A member would like to discuss migraine with aura (often called ocular) symptoms
"I get Ocular migraines with Aura. Could we have a discussion with people who experience these types of migraines and what they feel like when they get an episode."
Hopefully people will be along shortly!!
Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/moderator (team memeber)
I experience aura preceding migraine headaches. I feel like the aura is the worst part. I have to stop everything. I have had to pull over while driving and wait for it to pass. Leave work. Stop anything, I am doing. I would love for a medical provider to help me just stop the aura. It scares me something awful. I know exactly what is happening but is still freaks me out. Usually, it starts with me having swirling blurry spots within my line of vision, one little area of my vision will be affected, as the minutes pass the little spot becomes huge and takes hold of about 75% of my vision. Sometimes it starts on the left or on the right. I usually lose my peripheral vision on the side the aura starts on. I get nervous and nauseous as well. I have had these auras with migraine for more than 25 years and have yet to find a provider that can help me stop the aura, they are usually more focused on the pain of the migraine. I just want the aura to stop
Wow- that does sound scary and such a long time that you've been navigating this challenging experience. My sister has this kind of aura (losing a significant amount of her vision). It doesn't happen often but has occurred when she's driving and it has terrified her, for good reason. I get a different kind of aura that is not as troubling or comprehensive and serves as a bothersome signal that a big attack is coming.
As to your hope that someone may help you stop the aura - I have to admit I've never heard of a treatment that can specifically stop that symptom, unfortunately. However- I would hope that if you could find an effective migraine preventative treatment- it would at least decrease the number of times you experience this challenge. Are you currently taking any preventatives? Here's a resource covering the current available options: https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/preventive.
We are here for you and so glad you are a part of our community. Please stay in touch. Sending you support and compassion- Warmly - Holly (team member)
