Ocular migraines

andy2405Thu 26/06/08 19:47

I've suffered from the usual classic migraines for some years now. I still get them occasionally with the visual distortion followed by the pain. The pain has been diminishing over time and I find I can cope with it by over-the-counter analgesics but ...

About 18 months ago, I suffered my first (ocular)I migraine. This is where a blood vessel in the retina clamps shut and you lose part/all of your sight in that eye. The blood vessel opens up again and the sight creeps back.

The first was scary because I lost the lower half of the sight in my left eye whilst I was driving.

The second time it manifested itself as double vision, which I've always been warned could be symptomatic of serious neurological problems (stroke etc.) and a colleague rushed me to A&E.

There was a third instance a few months ago where my vision just blurred.

Today I lost ALL the vision in my left eye for 5 minutes or so.

Does anyone else here get these? If so, is there any way to reduce the frequency of the attacks?

I am going to see my doctor in the next few days, but I thought I would consult the OUT oracle.

bazzartThu 26/06/08 20:09

quoting > "
Does anyone else here get these? If so, is there any way to reduce the frequency of the attacks?"

HI quickfind:andy2405 :-)

I've had these since I was 4 and they can be a little alarming at first but once you know the visual disturbance follows a patten's transient and temporary, the fearfulness goes away and you can start making adjustments to compensate for the attacks.

In my experience, you need to get out of the light, (including electric light) lie down with eyes closed in a cool room, take some paracetamol or OT migraine meds, or ones from your GP. Allow the visual disturbance to run its course - usually only an hour or so and then see how you feel, just go with the flow, don't go rushing about, take it easy as sometimes, after the first episode there an be a second if you're up and about too fast.

If this happens at work - go to a dimmer light area or go home if you can, let your employers know about this,

OK now here's the GOOD bit...

quoting > "Does anyone else here get these? If so, is there any way to reduce the frequency of the attacks?
"

See your GP about getting some pills called PROPRANOLOL, which are a Beta Blocker mainly used for high blood pressure but at also on reducing the severity and occurrence in articular of occular migraines.

I KNOW they do as mine have reduced from about 12 a month to as little as 1 or 2 a month nowadays.

I had high blood pressure as well but now its normal.

For the pain I still get when getting the occasional migraine attack my GP is happy to prescribe a strong painkiller for occasional use whereas before with the very frequent migraines this would not have been advisable as the pills have a high codeine content.

Painkillers I take are called Co-Codamol 30/500 which have 30mg of Codeine and 500mg Paracetamol whereas the OT version has just 8mg codeine.

They work! They are potentially addictive because of the high codeine but for occasional use they're fine.

http://www.headachetest.co.uk/migraine-treatments.htm

The version of Propranolol I take is a one a day capsule of 80mg sustained release.

I know many others on OUT use the same meds for migraine and your GP wil be able to presribe the best ones he thinks are right for you but all of the above works for me and has made a HUGE, HUGE difference to my lfe:-)

Be well and let u know how you get on!

Baz x