Ocular migraines and AF

I first had a migraine right at the end of 2017. I then had about 8 of them spaced about a month apart, then nothing for about 8 months. About 2 months ago, I started to get lots of them-about 15 over 6 weeks. My GP doesn’t seem concerned but said he could refer me to neurologist “if I wanted”. What prompted this post is the fact that I woke up with one this morning!

The migraines alsways have the same characteristics:

1. There is no headache, or a very mild feeling of tension (not serious enough to warrant a paracetamol) around the forehead *after* the migraine which lasts for about an hour.

2. The migraine is usually in one eye or the other. It starts as a blind spot- perhaps a letter is missing when reading a sentence. Then a sparkling zig-zag line develops and seems to move to the periphery of the vision.

3. It’s not usually very debilitating and I can continue what I am doing.

4. The duration is always about 15-25 mins. It stops suddenly.

I am wondering if this is AF related. Although I had migraines for about 6 months before PAF, I wonder if it was a sort of precursor.

The migraines are not that bothersome, but I am worried about there frequency and whether they might portend something more serious. I’ve seen two GPs and neither seems greatly bothered- possibly because there is little or no headache. Could this be caused by stress? Has anyone developed migraines in conjunction with AF or have this sort of symptom?

[BobD Volunteer]

The occular migraine you describe is typical of the ones people have after ablation. These are caused by the transeptal puncture when they move from right to left atria. I do wonder if migraine may be caused by "hole in the heart" problems which for most people go undetected. I have no medical training so this is merely a what if.? A very small hole in the septum may go undetected for years with no synptoms but become exacerbated by AF. is what I am thinking.

That said I had regualr migraines for several years in the early eighties which I believe were stress induced. I was holding down a full time job in banking whilst running a race team which was winning in British Touring Cars and only sleeping about four or five hours a night! Not had them since apart from after my ablations.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thanks for this reply. I haven’t had an ablation yet (my assessment is at the end of July). As I said, the migraines preceded the PAF by about 7 months, but the frequency was not that great until 6 weeks ago. I have been more stressed than usual - but then again have been stressed on many occasions without migraines.

[Hidden]

Ive had ocular migraines for years, way before a fib. I have the very same symptoms as you but only have them maybe a couple times a year. The first time I panicked as I didnt know what it was. The doc said nothing to worry about.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I’m worried about their frequency in particular. A bit odd to have gone from zero migraines to so many.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I wonder if they are related to stress? Ive been retired almost 2 yr and have had one since retired.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Stress is listed as a potential cause, so yes it could be I guess.

[Jjda]

I have had ocular migranes for years, long before the Afib was detected. My symptoms are exactly like yours, except that I find I am very tired after them. I started writing down when I had them and I can definitely tie many of the instances to stress, but some just happen. I find that I will have several within a week or two, then maybe a year between them. Since my ablation, I have only had one. Have you tried meditation or mindfulness training? It can be very beneficial for stress relief.

[Hidden in reply to Jjda]

I tried mindfulness but it didn’t really work for me. I have found breathing exercises (4-7-8 breathing) is good for stress, so I may have to practice that more. Hopefully that will curb some of the migraines.