migraine funny lights- scintillating scotoma.

[mommysboy]

I had my first 'aura' experience yesterday at the tender age of 56.  It's not so much the event as to why it has happened now that is concerning me.  I can suffer simple migraines so keep a pill or two handy.

 

It happened walking back from the supermarket with the sun's rays very low and in my eyes.  At first I thought I was dazzled, but on rounding a corner I noticed it was a bit different, like sparkling floaters. It only lasted 15 minutes and was not as intense or marked as computer illustrations but the general ring pattern and wavy edges make it seem obvious.  My left eye in particular is fragile.

 

But I can't say I suffered the marked bad headache that is migraine. Rather, I had a bit of a thick head, felt hot and tired and a bit nauseous.  And this morning I felt washed out.  If I had not had the lights I would say I am suffering heat exhaustion, since I've done a lot of exercise lately and wasn't looking after myself too well yesterday, eg, 2 hot coffees before walk.

 

My BP has been quite low the last few days, eg, 110/65 and heartbeat even lower than normal.  But I'd put this down to training effect.  I also had very dry and painful sinuses yesterday, feeling strong pressure, and my eyes hurt a bit.

 

I like to seek advice before going to doctors.

 

 

Edited August 18, 2017 by mommysboy

[Sheryl]

110/65 is not "quite low". It is a normal BP.

 

The nausea, washed out feeling etc could be dehydration and/or heat exhsustion.

 

If the lights etc recur see an opthalmalogist

 

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Migraine intensity varies. Mine recently changed where it misses the aura stage and had a thick head rather than sharp pain.

I don't bother with pain killers any more as they don't work for me. Firstly i don't over react to having one i.e i don't go to bed as some people do, i continue as normal. The aura usually passes within 30 mins and you get a headache that can last 24 hours with sharp pain with certain head movements.

Loads of causes of migraines, strangely i think changes of weather pressure can effect me sometimes.
Hole in the hearts can cause them too, not many people know that.

[mommysboy]

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Migraine intensity varies. Mine recently changed where it misses the aura stage and had a thick head rather than sharp pain.

I don't bother with pain killers any more as they don't work for me. Firstly i don't over react to having one i.e i don't go to bed as some people do, i continue as normal. The aura usually passes within 30 mins and you get a headache that can last 24 hours with sharp pain with certain head movements.

Loads of causes of migraines, strangely i think changes of weather pressure can effect me sometimes.
Hole in the hearts can cause them too, not many people know that.

Thanks.  It sounds like you are well experienced- unfortunately!  Yes, I agree, it is best not to over react.  The thick head is not so bad, but the shatrp pain and vomiting is a really bad one.

[mommysboy]

32 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

110/65 is not "quite low". It is a normal BP.

 

The nausea, washed out feeling etc could be dehydration and/or heat exhsustion.

 

If the lights etc recur see an opthalmalogist

 

 

 

 

OK, thanks.

 

I have probably been over-doing the running.  The breeze has been strangely absent in Surat Thani too.

[trd]

110/65 is not "quite low". It is a normal BP.
 
The nausea, washed out feeling etc could be dehydration and/or heat exhsustion.
 
If the lights etc recur see an opthalmalogist
 
 
 
 

The washed out feeling the following day is typical of a migraine attack and I often get that too. I don't see the need to see an opthamologist because the light show is a text book symptom of this kind of migraine. The partial and temporary loss of parts of the visual field can be scary as it was for me the first time it occured. If a headache does follow after the light show finishes and vision returns to normal, I find that popping an Ibuprofen before the headache comes on can help although it's not like a normal headache.

[Sheryl]

The washed out feeling the following day is typical of a migraine attack and I often get that too. I don't see the need to see an opthamologist because the light show is a text book symptom of this kind of migraine. The partial and temporary loss of parts of the visual field can be scary as it was for me the first time it occured. If a headache does follow after the light show finishes and vision returns to normal, I find that popping an Ibuprofen before the headache comes on can help although it's not like a normal headache.

Yes, but you have a history of migraine with aura. The OP does not. He states this is the first time he has experienced anything like this and also that it was not followed by a headache as such. In that context migraine, while not impossible, seems unlikely..

[trd]

Yes, but you have a history of migraine with aura. The OP does not. He states this is the first time he has experienced anything like this and also that it was not followed by a headache as such. In that context migraine, while not impossible, seems unlikely..

Aura migraines don't always result in a headache. They can present in many different ways. However I'm not saying he shouldn't seek medical advice to try and establish a diagnosis.

[mommysboy]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Yes, but you have a history of migraine with aura. The OP does not. He states this is the first time he has experienced anything like this and also that it was not followed by a headache as such. In that context migraine, while not impossible, seems unlikely..

No history with aura at all... but I have had simple migraines, which start with a fluttering of the eyes, and are generally centred on my left eye.  They seem specifically triggered by eye strain on computer, and invariably involve a strong headache and nausea.

 

I need a second check up on my left eye, which has an enlarged cup, and will talk about the aura then.

 

I had a different type of headache, which I can only describe as thick, however, I took ergotamine as soon as I realised it might me a prodome for migraine, so that might be an explanation.

Edited August 20, 2017 by mommysboy