Migraine

[Mariafrancis54]

I have RA but I also suffer from migraine and since having steroid injections and now on medication my attacks are more frequent - I have aura and partial vision with my migraine - does anyone else have this problem?

[Matilda7]

For me visual disturbances/ optical migraines are a relatively new symptom which have developed over the last couple of years ie since being on MTX but before starting on Biologics. I hadn't made any connection with RA treatment but they have started happening much more frequently since being on Biologics. The first 3 attacks were 8 months apart and didn't worry me too much. But they are now happening roughly every 6 weeks.

They look like bright zig zag shapes, moving around either on the periphery of my vision or across from nose to ear. Just one eye at a time. Silver and gold and blue and orange are the dominant colours. Feel exhausted afterwards but there's no pain. Just a dull headache later on.

Recently I've developed a different visual problem which is like having a thin veil affecting my sight, especially when I move my eyes from side to side ...I'm particularly aware of it when driving the car, sitting at crossroads...the veil swooshes around...very weird!

My GP referred me to the ophthalmologists, and having seen them twice I now have an appointment with the neuro-ophthalmologists coming up.

[Mariafrancis54 in reply to Matilda7]

Hi Matilda thanks for your reply - I have had classic migraine for many years but a lot more frequently as I said - I have been taking mtx for a few weeks only. It really does make life difficult as you don't know when they are coming - I wish you luck with your consultation

[Downtime in reply to Matilda7]

Hi Matilda,

I've had migraines all my life but in the last few years, possibly since the RA I don't get many headaches just the auras. I don't know your age but I understand that later in life this is the case. My auras are similar with zig zag dusturbances lasting 30 mins. Sometimes I lose vision in one eye. Also I get completely numb down one side sometimes and can't judge distances or speak properly. All this is frightening but I'm assured it's just the migraines which they still don't seem to know much about. Mxt doesn't seem to have made these worse.

[Mariafrancis54 in reply to Downtime]

Thank you Matilda that makes sense - I'm exactly the same xx

[blueboy1]

I Have Migraine to, i have had them all my adult life. I am on steroid tabs, and have had injections to. Maybe the medication makes them more frequent. I am not on Mtx at the moment. I have been getting them for days at a time. I am on Sulfa. I feel for you people that never had Migraine just don't understand. Maybe try some other meds. xxx

[Mariafrancis54 in reply to blueboy1]

Thank you - I've had them all my adult life too but they are more frequent since RA started badly and since steroid injections too

[Runrig01]

I have AS, I have had migraines 34yrs, but this last year the pain from migraine is off the charts. Used to self manage but seen GP recently, and have been given sumatriptan to try. I asked my GP if it is the inflammation coursing through the body that is making it worse, but he said that was a difficult one to answer. Used to be sick once or twice, now 10-12 times along with diarrhoea xx

[Mariafrancis54 in reply to Runrig01]

It's really awful - you sound worse off than me - I really find it hard to deal with

[Runrig01 in reply to Mariafrancis54]

I don't know, I don't get an aura, just blinding head pains suddenly. Unable to function, even when the migraine disappears your left with muggy head and nausea 😏

[Matilda7]

I used to get migraines, but without any visual disturbances, as a young adult but when RA diagnosed and I started taking antiinflammatories, the migraines stopped! That was back in the 1980s. It was the only good thing about getting RA.

Hence very surprised to be told, over 30 years later, that these visual disturbances are a type of migraine, and wondering if related to newer medicines ie MTX and Biologics.

[Mariafrancis54]

You could be right - mine have changed - become more regular - who knows and who gives you a straight answer at clinic?