HELP. SUDDEN FLASHES AND ZIG ZAGS IN VISION

[Sellingsunsets]

Just that reallyz just put my son to bed and came down stairs, and suddenly my eyes went funny, flashing lights, blurred vision and now it's almost like a multicoloured zig zag pattern. Even in the dark or with my eyes closed. I've started to get a bit of a headache too. I am having a very stressful time, and I've cried a lot today, not eaten much etc. I'm terrified I'm having a stroke or something. Any one experienced this

Migraine.
Take painkillers drink some water and go to bed.

Ocular migraine, first time I had one I had slurred speech and thought I was having a stroke. Google it, and images of it. Close your eyes and rest in a dimmed room.

It is scary. But you need to rest and get into a dark room.

Sounds like an aura and now you’re getting a migraine. Eat something and drink some water or sometimes coke can help.
Lie down in a dark room and take some paracetamol.

It’s a migraine. Really scary the first time it happens!

Drink some coke, eat some crisps, take painkillers and go to bed.

Male a GP appointment to get prescription meds or buy Migraleve over the counter.

It’s probably a migraine with aura. If it is, the zigzags will be gone within an hour. Terrifying the first time they happen, I feel for you. Have a chat with your GP tomorrow

Sounds exactly like how my migraines start. I suggest you line down in a dark, quiet room with a cool flannel in your head until it passes. Take some ibuprofen asap.

Sounds very much like an occular migraine, hopefully the visual aura will pass soon, typically lasts around 30-45 minutes.

Dark room and the only thing that helps me with a migraine is sleep, lots of it.

Kaleidoscope migraine. I get them sometimes - often without a headache at all! The kaleidoscope zigzags should disappear within half an hour or so...

I had similar and I understand it’s worrying. Can you get an eye test, mine was eye strain and was resolved with glasses.

Sorry but I was told by my optalmologist (sp?) to go to A&E with the symptoms you describe as my cornea was detaching. Please make sure it's only’ migraines

Can be a sign of high blood pressure.

Sounds like a migraine aura. Mine last twenty minutes then the headache comes. Take whatever pain relief you have and lie down in a dark room, and cool flannel on your head as pp suggested.

Occular migraine. The zigzag in your vision is often a Scintillating scotoma
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma
Rest eyes and they usually pass. It may be a variation on your usual migraine headache if you get those. Get your eyes tested as a precaution.

It’s a migraine I bet! Sounds like mine I had the other week! Is it both eyes? And with your eyes shut aswell as open? Usually caused by migraine! But perhaps pop to opticians if you’re not sure over next few days. My doctor sent me to opticians to rule out any problems with my eyes, but she was pretty sure it was caused by a migraine and it was! I didn’t get headache with mine, but the fact you have headache also points to migraine! The doctor I saw didn’t even mention a stroke so try not to worry about that!

This. I get them occasionally, they take about 20 to 30 minutes to pass. Lie down and it will go away. Scary the first time though.

Thanks all for your speedy responses. I've never ever had this before in my 34 years. Terrifying. The headache has come full force now, in my whole head and behind my left eye. I think it's just the one eye with the zig zags and colours. Even typing this, it feels like I can't see properly and I feel like I need to squint. I had my eyes tested about three months ago, (I'm a glasses wearer for long distance, watching TV, driving etc) I've never had a migraine or anything like this in my whole life.

Stop looking at a screen, take some painkillers and lie with your eyes closed OP. It'll pass.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill and this is migraine with aura you will need to come off it.

I don't take the pill. I can't see a reason that will have triggered it. I take no medications x

Ocular migraine. If it's isolated it's OK if it's occasional apparently.

You kind of have to look out the side of your vision as the light is in the way.

Get them once in a while but no pain.

Used to get them with pain but just visual now. I think it was the pill that caused the full on ones as when I came off it they stopped.

I agree wth above poster - stop looking at screens.
Ideally sit in dark room (sunglasses help me) and it will pass soon.
X

One of my triggers is if I’ve not eaten enough. Or odd light such as a headlight glare off a mirror. You’ll be ok, sleep it off if you can.

The zig zagging and colours and flashes seem to have dissipated now. Just a monster headache now

I get these (scintillating scotoma) especially distracting when driving. They eventually leave my field of vision, seem to drift outwards, and then disappear. I never have associated headaches.