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Original poster

Aura migraine & Astra Zeneca?

69 replies

HamCob · 06/04/2021 19:49

I've experienced aura migraine for the past 9 years. It usually affects my vision and sometimes my speech/numbness & tingling etc. Only usually get them every few months now.

I just wondered if any of you with aura migraine had second thoughts about having the AZ jab? Aura migraine increases stroke risk slightly hence not being able to take the pill etc and I find the reports of the possible link to the jab and cerebral blood clots in younger people concerning.

For what it's worth I had my jab a week ago so it's kind of irrelevant now but I hadn't really thought about until I had a migraine today.

OP posts:
Missypuff30 · 06/04/2021 19:55

I'm 29 and had my first dose of AZ mid March. Triggered an aura within about 20 mins and I was in bed all weekend.

I'm out of the time period for clot risk now, but it is quite worrying. Hopefully there will be more information before my second dose is due at the end of May.

oldegg123 · 06/04/2021 20:36

Migraine with aura isn't a specific risk factor for CVST blood clots I believe. These are different to the more common types of blood clots that migraine with aura does increase the likelihood of.

Punxsutawney · 06/04/2021 20:41

I get migraine with Aura and had the AZ just over two weeks ago. It didn't trigger a migraine but I did have very vivid dreams that night and a really 'strange' feeling in my head the next day.

Original poster
HamCob · 06/04/2021 20:41

@Missypuff30

I'm 29 and had my first dose of AZ mid March. Triggered an aura within about 20 mins and I was in bed all weekend.

I'm out of the time period for clot risk now, but it is quite worrying. Hopefully there will be more information before my second dose is due at the end of May.

Oh no sorry to hear that. I'm not sure mine was linked as they are pretty random for me though it has been a while since I had one. Just got me thinking that there's no info out there good or bad at the moment as everything is so new.

Thanks @oldegg123 that's really reassuring to know.

OP posts:
oldegg123 · 06/04/2021 20:45

No problem!

I have chronic migraine (affected more than >15 days per month) with aura, and am on one of the new injectable drugs that can theoretically increase your risk of vascular events, so it's something I'm following very closely as you can imagine. Currently would still be happy to have astrazeneca jab :)

oldegg123 · 06/04/2021 20:51

Should add that if you're someone who is prone to migraine, it wouldn't be surprising for vaccination to trigger an attack (likewise if you actually got COVID-19).

NeverMetANiceOne · 06/04/2021 20:55

When I had covid it began with a cracking migraine with aura that lasted 2 days, I felt absolutely bloody awful.
I have had them for years but that was the worst one I've ever had. I hope the vaccine doesn't bring one on, but I had wondered if it might.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 06/04/2021 20:55

I am having the jab tomorrow, presumably AZ, and I have aura migraines. As well as all the physical triggers I do sometimes get them when stress is lifted - like teachers I know who get them on the first day of the holidays- so I am kind of half expecting one based on that alone regardless of which jab I get. I will report back!

Stokey · 06/04/2021 21:09

I get vestibular migraines with aura and have definitely been feeling migrainous since my jab last week. Not full on but the worst I've been fir a while. Have also probably eaten too much chocolate though so not sure it's just a result of the AZ jab. I didn't even think of clotting tbh, was just grateful to get a vaccine.

Quit4me · 07/04/2021 00:54

I am so worried about this. History of these migraines and always told not to take the pill as higher risk of stroke.
These clots associated with az cause a stroke. That’s essentially what they are.
Not been offered my first vaccine yet but I’m going to wait a while as I’m just too nervous about something going wrong

Occitane · 07/04/2021 01:07

I have aura migraines and had the AZ vaccine on Saturday. I’ve been fine since, a bit hot and cold and very tired on Monday, but no migraines.

Original poster
HamCob · 07/04/2021 09:51

@Occitane

I have aura migraines and had the AZ vaccine on Saturday. I’ve been fine since, a bit hot and cold and very tired on Monday, but no migraines.
It sounds as though the situation on the AZ jab might change over the next few days. I think there is a possibility they will temporarily diene it for younger people. Is there anyway you could find out which one you will get? Quite a few friends have recently had the Pfizer one which has no links to clotting etc
OP posts:
Original poster
HamCob · 07/04/2021 09:51

Suspend not diene!

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 08/04/2021 07:17

I said I would report back- had the AZ jab at about 11.30 yesterday morning, no side effects yet other than a very slightly sore arm and my head feels perfectly normal this morning, it doesn’t have the weirdness of an oncoming migraine.

Jenasaurus · 09/04/2021 14:18

This is interesting I used to have a migraine with Aura every month without fail, triggered by hormones, I went through the menopause and at 56 havent had one of these for nearly 8 years. I had my second dose of AZ on Thursday last week and today have just regained my eye sight having had one of these attacks this morning.

I never get pain with these, just everything goes through a prism affect and I tend to have an expanding patch in my vision with a flashing edge of lights, when they goes I have extreeme tiredness and a heavy but not painful head and nausea, often upset stomach as well.

What are the chances this migraine was donw to the vaccine if I had it 8 days ago, I am trying to work out whether to report it on a yellow card or not?

HolmeH · 09/04/2021 15:43

I suffer with ocular migraine, no headache, just severely disturbed vision which is pretty scary but thankfully, I’m well used to them now. Also nausea & grogginess. I actually spoke to my GP today about something else & asked this question. He said at the moment, he’d currently recommend me getting any vaccine offered. Migraine related clots are apparently very different to the rare ones they are seeing from the jab. So that reassured me for sure.

I get mine pretty frequently so I’d certainly not be able to say it was caused by anything. I can never link it back to anything other than a severe lack of sleep if one of my kids is not sleeping well. That def triggers them sometimes!

Shellingbynight · 09/04/2021 15:47

I have aura migraines and had them frequently in the first half of in 2020. I had the AZ five weeks ago. I did have a bad headache the following day (which is a common symptom) but it went within 24 hours. I haven't had an aura migraine now for about 9 months, so the vaccination hasn't re-triggered it. I'm not concerned about my second jab, which will be in May.

Somebunnylovesyou22 · 09/04/2021 15:58

I suffer from migraines with aura too. Had AZ vaccine over 3 weeks ago and had awful side effects after but hasn’t triggered a migraine. I don’t think I will have the 2nd dose as too many uncertainties just now and advice changing every few days. Regret having it at all but you can only do what you think is right at the time 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sulusu · 09/04/2021 15:59

I have had lots of migraines and headaches generally since my AZ jab a month ago. I actually spoke to GP about it yesterday as I was starting to get a bit concerned with my 2nd jab coming up next month. My GP doesn't think its anything to worry about r.e. clots and said I should go ahead and have my second jab. I'm to go back to him in a month if new meds aren't helping my migraines. The clot's from AZ have very specific symptoms it seems.

kindlyensure · 09/04/2021 16:08

I have AM (can't even type it out as feel it will trigger one!). But had the AZ and no AM after, just a very heavy headache which lasted a day and a night and then was fine.

I find my AMs are not triggered by illness (so I don't get them if I have flu or fever or generally unwell) but are a thing in and of themselves (and strike when I am feeling otherwise perfectly healthy) so I didn't even think of them as a possibility with the AZ (the headache that followed deffo felt like a side-effect of the vaccine and NOT an AM. If that all makes sense!)

Tronkmanton · 09/04/2021 16:21

I get aura migraines. I had the AZ vaccine on Sunday and have had absolutely no side effects, not even a headache.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 09/04/2021 16:38

@Jenasaurus

This is interesting I used to have a migraine with Aura every month without fail, triggered by hormones, I went through the menopause and at 56 havent had one of these for nearly 8 years. I had my second dose of AZ on Thursday last week and today have just regained my eye sight having had one of these attacks this morning.

I never get pain with these, just everything goes through a prism affect and I tend to have an expanding patch in my vision with a flashing edge of lights, when they goes I have extreeme tiredness and a heavy but not painful head and nausea, often upset stomach as well.

What are the chances this migraine was donw to the vaccine if I had it 8 days ago, I am trying to work out whether to report it on a yellow card or not?

I would. You’re not really in a position to know if there is a connection, there are people who are paid for that. As a migraine sufferer it’s really helpful to know if certain things might be triggers, if only so I can avoid other triggers at the same time (eg a tiny amount of chocolate doesn’t usually give me a migraine on its own but in connection with flashing lights it might).
Purpl · 10/04/2021 22:20

I had pfter jab and was really ill for 4 days after no headache but in about day 9 I got migraine then another a week later. I do suffer migraine aura but only had 1 last year they improved greatly since change of job. Can’t help thinking the jab triggered it and not sure if I want the second.

Hollywhiskey · 10/04/2021 22:25

I have had aura migraine since my teens. I never knew about any link with blood clots or stroke, no one mentioned that with prescribing contraceptives. I think it's fine.

gracefull · 10/04/2021 22:31

Hadn’t considered this but really good point so following. I am a migraine with aura sufferer and under 25 who has had first dose of AZ. Also triggered a migraine in me for the first few days...

I also spoke to my GP yesterday as I have had a variety of symptoms since the jab and mentioned the migraines. He said it sounded like I had a prolonged adverse reaction but didn’t raise any concerns between clotting risk/migraine with aura. I will follow up and thought I would be fine to get my second dose end of May... like many of you I am nervous