Migraine- Aura makes me almost blind but no headache?

[MissVerinder]

I have never had a migraine until I got pregnant with DD, but all of a sudden (4 years on) I'm getting severe auras- the sparkles in my eyes- to the point it's very hard to see and I wouldn't be able to drive.

Luckily I get quite a strong adrenaline smell about 1/2 hour before the sparkles, but I hardly ever get a headache- what the bloody hell can I do about it?

I went to see the GP a while back and he was " be glad you don't get a headache."

My DH gets this quite frequently too. He hasn't seen his doctor about it but I believe the treatment is often betablockers, propanolol in particular.

Have had similar thing since I was a child. I get severe auras and my pupil usually completes dilates. It only lasts a few hours and I just have to lie down until it is over because I am completely blind and can't do anything. So am interested in the responses to this thread. thanks

If you take migraine medication like sumipitran, it will help. Migraine without pain is suprisingly common

Watching with interest.

I get exactly the same but with no warning. Bit scary when I was driving and it suddenly came on. I can hardly see when it happens.

Haven't had one since I came off the pill before I had dd though and I never get a headache but I do feel a bit spaced out for a day afterwards.

Thanks; I have just looked on Boots website, their tablets are 7.99 for 2!

I am going to see if I can get some on prescription.

I thought that all migraine medication was painkiller based, so that's why I didn't bother with it.

You could try cutting caffeine out of your diet. You will probably have a withdrawal migraine but then hopefully it should help. I quite coffee and black tea 6 weeks ago and so far so good.

Could it be occular migraine (may only have one 'c')? I developed this for first time when pregnant, which is what made me wonder about your situation, but have avoided it largely when not IYSWIM- there are threads on here about it, I remember searching 2 or 3 years ago when pg for 2nd time and I was having them every few days. Think the verdict was the that dehydration and hormones don't help. I may have misunderstood what you're experiencing, but maybe worth a look.

Think mine are pretty much hormonal, usually get one a week before my period but this month it was half way through, no warning either. Aura first, until i can hardly see out of one eye and then a headache. Usually if i catch it quick i can just take 2 paracetamol and then a 3rd about half an hour later. But have to lie down in the dark - difficult on the rare occasion i am at work. Have never drunk coffee or tea so don't think mine are caffine related.

Mine have severe auras but relatively light headaches, though I haven't had one for a couple of years now.

I find the herbal remedy feverfew is the most effective thing I have ever had. I take a capsule or tincture when I feel it coming on and it stops it in its tracks.

I've had these before - think I found the name 'scintillating scotoma' for them. Don't think I worked out what triggered them, just had to let it pass. Makes you feel very odd though!

Visual migraine is what mine were called. Stair steps in corner of visual field that was flashing colors. I just would lie down, close eyes, lasted about 45 minutes.

You're having a 'silent migraine' it's very annoying. The smell you get is your warning to take a painkiller to try and stop the migraine. I've had migraines all my life and none of the one a day medicati

Argh! Keep hitting post on my iPod

I was going to say none of the one a day or other specialised migraine drugs worked for me. However asprin is my wonder drug. I like disprin direct. I stick one under my tongue at the first warning sign (smell for you) and it reduces the migraine and all auras etc. if you take the asprin with some caffeine it will work faster and better.

I you use over the counter meds your first choice should be asprn, then ibuprofen and paracetamol as you last choice.

I get the odd one where I get sparkles in a splodge for about 20 minutes then lose a chunk of my vision for an hour or so. No pain, but sensitivity to light and sound, so I have to stay in a dark room with a towel around my eyes till it's gone. Plus some pre-migraine symptoms that I only realise what they were once it starts - fatigue etc. Very scary the first time! but just 'one of those things' now; but don't know what you can do about it - dr just told me to take Migraleve but as far as I could work out this just treats pain and nausea, neither of which I get!

I'm not on the pill or anything, but it could still be hormonal.

I'm going to google all your suggestions- thank you.

Just sharing my experience. A couple of months ago, I was just sat sitting, minding my own, watching a bit of tv and my vision in one eye gradually started to shut down. Lasted about an hour. Never had it before in my life and nothing since. No pain, no warning, no other symptoms. Was concerned at the time but thought no more of it really until I happened to mention it in passing to someone and they said, you've had a migraine.

I have these. Sometimes the pain comes, sometimes it doesn't. I find that they can be hormonal, but the trigger is usually a combination of fatigue, low blood sugar and dehydration. Migraleve usually helps.