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Original poster

flashing lights in eyes or something like....help someone please :(:(

30 replies

iliketosleep · 22/07/2008 21:16

This is the 3rd time ive had it, the first being about 3 months ago the last 2 being just now and 2 days ago.

It starts like i have just looked at the sun and have the light ball in my eye, but rather than going it turns into a circle of what i can only describe as gas affect in the center of my eye which gradually takes over my whole eye until i cannot see anything other than this 'gas'. It was on my left eye the first two times but tonight its been on my right.

Has anyone ever had anything similar??

I am nearly 37 weeks pregnant but doubt this is anything to do with it. Just thought i would mention just incase.

Thanks in advance

xx

OP posts:
iheartdusty · 22/07/2008 21:18

this sounds exactly like a migraine

I get something similar but it has a 'buzzing' edge. I also get a numb feeling which travels up one arm and it is followed by a headache and nausea.

can you identify any trigger factors, eg tiredness, hunger?

iheartdusty · 22/07/2008 21:19

it is like looking at a splash of water but it moves to where I am looking at.

I think it is called a 'focal' migraine?

EffiePerine · 22/07/2008 21:19

OK if you are pg and having visual disturbances you NEED to check with your mw

Tutter · 22/07/2008 21:20

i have had this twice in the last 2 months

concensus of mn opinion = migraine

Othersideofthechannel · 22/07/2008 21:20

Pre-eclampsia?

Tutter · 22/07/2008 21:21

consensus

oh yes, i'm not pg thouhg

youshould mention it to mw/gp

giraffeski · 22/07/2008 21:21

Message withdrawn

PestoMonster · 22/07/2008 21:21

Visual disturbances in late pregnancy may be symptomatic of pre-eclampsia. See your doctor or midwife asap.

frumpygrumpyhasPMT · 22/07/2008 21:21

Does sound like migraine. My DP gets a flicker at the corner of his eye. Thats his warning that a migraine is coming and he rushes to take the meds. If you can get meds in quickly enough you can stop it developing so badly.

Have you a headache? Could it also be a circulation thing?

EffiePerine · 22/07/2008 21:21

here you go (from preeclampsia website)

Vision changes include temporary loss of vision, sensations of flashing lights, auras, light sensitivity, and blurry vision or spots. For some women who are farsighted, vision may actually improve.

What you can do...

If you have any of these symptoms, you may be developing preeclampsia. Symptoms such as these may be associated with irritation of the central nervous system and should be taken seriously. They may be indicative of cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). It is very important that you consult with your provider as soon as possible. If he or she is not available, you should go directly to the hospital. We regard these symptoms as potentially very serious and they should not be left until the morning, tomorrow and particularly not until the end of the weekend. With preeclampsia, it is better to have the health professionals tell you it was nothing, than to take a chance that might risk your or the baby's life. No doctor ever died from seeing a woman too many times.

it may be nothing related but as you are pg I wouldn't take the chance tbh

Othersideofthechannel · 22/07/2008 21:21

Sorry, just realised you have had this months ago as well. Don't mean to panic you but like EffiePerrine says you should get it checked out.

fryalot · 22/07/2008 21:21

It does sound like a migraine.

But I think some of the symptoms of migraine are caused by high blood pressure (this may not be one though, so don't panic!)

You need to ring your midwife tomorrow and double check that this is nothing to worry about. It is probably completely unconnected with the pregnancy, but please speak to her to double check.

Original poster
iliketosleep · 22/07/2008 21:22

well everytime its happened i have had an ice lolly and it seems to help alot so maybe low sugar? also get the start of a headache so take tablets quickly before it has chance to progress. I had a feeling it may be migrane but was scared it may be something worse!!

OP posts:
midnightexpress · 22/07/2008 21:22

I get something similar from time to time (often if I'm tired or have been using a screen a lot) mine more of a zigzag but never really develops into a headache. It lasts for about 40 minutes and completely washes me out for the rest of the day. I've always assumed it's some sort of migraine too. Oh, and it only started when I was about 35.

EffiePerine · 22/07/2008 21:22

x-posted with everyone else

Notquitegrownup · 22/07/2008 21:22

It is to do with being pregnant. I've only had three of these migranes in my life. The first was when I was younger and very overworked/stressed. The other two were both when I was pregnant.

Apparently in regular migrane sufferers a high percentage occur in women around their period times, so there is a hormonal link.

It is horrid and worth mentioning to your midwife/GP who will check blood pressure to ensure that there is nothing more sinister going on, but I remember reading that it is a relatively common thing in pregnancy which should go away, along with lots of other side effects.

In the meantime, I'm pretty sure that paracetamol, a darkened room, and rest are the best remedies, but again, check with your midwife.

mandymac · 22/07/2008 21:23

I do get this - with out the headache, just a visual disturbance and I think it is called an 'aura' migraine.
However as I understand it any visual disturbance during pregnancy should be discussed with Doctor/midwife to check it isn't associated with high blood pressure.

EffiePerine · 22/07/2008 21:23

really, get in touch with your mw asap

it may just be a migraine but you need to get it checked. They will not think you are wasting their time.

frumpygrumpyhasPMT · 22/07/2008 21:23

Low sugar levels also set off my DP but as everyone has said, its worth having it fully checked first thing tomorrow.

Madlentileater · 22/07/2008 21:25

get checked out, it's not worth risking it.

Original poster
iliketosleep · 22/07/2008 21:25

I saw mw last week and everything was fine and see her tomorrow when she brings my home birth kit. I dont have any swelling anywhere etc and urine samples and blood pressure have been fine I will still mention it though!

OP posts:
theSuburbanDryad · 22/07/2008 21:25

See your mw straight away. If you're cleared for pre-eclampsia then go get your eyes checked by an optician. Are you short-sighted?

artichokes · 22/07/2008 21:26

I got pre-eclampsia at 37 weeks. Visual distrubances like you describe, and headachee like you mention, are serious warning signs. You should call your delivery suite tonight. Pre-eclampsia progressees very rapidly and is very serious for you and the baby so needs to be ruled out urgently.

Snaf · 22/07/2008 21:27

Yep, you need to get it checked out asap.

If your pregnancy has been normal so far - no raised blood pressure, no protein in your urine, etc, then it's more likely to be migraine but you must get it checked.

Pre-eclampsia can come on quite fast around this time in pregnancy and visual disturbances should not be ignored.

artichokes · 22/07/2008 21:28

I went from being fine at one appt to having pre-e in 24 hours. I really, really would get checked out ASAP tonight. The chances are you are fine but if it is pre-e you cannot afford to wait.

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