AFIB and Migraine

[ETFCfan]

Hello, I saw a report a month or so ago linking AFIB ago people who have suffered with severe migraine. I was wondering if many of you suffered with severe migraine and went on to have AFIB? I suffered really badly all my adult life and had various treatments including triptans and an occipital nerve block. On the Triptan leaflet (Relpax for me plus many others) they say they should not be taken with heart rhythm disorders. Ironically as my AF got worse and my beta blocker dose went up my migraines disappeared.

[wilsond]

Hello

I used to get aura migraine in my teens and twenties,gradually diminished over time. I had them every few weeks or so.

Diagnosed af in 2013,aged 54 but think had it before. Had aTIA last year ( wasnt anticoagulated at the time but soon was) not long after I had the TIA I had the first one for many years. Panicked at first,thought I was starting with real stroke but then realised what it was.

I have had some minor ones since,but was on high daily dose of Flecanide until recently and visual issues are a known side effect....

Interesting.....

[ETFCfan in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for that, it is interesting as I collapsed with what was thought to be a stroke many years ago and it turned out to be a really severe migraine. It’s so difficult to know what’s a side effect and what isn’t.

[wilsond in reply to ETFCfan]

They said they assumed it was a TiA,because of the AF and not being anticoagulated....yes very interesting.I think research will show a clear link one day. Xx

[F-M-C-MM in reply to wilsond]

Hi Wilsond, was surprised to hear visual problems are a side effect of Flecainide. Could you refer please to any articles you may have read on the subject as I developed migraine aura following an ablation which so far is successful. I would however be wary of going back on Flecainide should I revert back to A Fib if it causes visual problems. Thanks!

[wilsond in reply to F-M-C-MM]

Hello!

Its on the information sheet,refers to double or blurred vision as a 'very common' side effect.I have had some peripheral blurred vision and episodes of zigzag aura which havent gone on to full blown migraine as I used to have it. Oher people on the forum found this too.

Of course,it doesnt follow that you will get these!

My disturbances didnt last too long,occurred abiut an hour after taking daily dose.

However,I have recently been weaning off flecanide and so far so good.

Best wishes hope that helped xx

[F-M-C-MM in reply to wilsond]

In my case I had long ceased taking Flecainide on a regular basis before developing Migraine aura without the migraine. I only took it as Pill in Pocket. The aura I experienced was what is known as Scintillating Scotoma not blurred vision, and the first episode followed ablation . I never again took Fle ainide post ablation , so cannot ascribe the episodes to Flecainide.

[ETFCfan in reply to F-M-C-MM]

Oh that’s interesting, I’m learning new things every day. Thanks for replying.

[Hidden]

Interesting. I am now 74 but from my mid twenties to about 40 I suffered from really severe debilitating migraines...completely laid up for a couple of days in a dark room, vomiting with the horrendous headache , frightened to move. This happened 2 or 3 times a year. Worst was when I felt paralysed and couldn't move my legs.

It's strange that these stopped altogether when I had trigeminal neuralgia...another horror! And then along came AF.😕

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

Gives with one han and takes with the other! Xx

[ETFCfan in reply to wilsond]

So true wilsond

[ETFCfan in reply to Hidden]

That sounds scary, my migraines were up to once a week for a few days but nothing so scary as yours. I put my recovery down to age and the high dose of beta blockers which had been tried as a preventative for migraine in smaller doseswhen I was younger but didn’t work then,

[Hidden]

My migraines began age 13 & worsened in my early 20’s, often leading to vomiting & lying in a darkened room for days. Strangely, they disappeared for about 15 years in my 30’s - 40’s, then came back with a vengeance, though fortunately very infrequent. It can be months in between or they can come as a cluster, 2 or 3 a week. I have learned to avoid certain food combinations & never have cheese, red wine (no loss for me), or chocolate on the same day. I used to take pink Migralieve ( the ones with the anti-emetic in) but it seems there is a production problem and they have been unavailable for many months. I have been given Buccastem to take with Co-codamol now, though I’m pleased I haven’t had to take it yet as it can affect the efficacy of the Apixaban I’m on for anti-coagulation. I get over the worry of this by accepting that, if I was vomiting, I wouldn’t get my dose of Apixaban at all and I will only have to take Buccastem rarely as,touch wood, my migraines are infrequent.

I was not diagnosed with AF until last year aged 64, though I think I had episodes for at least a year before that. Interested to see if there is a link with these conditions, though as we age I guess we could find a link with almost anything!!

Pat x

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

Interesting! Yes,its all connected to too many birthdays! Xx