Aura

[Mavary]

I had another aura migraine last night and woke this morning with a rotten headache blurry eyes etc. I seem to be waking very often with bad heads. It's not so much that which worries me it's the fact I'm getting the aura migraines. I can control the headaches but not the auras. I worry about if I was driving and had one. Has anyone any advice.

[Gambit62]

for some people aura is a sign that a migraine is coming on. I get patches of colour in my field of vision and can get visual snow.

Are you taking any medication and have you spoken to your GP about it - particularly if you are feeling that it could affect your ability to drive?

[Mavary in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit. I can take a Naramig for my bad heads but the auras only last about twenty minutes. I start with a half circle of sparkly crystals with rainbow colours. The first time I had it happen the crystals covered my eyes. I've found since then if I relax to them it remains in a C shape. I had one yesterday and the C shape was the other way round which was odd. By the time I take a Naramig the aura migraine would be gone. I saw an optician when I had the first one as I didn't know what it was. I had an incline but wasn't sure. I tried to get in to see the Dr but you know what they're like and they were fully booked. I've not had a problem with driving at all yet. I'm just concerned that I might. I'm also concerned that the really bad migraines have now turned to headaches and auras. I'm not sorry I'm not having the bad migraines it's just that they've changed that concerns me. When I was having the first one I nearly rang 111 as I thought I might be having a stroke. I'm glad I didn't as I would have looked a fool if a paramedic had turned up.

[angelb123]

Hi there, you should get a warning like blue n gold floaters i have had aura for five years and i do a lot of driving, just park your car and rest till it clears. i only seem to get them at home and mainly when im over stressed.maybe you should see your Doctor he may give you some help to sleep.

[Mavary in reply to angelb123]

That's what I've found. It seems to be when I'm stressed. Saying that I had one the other night. I woke up in the middle of the night to sparkly lights. I knew what it was so just went back to sleep. I don't seem to get a warning. If I'm reading I can't see the words then the lights start within about a minute. It's really weird.

[ME65]

I get sparkly lights before a migraine if it's going to be a really bad one. It's just a warning of what's to come. I don't think there's anything you can take to stop it as it doesn't last long enough for anything to take effect. I take sumatritan to control the bad head that follows. Try not to worry, it's all part of the migraine process that stimulates the visual cortex in the brain.

[Kariss]

Hi Mavery I think it would be wise to see a doctor about your auras as they don't sound typical. They are usually the first indication of an impending migraine but I've not heard of them going away so soon without taking medication. Auras have always been my first indication and if I take the pills straight away, I can sometimes stop a full blown migraine developing and just get the headache instead without the weird vision and hyper sensivity to everything around me. I make sure I have my pills everywhere I go just in case as they develop so fast and have many triggers.

Seeing a doctor will be able to rule out any other more nasties like detached retina. As this can start as flashing lights I would definitely get it checked. A dr will also be able to fast track a referral to hospital if he thinks you need it. This is what happened to me after a particularly bad migraine where my vision didn't return properly. I was seen as hospital two days later and got all the tests/photos etc done which all took about four hours. I found out the lack of vision was not due to the migraine but to developing macular deterioration. I was glad my son made me go as I wouldn't have known otherwise. It was all very efficient and I was able to ask lots of questions.

Best wishes K

[Mavary in reply to Kariss]

Hi Kariss.

I was diagnosed for about five years with dry macular disease but last year I went to see the Specialist and he said he didn't think I had it as it hadn't progressed any more. I was then discharged. I've got a slight change in the pigment at the back of the eye where the macula is, which looked like macular disease. I've got cataracts in both eyes which I have now been told need doing. Whereas last year the Specialist told me they were nowhere near ready. When I had my first aura migraine I saw an optician that they send you to if you have emergency problems. He checked me for a detached retina so I think I'm ok there. He also said that a typical aura migraine will last for twenty minutes which is what mine do. I think I mentioned it to the Dr and the first question she asked was did I have a headache after. I get headaches a lot but I don't think I necessasarily get them after aura migraines. I think maybe in my mind I didn't think the way they are is right. If they get any worse I will go straight away to see someone. Otherwise I have to go in December for a check up. I will then mention them again. Thank you for your reply.

[Kariss]

Hi again. Sorry to hear about the cataracts developing but just to reassure you when you get them done, my husband has had both his repaired (separately). His grew very quickly too but the operation was quick and easy with very little discomfort, and he no longer has to wear glasses now except for reading as it corrected his myopia too! I too have a cataract developing now and have always been very afraid of any eye operations, but this has cheered me for when it is my turn as I am very short sighted and can't imagine how lovely it will be to see better without specs. (I am not a good candidate for laser surgery but would be too scared to have it anyway!

Sorry, I have got off the subject of migraines, but best wishes anyway!

[Mavary]

I'm like you Kariss and don't like the thought of anything to do with my eyes but if I'm going to see properly then ok. I've woken with a bad head again this morning. I've had a night of what I call cat naps. I think maybe I was awake every hour. I've usually got tablets that help when I'm like that but I've run out because I had a holiday and used them up and I don't always order them every month. I only am allowed ten per month as they're addictive. I am however very sensible with them. I may take one two days running just to get me back into the routine of sleeping. If I'm sleep deprived I always get bad heads.