Retinal / Ocular migraine

Armchair23

I'm so sorry that you're suffering from this. I had classic migraines (aura, pain,vomiting)followed by cluster headaches, then ocular migraines from about 8 years old up until I was about 40.
I never found much in the way of reassurance,understanding or treatment from the medical profession that helped. I'm hoping things have moved on a bit in the last few years.
I'd be concerned at the length of time yours last because they are really unpleasant and it's impossible to function properly when it happens. So please don't worry that it's something serious but you do need to feel sure that the diagnosis is accurate and that you are receiving any help available to you.
Migraine should really be assessed at a migraine clinic or by a neurologist. As long as most people think of migraines as a 'bad headache' and GPs are content to treat it with sometimes fairly useless
medications, there are going to be people suffering when they shouldn't.

Good diet, enough rest and exercise, and a not too stressful life tend to help virtually any problem. So I'd definitely be doing that while you wait for something more constructive from a GP or specialist.

Fingers crossed it's a good week X

meeps

Oh its nice to hear other people have the same type of thing, I had a fair old challenge trying to explain it and work out what it was when I first had it. As some of the others said, if I get a hint of 'sparkles' I know its going to take half an hour or so to spread till I can't see properly- I can see but I couldn't read words etc. Then I'll feel rough for the rest of the day, but no headaches. If you put 'ocular migrane' on youtube you get some videos that show how it looks.

I was getting one a week or so for a while, more at the weekend when my sleeping pattern was different, but I read a link about additives and cut out my one indulgence of a can of diet coke/pepsi every day or two and different squash, and they are right down to one every couple of months. Too rich food or posh chocolate also seems to set it off, or stress, or a lie in (grr).

If I am at work I slope off to the quietest darkest place I can find and sit for ten mins, if at home I go to bed for an hour. The doctor I mentioned it to didn't seem bothered, but I might mention it at my next eye test and see if they know much about it- my eyesight is normal, the rest of my family wear glasses but I have got to 33 without.

Racheldevon

My mum suffers with these and they last up to about 30-40 minutes.

In terms of stress management, the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Courses are very good, and often offered on the NHS in partnership with the NHS, particularly I know of the centre at Exeter University, Bangor and Oxford. Have a google for mindfulness courses in your area. You can often pay a small amount to access these privately too

alex21

I have been having migraines since ! was 7. So, 41 years! The 20 minute zig zag effect has only started about 2 years ago and I sometimes get a headache after it, sometimes not but they are not too bad compared to some of my migraines. It was scary the first time and I went to have my eyes checked and the optician reassured me. The most disconcerting aspect is I see the shimmery zig zags with eyes open or shut!! It starts in the middle of my eye and works its way out over about half an hour. I describe it as looking at the sparkling sea on a very bright day! Mine come in clusters, say on 3 consecutive days then a month without. If it happens at work it is a bit awkward as I can't use the computer and if I am at home I cannot read. If the subtitles are on the telly I can only read the first couple of words, so I tend to lie down and wait it out. Sympathies to all fellow sufferers!

moments_of_sanity

Thank you to everyone for your replies, nice to know we are not alone with this strange condition - the people I have mentioned it to so far have all said 'I have never heard of that' and seem to be a little disbelieving!!

I did google ocular migraine and it showed a very good description of it, although the problem with mine is that they are rugby ball shaped and go right across the middle of my eye, I must look a bit funny tipping my head back so I can try and sneak a peak under it!

Here's hoping two weeks in the sunshine will help destress and that when I come back they will be gone for a while.