Ocular Migraine: So. I'm getting these wavy zig... - Thyroid UK

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Ocular Migraine

bobsmydog profile image
11 Replies

So. I'm getting these wavy zig zag lines at the periphery of my vision as if I'm under water and am told its migraine without the headache. It's happening almost every day and lasts about half an hour.

Thyroid related? Over or under-replaced? Or is this entirely separate issue?

Never had migraines before.

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bobsmydog profile image
bobsmydog
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11 Replies
annie-7 profile image
annie-7

Hi, I've suffered from migraines all my life, (they're the classic type).

Years ago, in early pregnancy I had the type of migraine you describe, lots of wild purple and green zigzags, totally lost my vision for about an hour, no pain at all. I've never had another one like that.

I think that it must be linked to hormone levels, my normal migraines have lessened since adding T3 to Levo but I still get some milder ones. Have you altered any doses of anything recently?

bobsmydog profile image
bobsmydog in reply to annie-7

No I've been steady on 2.5 grains NDT for several weeks.

Wonder if I should increase a bit, no hyper symptoms but temperature did reach 37 yesterday for the first time (but it was the hottest day ever!). Back down again today to 36 something.

annie-7 profile image
annie-7 in reply to bobsmydog

So many weird symptoms seem to appear quite regularly with this condition!

My temperature is still sitting at between 35 and 36.4, even today when it's hot and sunny. Hope you find out what is causing the migraines.

bobsmydog profile image
bobsmydog in reply to annie-7

Thanks. Yes - it affects too many things!

Heloise profile image
Heloise

They were new to me as well. Strange, aren't they? Always first thing in the morning?? They came and went a few times when I am sure I was under replaced. It's actually been years since I've had any and I was carrying a TSH that was a little high even after so there may have been other things involved.

bobsmydog profile image
bobsmydog in reply to Heloise

No they seem to come any old time with me. Think I'll try an increase, thanks

spongecat profile image
spongecat

There's another thing I can relate to!

I used to get this zig-zags thing and mentioned it to my dear, now retired optician when I had my regular eye test even though I guessed it as an ocular migraine (thanks Dr Google!).

The optician said "And when do these events occur?". Well they usually happened or were triggered when I was on the computer with bright daylight coming from the window to my right.

"Well there is your problem...it's the sunlight and too much computer time young lady!". They did used to appear randomly as well.

OK.

The curious thing is that I have not had one of these ocular events since being treated for my primary hypothyroidism. At the time I found them rather disturbing though they would fade away after 20 minutes or so.

Coincidence?

*cue Twilight Zone theme tune*.

Berlidders profile image
Berlidders

I get these too. My friend is an eye doctor and she organised for me to have coloured lenses as it's changes in lighting that can set it off. I suggest go and see an eye specialist who may be able to help. They are horrid aren't they!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

At some point between starting on levothyroxine and now, I had a series of painless migraines with aura. Maybe spread over a few weeks or months. They didn't last very long and lack of pain meant they could be interesting!

There are many, many pictures of migraines with aura on the internet. (Some are mis-identified so always follow through to the original pictures.) Fascinating that you can spend quite a while trying to find the closest match between posted picture and personal experience!

bobsmydog profile image
bobsmydog

Thanks everyone - I am now convinced this is yet another hypo symptom and will be increasing my dose from tomorrow xx

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Hi bobsmydog, I have had these incidences for a few years now, in fact, I had one yesterday morning while doing crossword. As my husband was driving, I stopped what I was doing, drank some water and had a couple of mints, then sat with my eyes closed for about 20 minutes. It went. I feel that it is when I am undermedicated and I know I am at the moment while waiting to see Dr BDP to tell me my next step. It comes on as though I have a heat haze to the outside of my eye (either one) and sometimes, 24 hours later it happens to the other eye. I also feel that it could be something going round my body - quite strange. I also have no headache with it.

Originally when I went to GP with it (after having been taken to A & E by ambulance, he immediately said that it was Ocular Migraine. Wish we still had that GP!

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