seaexplore
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 16, 2015 3:43:00 GMT
so... In the past week, I've had 4 instances of weird vision thingies. It's like rainbow zig zags thru my vision and around the edges. Sometimes they show up in the center of my field of view. I think it's just my left eye. They last 15-20 minutes and then it passes. Today, I've had it twice and both times it was followed by a headache in the front of my head.
I emailed my GP this afternoon about it and told him what was going on. I don't expect to hear back from him until tomorrow sometime.
I'm almost 24 weeks pregnant so I am concerned it could be a sign of preeclampsia but my blood pressure at my last visit on Nov.6 was 112/71 and I haven't had much edema for the past week.
Anyone dealt with this while pregnant? Of course, Google scares the crap out of me so I don't really want to believe anything I read on there.
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ellen
Drama Llama
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Post by ellen on Nov 16, 2015 3:52:13 GMT
I think since you are pregnant it's good that you emailed your doctor. I've never had one while pregnant, but I've talked to my doctor about them and he said they are very common and wasn't too concerned about it. I know I have them more often if I'm experiencing stress. I would not assume it is a big deal unless your doctor tells you it is. They are so strange when you are having one. I don't get a headache after them, but I'm pretty much useless the rest of the day. I can't focus and I'm just exhausted.
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Post by gritzi on Nov 16, 2015 4:11:56 GMT
The zig zag vision is my first symptom that a migraine will soon follow. A few days ago I was awakened by the zig zag with the pain pounding about 10 minutes later. The migraine lasted until bedtime that night.
I don't get migraines often, but the vision change is my first/only sign. Sometimes I can ward off the pain by breathing into a plastic bag & applying peppermint oil to my forehead and temples.
It's a wise idea to contact your GP/OB-GYN since you're pregnant.
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Post by pepper59 on Nov 16, 2015 6:10:42 GMT
I've never had a painful migraine but had that weird zigzag rainbow thing happen a few years ago and it freaked me out! Google reassured me it's a kind of migraine and sometimes no pain is involved. I've had it 2 or 3 times in the last few years and lasts about 30 minutes then gone. But being pregnant I'd definitely check it out!
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Post by Goldynn on Nov 16, 2015 7:28:56 GMT
I've had ocular migraines for over a decade now. Many of my siblings get them, too. We're among the lucky ones that don't actually get the headaches afterward as many people do.
Sometimes I'll go s long time, a year or more, without having any, then get several in a row for a few weeks or months. I have no clue what triggers them, so I've learned to just sit back and check out the weird light show. Mine last 20 minutes.
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Post by nlwilkins on Nov 16, 2015 7:40:37 GMT
My occular migraines involve a blind spot. There is no pain. With two daughters and a hubby who get the full blown migraines with horrible pain, I don't stress over the blind spot and consider myself lucky. I've mentioned it to my docs when they ask about history of headaches so they know about it.
Like previous posters mentioned, I am glad you contacted your doctor.
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Post by alexa11 on Nov 16, 2015 7:44:01 GMT
I had my first one when I was pregnant (32 years ago) and had no idea what it was. I don't get the headaches, just the zig zags. I don't want to scare you, but I did have preeclampsia- it started at 34 weeks. I can't remember what week the ocular migraine started. I didn't know there was a connection between the two. Your blood pressure being normal and no swelling is a good sign. Definitely follow up with the dr though.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:11:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 12:21:08 GMT
I've had ocular migraines for over a decade now. Many of my siblings get them, too. We're among the lucky ones that don't actually get the headaches afterward as many people do. Sometimes I'll go s long time, a year or more, without having any, then get several in a row for a few weeks or months. I have no clue what triggers them, so I've learned to just sit back and check out the weird light show. Mine last 20 minutes.  Exactly. Only change that to 30 years. It's good that you're talking to your doctor. |
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purplebee
Drama Llama
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Post by purplebee on Nov 16, 2015 12:34:10 GMT
I have ocular migraines, and I believe mine are hormonally related. Started when I was premenopausal, and I still get the occasional one now at 63. Aura lasts about 22 minutes and fortunately for me the headache afterwards is tolerable. I do have a "postdrome" symptom which affects my speech and makes me feel kinda loopy for a while. I freaked out the first time I had the aura, no clue what it was!
Talk to your Dr., hopefully yours are hormones and not a preeclampsia sign.
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Post by pjaye on Nov 16, 2015 12:46:21 GMT
I've always had migraines, but had my first ever ocular one about 2 years ago and it scared me, I thought I was having a stroke! I was at work and all of a sudden I couldn't read what was on the computer screen and then the black and white zigzags started.
I thought it was pretty scary. Once I took some analgesia and had a sleep, it was gone again. I've had two more since then. I seem to recover from these faster than from my usual type migraines though.
I don't know if they are more common with pregnancy but I agree with everyone else that you need to get checked by your doctor.
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Nov 16, 2015 14:01:03 GMT
I had my first migraine during my first pregnancy. I ended up in hospital. Between my pregnancies I had nothing. During my second pregnancy I had my second and subsequent migraines. After my second pregnancy I developed a migraine problem. I'm susceptible. In the past 5 years I've learned to live with them / deal with them and it has gotten better over time. I've been told that once I go through menopause they'll probably go away forever. I do a few things to prevent them - chocolate is a trigger for me and I stack the BCP to keep hormone shifts away.
Some of mine are ocular. At first I was scared of lines through my vision - or rather lines where I had no vision. But my lines are like flashes. I used to think I was seeing things but have realized these flashes occur before a migraine. My docs say there is nothing to worry about, but they didn't happen to me when I was pregnant.
Good luck and and feel well!
paige.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 16, 2015 14:02:25 GMT
I have ocular migraines, and I believe mine are hormonally related. I have had a few in the last couple of years and it's probably related to pre-menopause for me. They are quite odd. I have no pain with them, but it's hard to fully function when one is going on. When I'm experiencing one, I can't stand having the light unequal on either side of me -- like if the sun is coming in a window on my left side. I have to move somewhere where there's little light or it's "equal." Our bodies are so strange. |
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momto4kiddos
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 16, 2015 14:15:45 GMT
I'd call your OB too and make sure someone sees you, it's always a worry when someone pregnant has odd symptoms.
Otherwise was just at neurologist with dd last week, she has ocular migraines. Her description is that she can't see, but a small amount I believe directly in front of her (no rainbows.) But sounded to me like her peripheral vision is affected. She then gets a headache in the front like you are describing and neurologist said that is the common area people complain of.
Hopefully nothing serious, keep us posted.
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Post by librarylady on Nov 16, 2015 14:16:53 GMT
I have had them several times. I have been lucky and never had the headache that follows the dramatic vision things.
Since you are pregnant, I'd discuss this with the ob and see if there is cause for concern.
Dr. told me that in some people it is triggered by things that my body is sensitive to. In some people, it is wine, paint or perfumes etc.
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Post by sphmaz on Nov 16, 2015 14:22:45 GMT
I've had ocular migraines for over a decade now. Many of my siblings get them, too. We're among the lucky ones that don't actually get the headaches afterward as many people do. Sometimes I'll go s long time, a year or more, without having any, then get several in a row for a few weeks or months. I have no clue what triggers them, so I've learned to just sit back and check out the weird light show. Mine last 20 minutes. This is me for the most part. I do experience a slight headache once the light show stops though. I can usually tell when one is coming and I take 3-4 Advil at that point and that helps a lot with the headache, sometimes I wont get one. <knocking wood> It's been over a year (maybe even longer) since I've gotten one. I figured out that mine is triggered by the brightness of my computer screen. I can't stand sites that are almost all white (like this one!  ) because it's tough on the eyes. My brightness is turned almost all the way down.
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seaexplore
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 16, 2015 14:27:47 GMT
Thanks for the responses.  The light show is very cool, I just sit back and enjoy it. Lol Heard back from GP. He doesn't seen concerned but advised me to follow up with my OB. I'm messaging her this morning and if I don't hear back by lunch, I'll call advice and see what they say. I'm guessing they'll have me come in and just get checked out. |
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MerryMom
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Post by MerryMom on Nov 16, 2015 15:38:34 GMT
I had my first ocular migraine when I was pregnant and since then (18 years), I get maybe 2-3 a year. I never get any headaches afterwards, just the weird visual aura thing for about 10 minutes. It is annoying when the visual aura is right in the line of vision. It's good to check it out with your doctor, but it's a fairly benign thing.
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Post by heltr on Nov 16, 2015 15:57:05 GMT
I had 3 in quick succession about 2 years ago, and then haven't had one since Was freaking out until I read a couple of webpages that exactly described my symptoms (like this one www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/neurology/services/NeuroOphthamology/VisualMigraine.aspx)Weirdest thing was that there was no pain my like regular migraines - but the postdromal phase was exactly like my regular migraines. Had total brain fog and exhaustion like I get after the painful regular migraines. Turns out my father has had them for years, and these migraines very often run in families. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Nov 16, 2015 16:05:30 GMT
I agree with heltr that they do seem to be hereditary. Both my MIL and husband have them. My husband's didn't develop until he was in his mid-twenties. My MIL says hers developed during her first pregnancy - which also occurred during her mid-twenties. It could be coincidental, but I'll join the chorus and say check with your OB. I imagine they'll want to at least check your BP. |
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Post by KikiPea on Nov 16, 2015 16:11:08 GMT
I have had a few over the last couple of years. I was never pregnant, or menaposal. I get the zig zag that lasts about 15-20 min., with no headache. Supposedly, mine was caused by needing readers, and having tired eyes from looking at a computer screen for too long without the readers. I don't wear them as often as I should, so I still have them every once in a while.
I hope you are able to figure out what's causing them, and find a solution.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Nov 16, 2015 16:17:57 GMT
I can't stand sites that are almost all white (like this one! ) because it's tough on the eyes. My brightness is turned almost all the way down. You can change your color scheme on here if you want so the background can be something other than white. Go to your Profile way up top. Click that then on the far right you'll see edit profile, click that then go to settings > forum theme Hope that helps! |
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Post by kristi521 on Nov 16, 2015 17:37:53 GMT
I've always had migraines, but had my first ever ocular one about 2 years ago and it scared me, I thought I was having a stroke! I was at work and all of a sudden I couldn't read what was on the computer screen and then the black and white zigzags started. I thought it was pretty scary. Once I took some analgesia and had a sleep, it was gone again. I've had two more since then. I seem to recover from these faster than from my usual type migraines though. I don't know if they are more common with pregnancy but I agree with everyone else that you need to get checked by your doctor. Same here. The first time it happened, it scared the heck out of me. The only thing that calmed me down was that I didn't have any other issues. Now I know, but it was pretty scary at first. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 16, 2015 22:46:14 GMT
Had double vision for about a minute this morning while I was teaching math, scared me! Got someone to cover my class and called advice. I'm going in at 5 today with my OB.
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Exactly. Only change that to 30 years.
) because it's tough on the eyes. My brightness is turned almost all the way down. 
The light show is very cool, I just sit back and enjoy it. Lol
