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

As you’ve not had one before, has the nurse called you back yet?
It really sounds like a migraine but equally if your eyes are still sore I’d get that checked out. Maybe see if spec savers has same day appt or our hospital has an eye casualty you can go to.

Yes my eyes are still sore but I did have a long of day of crying yesterday before this came on...😂😭 They called me back and just said because my vision had returned to normal that I should call my GP or 111 if it got worse. Our gp has a call up on the day system and they've got no appointments left. I'm thinking when I take my DS to nursery this afternoon, I'll call into spec savers and see what they say. I assume the GP would only send me there anyway.

I'll call into spec savers and see what they say. I assume the GP would only send me there anyway

Excellent idea. So glad to read that for a change rather than everything going to the GP.

For an extra tenner they'll scan your eyes to check for issues.

Extreme stress causes my migraines. I got the halo driving the car once, nearly papped myself.

I had a full eye test about 3 months ago and they upped my prescription. They said my eyes were fine, so I'm thinking it's just a weird migraine but best to he safe then sorry.

Good idea re specsavers. Opticians can spot all manner of things.

Optician is a good call. Btw you can also get an appointment at the eye unit at your local hospital by calling your gp or going to A&E or calling 111 and being assessed as needing this. My hospital eye clinic used to take walk-ins but now you need an appointment.

Welcome to the club. You have now transferred from the set of people who, when faced with someone saying "I've got a migraine", say "it's just a headache, surely it can't be that bad?" to the set of people who nod knowlingly, offer painkillers, and try to find a quiet place for the afflicted person.

Your exclusive club welcome pack, which you will have to buy yourself, contains:

• eye mask
• ear plugs
• paracetamol and a NSAID
• a mixer-sized can of full-fat cola
• ginger boiled sweets

Even though it's obvious from your symptoms that you had a migraine, you should still see your GP. It's unusual for migraines to start late in life.

So strange! Tonight, I've just gave baby a bath and put him to bed and suddenly my head is absolutely killing again. Pain in my ears too, but no flashing or patterns this time. Is this another migraine??

Migraines for me always developed over one eye, they are really horrible, often accompanied by sickness.
The flashing zigzag image the OP suffered is very like the auras I now get, they usually go within 30 minutes, but hey are scary the first time you suffer with one.

People are different, I never had an aura in all the years I suffered from migraines, now I am older, I don't get the migraines, but I do see auras quite often.

I would really seek medical advice. I've had migraines for ever and you're constantly told, anything different, get seen. And this is very different for you.

Thing is it's hard for me to go anywhere, like A and E. My ds is autistic and he won't cope with being dragged out to hospital for hours and I've no one to help me. But I will admit, I am worrying a little now.

More worried cos of the pain. It's my whole headband my ears too. Like a painful pressure in my ears.

Agree with this.. best to get eyes checked at eye casualty if you have one nearby

I think you should call 111. They do say if you suddenly have the worst headache of your life it can be a red flag. I’d get medical advice.

Agree with 111. And pack a bag for your DS. Mine (also autistic) had to come up to ED with me this year. We had a bag of his stuff and he found it quite an adventure.

Have you checked your BP?

I was going to say the same thing. In fact it's the retina not cornea. Even so it's an urgent thing to get seen. If you can get to see an optician ASAP tomorrow then they can tell you if that's what it is.

Several years ago I had strange visual symptoms, it wasn’t migraine although I was told by several people including A&E that it was, they sent me away with paracetamol. It turned out to be something called Central Serous Retinopathy, the optician I went to the next day spotted the real problem and it was because of him that things started to happen quickly. Please get it checked out as soon as you can.

I have these, I’ve found that 900mg aspirin at the onset usually staves off any headache. (Advised by an A&E doctor)

Yes that’s 3 x 300mg tablets!

I have had this a couple of times in the last decade (no headache) but this thread has made me realise I must have a very high threshold for concern as even the first time I got it, I just thought “Huh… I’ve heard this is what happens before a migraine, maybe I’m about to get one” and then googled it and realised you can have them with no headache, so didn’t think much more about it.

For me it’s a sign there’s too much stress in my life and I need to address it.

I've taken some ibuprofen and it's subsided although my ears are hurting still. I'll see how it goes over the next couple of hours.

I'd still call 111 though.

Sorry you’re still struggling today. When I get migraines (with or without aura) the headache comes and goes for a few days unless I hit it first time with super strong drugs - migralevae, or nuromol. I used to love boots tension headache tablets but they stopped doing them, they had a muscle relaxant in that really helped. If you’ve only taken ibuprofen you can take 2 paracetamol too at the same time. It’s worth it.

Like some of the other posters upthread Ive had this kaleidoscope phomenon with the zigzg patterns and coloured lights. Typically it begins on my right, mores into my field of vision then moves off to the left. It lasts about 10 minutes. Its very disorienting but I dont usually get the migraine headache other PP mention. The advice is to get it checked out but Ive been getting this for 10 years on and off and am now 81.