Migraines and visual problems - National Migraine...

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Migraines and visual problems

8 Replies

Am having problems seeing (or rather not seeing!) thiamngs. Being investigated for memory problems as I am the right age but all tests so far are clear and am waiting for the result of the brain scan (which is presumably to exclude infarcts and post cortical atrophy)

But eye people suggest it is a change in migraine pattern

Would be reassured by other peoples' experience of this please.

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8 Replies
Juliapester3 profile image
Juliapester3

Hi, I,m assuming from your post that you already suffer from migraine, I have never experienced a loss of vision during my migraine but I do during the aura phase. I get zig zag lines in my peripheral vision and on occasion have had a blind spot. There are different types of aura so it may be helpful for you to google it and see ifthis applies to you. as we get Older migraine symptoms change and if you see the dr and they are concerned you will be sent for an MRI, but you've already had one so that should pick up if there's anything wrong. I,ve never had vision problems during the actual headache phase of a migraine and I,m not sure if others do. Hope this is of some help and go back to your dr If you need more assurance .

in reply to Juliapester3

thank you juliapester3.

Angelface profile image
Angelface

I have had this kind of migraine with the visual disturbances, which make me blind, I can not see properly in my right eye and then my left eye, this can affect me at any time and I am dangerous on the road. I can not see oncoming traffic and other danger signs that normally I would be able to see. I can not see the telephone and have a lot of numbers on speed dial as If i was blind, I use a stick around the home as I literally go blind and still I am denied Disability Living Allowance. I take Rizatriptan immediately, unfortunately this does not work effectively, as when the blindness passes, and the pain is imminent the pain still comes in abundance. I just do not know where to turn for this as this is so debilitating.

in reply to Angelface

That sounds very distressing. Do you have gaps in your vision or is it full of zig zags and things covering the whole area?

Angelface profile image
Angelface

I have had this kind of migraine with the visual disturbances, which make me blind, I can not see properly in my right eye and then my left eye, this can affect me at any time and I am dangerous on the road. I can not see oncoming traffic and other danger signs that normally I would be able to see. I can not see the telephone and have a lot of numbers on speed dial as If i was blind, I use a stick around the home as I literally go blind and still I am denied Disability Living Allowance. I take Rizatriptan immediately, unfortunately this does not work effectively, as when the blindness passes, and the pain is imminent the pain still comes in abundance. I just do not know where to turn for this as this is so debilitating.

Angelface profile image
Angelface

I have had this kind of migraine with the visual disturbances, which make me blind, I can not see properly in my right eye and then my left eye, this can affect me at any time and I am dangerous on the road. I can not see oncoming traffic and other danger signs that normally I would be able to see. I can not see the telephone and have a lot of numbers on speed dial as If i was blind, I use a stick around the home as I literally go blind and still I am denied Disability Living Allowance. I take Rizatriptan immediately, unfortunately this does not work effectively, as when the blindness passes, and the pain is imminent the pain still comes in abundance. I just do not know where to turn for this as this is so debilitating.

Angelface profile image
Angelface

I have had this kind of migraine with the visual disturbances, which make me blind, I can not see properly in my right eye and then my left eye, this can affect me at any time and I am dangerous on the road. I can not see oncoming traffic and other danger signs that normally I would be able to see. I can not see the telephone and have a lot of numbers on speed dial as If i was blind, I use a stick around the home as I literally go blind and still I am denied any help from anywhere financially. I take Rizatriptan immediately, unfortunately this does not work effectively, as when the blindness passes, and the pain is imminent the pain still comes in abundance. I just do not know where to turn for this as this is so debilitating.

mimzlianne profile image
mimzlianne

Hi, I've been having temporary visual problems (zig zags and blind spots) since I was 14 and they have been getting progressively worse lately.

I've been to see the opticians under my GP's orders to check that my eye-sight was ok and had blood tests but all the tests have came back with no issues.

As long as they don't occur often, I found that ibuprofen helped relieve the migraine quickly. If they do occur often and you feel like you need to take ibuprofen regularly, have you tried migraleve or imigran recovery to tackle your visual problems? If it does not work, your GP should be able prescribe you a higher dosage since the lower dose may not have any effect (if they feel that it is the best course of action).

Preventative medication may also be an option?

I hope the result turns out with no problems (even though it's frustrating not knowing the cause of the problem) and good luck!

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