Chronic Flashing Lights in Peripheral Vision - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

trigal · 03-25-2009, 12:57 PM

Hello All..

I thought I would post here to see if there is anyone else out there with flashing lights in their vision whose cause cannot be figured out.

I go through periods - sometimes 24/7 where I will have flashing lights in my side vision.

I have been to many different Dr.s; Neuro-Opth., Retina Specialists, Neurologists, Cardiologist , PCP and had every test imaginable.

The only thing positive in my hx is past lyme. I do have indoor allergies and some food allergies. Other then that I am a very healthy and fit 30 something female.

Things that make them worse is; computer work, exercise, changes in barometric pressure, hormonal changes, deep breathing can bring them on as well. Like in yoga class when we do deep breathing they can come on but go away within 30 seconds of stopping breathing. Sometimes they go away but sometimes I get them out of no where and they stay kind of mild but get worse with any of the above mentioned activities.I do notice them more in dark conditions. LIke is spin class - the combo of exertion and dark room gives me a light show. I also notice that they occur more frequently the more time I spend in my house (indoor allergy factor?) but when I am away and out of the house they are not nearly as bad and sometimes go away all together. Come to think of it...they get worse when my sinuses are congested as well. hum...

So I am aware of migraines and migraine auras.. I have been on Topamax in the past and that is the only thing that takes them away. I mean like in a matter of hours after taking my first dose they go away - I am talking small dose of 25-50mg's. I went off of it becasue I wanted to see if maybe they magically disappreared... nope - there they were again.

So,I was wondering if anyone else out there has this or something similar and might be able to give some advice or suggestions. It really is an odd thing but I guess one could have chronic migraine auras but that seem kinda odd no? Been having this going on 3 years now..

Thanks!

kholtdesign · 07-14-2010, 08:53 PM

Have you found an answer for your issues? My 13 year old is in the process of finding the cause. The key is that it's chronic as well. Wondering if you have any info. I realize it was over a year ago.

Thanks
K

Orangejuice1 · 09-05-2011, 12:50 PM

YES! I too have started having chronic flashing lights in my peripheral vision. I have been diagnosed with (not surprising) Chronic Migraine - as opposed to Episodic Migraine.

They also started me on Topomax at the same level. It seems to make me not quite so anxious, but it doesn't do anything to diminish the migraines. We are going to start Botox therapy soon.

Have your flashing lights stopped? Was there a medication or avoidance of food or substance that helped you???

I am scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.... we shall see.

Orangejuice1 · 09-20-2011, 09:33 PM

I think I have solved the 'flashing peripheral lights' mystery! And no, that does not mean they are now going to go away. The good news is that I am not going blind, I am not hallucinating, or psychotic. It is a mechanical problem related to migraines. My flashing lights are 'all the time' but SO ARE MY MIGRAINES. It is the dilated blood vessels (migraines) that press constantly on the optic nerves that cause the light flashes. Now if only they could just stop my migraines.....

Justaheadache · 10-27-2011, 06:55 AM

I don't know how old this messag is, but to answer your question, YES. What you are experiencing is a form of migraine disorder. It is migraine with aura, no headache. Take the topamax if it works. It is not dangerous and should be self limiting. Distracting, yes. HTH.