Who to see for Ocular Migranes?

[luvmygsp]

I've had 3 in the last 3 weeks. I doubt there's anything anyone can do for them anyways...right?? But everything I read online says you should get them checked out, but by whom? Your Ophthalmologist? & how can you get them checked out unless you go in when you are having an episode?? & I don't even see how thats possible...
Any other info/advice/rec's are appreciated!
Thanks!

[aweilba]

Well, I get migraines with aura, which starts out as an ocular migraine but then has the pain of headache that follows the visual issues. This started my junior year of high school, and I was recommended to a neurologist. She put me on a preventative that I take every day, and I also have pills that I take when I have an attack.

They suck so hard, but if I can't get to my pills for any reason, lying down in a quiet, dark, cool place always helps. Hopefully you can get this figured out; migraines suck!

[luvmygsp]

Ok why can't I see your response?? Why does it say "you have chosen to ignore aweilba" & I haven't?? wtf?

[aweilba]

Jun 18, 2012 19:56:12 GMT -5 luvmygsp said:

Ok why can't I see your response?? Why does it say "you have chosen to ignore aweilba" & I haven't?? wtf?

Um... idk. But I'll copy and paste what I wrote and hopefully it'll work this time.

"Well, I get migraines with aura, which starts out as an ocular migraine but then has the pain of headache that follows the visual issues. This started my junior year of high school, and I was recommended to a neurologist. She put me on a preventative that I take every day, and I also have pills that I take when I have an attack.

They suck so hard, but if I can't get to my pills for any reason, lying down in a quiet, dark, cool place always helps. Hopefully you can get this figured out; migraines suck!"

Did it work?

[foundmylazybum]

Jun 18, 2012 19:11:35 GMT -5 aweilba said:

Well, I get migraines with aura, which starts out as an ocular migraine but then has the pain of headache that follows the visual issues. This started my junior year of high school, and I was recommended to a neurologist. She put me on a preventative that I take every day, and I also have pills that I take when I have an attack.

They suck so hard, but if I can't get to my pills for any reason, lying down in a quiet, dark, cool place always helps. Hopefully you can get this figured out; migraines suck!

Does this help?

My answer would be very similar.
1) You want to see a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in migraines. I can't especially tell from your post but if this is a change in health, (new development or increase in number), I would ask for a referral from your PC and try to get in get in ASAP.

2) Nope, you don't need to be in the process of having a migraine for the doctor to help you. BUT! Document all you can about your migraines, time of day, quality and amount of sleep, any changes in menstrual cycle, weather, eating habits, stress level, weight etc--
Bring with you how long the migraines are lasting, when they are starting, other side effects (for instance vomiting, I get "stroke like symptoms--that always adds an interesting little conversation piece)

3) In my experience--yes going to the doctor helped me a LOT. However going to the doctor has never been a one and done thing with migraines. It's been a relationship that took time and tinkering. I have tried various medications over time, some worked, some didn't...but one thing that I always did with my headaches was keep trying and going back--so I would say my biggest piece of advice would be to find a doctor you like and continue working with them. Take the time to give them feedback on what is going well and what isn't--and if something ISN'T working--GO BACK. Don't give up.

Migraines can become debilitating and ruin your life..they cause a lot of lost work time, family time, anxiety and lead to things like depression..so it's important to work to get them under control!

::looks around and steps off soap box:::

Good luck working on your headaches. I sincerely hope you get some answers!

[sadlebred]

What FMLB said. I get both ocular migraines and "classic" migraines without aura. As with FMLB, I am constantly talking to my neurologist. I got to him 2-4 times per year to adjust medication, see if there is anything new, and try to keep them under control. It can take time to find out what meds and what life style changes work for you, but don't give up!

[luvmygsp]

Thank you both so much!

Its just puzzling b/c I have zero headache symptoms when this happens. & 2 of the 3 episodes have occurred in the morning, early before I've even gotten to work, so I can't correlate it to stress....

Thank you though, that helps a bunch! Thanks for quoting aweilba's post for me FMLB! I still have no idea why I can't read her!

[stumpy]

Do you actually get a migraine headache or just have the visual part?
3 in a week is something you don't want to mess with.
I have a history of migraines, but when I starting getting ophthalmic migraines, I freaked. (I didn't get the headache just the visual part . . . and like you, I was getting a lot of them)
I should say, that I also was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year or so before I starting seeing sparks and crazy things in my eyes . . . so I had lots of docs to choose from.

I went to a Neuro Ophthalmologist first. He said there wasn't much I could do for them. They are relatively harmless and normally don't require medication. Since he knew I had a brain tumor, there wasn't any need to do a MRI scan. (I get them one or a year or so.)
He did give me an eye exam and everything was fine. He pretty much sent me on my way. But he suggested I write things down and document all my issues. Once I did that, he saw I was getting them a lot and tested me for field of vision, etc to try to find something wrong. Nothing. My eyes were fine -- so it had to be a brain thing. (Again, I already knew I had issues with my brain -- so I wanted to rule out an eye issue.)

I then went to see my Neuro and he gave me preventative meds. They didn't work. I kept upping the dose and I was becoming an idiot. (The med I was on has a history of making patients very slow and forgetful.)

I finally just went off the meds b/c DH said I was forgetting everything and I just wasn't myself anymore.

Luckily, the ophthalmic migraines stopped. I haven't had one in a long time. (knock on wood!)

If you can see a Neuro Opth, then I would try and see them. That way, you can rule out an eye issue b/c sometimes a detached retina can cause similar symptoms.

I am not trying to frighten you . . . promise!! Again, visual migraines are very common -- especially in women under 40. If stress and triggers can be eliminate, then you might eliminate the visual disturbances.

Hope they go away soon!!

[luvmygsp]

Jun 18, 2012 21:56:46 GMT -5 stumpy said:

Do you actually get a migraine headache or just have the visual part?
3 in a week is something you don't want to mess with.

Nope, no headache what so ever. Just visual

Oh no, you read my OP wrong, I said 3 in 3 weeks

Thanks Stumpy! Wow, this is all great info!


Its interesting that you mention Retinal detachment. About a year or 2 ago, I suffered a direct blow to my eye socket by the rock hard head of a large dog (she jumped up & smacked me right in the eye w/the top of her head). I saw stars for about 10 seconds, but never lost consciousness or anything. About a month (?) or so after that, I started seeing flashes of light occasionally...but I can't remember which eye it was....? Anyway, I went & got checked out by an Ophthalmologist & got the all clear for possible retinal detachment. So its interesting that you mentioned that. I will definitely start @ the Ophth since they have seen me for the retinal detach already. I guess its a place to start.

[sadlebred]

mell1972--Ocular or ophthalmic migraines have no symptoms of migraine except the aura. That's one reason a lot of times neurologists won't give any meds for them. (I take nothing for mine, but I am on preventative meds for my "classic" migraines.) You don't get the pain, etc. with the ophthalmic migraines.

[stumpy]

Good gravy . . . I should learn how to read!!!! (3 in 3 weeks!)
Your post got me thinking about when I was having all my issues . . . that was sometime ago. (I looked up old posts on the old board) It was a pain and a half to figure out b/c I wasn't "textbook". My visual disturbances lasted a lot longer than normal and that confused a lot of people/docs.

Hang in there. There are a lot of neuros that know very little about migraines and how to treat them. Sad but true. It is so frustrating that so many of us have to go thru all of this when not a ton is really known. (Granted, migraine research has vastly improved in the last twenty years.)