Please help me I’m really scared

[Flowerpower6]

Just wondering if anyone can help me with this.. I was reading and I suddenly realised my vision was blotchy and coloured. Like when you stare at a light for too long and try to look away and you can still see coloured splodges in your vision. It’s like that, but I didn’t look at a light and it’s not going away. Even typing this is hard as when I’m typing one word I can’t fully see what I’m reading because of the coloured splodges. Like when I look at the world splodges I. Can see half of it but not the other half because everything looks coloured and splodgey. I went off my phone, stopped reading and let me eyes relax but it’s not going away and it’s getting annoying. Does anyone else have this and have any advice? It’s not blurry at all it’s just the coloured splodges but they’re not black like floaters, I can’t really focus on them but it’s in both eyes and it feels like I’ve been staring at a lightbulb but I haven’t

this post took me so long to type out word by wore but does anyone have any advice please because this is absolutely horrible x

even when I’m looking at what I just typed when I look at the word horrible I can’t see half of it I can only see horrib and that’s it and not the x either unless I move my eyes but then I can’t see other things

Sorry, I really don't want to be 'that' person but there is so much misinformation about Cluster headaches and what they actually are bandied about so I feel it's important to say that cluster headaches are extraordinarily painful and regular pain medication won't work on them. My husband suffers from them and has to take sumatriptan as soon as he feels the first twinge. He takes medication everyday to prevent them. Ibuprofen and a lie down won't work.

I was never allowed to go on the combined pill because I took thee migraines as a teenager. I’m not sure why I wasn’t allowed to take it - anyone know?

Hi @Flowerpower6 please don't assume this is "just" a migraine based on the opinion of strangers online.

It could also be a detached retina which requires immediate medical attention and potentially surgery to prevent blindness - you must get checked out today.

You should seek professional advice. My cousin had similar, spoke to her optician who referred her to Specsavers (they provide a specialist service over & above eye tests). Specsavers then referred her to Moorfields eye hospital where she had emergency surgery. It’s probably nothing serious, but you should get it checked.

I just came on to say sounds like an ocular migraine. They are annoying but usually short-lived.

I get the zig zags and spinning and flashing and it’s an aura migraine (I don’t always get the headache but feel spaced out afterwards.) If it goes away after about half an hour it’s probably that. Obviously if it doesn’t go away, call your gp this morning. It can be scary when you first get one.

Dh has been having this type of visual migraine without the headache for a few months. GP sent him to a&e where he’s had lots of tests including MRI do my advice get checked in case it is something else.

Are you still alive OP?

I had this when I was trying out contact lenses for the first time.

I lost my vision entirely on the left hand side. The pain, if it comes, typically occurs on the opposite side. I did indeed get pain on my right.

Although I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I almost hope you haven't been back because you're now having a horrible headache, as then it is more likely to be migraine rather than something more serious. Speak to your GP as soon as possible.

If it is migraine, for future reference I find that taking decent painkillers as soon as the visual disturbances start, helps to stop the pain reaching full throttle. Watch out for nausea as well. I have been known to throw up on occasion. There are often triggers. Mine is light - eg reading or concentrating on something in bright sunlight. Also if I haven't been eating or drinking properly through stress. My uncle's were cheese and chocolate (poor man!)

Hope you're ok.

It does sound like migraine with aura, without sounding rude could you be going through the menopause? This was when migraine with aura started for me. I was getting 4 episodes a day, doubling vision, feeling sick, pain in my right hand. I put it down to my MS, when I saw Neurologist for a check up I told him about it, he said migraine with aura due to hormonal changes and to see GP for treatment. I hoped it would pass, but it didn’t saw GP, prescribed estrogen patches only as I have a Mirena coil, touching wood only had two further episodes in the last 4 mths. See your GP. Good luck OP I know how debilitating is it.

Do get medical help asap. You cannot diagnose anything on a forum - I posted about my mystery illness on here and pretty much everyone said I was having panic attacks - turned out they were epileptic seizures. So please don’t assume they are migraines and not seek medical help today.

I get this with a migraine. Starts blurry and then like waves or zigzags then gradually moves out to the side before disappearing. It should last about 20 mins then you might experienced a dull headache. You also might feel a bit out of sorts the next day.

Always good to check with your gp or nhs 24

@fryanddry not long in a new job and we had a rota for reception.

My turn came, reception desk had a window on the right. Bright sun was filtering through and I can only pinpoint those exact zigzag shapes starting when the sun had caught my eye.

I couldn’t see out of my right eye (or vision at least partly obscured) for about 30 mins, as those multicoloured zigzags danced in my vision. All the while taking phone calls and dealing with members of the public.

As it was a new role and I was so much younger, I didn’t want to cause a fuss so cracked on. Bloody scary at the time though. The optician did rule out anything sinister.

Hope all ok now OP.

Hopefully this has gone away by now and/or you have got medical attention. But even if it's gone away contact an optician and ask for an emergency appointment. They will easily and quickly check for possible detached retina problems and help arrange suitable care if it is. If it isn't then you can talk to your GP.

I’ve had this OP. I had it several times and like you I was terrified. Too terrified to go to the Dr. In fact. But yeah, it was just a type of migraine apparently. I get it when stressed and there usually is a mild headache with it.

Hi OP. How are you feeling this morning?
It sounds like an ocular migraine, I get at least one a month. They are not pleasant but usually clear up quite quickly. If you're still experiencing any symptoms I'd say go and get checked out as they are usually gone within a couple of hours, and definitely should have cleared up after a full night's sleep (speaking about the ones I have anyway)
Hope you're feeling better 🌷

I get them but they do not last long - max 40 minutes. Mayo clinic says they should be over within an hour: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-with-aura/symptoms-causes/syc-20352072#:~:text=Migraine%20aura%20symptoms%20include%20temporary,lasts%20less%20than%2060%20minutes.

Sounds like the start of a migraine OP. I get this, but the actual pain of the headache doesn’t kick in until my vision returns to normal, so as soon as my eyes start with the blotches, I get the painkillers down me.
Mine come on randomly and very fast, pretty inconvenient when I’m driving and have to find somewhere to pull over until I can see again.

Another vote for a medical opinion to rule out things other than migraine. I started with migraines about 5 year ago - out if the blue. I sometimes get days where my vision is very blurred for a good portion of the day, but no headache. I'm starting to wonder if that's related too. Hope you get sorted OP, knowing what it is will hopecully make it less scary if it happens again.

This is true and I once had an argument with my gp who insisted you can’t have a migraine without headache as the definition of a migraine is severe headache. I get aura and vomiting. Not a headache.

I take two pink migraleve tablets and for me they work perfectly.

op I once had to have two friends lead me down the road and help me home when it happened to me in a library. Could barely see.

you could ask a pharmacist for advice they are extremely knowledgeable (or your gp of course)

Have a glass of water, lie down in a dark room and take a nap. If it's still there when you wake up an hour later ring for help. Keep off of all screens.

I'm not sure what age you are OP or if you have anything like high blood pressure?

I know someone who had sudden sight problems in one eye (you mention it is just the one side) and it was a kind of stroke in the eye. Retinal vein occlusion I think it it called.

Please get medical attention asap, they need to treat it as extra pressure in the eye.

Need to get it investigated, but does sound like ocular migraine. I get them. Usually no headaches but I can do sometimes. Exercise brings them on for me as well.

My most scary was after I had run a half marathon. I was driving back along the A1 and my vision started going! Had to pull into a lovely little pub by a river and wait to be rescued 😂

Now and then I get flashing orange zig-zaggy lights - apparently they’re a sign of a ‘silent’ migraine, I.e. no headache. They don’t last longer than about half an hour, less time if I can lie down with my eyes closed.
First had them long ago when a few months pregnant - I could hardly see to drive home. I still have no idea what triggers them - it’s decades since I’ve been pregnant.
I hope your mind will soon be put at rest, OP.