AF and Migraine

I went to see a neurologist at the hospital today about visual migraines, which I only started getting a couple of years ago before I was diagnosed with AF, and which have increased in frequency recently. I expected this to be a straightforward matter of getting some advice and possibly medication, but have been referred for an MRI and another scan which involves “rubbing jelly on your neck” (not sure what this is). Apparently, this is to check blood flow to the brain - but she mentioned that people with migraines are more prone to AF and said she wanted to rule out my having had a “mini-stroke” , although she said was no evidence of this). She also said that I should be on an anti-coagulant. All in all rather alarming. Has anyone had any medical consultations about migraines which have had an AF aspect?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes you should as I think we suggested a long time ago.

There is a link with migraine and ablation as the transeptal puncture seems to cause this but it usually clears once that heals up. The test you describe is likely a carotid artery ultrasound to check for plaque build up in the two arteries leading to your brain as these are a common cause of TIA or full stroke for many people . I freind of mine recently had a TIA resulting in an operation to remove a short length of one artery and considers himself extremely lucky to have got away with it.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

I haven’t had any TIA symptoms (that I know of) so I’m not sure why the test is considered necessary. I won’t have it for about 4-6 weeks so there will be a lot of anxiety in the meanwhile( in spite of the fact the neurologist said there was nothing to be alarmed about).

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

I think it is wonderfull that you have such a caring doctor who wants to make sure that you are not at such risk. Just becuase your car may be running fine does not mean you can ignore servicing it.

[CDreamer]

Great that you are having these scans which should rule out anything sinister and put your mind at rest.

There is a link between PFO - hole in the heart similar to the puncture in septum made during ablation - and visual migraines which I had for many years and bizarrely ceased after ablation. About 20-25% of population have a PFO unknowingly, it’s not dangerous but it is linked to migraines & AF.

Sounds like you should be anti-coagulated, most of us here are.

I had TIA & all the scans mentioned - absolutely not invasive or alarming and still here & hope to be so for a while yet.

Hope all goes well & let us know how you get on.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

I asked for the referral to the neurologist and wasn’t expecting any tests. I’m not aware of any TIA-type symptoms and didn’t describe anything like this, so I don’t know why she is so keen to do these tests. I will certainly get reassurance if they turn out ok, but if they don’t! If you have large numbers of white spots is there anything that can be done? Does this mean that cognitive decline is inevitable?

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

You would need to ask your neurologist about that as it will depend upon where & how big. No point in speculating at this stage, I would be very pleased she is being so diligent and hopefully all will well and she will be able to rule the nasties out.

I seem to remember you had some problems with your eye - could the visual disturbances have anything to do with that?

When I had my TIA I was aware of something weird going on but it was my neighbour who told me there was something wrong & called an ambulance but all symptoms cleared within 8 hours and I had no permanent damage. That was a couple of years ago now but I take anticoagulants. It is a small possibility that you could have a minor one at night & not be aware if it and it could be everything is absolutely clear, hope it is for you.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Ok thanks. A friend had a TIA about 10 years ago but has been ok since.

[JaneFinn]

Hi Samazeuilh, I had exactly the same experience as you, 4-5 years ago.

I saw a doctor about weird visual and balance-related migraine symptoms, which had started out of the blue. My GP wasn’t bothered, but when I mentioned to my cardiologist, he referred me to a neurologist and arranged for me to have a head &neck MRI scan, and also a Doppler scan (the neck ultrasound -jelly thing!- that they’ve mentioned to you) to check the flow of blood in the carotid arteries.

I was only in my mid 40s at the time, but the nature of the migraines made the cardiologist want to be sure there was no mini strokes or anything else going on.

Those tests are totally painless, non invasive, no bother whatsoever, so don’t worry at all about them The MRI is noisy but they give you ear phones.

My results were fine. Soon after that i was diagnosed with AF and started on an anticoagulant and betablocker. My migraines have reduced considerably, and my neurologist thinks that may be a happy ‘bonus’ effect of those meds.

So all in all I’d say please don’t be even slightly alarmed. You’re getting great medical attention, and the tests are simple and non invasive. The fact they’re doing them doesn’t mean they think there’s something wrong - they do them to confirm that nothing is wrong. Most likely it’ll all look normal - and you can have a pleasure of knowing there’s nothing worrying going on at all

Best wishes - and do let us know how you get on x

[Hidden in reply to JaneFinn]

Thanks for this very reassuring reply!

[opal11uk]

Hi Samazeuilh, I have had P/A/F now for many years and about 3 years ago had ablation, which for me was not a resounding success. Some little while after that I had a series of TIA's, maybe 5/6, and GP sent me to see a stroke doctor, I had a CAT scan and the brain was ok, they changed my anticoagulant from Warfarin to Pradaxa and put me on Statins. I was also frightened at that time that maybe I had the start of Vascular Dementia as I am in my 70's. At the last appointment I had I saw a different 'stroke' doctor and he felt that the TIA's were in fact migraines brought on by a rather rapid move from one home to another, yes I was stressed. These episodes started with a strong headache followed by visual disturbance and the inability to string a sentence together, in fact I spoke gobbledegook, I knew what I was thinking and seeing but what came out was absolute rubbish lol and that's why it was deemed to be TIA's I guess. Anyway, after the move it kind of settled down, but I had one the other day as a result of getting over excited at England beating NZ so although I was doubtful that it was actually migraines as diagnosed by the last doctor I am thinking that yes, maybe it was and caused by stress or a raise in blood pressure, I don't know to be honest but in general I feel fine. In conclusion I would say it is best you go for the investigations, they are non invasive and can reveal a lot and then hopefully put your mind at rest. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to opal11uk]

Thanks for your reply.

[dedeottie]

Before I was diagnosed with AF I had 3 TIA’s all of which left no damage and no evidence. For 2 years previous to this I had been having infrequent visual migraines . Since I have been on anticoagulants ( 7 years at least) I haven't had any more migraines and so I believe that they were little TIA’s although this is just my conclusion. I haven't bothered telling my doctor as there is no way of verifying this.

Try not to worry now, you are having all the relevant tests and hopefully will be put on anticoagulants. By the way, I do not appear to have any cognitive decline. X

[Hidden in reply to dedeottie]

I have to wait for a few weeks for the the tests. The neurologist stessed that it was just a check, so I am trying to stay positive.

[BobD Volunteer]

Just thinking out of the box here but have you seen an eye speicalist? Many people as they get older find that they get visual disturbances which are nothing to do with migriane and are just a fact of aging. These usually present as blurred areas of vision and frequently as flashing lights particularly on edge of vision. The cause is thickening of the vitrious gel inside the eye ball which then does not always follow the contour of the retina and creates this blurry effect. It is not generally dangerous but as I well know can be quite scary when it first happens until you know there is no danger.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Yes, I have been told that I have a detaching vitreous, which they say is a normal part of the ageing process. I also had a small haemorrhage on the dollar (which they think was caused by the vitreous). I am having this checked tomorrow.

[Coco51]

I get visual migraines very occasionally after my ablations, probably for reasons already explained above. I was referred to a neurologist who did the doppler test on the neck (all clear) and offered me the choice of all the other tests you are getting. She also said if they found anything, the treatment for TIA would be all the medications I was already on. So as I was feeling rather sick of hospitals and claustrophobic about MRI I declined. Result - I have spent the last couple of years wishing I'd had them done! So go ahead and don't worry.😊🤗

[Hidden]

I think if you haven’t any symptoms, you are probably better off not having the tests. I suppose it depends to some extent on how effective any treatment would be if they did find something.