Long running mostly visual migraine

[hopeful-1]

Hi,

I have had migraines for some years, sometimes gaps of years between, other times quite regularly.

Mostly I get a visual aura lasting up to 40 minutes, sometimes progressing to full blown symptoms when I have to lay down.

I've had a mostly visual aura now for 12 days, day 5 one eye came right and is okay.

Last 3 days the eye still affected looks a little clearer in what I can see re objects and large writing.

Would anyone have any knowledge of these sorts of symptoms in terms of restriction mostly to visual aura, and duration?

Thank's in advance if anyone can offer ideas.

[Cavapoochonowner]

hello there, I too have had migraines for years.They have ebbed and flowed throughout the years.Now I do seem to get only the aura(touch wood) and not the full blown headache.The aura can last for me about 30 mins.Sometimes it can happen twice in one day or on consecutive days.I take amitriptyline 20 mg per night as a preventative and also proprananol 20mg 3x a day as a preventative.I started with the proprananol last year when I had a migraine (full blown) every week for 6 weeks.I have graves disease which causes overactive thyroid and that is why they flared up again.I had a thyroidectomy this June and it has helped massively.I still take the proprananol though.I'm scared to come off it.The amitriptyline I have been taking for 8 years.As precaution I would see your GP as it is a change from the norm for you.Also it would be a good Idea to see an optician just to check there's nothing else going on with your vision.It could just be a new migraine symptom but it is a change for you.I had a bad migraine a couple of years ago where I couldn't speak.My words were just stuck in my mouth.My daughter was terrified and rang 999.She thought I was having a stroke.After being checked at hospital they put it down to a migraine.I have never had that symptom before or since, but I am glad I checked it out.It frightened the life out of me.Better to be safe than sorry.Hope this has helped.I really feel for you with the migraines.Hope you get it sorted out.Best wishes.

[hopeful-1 in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Thank's for your reply, it's helpful to learn other people's experiences.

I've seen my GP, had a brain scan that shows it's not a stroke (good!), got Moorfield eye check in several days time, tried triptans with no effect, prescribed but don't want to take amitriptyline, have had first of some acupuncture sessions, which stopped migraines for long time previously.

Affected eye seems to be improving a very little each morning, at this rate it'll be some weeks before it goes back to normal!

I'm going over all the info online for attacks, how to stop them and how to prevent them, ideally no meds if possible, given their description.

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to hopeful-1]

I'm glad you have been checked out and are waiting for eye checks.At least you can be reassured.I too have taken triptans in the past.The one's you squirt up your nose, as I am violently sick when I have a migraine.I had to stop them after a while as they got rid of the original migraine, but gave me the most excruciatingly painful rebound headaches.The amitriptyline I started when my son was seriously ill and the stress of that caused alot of migraines.I was desperate.It had been working until my thyroid problems started.I have tried to come off amitriptyline very slowly as I thought "why take it if it's not working any more?".But I had terrible insomnia and felt very weepy.I am back on it now.I can totally understand you wanting to try a natural route.I may try to reduce the amitriptyline again now my thyroid problems are settling,but my daughter is getting married in December and I don't want to risk feeling ill and spoiling it.Why not try accupuncture again? It might do the trick.I did have a couple of sessions with a physiotherapist and he did one session of accupuncture but obviously I paid for that myself.I did notice a less stiff neck but maybe I should have carried on longer.I also looked at cupping but never got as far as booking a treatment.Anyway enough of my rambling.Hope things go well for you and you find a speedy solution.Best wishes.

[hopeful-1]

Thank's, I'll update my post on what happens.

I was persuaded on acupuncture by a longstanding friend who had suffered badly for years, and they worked for her for some years, though she had to have some more sessions recently.

My next session is tomorrow, possibly preceded by a "gentle" swim class if I judge it okay to try!

[hopeful-1]

Well good news and bad news. I've been diagnosed with a hopefully recoverable vitreous haemorrhage in the eye, so not a migraine. Thank's for your advice and I hope you reach a good position with your choice of treatment.

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to hopeful-1]

I'm glad you have an answer to your eye problem.Eyes are very precious and some problems can escalate if not treated quickly.I've had 2 cataracts removed, a detatched retina repaired and have thyroid eye disease related to my graves disease.Last time I went to the hospital my pressures were raised so I now have been referred to check for glaucoma.Better safe than sorry.Hope everything goes well for you.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to hopeful-1]

So you are being see by a skilled Opthomologist? Or a Neuro-Opthomologist?

A GP should not be treating you.

[hopeful-1 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Oh yes absolutely. I was referred by my GP and had a thorough examination with tests and scans at the local hospital Moorfields clinic. Mind you it was 2 weeks after onset of symptoms...I've got a checkup with them in a month, and touch wood the symptoms are improving, though still looking through a cobweb! Thank's for raising that point.