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Original poster

Aura migraines - anyone else get these?

47 replies

Sixmonthcruise · 13/02/2022 17:04

I’m 49 next month.
Never suffered from any kind of headache during my teens or twenties but started getting aura migraines when pregnant at 32 and then again when pregnant at 35. Then they eased off and about 10 years ago they started up again but they come almost always on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd day of my period so for me they must be hormonal. My mum had them virtually the same pattern and my sister occasionally gets them so must also be something running in my family.
They start off as a weird blind spot in my vision which then turns into a small bright blob which unfurls into a great big psychedelic zig zag which goes right across my vision. They still scare the crap out of me all these years later. Last about 20-30 minutes during which time I have to sit in a dark room as my vision is completely obscured. Weirdly, I often don’t get much of a headache with them but feel space out and weird after. If I do ever get a migraine it’s usually some other time in my cycle and usually stress related, these are definitely triggered by hormones but I just don’t know if it’s a rise or drop or if it’s oestrogen or progesterone or a combination of the two going haywire?
But they are getting more frequent. Used to be only 4-6 times a year but now seem to be every period.
I had a weird one on Friday (a day before my period) and it’s lasted on/off from 5am til 9am, never had that before but I did have my first iron infusion the day before (periods have given me anaemia) so not sure if that’s related.
Nothing yesterday but have just had one today (that’s the 2nd day of my period).
They leave me exhausted. I hate them.
GP not much help.
If they are hormonal and I kind of know when they will strike (and will probably get worse with age!), is there anything I can do or take to prevent them?
Any advice most welcome as I absolutely hate them, scare the heck out of me.

OP posts:
2022IamHavingYa · 13/02/2022 17:06

I get them too, almost exactly as you say x

JayAlfredPrufrock · 13/02/2022 17:07

I get ophthalmic migraines. No pain but my vision is like sunlight on rippling water. Starts on the outside then moves inwards until I can’t see at all.

AssignedBlobbyAtBirth · 13/02/2022 17:11

Yes. Blind spot, wavy lines around the edge moving to zig zag likes but then I get a crushing headache
Sumatripan is the only medication that touches mine

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General health
Linguini · 13/02/2022 17:13

YES!

exactly. It's like getting "pins and needles" but in the eyes, then turns into a big he

Linguini · 13/02/2022 17:14

^ ... migraine headache.

WeAreTheHeroes · 13/02/2022 17:15

I think Assigned is describing classic migraine with aura and OP you are describing a visual migraine. I get migraines regularly and have had a handful of visual migraines only when I've been very stressed.

WLAH · 13/02/2022 17:15

Not much help but getting alot more aura migraine without headache but today and last Sunday have the full blown migraine

LolaAnn12 · 13/02/2022 17:15

Yes, they're awful. Mines come out of nowhere but if I catch them early enough then the after effects aren't too bad. Also find drinking water helps.

PandaDander · 13/02/2022 17:16

Yes. When they affect your eyes I think it's blood pressure related caused by hormones so check in with your GP if they're becoming more frequent. They refused to re prescribe me the combined pill due to a blood clotting/stroke risk when I said I had just one episode a decade ago Angry

KylieCharlene · 13/02/2022 17:17

I get them too. I'm 42. Had my first one at 37ish.
I've not noticed a pattern in attacks.
Mine starts where I notice I can't quite focus properly then it gets fuzzy then the psychedelic zigzags appear and shimmer for around 15minutes. Even with my eyes closed the zigzag is there.
The last two or three I've had I've never had a headache with or afterwards. The first ones brought the headache.
I get around 4 a year.

ThAtSnOtMynAm · 13/02/2022 17:19

Yea hate them! Started during pregnancy 6 years ago and never went. Flashing lights, blank spots, zig zag lines. Never found anything to control it yet x

DressingPafe · 13/02/2022 17:21

The first time it happened to me I was terrified I was going blind! My first one was in my 40's. I was at work and stressed. I have times where I won't have one for months and then I get a few in a row. I get the black and white zig zag pattern but no actual headache. Thankfully. So, if possible I just lie down and shut my eyes till it goes.

OhFuckBloodyHell · 13/02/2022 17:23

Yep, I got them exactly as you described when I was pregnant. Several times and ended up signed off on maternity early as the Dr was worried it was stress. Never had a headache with them.

The first one I had I thought I may have been having a stroke. It was really worrying.

I have had maybe 2 since having DD (she's 5) but no particular reason, and I'm lucky they only last about 45mins. I feel really disoriented after though. And really hungry. It's weird.

miltonj · 13/02/2022 17:34

Yes. Exactly as you describe. Apparently beta blockers help. I'm waiting till after I've finished breastfeeding all my babies to try it out.
I used to take a preventative pill which was called pitzofen (that's the brand, can't remember the actual medicines name) which stopped me getting them but unfortunately if I forgot, I would 100 percent get one, which felt like I was relying on them too much, as I wouldn't have necessarily had one if I wasn't on the pills if you see what I mean!

I've tried sumatriptan when I was a child which is meant to help stop in tracks but found that it left me feeling panicky and spaced out (just like migraine!) but may revisit this as an adult.

If yours are getting worse now, it sounds like it could be linked to menopause (no offence if you're not there yet!) So that may be worth chatting to doctor about.

Neveragain85 · 13/02/2022 17:36

I've had them too, totally freaked me out first time. I've found they occur when I haven't been drinking enough water. It must be difficult if you are getting them every month, I feel for you

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 13/02/2022 20:18

Thanks everyone. It’s good to know I am not the only one who gets these. Even though I’ve suffered from them for 17 years they still freak me out. I am going to make a GP appointment tomorrow and see if I can get some propranolol.

OP posts:
BritInAus · 13/02/2022 21:58

I've never read such an accurate description of my migraines until now, @sixmonthcruise - wow.

I get a few a year. Stress related I think - often just after I finish a big project. I used to do paracetamol and aspirin together but it didn't do much at all. I saw my GP recently who prescribed sumatriptan - OMG. I've had one migraine since then, it was 90% less awful because of taking one of these as soon as the aura started. I laid down for an hour (instead of 4-24) then was able to join in a dinner party! I still felt very spaced out afterwards, and had a day of exhaustion after, but the actual pain was vastly reduced.

I also find a cold can of fat coke as soon as you get symptoms helps a bit... if only in my mind!

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 13/02/2022 22:10

BritinAus I’ll add Sumatriptan to my list for tomorrow. Do you get any side effects from it?
I have heard many people say full fat Coke helps. I should get some in for next time.

OP posts:
Whattochoosenow · 13/02/2022 22:14

Therapeutic massage helped mine massively. A lot of it was down to tension and stress associated with being peri menopausal. I had 3 sessions 2 weeks apart and now have a monthly session. It’s also sorted out some issues I was having with my shoulders. 🙂

Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure · 13/02/2022 22:16

I’ve been getting these for years, since I was a child, exactly as you describe, I figured it was apart of my hypothyroidism. They’ve never been a major issue so I didn’t bother getting them checked out. I never knew that’s what they were called though

PoorMegHopkins · 13/02/2022 22:17

Exactly the same thing. I can go for ages then get a run of them. Sometimes triggered by lighting/stress/tiredness.
Full fat coke and paracetamol stop the hungover feeling after. But nothing stops the visual effects. Horrible things.

scaredsadandstuck · 13/02/2022 22:18

I get the same. Visual disturbance but rarely a headache. When I was pregnant with DS1 I got them loads - sometimes a couple of times a day. Now they are infrequent - I'm mid 40s. They do leave me feeling really odd for about 24 hours.

DrDetriment · 13/02/2022 22:26

I get these too. Have done since my teens, triggered by bright lights, low blood sugar, dehydration or hormones. They only last half an hour and I've actually learned to embrace the trippy feeling. I feel spaced out so might as well use it for a bit of meditation!

Hdhr8jsj · 13/02/2022 22:38

Yes, exactly as you describe! Had them since I was 17 and they stopped at the same time my periods stopped.

Photosymphysis · 13/02/2022 22:51

#CouldItBeMenopause

Migraines are a classic symptom of peri/menopause.

Have a look here www.balance-menopause.com

Search up migraine and listen to the podcasts

HRT might help the root cause of migraine rather than just resting the symptoms (with associated side effects)