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bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
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Temporary blind spots and Migraines - UpDATED
Anybody have this or know what causes it?
I had a terrible headache Fri night, went to bed, was fine.
Sat eve while driving, I noticed big blind spots in my right eye's vision...it got worse for about an hour...it was so bad that I could hold my right arm up, wave it to DH, and I couldn't see it moving in my periphery. 
The headache returned and I took a Tylenol but that didn't help.
This AM the blind spots are gone, but my eyes are killing me and I feel like I can't see very well out of one eye; plus the headache is getting worse in the evening again...
I figured it was a menstrual migraine, (I was prego or nursing two babies for 3.5 out of the last 4 years, so my hormones are still not right). The blind spots are scaring me. Anybody have this? DH is making me call my primary doc tomorrow but I'm wondering if anyone here has had this?
TIA.
Update ==
My GP and ophthalmologist think I'm having migraines with the aura/vision loss -- my vision is 20/20 and all the tests came back normal (including a brain MRI). I guess I didn't realize how much stress I have, but I'm going to work hard to lower it -- thanks to everyone for all your replies -- I don't know how you frequent-migraine ladies handle them - they knock me on my butt!
Message edited 5/12/2011 9:57:55 PM.
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Posted 5/8/11 9:34 PM  |
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evnme
My little lamb
Member since 8/05 12633 total posts
Name:
aka momma2b
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Was it like a shimmer? I get ocular migraines every so often.
There are meds that take the hedache away quickly. I don't get them often enough to warrant the meds. Call your dr I'd they are bad.
What helps me is massive amounts of advil, ice packs on my forehead! Bridge od my nose and back of my neck and lying down in a dark room. Regular coke will help too since caffeine dialates your cappilaries.
My migraines start in the eye w the shimmer and then when that goes away the headache starts and I also get pain in the bridge of my nose and sometimes half my face feels numb.
The after effects of the headache sometimes linger for a day or so.....
Feel better!
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| Posted 5/8/11 9:51 PM |
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shadows
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 4694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
I have not had it, but I know people who have. I think it's called an occular migraine. Feel better!
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| Posted 5/8/11 9:52 PM |
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bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Posted by evnme
My migraines start in the eye w the shimmer and then when that goes away the headache starts and I also get pain in the bridge of my nose and sometimes half my face feels numb.
The after effects of the headache sometimes linger for a day or so.....
Feel better!
I guess I could call it a shimmer but that was AFTER the blindspots. I'll definitely see my doc tomorrow if I can.
Thanks, ladies =)
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| Posted 5/8/11 10:04 PM |
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prunepie
LIF Adult
Member since 7/06 4357 total posts
Name:
jennifer
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
better safe than sorry ...you should see your doctor...but yes migraines are evil AND scary indeed!!!!!!!!
i hope you get some answers soon xoxo
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| Posted 5/8/11 10:46 PM |
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pinky
Twin Moms Do Everything Twice
Member since 5/05 9612 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
I get the blind spots for the first hour or two of my migraines too. I totally agree, very scary. I try to lay down in a dark room and pop 2 excedrine migraines. Def. see a neurologist just to be safe. 
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| Posted 5/9/11 7:50 AM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
I get these too, several times/year. I havent seen a neuro, I just know it's attributed to a migraine, and deal with it. It starts out as a blind spot for an hour or so, then, it's more of a light, and then floaters. I used to take Imitrex, but I didnt find relief. I just had to close my eyes for a few hours and lay down.
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| Posted 5/9/11 12:02 PM |
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citywife
LIF Adult
Member since 10/10 994 total posts
Name:
Expecting #3
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
I get the worst migraines and have all sorts of visual symptoms... sometimes not even accompanied by head pain (occular migraine) - from blind spots to after images to shimmering to floaters, I have it all :(
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| Posted 5/9/11 11:13 PM |
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apb17
My guys
Member since 5/06 2173 total posts
Name:
Alli
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Posted by citywife
I get the worst migraines and have all sorts of visual symptoms... sometimes not even accompanied by head pain (occular migraine) - from blind spots to after images to shimmering to floaters, I have it all :(
This exactly!
You really need to get to a doctor. Migraines tend to go in cycles and if it is not treated appropriately, they may continue. You may need a medication to take at the onset of the blind spot to stop or relieve the migraine.
Migraines suck so bad!!!
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| Posted 5/10/11 9:15 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54919 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Yes I have that with my migraines.
It's awful and very scary- especially when it happens while driving.
It usually lasts 20-30 minutes and then my vision clears and the headache comes on strong.
It is called migraine with aura. Do a google search on that and you will see exactly why it happens and what is going on to cause it.
But in a nutshell- when you have a migraine the blood vessels in your brain are expanding and constricting- when they constrict blood flow is slowed to certain parts of your brain- causing the vision disturbances...then the blood vessels expand and that causes the headache.
ETA- I don't take anything for it because the side effects and dangers of some of those migraine drugs are IMO much worse than a migraine. (most of them have caridovascular warning on them- some very scary stuff!)
Message edited 5/10/2011 10:31:13 AM.
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| Posted 5/10/11 10:29 AM |
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citywife
LIF Adult
Member since 10/10 994 total posts
Name:
Expecting #3
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Posted by NervousNell
Yes I have that with my migraines.
It's awful and very scary- especially when it happens while driving.
It usually lasts 20-30 minutes and then my vision clears and the headache comes on strong.
It is called migraine with aura. Do a google search on that and you will see exactly why it happens and what is going on to cause it.
But in a nutshell- when you have a migraine the blood vessels in your brain are expanding and constricting- when they constrict blood flow is slowed to certain parts of your brain- causing the vision disturbances...then the blood vessels expand and that causes the headache.
ETA- I don't take anything for it because the side effects and dangers of some of those migraine drugs are IMO much worse than a migraine. (most of them have caridovascular warning on them- some very scary stuff!)
How do you deal? Before I got pregnant I was on 150 mg of Topamax, and was getting Botox injections and taking Imitrex for acute relief. Now I can't take anything and my migraines go on for days. Tylenol is a joke. Best I can do is ice my neck, drink a soda and rub vicks where it hurts.
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| Posted 5/10/11 12:45 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
How do you deal? Before I got pregnant I was on 150 mg of Topamax, and was getting Botox injections and taking Imitrex for acute relief. Now I can't take anything and my migraines go on for days. Tylenol is a joke. Best I can do is ice my neck, drink a soda and rub vicks where it hurts.
Have you considered biofeedback training? I have been doing biofeedback training with a psychologist for a couple of years now and it really helps. I suffer from daily chronic migraine and get botox treatments but the biofeedback training has really helped to improve my quality of life.
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| Posted 5/10/11 3:38 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54919 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Posted by citywife
Posted by NervousNell
Yes I have that with my migraines.
It's awful and very scary- especially when it happens while driving.
It usually lasts 20-30 minutes and then my vision clears and the headache comes on strong.
It is called migraine with aura. Do a google search on that and you will see exactly why it happens and what is going on to cause it.
But in a nutshell- when you have a migraine the blood vessels in your brain are expanding and constricting- when they constrict blood flow is slowed to certain parts of your brain- causing the vision disturbances...then the blood vessels expand and that causes the headache.
ETA- I don't take anything for it because the side effects and dangers of some of those migraine drugs are IMO much worse than a migraine. (most of them have caridovascular warning on them- some very scary stuff!)
How do you deal? Before I got pregnant I was on 150 mg of Topamax, and was getting Botox injections and taking Imitrex for acute relief. Now I can't take anything and my migraines go on for days. Tylenol is a joke. Best I can do is ice my neck, drink a soda and rub vicks where it hurts.
It sounds odd, but what helped me was this.
Magnesium and Melatonin- as a supplement every day. Melatonin at night.
I have read research that people with migraines have low levels of both.
I found my migraines were less often and less severe when taking these daily.
When I did get one....4 motrin and an anti- nauseua med at onset (I'd puke really bad from my migraines) so I took a dramamine or bonine to prevent the nasuea.
Also I would take some Magnesium (2 pills) when I felt it coming on.
Seems to have shorten the duration.
Of course, you can't do much while pregnant, but before and after, this helped me a lot!
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| Posted 5/10/11 4:00 PM |
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pinky
Twin Moms Do Everything Twice
Member since 5/05 9612 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by citywife
Posted by NervousNell
Yes I have that with my migraines.
It's awful and very scary- especially when it happens while driving.
It usually lasts 20-30 minutes and then my vision clears and the headache comes on strong.
It is called migraine with aura. Do a google search on that and you will see exactly why it happens and what is going on to cause it.
But in a nutshell- when you have a migraine the blood vessels in your brain are expanding and constricting- when they constrict blood flow is slowed to certain parts of your brain- causing the vision disturbances...then the blood vessels expand and that causes the headache.
ETA- I don't take anything for it because the side effects and dangers of some of those migraine drugs are IMO much worse than a migraine. (most of them have caridovascular warning on them- some very scary stuff!)
How do you deal? Before I got pregnant I was on 150 mg of Topamax, and was getting Botox injections and taking Imitrex for acute relief. Now I can't take anything and my migraines go on for days. Tylenol is a joke. Best I can do is ice my neck, drink a soda and rub vicks where it hurts.
It sounds odd, but what helped me was this.
Magnesium and Melatonin- as a supplement every day. Melatonin at night.
I have read research that people with migraines have low levels of both.
I found my migraines were less often and less severe when taking these daily.
When I did get one....4 motrin and an anti- nauseua med at onset (I'd puke really bad from my migraines) so I took a dramamine or bonine to prevent the nasuea.
Also I would take some Magnesium (2 pills) when I felt it coming on.
Seems to have shorten the duration.
Of course, you can't do much while pregnant, but before and after, this helped me a lot!
ITA on the melatonin at night and magnesium during the day. These supplements really reduced the frequency of the migraines.
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| Posted 5/10/11 6:56 PM |
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marymob
Member since 5/11 1368 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Yes, I have had them; Scared me, and even the ER Dr. didn't diagnose them, it was my ophthalmologist who knew right away what they were!!! Mary
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| Posted 5/10/11 8:55 PM |
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petvet
LIF Adult
Member since 5/08 1238 total posts
Name:
Meredith
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines
Yep I have them with and without the terrible headache that follows. Usually starts as a blind spot or 2 that spreads to include the periphery of my vision and often the entire vision. In about 30 minutes it clears up and then I either get no headache or a terrible migraine/ (one is an ocular migraine(not painful) the other is a migraine with aura(painful)
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| Posted 5/10/11 9:39 PM |
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DPG1103
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/11 15 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines - UpDATED
this happened to me all the time back in high school... I went to several drs, had several tests... they couldn't figure it out..
my mom was telling her hairstylist about it one day & the hairstylist asked if I ate a lot of chocolate bc that brought on migraines for her. sure enough, my dad had been buying cases of Nestle choc milk from costco & I had been drinking them like crazy. I cut down on the choc milk & the headaches/loss of vision went away!!!
so maybe monitor your chocolate intake??? GL
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| Posted 5/18/11 8:44 PM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines - UpDATED
I get temp blind spots and partial facial paralysis (fun! not.).
I did the topamax/imitrex etc troutine, but I found catching them early with 4 tylenol with a ceffeinated chaser keeps them at bay. If that doesn't work, a Fiorinal and sleep will help. I only use the triptans as an absolute last resort now.
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| Posted 5/25/11 9:20 PM |
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sweetie101
you make me smile :o)
Member since 5/08 4419 total posts
Name:
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines - UpDATED
feel better
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| Posted 5/31/11 9:31 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Temporary blind spots and Migraines - UpDATED
I have been suffering from migraine for years now. I would only get them here and there. Since the birth of my daughters I started getting cluster migraines. I would get them on and off for a month or longer. I went to the neuro and everything looked fine.
About a month and a half a go I cut out bananas and diet soda from my diet. I have been migraine free. Hopefully it stays that way. I still fill the stiffness in my neck, but I am able to function and not get the really painful sick to the stomach part of it. I really contribute it to eliminating diet soda and any diet products that contain (aspartme) from my diet. There is loads on information out there that link it to migraines and other things like symptoms of MS.
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| Posted 6/5/11 10:29 PM |
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