can anyone help me self-diagnose? it's about wibbly-wobbly vision (like a mirage/sun spot) followed by a headache

[Tutter]

has happened twice int he last fortnight

starts off with a 'blind' bit of vision, like you've glanced at the sun - soon spreads to become a mirage-like area, up to 1/3rd of my total vision

accompanied by slight dizziness and feeling of being not-really-there

and a belter of a headache an hour or so later

anyone?

migraine

yup. She's right.

yep, definately a migraine!

Migraine

Migraine- I only started getting these in my late 30s- only happened twice more. Quite scary the first time. Might be an idea to see the gp for advice.

ach, bugger

thought you might say that

but i've always said "i don't get migraines [smug]"

trrssk

I used to get them and found that if I took some paracetamol & codeine as soon as the vision went, the pain wasn't quite so bad. (I found that Migraleve were no better and costs lots more)

You might also find yourself really tired afterwards. A couple of hours sleep always helped too (not easy when you have kids though)

any other need-to-knows about migraines?

"avoid contact with grouchy chicken-pox-ridden 3yos and teething 11mos at all costs"?

absolutely, have you mnoticed any triggers? with me its cheese and chocolate.

My DH gets classic migraines, and got on well with Migraleve - without them, he always ended up puking and needing to sleep before being functional. With Migraleve he was functional right away - quite convenient, as his gets set off by stress, so sometimes happens at the airport on the way out! Never tried paracetamol and codeine, though.

ive got a little aromatherapy stick from boots called migrastick and some othat on my temples and in the nape of my neck helps, so do those cooling pads and a lie down.

migraine

Sounds like ocular migraine.

I started with these in my 30's.

They tuned out to be triggered by the hormones in the Contraceptive pill. I was told not to take it any more as at extra risk of CVA (stroke).

Hence, my DH's vasectomy (tee hee).

As soon as I stopped the pill, I never had another migraine. Mine were exactly how you describe.

You know it almost certainly is migraine, but with those symptoms you should see your GP just to rule out anything more serious.

Identical visual symptoms and feeling of dizziness/disconnectedness to my migraines - except I'm lucky enough not to get the headaches! In my case, they are definitely connected to hormones, but also more likely if I'm feeling run down and tired. I generally get them only once every couple of years or so, but got quite a few during my pregnancies and the first year after childbirth.

Just like my migraines. Triptans make them much less bad. Ask GP.