Retinal Migraine

[GreyGardens88]

Anyone had one of these before? I had my first one ever this afternoon (found out by googling the symptoms). It was scary as hell, I thought I Was going blind, with a blurry kaleidoscope starting in one spot and forming a line around my vision. Now I have a headache and feel rough.

There doesn't seem to have been any obvious trigger, just started out of the blue? I've had a cough since Friday so also worried this could have been triggered by Corona?

I get them occasionally - normally less than one a year. They seem to be quite common. Neither my GP (who I saw with the first one) or my optician seemed at all concerned.

Yes. I started getting them in my 30's. I record it in a diary, but have not never found any pattern? Periods, wearing contacts, stress etc, but no idea of my cause?

Mine starts with a slight headache, and I can feel it starting. Like a warped, zig zag effect looking to the right. It feels disorientating, but I've never been sick from it or had to stop what I'm doing. Fortunately, the longest its lasted is maybe 15mins. Sometimes the headache continues for an hour though. have you had your blood pressure checked recently?

I should add, that I might get 2 in a 3mth period, and then nothing for another 6mth- 12mth! No pattern at all. Also, my blood pressure is normal, so for me, its not a trigger. Have you had your eyes checked in a while?

That's interesting yours started in your 30s as I'm 31. I have had an unhealthy lifestyle these past few weeks due to the lockdown, little exercise, stuck in a flat and more alcohol than normal.

I know my DF gets migraines so maybe there's a genetic link

It’s frightening the first time! And then you find out what they are. I have had them for 20 years about three times a year, they last about 15 minutes, no pain. I have had an aura thing where they start with a numb arm. They are discombobulating however I think I’m lucky that I don’t get a migraine headache with them.

It often is genetic. My DGM had them, I do and DS recently had one.

Certain foods can be triggers, so it's worth looking those up.

The retinal ones aren't so bad in my experience. You get used to them. Just be ready for the headache and blood sugar crash afterwards.

You're not supposed to take certain contraceptive pills if you get migraines btw.

The first one I had was terrifying. I was on holiday a couple of years ago and like yours, it came out of the blue. It was like zigzagging lines flashing in my vision and I thought I was having some sort of brain episode Luckily my DSis knew what it was, so I had a couple of paracetamol and a lie down and was fine afterwards.
Since then I've had them several times but have no clue what triggers them. I do get normal migraines occasionally though so maybe some link with that (and my age!)

Yes but not had one for about 4 years.

I'm similar to all the above posters, but you mention that you had a cough...
I had one of the worst migraines I've ever had (aura, headache etc) about 3 weeks ago, I then immediately went down with what I can only assume was Cv19.
Purely on that experience, I think possibly if you are run down then it could be a symptom. I know I get migraines more when I'm run down.
Hope you feel OK again soon!