Occular migraines/zig zags in vision

[Mrstiggywinkle44]

Do any of you get these attacks??
I'm 44 and very peri menopausal and this new horribleness started this year. Had 3 "attacks" now where I get zig zag fluttering in vision, feel extremely drained and emotional afterwards. I don't get any head pain

Gp said classic occular migraine which is a type of aura migraine without the severe headache. He sent me for a visual scan at the opticians to double check and all fine.

They are horrible and really make you feel wiped out afterwards
Still need to work out my triggers. Tmi but I did pinpoint the last 2 attacks came on after sex, I got the zig zagging about 15 mins after so I'm guessing it's blood vessel related???

Anyone else get these??

My SIL told me to eat lots of melon to avoid them and it works. I don't know where she got her information from

I've had them a few times, they were a few weeks apart. I thought I was going blind as I had large black spots, then the kaleidoscope started, I was hanging onto my work chair as I was so dizzy.

I get them. Usually they're preceded by a very bright light and then the zig-zags start. Fortunately, they don't last long. I usually go off to a dark quiet room, sit, fold my arms and rest my head on them. After 30 minutes or so it passes. It's very alarming the first time it happens. I've learned not to worry. I'd rather have this than a 'real' migraine, which can knock me out for 48 hours. I've had them when driving too, but it doesn't feel 'dangerous' if that makes sense as usually only one eye is affected, although I do pull over at the earliest opportunity.

I get occular migraine too, total bastards. Zigzags, loss of central vision, nausea, bit of a headache, need to go and sleep. When i wake up I'm ravenous for carbs, they screw with my blood sugar. And then a 2 day hangover.

Triggers are either stress/tiredness, or light. Looking at something back-lit is the hardest to avoid, someone sitting in front of a window in a meeting for example. I've asked people to move in meetings when I knew the layout would trigger one.

I now carry migraleve everywhere and taking one immediately usually buys enough time to get home.

I get a blind spot in my vision, which I recognise as the start of a migraine, then it goes to rainbow coloured zig zags.

It could be a complete coincidence, but since I started oestrogen for menopause symptoms just over a year ago, I haven't had any more visual disturbance or migraines.

I get these. Horrible.
First indication is blind spots in my vision followed by aura-crazy zig-zags and flashing lights. Crushing headache. I grab any painkillers I can find and if possible go and lie down. If I catch it early enough I can see off the worst of it in about 45 mins if I sit quietly with eyes shut but then feel awful for 48 hours. Was only getting a couple a year but have recently had them fortnightly.
Have tried to identify a trigger but not sure. Could be hormonal (menopause) but I also suspect it’s to do with blood sugars and missing meals through intermittent fasting.

I'm sorry you're experiencing these OP.

I had them as a teenager and recently started getting them again, also perimenopausal. I get blind spots in one eye then an arm goes numb, tongue goes numb and I can't speak properly- words come out as nonsense. The next day I could sleep all day. Last time DH took me to A&E as I had one, laid down then immediately had another and thought I was having a stroke. Had a CAT scan then an MRI and was told it was an ocular migraine.

I am waiting to be referred to a migraine specialist as I became very panicky about them. I have young DC and losing the ability to speak and see terrified me I became terrified of having one when I was with the DC.

I've done loads of research and now I daily take the following:
COQ10
B12
Folic acid
Feverfew
Magnesium
Vitamin D

I also almost cut out caffeine and citrus fruits.

The GP gave me some triptans to take in case of an attack so I feel a bit calmer knowing I have something to take but I don't want to how things but since being on my daily cocktail of supplements I haven't experienced one. I pray I don't because the fear of one is almost worse than the reality.

I had two or three about eight years ago but (fingers crossed) none since.

So there is a possibility yours may just stop. Dr Google does say they can often be associated with peri.

I get them, exercise is my trigger and I can sometimes shake one off by eating some sweets

Mine seem random. First one was mid thirties and scared the life out of me. I might have a couple in a week or nothing for a year - am post menopause. Being tired sometimes seems to be a trigger and fluorescent lighting. But sometimes they just happen. I have a small can of full fat coke and painkillers at the first sign and can usually function within 40 minutes or so, although I feel hungover for a while. Odd things.

Mine are triggered by stress, especially if accompanied by excessive screen time. They only last half an hour and are relatively mild, but I cannot see well enough to function until they pass.

Exercise can be a trigger for my normal (non aura) migraines, especially if I overheat e.g. running on a hot day.

I’ve had these and also the excruciating headache migraines sometimes with the zig zag lines and sometimes without. Sometimes feel very sick with it too.- since early 20’s which was 20 years ago!
I learned how to make them stop and it works 90% of the time.

1. don’t get too hungry. If you start to feel hunger, eat.
2. Get enough sleep but not too much sleep. Over sleeping (more than 8 hours) or sleeping late after a late night brings one on sometimes.
3. This is the most important. As soon as you feel the slightest symptoms, take 2 ibuprofen. Must be ibuprofen not paracetamol because of the anti inflammatory properties.

Very bright sudden lights trigger mine. Flaring type lights or reflected off surfaces.

The first time was so scary, I thought I was having a brain haemorrhage, the flashing zig zag lights gradually covering your vision was absolutely horrifying. I first got them when I was about 45, so maybe hormonal.

I had one start when driving once, whilst I was waiting for somewhere safe to pull over I put my sunglasses (Polaroids) on, well they worked like magic and it totally disappeared after a few minutes. But usually I have to go and lie down in a dark room. There’s definitely a connection with bright lights, be it flashing sunlight or those horrible fluorescent shop lights.

The sun set mine off, it was low and very bright and blinded me for a second as I was driving my car.

Yeah I get these. I don't mind the actual zig zag thing but the hangover for 24 hours after is horrible. I also find that I can't remember things properly - I forget certain words or can't quite remember things properly.

Yep I get these. Main trigger is dehydration but stress can cause them as well. Haven't had any in a while but sometimes can be every day. Main thing that works for me is to drink water and lie down and it usually passes within 15/20 minutes. If I'm in a situation where that's not possible a can of coke and salty crisps will work as well. When pregnant I did have 1 very bad episode where I was speaking complete gibberish. My husband freaked out and brought me to hospital and I ended up on a drip on rehydration fluids.

I get them, too. Mine are always on one side of my field of vision, and it's like looking through a prism, sometimes with the zig-zag effect. The first time it happened was very frightening. Mine seem to be associated with working on the computer combined with work stress. They last for about 20 minutes. I usually just lean back and try to concentrate on relaxing. I have no pain with them.

Mine only happen every so often, but when they increase in recurrence, it always seems to be related to stress.

I am completely postmenopausal, and mine did not start until after menopause.

I have only experienced them a couple of times thankfully but they are horrible. I was sitting opposite my boss when one side of his face started zig zagging, it was really worrying, I think I was in my late 30's .
I still have occasional migraines but they have not happened much at all as I have aged.
I think there is often the hormonal link. You have my sympathy.

I have had about 4 since I was 40 and I’m now 51. Starts with a central spot that I can’t focus on. So I’ll be tally to someone but realise their features are fuzzy then the zigzag starts . It’s got rainbow edgeS like a spectrum. It gradually gets wider over half an hour and the central area clears again. A headache comes after the aura has gone. I presume they were hormone /stress related. All happened at work.

Oh and in one eye only. I googled and that reassured me. Never went to GP tut.

I had my first one roundabout the first time I had the first symptoms of perimenopause (approx. 43). Thought I was going blind, so scary. Had quite a lot since, though now I've thought about them I have just realised I haven't had one for months and months - I'm now 48.

No obvious triggers that I can pinpoint, although 1 did happen after I caught the glare of the sun on my windscreen.

The last few that I did have, I realised I could shorten the length of the episode by really focussing on reading some text on my phone screen (the bits I could see through the coloured blurs!) and it shortened the attack from usually about 30 mins down to about 10 mins. Always felt weird and tired after one.

I get them too. I used to get them when I was younger, pre children. Light shining through flickering Venetian blinds in work used to trigger them.
I didn’t have one for over 20 years but have had four or five in the last two years. I just have to go to bed for an hour then the flickering goes but I am spaced out for a day or two after. I’ve wondered if HRT might cause them.

These!