Flashing lights . . .

[Polski]

On Friday I had a sensation of unawareness of my surroundings for a fraction of a second. When I moved over to the computer I found I could not see the screen properly because of flashes in front of my eyes. I sat down, had a drink of water and waited. After about 5 or 10 minutes I phoned my doctor (She is a friend who also speaks English - I'm in Poland), and she urged a visit to A & E, but while I was speaking to her the flashes moved to the side of my vision, and then disappeared.

I am on Xarelto 20, Bisprolol 2.5 with Propafenone 150 as a PIP. So I took two Propafenone - it takes that to make any difference (if I wasn't in AF at the beginning of the episode, I certainly was by then - all that adrenaline!) as I didn't want to be kept in to be put back into SR. AF for me is present much of the time now, but largly asymptomatic.

Some three hours later, after various basic tests, they decided that as all the symptoms had gone this was a migraine - even though I had no headache, and don't suffer from migraines, so they sent me home, which was a great relief.

So, what happened? Was I one of the two people who are anticoagulated and still get a TIA (see earlier post today) - but the Xarelto cleared it fairly quickly? Or was it a 'migraine'? Or am I brewing eye trouble, as yet unidentified? Or was it something I haven't thought of? Answers please, on a postcard to . . .

Seriously, I would really like to hear your 'take' on this experience. Has anyone had anything similar?

If I joined this forum today I would call myself 'Un-nerved'!!!!

[farmerwalt]

Hi Polski,

Sounds like classic migraine to me. With me I first notice some blind spots in my vision and then the flashing lights start. Thay gradually move to the left or right over about half an hour and then my vision finally clears. If the flashing lights is curved to the right, then they gradually move to the right of my vision and vice versa if curved to the left when it starts. First started when I was in my mid-twenties and now 72. Don't get many migraines now since I started on warfarin and my INR is above 2.2. If it goes below that then the migraines start again. I look on it as a good warning that my INR is getting too low, although it is still within range

It is a bit scary the first time it starts. You wonder what on earth is happening to me. Also used to get terrible headaches when I was younger but not now.

Hope that helps .

Walter.

[tennissenior in reply to farmerwalt]

It's called an "optic migraine." The first time it happens, it's really scary! You see bright "circles" in front of you. The good news is -- you may not develop the actual migraine and half the time, they just go away.

[Dodie117]

I had two strange experiences a few years ago, prior to being diagnosed with AF. On both occasions I was watching TV and suddenly I could only see the bottom half of the TV. I told my optician and he said probably drooping eyelid as muscles can weaken as we get older.

When I was diagnosed with AF and described this experience they were pretty sure it was a TIA but no way of knowing for sure as it was too long ago. I was referred to the stroke clinic but again no way of knowing as I hadn't been seen early enough.

Yours sounds different but maybe worth getting second opinion from stroke clinic or similar.

[mikeymike7]

Hi Polski, first and foremost armchair diagnoses are OK as a guideline! Having blank spots in your vision followed by the flashing zigzag lines is what I get whenever I have a migraine. Usually followed by a massive headache but not always. It is quite unnerving when things half-disappear but over time you know what is coming next!

[CDreamer]

I also have had those symptoms with migraine but also with sudden drops in BP caused by postural changes such as standing up or climbing stairs. It could have been a TIA but I don't think anyone on here would be able to tell you, especially if the doctors couldn't, but possibly worth a second opinion as llyam says.

The one thing I can say is that worrying about it is not going to help - at all! If it was a TIA what would change for you? - apart from worrying about when the next one will be. The only advice I could offer is wait see if it happens again and if it does go again straight to A&E and get advice of symptoms and what to do from your specialist.

Do you know if you have a hole in the heart? About 20% of people do which they are completely unaware of. I only found out I had one (completely benign) when I had an ablation and the EP used it to go through the septum instead of punching a hole through. The sorts of symptoms you describe are linked with visual migraines and hole in the heart. My first migraine with very disturbing visual bright, flashing lights was when I was about 14 but I understand people can develop them at any stage in life. Now I rarely have much pain, as I used to, but still occasional visual migraines when I cannot bear any light in the room, even a lit screen.

[10gingercats in reply to CDreamer]

I had a lot of these episodes AND a tiny TIA before my hole in the heart was diagnosed and then'fixed' with a device...incidentally I felt brilliant after the op. Had felt I was crawling towards old age before the op. and towards young age after it....worth getting the hole in the heart checked out via an echocardiogram at the hosp.

[CDreamer in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks, glad you found it benificial for you - feeling younger sounds great! The hole didn't show up at all on either the standard echocardiogram nor the TOE. The EP consulted with colleagues when he found it whilst doing the ablation and the decision was to not repair as evidently I had very unusual anatomy and it was in a difficult position. Had it been leaking they would have but my EP tested and said it shouldn't be problematic. Since then I developed another condition which makes any type of invasive procedure much riskier for me so it is not a priority, but thanks for replying.

[Barry123]

I have migraine on an off for years. They seemed to stop when i started on blood pressure medication. Recently I started on flecainide and I have had two incidents of the zig zag lights while warching tv. Ive never had flashing lights with migraine before. Last week I mentioned it during an eye test and she said definitely not an eye problem its neurological. She pronounced me with 20 20 vision. My journey with af and sorting out medication has definitely caused temporary vision interference on occasion. I had a tia a year ago. Im 69.

Barry

[CDreamer in reply to Barry123]

Side effects from Flec include neurological conditions.

[ruskin10]

Good morning, I too have had similar experience, it happened when I woke up one morning and the flashing lights continued at the side of my right eye into the evening. I went to the optician who referred me to the hospital very quickly. After many tests and extremely bright light shone into my eye, they found a small bleed and many "floaters" (which are quite normal and can happen for many people). I was told my brain would get used to the "floaters" which it has, and I was reviewed a month later. I was quite worried at first but now have got used to the things jumping about in my eye. If you are still concerned go back to doc, I would.

Best wishes

[Polski]

Thank you, everyone, for all your encouraging and helpful posts. Yes, from what you all say, migraine seems to fit the bill, but I will take note of all the other comments too. It certainly is unsettling when it first happens. A sudden change in blood pressure may have been behind it. I'm due to see the cardiologist soon, so will be able to discuss it with him too.

Thank you, and thank you for all your informative posts. I learn so much from reading here, it makes up for not being able to discuss everything in English with people back home!