I saw my Opthamologist today as follow up from previous surgery. I told him that one morning when I got up all I could see was a bright-white spot with a black center.

He asked if I knew there were migraines that does not include headaches. He thinks I might have had or am fixing to have a TIA and referred me back to my GP for MRI.

Searching the web I have found no reference to migraine that does no include headache. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for your help.

Hi,
My neurologist also gave me a diagnosis of migraine without headache, for episodes in which I experienced a lot of funny symptoms that were not followed by a headache.

In addition, I also have experienced one of those blind spots. It was last summer, but it was accompanied by a full blown migraine headache (a wopper). The blind spot is called a scotoma in medical jargon.

I don't know where to go for more info. I found that the best book on migraine is by Oliver Sacks, I think it is called Migraine, but it is out of print. Maybe you could borrow it from your library.

MM

As a migraine sufferer, I think I may be able to guide you. I grew up with migraines and would get the lights (aura) between a half hour to hour before the headache. As years went by, my migraines ceased and then returned. Well, they didn't return as headaches. I would get the lights (aura) and no headache. I still get it to this day. It is what's called a 'phantom migraine'. You can do a search on that term and you should find a little, but not much, information. It took me a long time to find that term and some information on migraines without the headache.

Good luck to you. I hope you never have to suffer the headache end of it.

Thanks to both of you for the information. So far I haven't found anything. If there are migraines without headache it seems I would find something. He wants me to have the MRI and a doppler scan right away but really wonder if it is worth while.

He sent a report to my GP so I guess I will see what happens there. I am of the opinion that if there is something so rare information cannot be found that there isn't much chance in a GP knowing about it.

I appreciate additional comments.

I did a search for you. I googled 'Migraine without headache' and came up with only a few articles. However, I did come upon the term 'Acephalgic Migraine'. A google search on that brought up a good number of articles. Maybe you can print one for you GP. Good Luck.

'Acephalgic Migraine' I Googled and several popped up. I had not found a 'Acephalgic Migraine' before. I am now following that trail. It looks promising.

This is also called Silent Migraine.

Thanks everyone. When I began finding any information there was a flood. I don't know why Googling combinations of words didn't show them.

Sorry if this is a duplicate post.

HEY SMART MOD!!!!:D You beat me to it! My brother-in-law was diagnosed with this and the doc called it a silent migraine. I don't remember what he has to do for it, but maybe google that and see what you come up with. Good luck!

Betty,

I have -- Ocular Migraines--- with no headache.
It starts with a disturbance of vision in both eyes -- a flickering zigzag semicircle and drifts across my field of vision. It first happened long ago maybe 30 years or so. It now last 15 to 30 minutes. Then it's gone-- with no after side-effects.

It has been diagnosed by several eye doctors as an "Ocular Migraine" I have had no black spots or bright lights. But, it is very disturbing when driving or tring to read or really any time you are tring to see.

I have been using homeopathy for over 30 years and I found that a remedy that would really shorten the duration and lengthen the time between episodes.
The homeopathic remedy is ---Ignatia--

I think homeopathy may help~~~Harry

I get Complex Migraines that act a lot like a stroke does. My vision will go wild (kind of like looking through a kalaidascope), then pretty soon something like my nose, half of a lip, a fingertip, will go numb. Sometimes I can be incoherent and have a problem processing information. Sometimes a headache will follow, but not always. I keep Imetrex (spelled wrong) on hand and that helps me through it. I suggest researching "Complex Migraines". I've found quite a bit of info with that search.