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Ocular migraine and now headache at back of head. Is this normal?

10 replies

zzzz31 · 29/06/2023 20:59

Sorry for the long post.

Any migraine sufferers out there who can share experiences / talk me down? Feeling anxious that what I'm experiencing merits A&E. I suffer from health anxiety so deep down I think this is just a migraine. Hoping so anyway!

Had an ocular migraine today at about 1.15 pm. Triggered by walking into bright sunshine, I think, reading a book, noticed the page was blurring and then saw the zigzgs, sparkling, funny turning shape in corner of right eye. Lasted 5 minutes or less. I panicked but knew what it was as had one once in 2016. (Was never properly diagnosed but it was exactly that and occurred during a period when I had a month long (mild) headache / 'silent' migraine. That all resolved - had a (private) brain scan for the headaches, nothing sinister, all resolved and was never referred (NHS) for migraine).

Felt ok afterward today but at 2 pm ish took Migraleve anyway (normilally works a treat for migraine for me), no real pain, just fuzzy, woozy, slight hungover feeling but all fine, then at 6.30 pm (4 hours later) suddenly the headache is MUCH worse. Back of my head. Came on pretty suddenly. Took more Migraleve. Slightly relieved, but was quite bad for an hour or so, during which time I felt scared and desperate for reassurance. Wanted to go to a and e. Has just settled somewhat. I am 51, normal BP. Very peri-menopausal - not had a period for 50 days and frequent hot flushes / sweats for a month now. I am a teacher and have had prolonged stress for most of the academic year, which is now lessening. (Family history: my mother died suddenly at 74 of aortic dissection, my grandmother of a stroke at 82; not sure relevant as no family history of migraine but it scares me).

Is this just a migraine? Is back of the head pain normal after ocular migraine??? I occasionally get migraines, but not at the back of my head.

Recently I have had a mild 'spot' headache in the back of my head that comes and goes. Have seen GP about it twice (along with other things) and she was very thorough in her approach but not concerned about this. No red flags. Thought it could be tension headache and referred me to the physio and to check my eyes at optician. Which I did. No pressure behind eye - all normal.

This morning at about 11 am the back headache / mild spot of headache switched to the other side of the back of my head - from left to right. Then at 1.15 pm the ocular migraine.

I rang 111 earlier, who said pharmacist, and pharmicist said optician. Do I need to ring them again?

Sorry for the very long post.

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 29/06/2023 21:14

All l can say, is l had a sudden increase in occular migraines in my early 50’s. I think they were menopausal.

I didn’t get headaches though.

Mmhmmn · 29/06/2023 23:02

Migraleve makes migraines more likely and frequent according to my GP (who I trust)

seratoninmoonbeams · 29/06/2023 23:14

I get ocular migraines pretty often. Usually when I'm a bit stressed. I can have mine for six months and then one or more every day for 3 months. Always triggered by catching a bright reflection or a bright headlight or similar. I've never really worried about it but then I very rarely go to the doctor about anything.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 29/06/2023 23:44

I get this a lot. It’s a normal migraine, you find they change with age. My younger ones would be all in my face; now they are back of the neck ache and eyes.

Have a lay down.

Wildspace · 01/07/2023 08:23

My ocular migraines were linked to tension at the top of my neck, pressing in on those areas early enough sometimes stopped the migraine in its tracks. I saw an osteopath to help with the tension in that area.

zzzz31 · 06/07/2023 00:48

Apologies for my very belated reply. Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. They were all very reassuring, and stopped me freaking out and going to A and E last week! My optician told me to follow it up at my GP’s, so I will soon. Did any of you ever get a proper ‘diagnosis’ from a neurologist or just the GP? Do I need a referral for migraine? I just worry that someone should have diagnosed me properly (111 asked about that) and no-one really has….

OP posts:
Supersimkin2 · 06/07/2023 01:21

I’ve had all your symptoms with ocular migraine. Ever seen Islamic tiles in the corner of your eye? Watch out for those next time.

OM are nasty things and you can feel very ill for days.They make you stressed too, which is prob why your imagination is working overtime.

I tend to get them in batches; got much worse in peri.

The best migraine fix is sleeping it off. Go to bed and try and stay in it for 12 hours. Make time to rest.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 06/07/2023 09:57

No I never had a diagnosis, I think of them the same as headaches or tummy aches. I get them around my period. I think it’s fairly common unless they are regular and debilitating.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 06/07/2023 09:59

Also weirdly the spot headache you mention, I get after exercise. Not sure if that’s relevant.

Wildspace · 07/07/2023 19:41

No diagnosis here either. Was just one of those things!

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