Does this sound like a migraine aura?

[MrsCobraBubbles]

my visual migraine symptoms are different, mine are more like a blurry circle in the center of my field of vision, then if the migraine continues the circle fragments into smaller circles all over my field of vision. They also don't always progress into a migraine headache, sometimes I just get the visual symptoms, they stick around for about half a day, then they fade away--usually I will take a nap because there's not much else I can do when I can't see properly and then when I wake up the circles are gone. Definitely talk to your doctor though.

 

[lifesavacation]

Yes, that sounds just like mine. Except the headache I get after is quite severe if I don't have some Excedrin right away

Sounds like mine too except I see a shimmery light. And I know to take something ASAP because the migraine is going to hurt like hell and I'm going to be in a dark room for several hours if I can't get in front of it. I shudder just thinking about it.

 

[lifesavacation]

I had that several times. Looked like a zig zag line. I thought I was having a stroke. DH, who is an optometrist, told me it was an ocular migraine. Luckily I never got a headache.

That's great that your husband recognized it as a ocular migraine. When I got my first one, I called my optometrist and he thought my retina was detaching and he was going to arrange for me to go see someone right away to have it repaired. I felt pretty foolish when I called him back after an hour to tell him my vision was back to normal.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

That's exactly how my migraines start. My very first one was during a final exam in high school. The test was on one of those scantron sheets (fill in the circles), and I couldn't see the circles when I focused on them, anything I focused on I couldn't see, but I could see things in my peripheral. Scared the crap out of me. Luckily it was the last class of the day. My mom picked me up from school and told me I looked sick. I told her I couldn't see straight so she told me to go home and lie down. I did, and then the headache hit. Luckily I fell asleep and woke up fine. She called the doctor and got me in later that week. While I was waiting in the office for my appointment, I got another migraine. The dr. saw me right away and confirmed it was a migraine. I then found out my grandma suffered from migraines and all of our symptoms were exactly the same.
Since then, I've gotten one about every couple of years - most recently two weekends ago. I now know how they start so I chug a diet coke, take two Extra Strength Tylenol, and that usually stops the headache, but my brain still feels funny for a couple of days - like I had the headache and my brain is healing. My memory is screwy and I'm just beat.

 

[antmaril]

I get ocular migraines and they do sound similar. I see a flashing zig-zaggy circle and it's silvery - kind of like an oil slick. It lasts about 20 minutes and disappears with no headache.

This describes my ophthalmic migraines, as well. I had my first one almost 40 years ago. The ophthalmologist told me then that I may never have another one or they may come and go. I have one every once in a while. No more than once a year or so. Annoying, but nothing dangerous.

My sister gets them, too.

 

[dish rag]

That's exactly how my migraines start. My very first one was during a final exam in high school. The test was on one of those scantron sheets (fill in the circles), and I couldn't see the circles when I focused on them, anything I focused on I couldn't see, but I could see things in my peripheral. Scared the crap out of me. Luckily it was the last class of the day. My mom picked me up from school and told me I looked sick. I told her I couldn't see straight so she told me to go home and lie down. I did, and then the headache hit. Luckily I fell asleep and woke up fine. She called the doctor and got me in later that week. While I was waiting in the office for my appointment, I got another migraine. The dr. saw me right away and confirmed it was a migraine. I then found out my grandma suffered from migraines and all of our symptoms were exactly the same.
Since then, I've gotten one about every couple of years - most recently two weekends ago. I now know how they start so I chug a diet coke, take two Extra Strength Tylenol, and that usually stops the headache, but my brain still feels funny for a couple of days - like I had the headache and my brain is healing. My memory is screwy and I'm just beat.

Diet Coke and Excedrine is what works for me. With cold water over my head in the shower.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

I get Ocular Migraines often, probably about one every month or two, and don't get a headache after. They will come suddenly and I don't know if it's because they make me nervous or what, but I do get a warm sensation on that side of my face when it happens. Could be my imagination, though....or maybe increased blood flow? Not sure.

Anyway, when I get them, I just need to wait them out and they will go away after 10-20 minutes. I can usually work through them unless they happen right in the front of my eye, and then even though I can see through it, it is so distracting and makes me dizzy so I will usually get up from my desk and walk around for a while so I can focus on something in the distance.

DS12 gets migraines (diagnosed, under care of a neurologist), and he sees flashing as his "aurora", but since it's different for everyone, it's hard to say exactly what each person sees.

 

[bellebud]

I get them too. Started with just the aura, no headache after. Then after a couple of years, I got a very slight tinge of a headache. A few times I got the "migraine" I hear about - intense pain, nausea, exhausted afterwards. I didn't feel myself until the next morning. When I see the first symptom, I take my Excedrine Migraine pills immediately, have a cup of coffee, and have someone rub the back of my neck really hard (or I do it). It works most of the time.

 

[Jennasis]

Holy cow! I suffer from migraines but I never had "auras". We were in Disney in 2016 in line for the Tiki Room and suddenly I had this jagged, zig zag sparkle in the center of my field of vision. It had the shape of the number 7. Over the next 15-20 minutes the shape slowly grew bigger and bigger until it outgrew the periphery of my vision. Scared me half to death. Happened again this year. Did a little research and apparently this is what an aura is.

 

[paisleys]

I have had migraine for 30 years. I've never experienced aura.

Just now, I was sitting watching tv and had a sudden visual disturbance in the upper right portion of my field of vision (I could see it when I covered each eye independently). It started as a short horizontal zigzag line that appeared to be flashing. The line gradually extended leftward until it was seen in about half my visual field. The best way I can describe it is that it looked like there was a spinning ceiling fan in my upper peripheral visoon. It lasted 15 minutes and then went away as suddenly as it started. I now have a very minor, dull headache on the left side of my head, so I suspect this was an aura, but not really sure.

I happen to have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning for a physical so I will definitely bring it up. Just wanted to make sure I don't need to run to the ER or anything.

As others said, absolutely yes this sounds like a migraine aura. Horrible! The first time I got one, I was driving to work and had to pull over. I had no idea what was going on. I'm always worried I will get one on vacation as I feel horrible the rest of the day, and sort of hung over the next day. Let us know what the doctor says!

 

[paisleys]

Holy cow! I suffer from migraines but I never had "auras". We were in Disney in 2016 in line for the Tiki Room and suddenly I had this jagged, zig zag sparkle in the center of my field of vision. It had the shape of the number 7. Over the next 15-20 minutes the shape slowly grew bigger and bigger until it outgrew the periphery of my vision. Scared me half to death. Happened again this year. Did a little research and apparently this is what an aura is.

My worst fear of getting these is at Disney! Sorry this happened to you.

 

[DLgal]

As others said, absolutely yes this sounds like a migraine aura. Horrible! The first time I got one, I was driving to work and had to pull over. I had no idea what was going on. I'm always worried I will get one on vacation as I feel horrible the rest of the day, and sort of hung over the next day. Let us know what the doctor says!

Ugh, if I had been driving I would have freaked out. I have had several migraines on vacation. My worst one happened when I was around 9 and we were walking down Main Street and the horse drawn trolley was coming in my path and I just stood there, dazed, and didn't move out of the way. My sister yelled at me to move and I sort of woke up and did so. I had been feeling very out of body and dazed and within about 5 minutes, I was hit with the most horrible throbbing pain and nausea. We went back to our room and I had that headache for the next 2 days. Awful. That was before I was diagnosed so all we had was tylenol (which does nothing for me) Vacation migraines are almost a given for me these days, although I escaped our most recent long vacation without having even one minor headache. Small miracle!

 

[jodybird511]

Yes! Ocular migraine, ophthalmic migraine, etc. This particular visual field phenomenon is also known as a scintillating scotoma. I've had it 3-4 times. It's weird, b/c I have a long history of migraine headaches without aura, since adolescence. Then, out of the blue, when I was in my late 30s, I had one of these--it was on Xmas eve the first time. It's strange, though, b/c with these, I never get an actual headache.

 

[elgerber]

Yep, Ocular Migraine. I get them in waves. I won't have one for months, then I will get 5 or 6 in a few weeks time. They are so annoying. I take 3 advil as soon as they start and never get the severe headache with them. They will make me a little tired or have a dull ache in my head. Mine start dead center in my vision, then spread to the peripheral until they finally leave.

 

[anniemae]

Ugh, if I had been driving I would have freaked out. I have had several migraines on vacation. My worst one happened when I was around 9 and we were walking down Main Street and the horse drawn trolley was coming in my path and I just stood there, dazed, and didn't move out of the way. My sister yelled at me to move and I sort of woke up and did so. I had been feeling very out of body and dazed and within about 5 minutes, I was hit with the most horrible throbbing pain and nausea. We went back to our room and I had that headache for the next 2 days. Awful. That was before I was diagnosed so all we had was tylenol (which does nothing for me) Vacation migraines are almost a given for me these days, although I escaped our most recent long vacation without having even one minor headache. Small miracle!

Did you ask your dr. about it today? If so what did they say?

 

[wgeo]

I used to get regular migraines, no auras or anything. For whatever lucky reason, I haven't had any headache migraines since I got pregnant, such an amazing gift those kids gave me! But for the last few years I have started getting this ocular migraines. It's the same thing, fuzzy zigzag lines, lasts about 20 minutes or so, although lasted longer. I usually get them in clumps, so maybe 3 days in a row and then nothing for a year and then again for a few days. I maybe have a dull ache after, but no real headache. Took me forever to put a name to it, just blamed it on being tired or stressed. Nice to know I'm not alone.

 

[DLgal]

Did you ask your dr. about it today? If so what did they say?

Yes, I mentioned it today at my physical. My doctor suggested Ocular Migraine, but since I ended up getting an actual headache, she said it could be new onset of auras accompanying my migraines. She said if it starts happening very frequently, I should go see a neurologist, but since my migraines haven't increased in frequency as well, it is likely nothing to worry about. I do have an upcoming annual vision exam and she said I should mention it then and have the doctor check my retina to make sure everything looks normal there.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I have had migraine for 30 years. I've never experienced aura.

Just now, I was sitting watching tv and had a sudden visual disturbance in the upper right portion of my field of vision (I could see it when I covered each eye independently). It started as a short horizontal zigzag line that appeared to be flashing. The line gradually extended leftward until it was seen in about half my visual field. The best way I can describe it is that it looked like there was a spinning ceiling fan in my upper peripheral visoon. It lasted 15 minutes and then went away as suddenly as it started. I now have a very minor, dull headache on the left side of my head, so I suspect this was an aura, but not really sure.

I happen to have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning for a physical so I will definitely bring it up. Just wanted to make sure I don't need to run to the ER or anything.

Yes sounds like migraine with aura or ocular migraine. Mine start as a pin point bright zigzag kaleidoscope pattern, and like you they block part of the vision. Appears like it's on one side but is the same if you cover either eye, then slowly gets bigger and bigger until it comes to be a full circle of zigzag line which blocks more of the vision. Lasts about 20 minutes or so. Much vision is blocked so really worry about it happening while driving. Difference is with me, the headache is extremely severe. The only thing that helps me is Esgic or butabitral which takes away the edge of the headache.

 

[BrianL]

I had this a few years ago. It was called scintillating scotoma and my eye doctor said that it could be a precursor to migraines, however I have never had any pain and haven't experienced it in a long time.

 

[fairygagamother]

Yes! Ocular migraine! I've never had headache migraines,(thankfully),but have had the ocular ones. Even though they are typically benign, it makes me feel crazy! The first time I had one I was driving & thought streamers were attached to my side mirror. When I would look straight at them, they would go away. I spent the next 30 minutes turning my head quickly to try to see them straight on. I'm surprised I didn't wreck my car! It's a good thing they don't last long because I don't think I could stand that weird feeling of seeing things that aren't really there!