Migraines

[Susan]

Earlier today, I experienced something quite unusual while showering: about a dozen brilliant white lights, resembling sparks, suddenly started flying around my head.

The medical term for this is photopsia, and given my history with migraines, I'm inclined to think there's a connection, likely a new migraine aura, though I sincerely hope this isn't an indication they're worsening.

Typically, my migraines manifest as intense pain, extreme light sensitivity, nausea, and visual disturbances characterized by dark, pulsing, shadowy zigzags in my vision.

So, seeing brilliant sparks this time was entirely new and quite unexpected.

They were pretty though.

[Maid Marion]

Hi Susan,

When I get really stressed out I have ocular migraines.  A disturbance in the vision of one eye. 
I had one a couple weeks ago from changing over my online health insurance account from one provider to another. Fortunately there were not major issues and I only had one episode.

Marion

[BlueJaye]

That sounds very frightening.

[imallie]

Sorry to hear, Susan!

As someone who has 12-14 hours of migraines daily (plus one cluster headache each night for good luck) I actually do not experience any aura, and never have. Only about 20% of migraine sufferers actually do get some form of aura.

From what I understand, though, the presence of an aura doesn't indication worsening, just like if you suddenly are getting your migraines without aura means they're improving. The only indication is that any change in a migraine routine (if you have one) is normally a positive one.  But that's only if you have a very defined pattern/schedule.

Regardless of all that, sorry you have to deal with any of this, and hope you're feeling better this evening.

Love,
Allie

[Jessica_K]

Migraine can effect the eyes, I have never had one myself, but my granddaughter gets them and even she will go totally blind for the length of the attack

First time that happend was terrifying

Hugs
Xxx

[big kim]

Had visual migraine due to lack of sleep. I had like a kaleidoscope of lights at the corner of my vision for several minutes after 3 hours sleep. Had ordinary migraine a lot as a young kid up to 11ish as did my sister 2 years younger.

[Gina P]

Had visual migraine due to lack of sleep. I had like a kaleidoscope of lights at the corner of my vision for several minutes after 3 hours sleep. Had ordinary migraine a lot as a young kid up to 11ish as did my sister 2 years younger.

I get them several times a month. Usually start out as a small spot of distortion that spreads in a circle, shimmering like in appearance. Effects both eyes and last less than 30 min. It usually spreads till it clears my field of vision. It can make it very difficult to drive and experts recommend parking till its over. I have no pain with it and it doesn't pre-curse a normal migraine. 
Gina

[Jessica_Rose]

I get them several times a month. Usually start out as a small spot of distortion that spreads in a circle, shimmering like in appearance. Effects both eyes and last less than 30 min. It usually spreads till it clears my field of vision. It can make it very difficult to drive and experts recommend parking till its over. I have no pain with it and it doesn't pre-curse a normal migraine.
Gina

I get these occasionally as well, but it has been several months since my last one. Mine seem to be triggered by certain food combinations, or flashing lights. Although I can still see during the 'attack', I can't read anything.

Love always -- Jess

[ChrissyRyan]

I am sorry Susan you have these terrible headaches.
Also to everyone else who suffers from this.

Hugs,

Chrissy

[Arch]

I feel bad for anyone who has migraines. I have a friend (cisgender) whose migraines are very nasty, but I've never asked her whether she has any of the pretty visual effects. Pre-transition, I had ONLY the visual effects (no actual headaches) when I was in perimenopause, so I started to become curious about hormones and menopause but never followed up and did any reading. Now you've got me wondering whether my friend's symptoms will change when she reaches that point in her life--and whether anyone has done research on trans people and migraines. It could be very illuminating for everyone.

[Northern Star Girl]

I have been suffering from debilitating chronic Migraine headaches for many years.

Some of the oral drugs and an injection drug that were prescribed to me in the past
did not really work that well.... and finally my doctor prescribed an Infusion drug that
has really done a good job in eliminating my chronic Migraines.
It has to be repeated every 3 or 4 months so I usually plan a big city shopping trip in
Anchorage which is a little more than a 6 hour drive each way. 
The infusion therapy is a couple hour out-patient procedure at the hospital.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[Lori Dee]

I would not wish that on anyone. I had migraines when I was still in the service. They cleared up after I had quit smoking for a few years. But still, I think I would rather have a root canal than a migraine. So sorry you and Allie and others have to deal with that.

[imallie]

I have been suffering from debilitating chronic Migraine headaches for many years.

Some of the oral drugs and an injection drug that were prescribed to me in the past
did not really work that well.... and finally my doctor prescribed an Infusion drug that
has really done a good job in eliminating my chronic Migraines.
It has to be repeated every 3 or 4 months so I usually plan a big city shopping trip in
Anchorage which is a little more than a 6 hour drive each way. 
The infusion therapy is a couple hour out-patient procedure at the hospital.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Hooray, Danielle!

I'm SOOO glad you're getting relief from that! My neuro said some people have seen some good results from it. Unfortunately, like all other drugs, that one won't do it for me.

Because mine aren't episodic — I don't have individual migraines, I have a migraine every single day which lasts about 13-hours... he said at best it would knock out that's day's headache, in the way nerve blocks did in the day.

But my quarterly Botox treatment is slowly reducing the frequency of my clusters... which allows me a bit more sleep, which gives me a bit more relief from my migraines... so it's not all bad!!

So glad you're en route to fully reclaiming your full time and feeling more like yourself!

Makes my day! ❤️

Love,
Allie

[Faith]

My migraines stopped when I started hormones  .. YAY! for HRT