw a doctor yesterday, he also believes it's a migraine and prescribed Imitrex. I took one pill yesterday and it seemed to relieve the headache. However, my vision out of left eye is still blurry and I think I am going to see an eye doctor to rule out other causes.
Also, I am not sure what triggered it. I definitely had some anxiety and lack of sleep for a few days prior, but that happens to me a lot and I never had a migraine before. I wonder if I should be taking anti-anxiety or anti-depressants to avoid this in the future.
lily65668 anver
Posted
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds bring their own problems - both the side-effects while taking them and the sometimes terrible withdrawal symptoms if you have to stop.
I'd say see the eye doctor, just to make quite sure there's no underlying problem. If he feels you need to see a neurologist as well, then he'll tell you. If you get the all-clear and it turns out just to be migraine, then it's probably better to learn to live with it, with the help of migraine meds. Millions do, all over the world.
As for the sudden onset - migraines of all kinds are notorious for this. I posted on these boards myself a month ago, having experienced my first-ever migraine aura at age 73! One afternoon I suddenly noticed a large - and growing - blind spot in the centre of my visual field, as seen by both eyes in my case. I freaked out, convinced I was having a stroke, rushed round preparing a bag to take to hospital. It was only when I sat down to call the ambulance that the spot started flashing and revolving. Over the next half-hour it gradually moved off to the right of my visual field, evolving into the classic scintillating scotoma of the migraine aura, at which point I started calming down. It never developed into a headache.
Since then I've done some research and discovered that migraines and/or migraine auras can suddenly start at any time of life for no apparent reason, and are rarely a sign of any underlying pathology.
anver lily65668
Posted
Sgt.lindalee anver
Posted
Remember not to take more than two pills within 24hrs, Triptans work great!!!You should not use anti-depressants and migraine meds together, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome, a very serious side effect...if you could get better more consistant sleep it might help prevent them...be sure to drink water as dehydration can also cause migraines, there is a kind of anti-anxiety med you use on a regular basis, but the main ones are benzodiazipines(valium, lorazepam &etc) they work well but are ADDICTIVE!! Avoid SCREENS(tv, phone, computer for at least an hour before bed) regular sleep times...lots of non-drug things to try....some swear by homeopathics, but b/c they arent screened like medications& can have allergies/side effects I wouldnt bother it costs too much...eating regular meals, if you keep track of your food and actions, you might figure it out, if you keep getting them....flourescent lights(new light bulbs are causing alot of headaches)...if you have questions I am happy to try to help....the effects of migraines can last a few days so hopefully your vision is better, the eye doctor still would be a good idea..Best Wishes, Feel Better😊
anver Sgt.lindalee
Posted
Thank you! I've taken only one pill so far. Still have a light headache and a bit of nausea at times. Definitely feeling the lingering effects, but hopefully going back to normal.
guryaad_gill anver
Posted
Hey anver
I am Also Suffering From Same Problem I also have First Half Blurred Vision And After 1 hour My Vision Become normal And My Headache Starts Which Goes out For about 30-35 Hours. I Don't Know What Is Going on with me .Too worry!!
Can you tell me some Tips.