Anyone suffering Migraine Aura or hemiplegic migraine since taking NOAC. I get zig zag flashing lights sometimes Tia like episodes.

[kkatz]

Edoxaban,apixiban & migraine or Tia symptoms.

[Physalis]

Funnily enough, since taking apixaban my usual attacks of migraine have stopped. Migraine is not shown as one of the side effects.

This is interesting migrainetrust.org/living-wi...

[Buffafly]

As people who suffer from migraine are more likely to have strokes I’m doubly glad I take Apixaban. My auras have been a lot worse since I had an ablation although that is not supposed to happen.

[Aus19]

Hi kkatz, I've been on apixaban for two years and have had no side effects from it. But I experienced "migraine auras" when I started taking that well known sodium channel blocker, flecainide. This is a known side effect of flecainide - visual disturbance, ocular migraines (without pain in my case), generally seeing psychedelic shapes like having a bad trip! I wonder: are you on any sodium channel blockers?For what it's worth, this side effect stopped for me after about 6 weeks. I should add that I was diagnosed with cardiac problems after I had a stroke, so I understand how concerned you might be about these visual disturbances. Yes - at the time of these "aura migraines", I worried that I was having a transient ischemic attack! But there are some things that suggest it's an ocular migraine: (1) no pain (2) the disturbance was in both eyes, not one eye. This reassured me. Anyway, I hope it resolves for you.

[kkatz in reply to Aus19]

Thanks Aus19.my main problem is the Tia symptoms I have.really quite bad.I did have a blocked carotid artery & op.But for some reason they decided when finally discharged that I have migraines as I do get the zig zig Aura without headache frequently .As these are not an Immediate pre cursor to my Tia attacks I was hoping that I could find evidence of a side effect as I have heard rumours.

[Aus19]

Those symptoms sound very unnerving, kkatz. Especially with your history of a blocked artery - I hope the tretament for that went well. As far as apixaban goes, I guess we can all have different sorts of side effects from medications. I'm probably like most people in that I tolerate apixaban very well. Maybe you could talk to your cardiologist about a substitute?

[Coco51]

I can understand your worry. I was scared stiff when I got these. Have you had an ablation? I have these auras very occasionally since my first ablation. I was on Warfarin then and not taking Flecainide. So I can't say there's evidence if side effects in my case I'm afraid.These episodes start like a small bright light in the centre of my vision as if I have looked at a bright light They grow and the zigzag shapes appear. Then they gradually move to the side of my vision and disappear after 20 minutes. No headache. Is this the same for you?

It can happen if I am looking at something bright in a dark room or in bright sunlight. I have about 3 or 4 a year.

It was investigated by a neurologist. She said the auras are called scotomas. But when I asked about TIA she said visual disturbances from strokes are more like blackouts. No flashing lights. Similarly if limbs are affected then they feel dead and numb. No tingling. She called these episodes ocular migraine.

But the treatment for TIA is anti coagulation and blood pressure control. As I'm lready having those, there's not much more to do.

[kkatz in reply to Coco51]

Yes the ocular migraines are exactly like yours .No I haven't needed ablation and have paroxysmal AF so medication (Adizem) seems to suffice.The Tia symptoms totally random episodes and just like pre artery op. But diagnosis is Migraine?I will just have to keep pestering unless I have an attack where symptoms persist The last Tia like attack has so scared me. Really stressing me out.