[blackcat20]

I've been feeling a bit wonky in the head the last few days, but I often get low blood pressure so I didn't pay much attention (have been under a lot of stress lately). While I was at the shops this morning I suddenly had trouble with my vision. It felt very glarey, and I had these weird wavering patches like heat shimmer in my vision. I couldn't focus on any printed text or my phone, and had to walk looking at the floor. It felt like the image from my two eyes wasn't matching up properly.
Somewhere between 30-60 minutes later it started to clear, but was replaced by a thumping headache, with pain around my eyes and nose. I took Panadol and neurofen but it made no difference.
I often get headaches which can last up to a week, they usually coincide with the week I'm off my pill, but I've never had vision problems like that before. Does it sound like a mild migraine?

This post has been edited by blackcat20: 27/01/2013, 04:35 PM

[lsolaBella]

Could be migraine with aura, but even being diagnosed migraine sufferer if I have any major change to migraine pattern (like suddenly losing my vision) I will go to the Dr.

[erindiv]

That's a migraine. I get between 6-10 of them per year. Mine start with a visual disturbance such as:

- heat waves
- complete loss of central vision
- patterns like neon lights across my vision
- black 'fingers' at the edge
- flashes when I blink

The visual disturbance then disappears and a few minutes later the blinding pain starts. Migraines run in my family and there is no explanation for them in my case. But as PP said, for any change in your headaches or for 'new' ones like you have described, a visit to your GP is in order. They should check your blood pressure and so on to make sure nothing else is going on.

Some people have 1 migraine in their life. Some have hundreds. Some have none.

[Brownbear]

That sounds just like a migraine.

You should probably go and see your GP in the next few days to discuss ways to manage it, and also so they can check for any worrying signs or symptoms (that could point to a different diagnosis).

But having said that, what you describe is very classic, and something I have experienced many times myself.

[Boombox]

Sounds exactly like my first migraine, but I agree with PP, I would (and did) get it checked out.

Sometimes taking pain relief as soon as I get an aura helps. For me an aura can be sensitivity to light, feelings of impending doom, tunnel vision, floaties in vision and inability to think properly or make sentences.

Figuring out triggers has been the best thing I've ever done. I've said good bye to red wine, along with many white wines (chardonnay especially), and had a massive improvement in the frequency of migraines.

[Mo2k]

I get these but have never been to a Dr about them though (as I am rubbish with Drs). I usually find that if I take nurofen or equivalent whilst I have the blurred vision I am ok. If my vision returns to normal before I manage to take anything then I get the headache.

[blackcat20]

Could be migraine with aura, but even being diagnosed migraine sufferer if I have any major change to migraine pattern (like suddenly losing my vision) I will go to the Dr.

Because of my low blood pressure I've lost vision a few times. I was sent for a brain scan after it happened the second time and everything was fine. If it happens again ill head to the doctors. Lucky I work in a hospital if anything too dodgy happens.

[Lyra]

Another one voting for a migraine. I take panadeine as soon as I get my aura and if I can I will have a shot of very strong coffee. It doesn't necessarily make the migraine go away but it does make it more bearable

[lsolaBella]

Generally migraines do not really respond to standard pain killers. Most respond to migraine specific drugs like triptans (imigran, Maxalt, etc) others to ergot group drugs (chaff ergot I get dispensed by compounding chemist).

It could be worthwhile going to a Neuro. Mine has me on Napsoxyn for 2days before and 3days of AF as a type of preventer.

Mine classically come 2days before AF and then as AF comes. Also get ovulation migraines too. Then add stress and food related ones.

I went to Neuro after losing my vision a few times and could not care for my kids. Needed to sort myself out rather then taking painkillers for 5 out of 7 days a week.

Am seriously managing the migraines well now. I make sure I see the physio for a massage when my stress gets high.

[blackcat20]

Thanks everyone. I promise I'll head to the doctors if it happens again.

It's settled now, just a little pain in my head if I lean forward or shake my head.