Visual disturbance..is this a symptom? - Menopause Message Board

Mandarra · 12-08-2005, 08:55 AM

Hello ladies, well this morning it's something new. Got into work, turned my computer on and noticed that I couldn't see properly, white vibrating flashes made it difficult to concentrate. Anyone else experience this, please let me know as I'm freaking out and about to make a doctors appointment. Is this another symptom of peri?? Should I be worried??
Mary

katidid95 · 12-08-2005, 09:58 AM

You could be experiencing the aura that precedes a migraine headache. Did you get a headache afterwards? I started getting them when I was 12, quite severely. It would always start out with flashing colors (kind of like seeing spots after a camera flash) which would last 5-15 minutes. Then a horrible headache with nausea (sometimes vomiting). I outgrew the intensity of them when I was in my 20's (and changes my diet to avoid trigger foods). They did seem to come more often when I got to peri age, especially with trigger foods (like red wine). Other trigger foods are MSG, cheese and chocolate. For me also, right before my period seems to be a likely time and if I don't sleep well for a few nights.

Don't freak out. If it persists, you might want to get checked out to put your mind at ease.

Mandarra · 12-08-2005, 10:46 AM

Thank you for your reply. I am on the third day of my period and I do get headaches when I'm on all the time, this light show is something new. I ate a banana and it went away, I will see the doc if it happens again. I hope this is just hormonal.
Mary

Hopefully · 12-08-2005, 03:41 PM

I have the same thing happening, but I'm not sure if it's from staring at the computer for a long time or just my hormones. This has been going on for the last couple of months. The last couple of days I haven't noticed those spots. This too will pass...hopefully by the time I finish this post

.

HELLASRULES · 12-08-2005, 04:07 PM

Hi Mandarra,
This started to happen to me also, when I was in peri. Having already had my retina detach 4 times, I thought it was happening again. My retina specialist said it was likely a migraine aura. I found out later it is called an occular migraine. Zig-zag moving light, but no headache. Mine usually last about 30-45 minutes then goes away.
IT's happened here & there since menopause hit, and for me is usually triggered by a bright light. Occassionally I will get a very mild dull headache after the aura, but usually goes away within a day (or less).
The changing hormone levels can positively cause headaches & migraines.