ocular migraines

[Schoolmarm Oma]

Can anyone give me information about ocular migraines? I have been dealing with them 2-3 times per week for about a year now and nobody seems to be able to give me answers. All of my doctors send me to another with the thought that it originates elsewhere... so far we can't get to the root of the cause. Preventative meds don't help at all, and the things you're supposed to take after the 'lights' start flashing just cause more intense nausea. I think I remember seeing a link between migraines and Sjogren's in a Moisture Seeker's magazine recently. So far I've seen my ophthalmologist, rheumatoligist,  dentist, and GP, and nobody has a clue. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Karen

[Gerri]

I have ocular migraines.  I have been told they are neurological in origin.  I use eye drop daily for dryness for the eyes.  No one does anything about the ocular migraines.   I am being refered to a Rheumy and hopefully she will be able to help.  She is world famous for diseases like Sjorgren's, Lupus, and Psoriasis.

Hugs

Gerri

[Pooh]

Schoolmarm,
This might be of interest to you.  It's a past discussion on the migraines https://sjogrensworld.org/index.php?topic=1640.0

I hope you find relief from them real soon. 

Pooh

[Joe S.]

It was suggested to me to work to raise the temperature on my hands and lower it on my head. I used a digital thermometer as a form of biofeedback. I got better results when I did a breathing meditation.

Breathe in and think "Hot Hands"
Breathe out and think "cool head"
Repeat until migraine is gone.

[sydney6060]

Hi Schoolmarm

I've been having opthamalic migraines (that's what my doc called them) for years.  The very first one I had was when my 8 year old daughter was having an CT Scan to see what was causing her headaches.  Scared the heck out of me.  Figured I should be having the CT scan.

Anyway, I don't get any headache with them. Just the weird zigzagging lines that block my vision. I tell people that it's like looking at a plane on the runway with the heat shimmer coming from it.  (I don't know if that makes sense)  I can actually see the lines moving and they usually only last a few hours.  I just take Advil and lie down. 

My eye doctor said that they are caused from the blood vessels expanding in the head, and they are not sure why that happens. 

It would be interesting to see if they are related to SJ, or any other AI disorder.

Take care
Susan

[Jaws]

Hi All

My sister (lupus sufferer) and I both get them.  She was told the same as Sydney - that it is to do with the dilation of the blood vessels.  She now has a type of medication called 'wafers' (sorry, I don't know the brand name or the generic drug name).  As soon as she feels the migraine coming on, she has to pop one under her tongue.  They have been much more effective than whatever she was taking before.

[Sandra]

Sorry to read about your problem, the migranes are terrible. The last one I had I had taken my amitriptyline (which really works great most of the time 10mg or double to 20mgs) and 2 tylenol 3's and ended up going into the ER at 2 in the morning and they gave me demerol. I was so thankful to that DR i could have kissed him, they are just o all consuming and dog-tiring. Mine originate in my neck and start at the base of my skull then travel to my jaw, ear, temple and eye. it's usually always on one side. Same side by the way as was affected in an auto accident a few years back.
Do you take amitriptyline? As i mentioned most of the time it really is a pain life-saver. Wishing you well soon, Sandra

[tuckerdog]

I have them too.  I recommend a book - living well with migraines.  I don't remember the author - I gave the book to my daughter in law who also suffers with migraines.  Here is what I learned from the book:

Migraines are a neurological problem.  Triggers cause an over activation of some neurons in the brain.  The headache is caused by blood vessels expanding.  The most current medication to knock out the headache are called tripans.  They stop the inflammation of the blood vessels and stop the pain.  The most important thing you can do is to identify the triggers and avoid them.  For me it was xylitol - artificial sweetener that we are told to use to increase saliva production, bright or flickering lights, and getting too hungry or too tired.  If I were you I would find some books on migraines - there are several out there.  The neurologist put me on the right track but the book provided more information than the Dr. had time to share.  Many of the brain fog issues are also symptoms of the premigraine headache state.

Tuckerdog

[wednesday mc haggis]

My mother had migraines daily, debilitating ones that put her in bed, they tried all sorts of meds, prevantative, ones to take when she left it come on, ones to take when it took hold not a bit of joy.

eventually they sent her to a homeopath, she asked her all sorts of questions , and put her on phosphorous powders , she took 3 a day , for one day, then nothing for 3 months, then another 3 over a day.

she now gets a minor migraine around twice a year, and has noted no ill effects ever from taking the phosporus sachets,she has a prescription for them and no longer sees the homeopath unless she had to, its worth a thought

T x

[Schoolmarm Oma]

Thanks everyone... you've given me some things to research and maybe try. As always, you are helpful. I wish you all a pain free and peaceful day   
Karen