re: Ocular Migraines

I had one about 2 years ago. It did freak me out. It hasn't happened since, but at least now I'd know what was going on.

I have had regular migraines in the past (Extreme headache kind), but I experienced an ocular migraine last year. It was the only one I have ever had, and like you it scared the shite out of me.

Have a good friend that's an optometrist take a look at me and was certain he was going to give me bad news. Luckily, he just told me about the ocular migraines rather than telling me to go get an MRI.

They are very scary though, glad you OK baw.

I had one about 5 years ago. It was one of the most panic-inducing episodes I've ever had. I was sitting at work and suddenly I couldn't see the image on my monitor, despite knowing it was there. I could sort of see the screen in my periphery, but not really. I then looked out the window and couldn't see anything through the window other than a blur. It eventually transitioned to the second image and faded away.

Called my brother-in-law (physician) and he said the same thing. No clue why it happened, but haven't had one since then.

I get these a lot, it can either be once a month or a couple times in a week. The aura usually lasts for about 15-25 minutes and moves from the corner of one eye and worsens while moving across my field of vision. It is then followed with a mild headache. Most times I don't have the headache as I take advil advil when I start having the aura. It generally doesn't put me out of commission, I usually just try to ignore it, but they are annoying as hell and sometimes I go to a dark room to deal with them.

I found the medical term for the aura is a scintillating scotoma. I haven't figured out why I have these headaches, but have found some comfort knowing a lot of people have them.

Here is a podcast on Reply All on the topic.

Reply All - Blind Spot

Here is what the aura somewhat looks like. From personal experience, its worse than this and much less easy to see the the shape colors of the aura. Mayo Clinic - Aura Video

I get migraines, and all of mine start off with ocular auras. The one I get usually look like I’ve stared at the sun too long, or I will get tunnel vision. After that I know a migraine is about to come on. If I don’t take my medicine while the auras are happening, then it’s a very painful experience.

I get those. The first one scared the shite out of me and my eye doctor made me come in as a precaution. Apparently when you are as nearsighted as me you are prone to detached retinas, which have the same symptoms

Mine are completely unrelated to classic migraine and I don’t get pain, it just takes a while for vision to come back and I’m kinda wiped out after.

I get the second one, but mine always seems to have a right angle to it. More like >.

Never had a headache or nausea with it.