Optical migraines

MrsW101109

Anyone else get them? I just had my third one in the past year. The aura looked like a giant pulsating black and white boomerang blocking 25% of my vision. I took Tylenol right away to try to fight off the headache which sometimes follows.

I have a dull headache right now but feel like at any moment it can turn into an excruciating headache. And I am mega emotional right now. I feel like I could cry at any moment. I just made dh come into the kitchen with me to put away the pot of gravy and meatballs because I was lonely, lol. I am sorry I am rambling.

I guess the point of this post is... Should I be concerned that this keeps happening? The first time I went to the eye doctor because I thought something had happened to my eye and he told me what it was and there was nothing to do. Last time it happened while I was driving, but thank god I was not alone.

anotherNJbride

I used to get them a lot years ago - the first time I got one I actually almost triggered a panic attack because I thought I was going blind.  They got really bad and I went to the eye doctor for them who told me that my eyes were totally fine and they were likely brought on by stress. I had to keep track of them and if they went over a certain number in a certain amount of time he said he was going to refer me to a neurologist, but they stopped.  I quit my first job and haven't gotten one since.  My mom gets them chronically and recently went to the doctor for them and was told the same thing about stress but he didn't mention anything about a neurologist.

robynlesley

I used to get these quite often, especially in my late 20s. There were times when I thought I would actually pass out from the aura and dizziness. The only thing that helped it go away was a dose of Midrin (a migraine med) and sleep.

If you're getting these frequently, I'd see a neurologist.  There are medications specifically for migraines that may help more than Tylenol.

Feel better. 

UsedToBeGoldie

i get regular migraines- and can't imagine only having tylenol on hand for them - that would be like water for me...

i'd see a neuro - you want to make sure nothing else is going on (likely not- but always good to check).  A neuro will probably have you do an MRI - most do just to rule out anything bad.... then can get you on a plan of attack for if/when it happens again.

 

BeachBaby07

I got a couple of them last year but none for awhile. I was actually driving my kids the 1st time and I was freaking out. My husband had a detached retina like 2 months before and I was sure that's what it was. but then I got the migraine from hell and when I webMD it that's what it was. Then I got a couple more and as long as I can avoid the migraine the blurriness passes pretty fast. If the meds make the blurriness go away I might not be too concerned but it never hurts to get a 2nd opinion

bbzangel70j

i get one a month- they are cyclical for me, always about a week before my period. i know the headache and nausea are coming because it starts with that blinding aura. when it first happened i thought i accidentally stared at a lightbulb or something. for me, i take 3 tylenol immediately when i see that aura, and then about an hour later i take 3 excedrin. the only thing that truly helps though is for me to sleep in a dark room, sometimes with a blanket over my head. after about 2 hours or so, ive bypassed most of the headache and i feel better.

i tried imitrex and it made me feel worse.

i was getting them more often at one point, before getting pregnant, and i did go to a neurologist and had an MRI. the conclusion was that it was hormonal and normal for women in their 20s-30s. i was thankful it was nothing more serious, but dreading the next few years until they stop!