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Help ! really scared

Posted , 4 users are following.

sharon_howe
sharon_howe

Hi, My migraines started when I was in my early 20s, the first one was real scary, I didn't know what it was when I couldn't see properly, then the headache kicked in and lasted for days. I didn't get another for years, then maybe once a year I would wake up with the worst headache ever but no aura. I accepted them and carried on. After a few years I would get an aura before the migraine, but they were still infrequent and the aura only ever effected my left eye.  Fast forward a good few years to the age of 59 and a steroid injection in my lower back to relieve back and leg pain. Within 24 hours I had an aura in my left eye but no headache, then 20 minutes later an aura in my right eye, thankfully no headache and my gp told me over the phone that it had nothing to do with the injection!! Couple of months later, Aura in the left eye and mild headache, couple of months after that one Aura in the left eye one evening with headache then aura in the left eye again on waking the next day. I started counting the days until the next one, the auras now swich from right to left eye, with a break of only days between them. I am so scared now and I have an appointment with my GP next week but I'm sure this injection has played a part in this new found migraine cycle.... i'm also wondering if it could be a brain tumor... any ideas would be welcome.. thank you

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Tezes
    Tezes sharon_howe

    Posted

    I'm same age as you and have been having migraine for about 30 years, I generally get one a month, lasting up to three days. My aura is usually yawning and feeling really drained etc. My pain is always on the left side never on the right. I take a triptan for them sometimes 3 over the three days, they,re the only drugs that help. I was hoping they would stop after menopause but they haven't.

    my mum has the visual aura without the head pain and only started getting them in her late 70's along with mild glaucoma. Everyone is so different, but any changes should be investigated therefore I would advise you to have an eye health check at an options to rule out any visual cause.

    good luck

  • maria05379
    maria05379 sharon_howe

    Posted

    Sharon I feel for you as a migraine sufferer.  I don't believe migraines just come from nothing.  There is always a cause and its up to your doctor to find out what it is. My experience is that I started to have a migraine when I damaged C5 and C6 verterbrae in my neck although it took four years abroad for the doctors to find that out and then another 2 1/2 years for a doctor in the UK to be convinced it wasn't hereditary, psychological, or just because.  If it was a damage to your verterbrae years ago it may very well be that the injection kicked it off again.  I am not a doctor but sometimes common sense is needed.  Don't give up in finding out what triggered it as it could help you deal with it and don't take no from your doctor. Insist on being checked out. There are alot of nerves in the spine that of course go to your head.  You can also check yourself if when you have lifted, twisted your body or done some exertion and the migraine starts the next day. If you can afford alternative care it helps.  A good fysio and acupuncture  can help which now is available, if you fight for it, on the NHS.  A great doctor at the hospital I went to recommended taking B2 (Riboflavin) twice a day which helps thin your blood and helps inflammations and therefore reduces the pain.  I found this helpful.  Check with your GP its ok for you to take it if you want to try.  Good luck. 

     

  • manda08392
    manda08392 sharon_howe

    Posted

    You mention the aura switching eyes but I'm not clear on how long the aura is lasting. 10 minutes, 2 hours, all day?

    The steroid injection may have caused inflamation or even a possibility of you jerking from the pain and misaligning something but I don't think it was the steroid itself. What was it for, allergies?

    Have you seen your GP yet? The typical response from a GP to what you have said is to do a CT scan and send you to a neurologist. I would be curious to know what your current status is, I wouldn't feel comfortable suggesting any of the things I have been through without knowing what tests you have done and what medicines they have tried so far.

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