Ocular migraines

[wizzler]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with Ocular migraines today. Had never heard of them before.
Haven't sussed the trigger yet but one article said they could be triggered by the menopause.

Have you any experience of this and any advice?

Mine were hormone related and went away when I stopped taking hormonal contraceptives, so being menopause related makes sense to me.

I couldn’t pin down any other triggers, but did find they didn’t last more than 30 or so mins, so could sit tight and wait for them to pass.

If you have issues with other menopause symptoms could HRT be an option?

Thanks for the response. I think it may be tiredness which sets mine off.will try drinking more water.was wondering whether they might stop when the menopause stops.

So far I haven't had other symptoms, and they pass in 5 mins or so. I think I would prefer to remove the trigger then take something. Am 53 , and seem to be managing without her so far so hoping not to need it

I've had them in the past and still have the odd one. I had no idea that's what they were or had ever heard of them before until I got my eyes tested and mentioned my symptoms to the optician.

There doesn't seem to be any triggers that I'm aware of and I am certainly not menopausal.

They normally last about 30 mins and give me blind spots in my vision (my first one came on whilst driving and I couldn't read the numberplate of the car in front as there were digits missing). I also lose my peripheral vision. Are these the symptoms you experience too?

Not to worry anyone but my relative was recently misdiagnosed with ocular migraines which turned out to be a tumour. Please make sure you’re all getting properly checked out by your doctors

I just have distortion of my peripheral vision.. swirling flashes, like a kaleidoscope.

I get these and am perimenopause age. However, I have had them for years, they started around first pregnancy. They are getting more and more frequent though. For me, the trigger is always tiredness.

Yes I get these :( mine always happen when I'm in bed weirdly and last around 30 mins sometimes a bit longer and I lose my peripheral vision too! I got more when I was taking evening primrose oil so have stopped taking that and reduced screen time before bed

I really feel for you OP- they're awful and can be quite scary.

I have them with a myriad of visual disturbances from neon fireworks to black spots and holes in my vision. I also can get very dizzy and unbalanced. Usually no pain involved although I do also get blinding 'typical' migraines at other times. I've only experienced both types together a handful of times.

Triggers include fluorescent lights, computer screens, black text on bright white paper, looking at a bright light- even briefly - and it's much worse if the light is shining in an otherwise dark field of view. Also light patterns such as sunlight through gaps in a fence when I'm going past in a car for example.

Stress and lack of sleep also factor. I find closing my eyes and a quick nap where possible work quite well but often, I get them at work so have to resort to taking anti inflammatories which work most of the time but I hate taking them.

I carry sunglasses everywhere I go and no longer worry what people think when I wear them indoors. I've got quite skilled at just coping with the migraines at work too and try to ignore the fact that I can't see and just work on things other than spreadsheets or very important tasks for a while!

I got my first one when ds1 was still fairly small. Mine are definitely related to hormone levels although they've got a lot less frequent since ds2 was born (they were terrible in the last few weeks of pregnancy and meant that I kept having to go up and down to the hospital to get monitored - blood pressure etc was fine though.)

No advice really, I'm lucky that mine don't trouble me too much now and I know they're likely to pass within 20 mins to half an hour. They used to be worse and occasionally accompanied by headache or speech/reading issues and those ones needed an ice cold coke and a lie down in a dark room.

Oddly my dad's started having them aged 74 - he thought he was having a stroke. The doctor didn't seem too surprised at him developing them at his age so maybe it can happen any time.

I’ve had these for years - they used to be triggered by lack of sleep, stress and caffeine.

Then they changed to being likely around ovulation and after exercise/ lack of hydration.

Hope you find something that helps.

I get these, usually triggered by having a very hot bath or shower, then getting out into a colder room. The change in temperature seems to disagree with me, which is a shame as I love a hot shower.

I’ve had two - and strange and slightly exciting they are. I’m post-menopause. In both cases they were brought on by extreme stress. I understand they are harmless and (in my case) make stressful situations a bit more colourful. I also get proper head migraines which are truly horrible. I’d choose the kaleidoscope effect ever time

Freckled I see what you mean . I was initially really scared when I had the migraines but am reassured from what the optician said, and you guys, they don't hurt and they don't last long.
I am going to try to think of them as a gift.. aren't I lucky to see kaleidoscopes of light every few weeks!

Cheese brings mine on 🧀

Yes to the black paper with white writing it def triggers mine! I also get zero headaches with mine but sometimes get a migraine afterwards. I do get scared though even now and I've been having them years on and off (although they have increased as getting older 45 now )