"Daily" migraines?

[latte163]

Hi there,
I saw a neuro yesterday who believes my symptoms are that of an atypical daily migraine. In August of last year I experienced my first migraine- I was driving to work and saw this white kaleidoscope in my left periphery...it eventually turned black and I lost my lert peripheral vision. It subsided briefly and returned for a few minutes a couple more times that day. (I went to ER then...they diagnosed a migraine). I had NO headache however. I have not had that since then, but since October I have been seeing colored spots that are momentary. They come and go daily and are various colors. I posted a thread in the "eye and vision" section too. Anybody have similar symptoms? I'd love to hear if you do! Thanks!

[Chrislynn]

Hi there. It does sound like migraines from the "aura". I used to have what I would describe as "colorful laser beams" coming at me when I was in my twenties (I'm 33 now). My symptoms have changed since then. I was in the ER just a week ago and dx'd with A-Typical Migraines. Now I experience pain as well as the aura symptoms (i.e., nausea, tingling, pressure, sensitivity to sound and light). They gave me an IV of toradol (sp?) and Reglan and some steroid and sent me home with Midrin which takes away the pain but causes rebound headaches so I'm finding out.

I just saw a pain management doc today who is migraine specialist and she diagnosed me with chronic migraines and prescribed Axert or Zomig (whichever I think works best) and put me on a betablocker Nadolol. I am looking forward to trying the beta blocker as a preventive. I have been out of work for 2 weeks- going on 3 since the doc wants me to stay out of work this week. She wanted me to stay out for 2 weeks but I am out of paid time. The doc today told me that migraines are a serious medical condition and should be treated as such. It's hard to find a doctor that will take your headaches seriously but as all of us know, they can be very debilitating.

[ahall]

Hi Latte,

I suffer from visual migraines. I dont get them often, maybe 3 times a year, but they scare me so bad. I see a small yellow or gray blotch first, then it starts quivering and shaking as it extends in what looks like a moon shape, normally in my peripheral vision, it also has the shape of a lighting bolt. It then moves itself down and around, sometimes across my vision until it fades out. This whole process can take up to an hour. I've never had migraine headaches, however over the past 2 years I've notice a change in them to where afterwards, my head is sore, like a bruise. It would hurt to brush my hair! Plus, I feel confused, almost dazed for the rest of the day. Im just so relieved when my vision comes back, I can deal with the rest of the symptoms. My doctor who also suffered from visual migraines, told me to just relax and look at the pretty colors. I dont find them pretty, and they scare me just as much each time. I've had this since I was 21, Im 38 now. I do see the blotches you mentioned on a daily basis. Sometime they appear for 3 seconds, somes 15 seconds. They dont scare me, I just wish they'd go away though, they can be very annoying.

[veggie girl]

Oh yeah, I DEFINATELY get the kalaiedascope!! Mine is black, blue and red!! When I very first start to get it I notice that my hands look funny, like they're further away than they are. Also as it progresses my whole vision is kind of wavy so I can hardly see and definately can't read anything. I'm pretty much incapacitated once I'm in the throes of it - I can hardly stand, can't really see, can't focus on anything and just throw up constantly. And just the hint of perfume, or the slighest sound turn my stomach.

If i take an Excederin especially for migraines as soon as I think I'm having one it passes and I just feel a bit weird all day, but if I take nothing once the kaleidascope happens I'm screwed. At that point I have less than 1 hour to get home or I'll be throwing up and be as sick as a dog for hours in a public place.

I found that perfume, coffee and sudden bright light makes it worse, or bring it on in the first place. Also - strangly enough - sleeping TOO long brings it on also.

I went to see a pain specialist and he recommended a herb called Migralief (sp? - not to be confused with the drug Migralieve available in the UK) that can help to prevent migraines.

[violaa]

Originally Posted by ahall

Hi Latte,

I suffer from visual migraines. I dont get them often, maybe 3 times a year, but they scare me so bad. I see a small yellow or gray blotch first, then it starts quivering and shaking as it extends in what looks like a moon shape, normally in my peripheral vision, it also has the shape of a lighting bolt. It then moves itself down and around, sometimes across my vision until it fades out. This whole process can take up to an hour. I've never had migraine headaches, however over the past 2 years I've notice a change in them to where afterwards, my head is sore, like a bruise. It would hurt to brush my hair! Plus, I feel confused, almost dazed for the rest of the day. Im just so relieved when my vision comes back, I can deal with the rest of the symptoms. My doctor who also suffered from visual migraines, told me to just relax and look at the pretty colors. I dont find them pretty, and they scare me just as much each time. I've had this since I was 21, Im 38 now. I do see the blotches you mentioned on a daily basis. Sometime they appear for 3 seconds, somes 15 seconds. They dont scare me, I just wish they'd go away though, they can be very annoying.

i read your note and now for the past 2 months the top of my head feals as if i have a sore up there and when i brush my hair and move my hair so this is normal with migranes i was dinosed with migranes in 85 they left for a long while but they have been coming back but didnt know they could be this way any help is apprecated