Migraine

[RacingGirl3]

Does anyone have the aura but not the headache , I've had migraine all my life but now just the aura and no headache at least not very often, doctors just wanted me to have epilepsy meds or go to a dark room any advice ?.

[Luisa22]

I get the aura but no real headache, only slight twinges over my right eye. I had that once before in my life (the aura) but didn't know what t was then, and had no ill effects after or with it.

In 2018 it happened again, and 17 days later I became unwell. About 4 weeks after that I had my first bout of IBS D. Then the IBS went away for 2 years, and came back 2020.

Since then I've had the aura a few times.

I had it diagnosed by a neurologist in 2018.

My migraine symptoms are almost nothing, but it all affects my gut. Even my GP wondered if my "IBS" could be a kind of abdominal migraine but that's rarer in adults and usually children get that. I am 70 now.

I haven't found anything to stop it. I just keep hoping it will change and eventually go away.

In my life, even some awful things have done just that -disappeared.

[Orchard33 in reply to Luisa22]

I believe there is a connection between gut and migraine. I think that the gut has its own intelligence which is much wiser than my brain intelligence!!

[Luisa22 in reply to Orchard33]

I've heard it said that migraine can be caused by a bad gut microbiome. But I dispute that easy answer, as I had to have the best gut microbiome going many years ago well before IBS. I ate excellent healthy food, got excellent healthy exercise and had no other chronic problems. Then when the migraine auras returned in 2018, I was still living like that! The IBS followed. The IBS did not come first.

I since learned from a family member that my mother also got migraine auras, though "migraine" was never spoken of in those days and she mistakenly thought it was "eye strain". She also complained of "sick headaches" at times, and took 2 aspirin. But migraine was unknown to her or any of us.

So it looks like I inherited it. And migraine is NOT a consequence of having IBS, and/or a bad gut microbiome. At least, that's not what started it all off.

[Sheeniejay]

I used to get them a lot about 15 or so years ago. Watery effect, as if the light was rippling and whole black spaces so I could not see. Sessions would last 20-30 mins and I just had to sit and wait it out. Really scary. Moorfields Eye Hospital diagnosed ocular migraines brought on by extreme stress. I have not had one for more than a decade if that gives you any hope.

[RacingGirl3 in reply to Sheeniejay]

Thank you for your reply

[Luisa22 in reply to Sheeniejay]

I can relate to the watery effect in the vision, and a part of my vision would be taken up by sparkling shining lights. The first time I got one it reminded me of the special effects in the movie "Predator" with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yes, stress brought that on and it happened when I was involved in getting my dying husband moved from one hospital to another, and that was January 1999.

I didn't get one again for ages; until 2018, but since then I get them every few months or so. I just carry on with my day while they are happening, but the good thing is I don't feel ill at the same time, and they only last about 20 minutes or a bit more. More recently (since 2018) I also get the zig zag lights which remind me of sunlight shining off the edges of bevelled glass such as are often in old mirrors. The auras are really quite pretty and sometimes have rainbow colours too. But I don't really like them, because in 2018, I started to feel unwell 17 days after the one I had. And that was a horrible time that went on for so long. I am always a tiny bit scared of that returning.

[Frasina]

I have IBS/IBD and a neurological issue and in my early 50's (I'm now 65) I had lots of auras - sometimes with migraine, sometimes not. I would start to feel really unwell - which caused physiological symptoms of anxiety too - this kickstarted me seeing neurology. I got scanned (because I also had some unexplained dizzy spells) and they did find a neurological issue which has put me under 'watch and wait' with scanning every 18 months or so) but I was told the issue has no bearing on the migraine or auras. I was told that hormone imbalances, extreme stress and genetic inheritance (my mother was a sufferer) are contributing and I was sent off for some talking therapy....

You could ask about the talking therapy route first rather than start drugs; the good news is that my auras did subside and I have only ever had a handful of issues in the past decade or so. In my case, when I think back, stressful events did link. I hope you find some reprieve.

[Orchard33]

Yes, post menopause I only have aura. It lasts about 25 minutes and is the result of stress/over-exertion. I try and lie down whilst it's happening and for half an hour after. It is alarming but harmless except for a slight hangover. It tells me to slow down and rest.

[RacingGirl3 in reply to Orchard33]

Thank you for your reply.

[BabsyWabsy]

Yes, I just get the aura these days, post meno. Have had migraines since my teens. What seems to help me is a 'baby' aspirin each day. I ran out of them a little while ago and had two of these aura episodes in three days. Back on it now, not had one recently. Tesco have 100 dispersible 75 mg over the counter at £1.80. I just swallow them. Works for me.

[Alanis4000]

My partner gets these occasionally, they’re called ocular migraines. Think yourself lucky you don’t get the headache as for me it’s one of the worst pains ever! X

[RacingGirl3 in reply to Alanis4000]

I used to vomit with the headaches, started when I was a teenager but now just the aura, still worrying though.

[linedance]

I also get this. It seems to start with a blind spot developing, then zig zag lines which go on for about 25 minutes, but no headache, thank goodness. Sometimes, I can feel for a couple of days beforehand, that it might be coming as my vision feels odd (the only way I can explain it). After the migraine it feels as if my vision becomes ultra clear for a while. I seem to have phases of it happening. I can go for months with nothing. At the moment it seems to be happening more frequently - twice in one day last week. I have no idea what triggers it but I am post menopausal and suffer from anxiety. I've been looking at Dr Google which says that ocular migraines occurs in one eye. I can see the zig zags in both eyes - if I shut one eye it is still there. There is also something called silent migraine which has all the visual symptoms without the headache,

[RacingGirl3 in reply to linedance]

The same as mine exactly thank you.

[Luisa22 in reply to linedance]

Yes, I think mine is more "silent migraine" to some extent, as I don't get what I call headache, just odd twingy feelings over one eyebrow. But a few days later I notice my gut is a bit looser and more upset and fibre-sensitive. And I can feel something like "inner vibrating" sensations and a few other symptoms including occasional dizzy spells and missed heartbeats etc.

[E3178]

I have had these on and off for about 10 years. It's like a kaleidoscope effect and goes after 30 mins or so.My optition says it is ocular migraine.

I feel OK afterwards.

[userotc]

My dad (69) has had these fegularly for many years - though interestingly not in recent months when he's had 3 different viruses!

He just puts sunglasses on for a few mins and it clears. Certainly drugs is not a good option (he used to try 2 paracetamol before wising up to the known & unknown risks of drugs!).

Despite much research, found no relevant cause.

[angelwings52]

My fiancé has these, they're called occular migraines, usually present with an aura but not always with any pain. I would go to an optician and get your eyes checked and also go to your GP as there are treatments available.

[dubstepMaul]

I get them occasionally and was told they are called opthalmic migraine. Mine last about 20 minutes with no pain. Strangely though, just last week I suffered a migraine for about 8 hours and about 2 hours after it subsided I got an ophthalmic migraine. Not sure if they were two separate events or not.

[dubstepMaul]

I get them occasionally and was told they are called opthalmic migraine. Mine last about 20 minutes with no pain. Strangely though, just last week I suffered a migraine for about 8 hours and about 2 hours after it subsided I got an ophthalmic migraine. Not sure if they were two separate events or not.

[pinosolady]

I used to have crippling migraine regularly every month until I had my children after which they virtually disappeared. Since I stopped HRT at age 60 I have had the aura but only with comparatively slight headaches. I am now 77 and still get them occasionally. I have found that if I take two paracetamol as soon as it starts and stay quiet it generally clears in about 20 minutes.