I have heard migrains can have all kinds of side effects, which could be my problem, but not sure, and since the headache is the Biggist part of the problem I figured I'd start here....

For about the past 4 years, I have had problems starting with my vision. I will loose all focus and my prefreable(spelling unknown and with a headache I don't want to look) Vision, for about 5-30 minutes, then my vision will clear up and on comes the migrain and everything that comes with it. Have tried taking excedrin migrain at the first sign of vision problems with absolutly no effect on my headache. The first time it happened, I went to my family doctor, who did a few tests starting with blood, suger and other simple lab tests, then went to a catscan with no findings, and ending with an eye doctor. After all the tests, and a bunch of uninsured medical expensis, I am left with the same, undiagnosed problem. It Has at the most happened maybe 3-4 times a year but is a HUGE inconviance to say the least, and wipes out the WHOLE DAY.
almost forgot, at the same time as the vision problems occur, I sometimes loose all feeling in one/both of my hands/arms.

As I said above, I'm not sure the headaches are the root of the problem, but I still figured I'd start here anyway.

So, would that all be caused my a migrain? And what would be the best way to treat it?



Thanks in advance for any/all help.
Roland

Sounds exactly like a migraine with aura. I have exactly the same thing. You need to find a doctor that is familar with migraines so that you can get the medications that you need. The vision problems are your warning that the migraine is on the way. If you had the proper medication you would take it as soon as you had the problem with your vision. I understand not having med insurance. I suffered for years because of the same reason but I also suffered because some doctors do not fully understand migraines and the associated symptoms.

Hope this is of some help to you.

Hi,

I have started getting this type of migraine this year. I was told it's called optical migraine or migraine with aura. It's a spasm of the optical nerve in the brain. Mine is followed by numbness in my left arm & face. My headaches are mild but last for hours or days. Tylenol or Advil help with the headaches but nothing helps with the vision or numbness. I was told to relax in a dark room but that's hard to do when I'm panicking! (which I do!). My father has a history of this too and my mom & sister get the severe migraine headaches. I find the computer is a trigger for me and bright lights too, like sun glare. So I limit my pc time and wear sunglasses more than ever.

If anyone has any helpful info or suggestions, please share.

optical nerve uh? I guess that makes since and marcie, you got it with the sunglasses. I find I wear mine even in the rain sometimes.

ok, so I gotta find a doctor who is familier with: optical migraine or migraine with aura. I was worried the headache was because of the eyes, instead of the other way around.

thanks for the help,

This sounds totally IDENTICAL to what I have right down to the amount per year that you have. I too only get them (Thank God) three or four times a year and I have the same symptoms. I also have vomiting and light and sound sensitivity with mine when the headache sets in. After being on several different types of prescription drugs over the years which did little or nothing I found the following combination to work like a charm!

I take three aleves or advils with a coke (for the caffeine)
a regular dose of dimetapp or benedryl
and lie down for about 30 minutes

Hope this helps you too!

Nancy

Roland,

I thought it was the eyes too so I went to my optometrist. She gave me an exam and told me about the optical migraines since she also gets them. My family dr. confirmed her diagnosis.

I hate it, especially the numbness. Please let us know if you find out anymore. I'd be very interested.

it sure makes me feel better with more people confirming the problem. that is it down to the tee, bioadoptmom. I thought the vomiting and light/sound sensitivity was part of any migraine, either way i feel ya.

the vision and numbness, I could handle. but those migraines, man are they killers. I travel alot for work and have been stuck once out in the middle of nowhere with one. There has to be a good, quick remedy.

again thanks for the info

I've noticed I've been avoiding places lately for fear of getting of a migraine "in the middle of nowhere" as you mentioned. Or ruining a good time for everyone else. It's hard not knowing when or where it will happen again :(

I have heard migrains can have all kinds of side effects, which could be my problem, but not sure, and since the headache is the Biggist part of the problem I figured I'd start here....

For about the past 4 years, I have had problems starting with my vision. I will loose all focus and my prefreable(spelling unknown and with a headache I don't want to look) Vision, for about 5-30 minutes, then my vision will clear up and on comes the migrain and everything that comes with it. Have tried taking excedrin migrain at the first sign of vision problems with absolutly no effect on my headache. The first time it happened, I went to my family doctor, who did a few tests starting with blood, suger and other simple lab tests, then went to a catscan with no findings, and ending with an eye doctor. After all the tests, and a bunch of uninsured medical expensis, I am left with the same, undiagnosed problem. It Has at the most happened maybe 3-4 times a year but is a HUGE inconviance to say the least, and wipes out the WHOLE DAY.
almost forgot, at the same time as the vision problems occur, I sometimes loose all feeling in one/both of my hands/arms.

As I said above, I'm not sure the headaches are the root of the problem, but I still figured I'd start here anyway.

So, would that all be caused my a migrain? And what would be the best way to treat it?



Thanks in advance for any/all help.
Roland


yep, yet another person with this ridiculous problem here too. for me it happens when i exercise too hard. hydration has nothing to do with it. the worst part is that there's no warning. i'd much rather have fainting spells instead as the pain is so intense and yes it does wipe the entire day out. one time i was at a competition and it happened between rounds and it zapped my energy and i lost my next bout because of it (yes i reserve the right to blame my losing in this headache!!).

anyway, one thing i've tried is a preventive measure and its been working so far. what i've done was take some bayer or some other aspirin before i play any sports. i don't have an explanation for it. all i know is that its been working and now i can push myself more aerobically and not worry about the onset of this nightmare of a headache. hopefully it keeps working. maybe you can try something similar. best thing to do is identify what triggers the headache and find a way to take action before it gets you. good luck.

I think I'm going to check with a local headache clinic, after the first of the year.

My headaches seem to be unpregidous, they happen at any time doing about anything or even nothing. The majority of the time they seem to happen first thing in the morning. first time was about 45 min after i woke up. Second and third time was middle of the day driving down the road, and forth time was at around 4:00am just after getting to the hospital with my wife to give birth to my daughter. Half our family was with her, the other half was with me. I almost think I was hurting more, or atleast i might have felt it more. This last time was in the afternoon also while driving down the road. I had always suspected some link to poor nutrition, lack of vitemins or something similer.

anyway, thanks again for the help!!

Just a suggestion, you may try food allergy testing. Certain foods like citrus, chocolate, peanuts are possible triggers. I believe the computer monitor is a trigger for me, since 3 of 4 attacks this year happened while I was on the computer. Now I limit my time and wear shades when online.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'm always interested to talk to others and learn all I can about this condition. Hopefully we can help eachother.