Migraine aura unable to cope
Posted , 22 users are following.
I am looking for ways to cope with having migraine with aura. Prior to two months ago, I never heard of a migraine with aura. I have suffered from menstrual migraine for roughly 7/8 years, but they have only consisted of intense one sided pain that would last 24 hours. I was at work on October 17th, when suddenly everything seemed too bright. Then, I developed what I have since learned is a scotoma. It slowly got larger until it turned into colorful triangles that covered my entire view. The whole episode lasted roughly 30 minutes. I was brought by ambulance to the hospital and after many tests was told it was an ocular migraine. Three days later, I woke up to a zig zag pattern which turned into a bright arch that made its way across my vision in about 20 minutes. Then, two days after the second, I had another zig zag only aura while in doctor's office waiting room. To be totally honest, I feel like I have PTSD.
I am completely traumatized by the whole experience. I know it may seem silly to some of you, but I truly had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was fainting due to a heavy perimenopausal period. I'm not sure how to get over this fear. I send every day worrying that it will happen again. I haven't been to work since the initial incident and am on the cusp of losing my professional career. I am practically housebound and am afraid to be alone. This experience has completely changed my life.
I should also mention that my vision has been blurry/wonky ever since the aura. I am not sure if it is migraine related or due to perimenopause. All I know is that I am afraid and no one I know in real life has ever experienced an aura. I feel very alone.
2 likes, 105 replies
pinkcatfairy staci88515
Posted
Hello ladies I think i have spoken before to some of you about my auras. I started getting them about 51 when i was entering menopause, my periods were changing around the same time too. I had a gap of ayear or so where they stopped but started up again. I have kept a diary and some months i would have as many as six and some just one or two, but also some months none. They used to freak me out but it calmed me knowing that other people have them too and im not alone. My dad who is 84 started getting them in his sixties (which i never knew) an dmy son use to suffer abdominal migraines, so we have the migraine connection in the family. Different things i think trigger mine. Tiredness stress, caffeine, alcohol, lights, Sometimes no just one thing but a build up of some things together! I did request an mri scan and thankfully everything seemed ok. My huasband and daughter have had the odd one too but not as frequent as i have in the past. I dont think mobile phones /computers help either! X
staci88515 pinkcatfairy
Posted
YES! We have spoke many times. I had hoped you were doing better using the eye drops.
pinkcatfairy staci88515
Posted
Yes, i am doing better, last April i documented that i had quite a few auras, only had one this April, over all yes, less auras but not totally gone which is good i suppose!
staci88515 pinkcatfairy
Posted
Oh, thank goodness. This news gives me hope and makes me happy for you.
pinkcatfairy staci88515
Posted
Yes I dont think about them so mu h now! Having six in a month did freak me out i remember! I can have things and do things which would trigger them before and not get them, which makes me believe its a combination of things and build up which would cahse them rather than just one thing
staci88515 pinkcatfairy
Posted
I wish I knew what caused mine.
pinkcatfairy staci88515
Posted
I dont think so, i think it has to be through the neurologist
Millymoos pinkcatfairy
Posted
I have had another one today I am so worried. My GP has referred me to eye clinic, I haven't had appointment through yet. I want them to arrange MRI but not sure if they can do that with them only dealing with your eyes.
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
How often do you have them? What are they like?
Millymoos staci88515
Posted
I have had them quite a lot over the last couple of months probably couple each week. It starts with a little dot in centre of vision and goes larger, as it goes larger It's then like a flashing zig zags, and where the zig zags are you can't see that part of your vision.
lizzie_18070 Millymoos
Posted
that sounds exactly like my auras. do they last 20-3mins?
when i was having alot of them i started a supplement that has magnesium , b vitamins and fever few and im sure it helped reduce the frequency. but of course see your Gp who should be able to arrange a referral for a MRI
Millymoos lizzie_18070
Posted
My GP has referred me to eye clinic. Do you think they will be able to refer me for MRI if I ask
Millymoos lizzie_18070
Posted
They do last just over 30 -40 minutes. My GP is sending me to eye clinic, do you think they could arrange a MRI, I would like to have MRI to check but I'm worried in case they refuse.
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
That's exactly what happened to me. Did you know what was happening to you the first time? I never heard of an aura before, so i panicked. Are you afraid of them?
Millymoos staci88515
Posted
I had one many years ago and I was scared as I didn't know what was happening. I didn't have another for a long time so I kind of forgot about them. They are regular now so I am so afraid of them. Not sure why they have become a regular occurrence now. What about you, do you get them regular and do you know why you get yours?
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
I had my first and most intense one six months ago. I was three days into a heavy period. It started as a scintillating scotoma and then became colorful zigzags. I had another one three days after the first, which started as a circle zigzag, but changed to an arch with a bright blue edge. The third one was two days after the second, and was less severe. It was just the circle zigzag. Since the auras, I have suffered from intractable migraine and a host of 24/7 visual disturbances.
Millymoos staci88515
Posted
It's horrible isn't it especially as there is nothing you can do for the visual auras. Nobody I know gets these which is why I joined this forum.
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
Yes. It is very isolating and alone to not know anyone in real life who experiences them.
pinkcatfairy staci88515
Posted
Yes i know, i know people who have the odd one but not like me getting a few a month! Like i said, recently they arent so regular and hopefully for you ladies too, they might subside like mine
pinkcatfairy Millymoos
Posted
Dear milly moos
I understand your concern, i was having as many as six a month sometimes, it was the neurologist who after i asked sent me for a scan but he too didnt seem that concerned about them. My auras have subsided and have gone some months without any
Millymoos pinkcatfairy
Posted
hello pinkcatfairy,
I wish mine would subside, it's very strange the way they come from nowhere . You find yourself just waiting for the next one to happen. Thank You for your information.
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
Millymoos, do you ever have any inkling that one will happen?
Millymoos staci88515
Posted
No just a little tiny shimmering dot in centre of my vision that's expands into a flashing zig zag pattern.
staci88515 Millymoos
Posted
Thank you. The same for me.