Aura Migraine

[Weatherman16]

HI, I'm new to this site so my first post.

I experience aura migraines but without a major headache as long as I speedily take paracetamol.

My traditional way of dealing with the 30 to 50 minute aura is to take refuge in a dark space and wait for the aura to pass.

Given imminent travel commitments, my question is has anyone tried to simply ignore such auras, jagged flashing lights, and just carried on without resorting to the dark space option? I'm unsure as to whether such an approach would make the aura worse or extend the duration substantially or indeed create other side effects? I feel quite nervous about throwing caution to the wind and giving it a try.

Many thanks

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there, I get migraine with aura but not followed by a headache now I am older.I just sit down quietly wherever I am for the visual disturbance to pass(usually about half an hour for me).I don't lie down or have to be in the dark.Obviously there are things I can't see to do such as read so I just potter about or watch TV till it goes.I do still take a cocodamol and ibuprofen just in case but normally no headache arrives.I have had too many migraines over the years to risk not taking tablets.Hope this helps.

[Weatherman16 in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Many thanks for the reply and information, encouraging! I did try yesterday during an aura migraine to not seek dark space refuge, the aura disappeared after the normal, for me, 30 or 40 minutes but then 5 or 10 minutes later it returned meaning I then sought that refuge! I think I might need to pluck up more courage to try it again.....

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to Weatherman16]

Occasionally I have had a couple of auras within the same day, or even on consecutive days but now(touch wood) I still carry on with the same routine and no headache appears.

[Weatherman16 in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

Interesting!

I think I'll try darker sunglasses and wear a cap next time it occurs without seeking dark room refuge, not always available anyway if out and about, to see what happens, there's always this nagging doubt that I'll prolong the aura, I can deal with the low level headache via paracetamol..

[Langley-Loper]

Do you take triptans when you feel one coming on? I find they usually allow me to recover after 30-40 minutes of sitting doing not a lot. If the aura returns, you can take another after 2 hrs. I also take painkillers "just in case" but no crushing headaches as I've got older.

[Weatherman16 in reply to Langley-Loper]

I took triptans many many years ago when I had severe headache migraines but haven't done so with the aura type I now experience as there is little headache, so long as I take a painkiller eg paracetamol, promptly. Would triptans help eradicate the aura or prevent it reoccurring do you think?

[Langley-Loper in reply to Weatherman16]

I think they act on all symptoms of migraine, but I've not compared aura duration with and without them, as I always carry them with me wherever I go, just in case.

[Weatherman16 in reply to Langley-Loper]

Definitely worth a try, thanks!

[Tree20862 in reply to Weatherman16]

Triptan don't always work for me. I take them at the first sign of aura and I just need to "wait it out". 15-30 minutes until I can see again. 🙄😢

[Weatherman16 in reply to Tree20862]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess whatever we take it’s a case of just waiting for the aura to pass and hoping the medication will stop the headache. 🥴

[Tree20862 in reply to Weatherman16]

Sometimes I get a headache. Sometimes I don't.

[Weatherman16 in reply to Tree20862]

Yes, that’s much the same for me. Early use of medication is a key factor too.

[Tree20862 in reply to Weatherman16]

It is random, for me, whether it works or not. I usually take the rescue within minutes of the aura.

[Bama_girl in reply to Tree20862]

Same for me🤷🏻‍♀️

[Tree20862 in reply to Bama_girl]

Ubrelvy is working better

[Tree20862 in reply to Tree20862]

I was switched off Aimovig to Emgality. It is helping better.

[N3771]

Hello. I’m away on a centre parcs break at the moment and woke up with an aura migraine yesterday. I took ibuprofen and went to lie down for half an hour but as we were booked in to activities I put on my sunglasses even though it was very overcast. That and the fresh air seemed to help but after watching the grandchildren “driving “ I took myself back to the lodge for another lie down rather than going swimming. I was fine but spent the day feeling muzzy and disconnected. I’m sure the sunglasses helped.

[Weatherman16 in reply to N3771]

Good to know! I've tried to find some darker sunglasses to be more effective against any continued or recurring aura, I'll keep trying....