Aura plus speech and smell
Ever since a cataract operation I have visual disturbance fairly painless migraines which once in a while keep me searching for vocabulary. I have had this during adolescence and menopause a few times but since the operation I have had quite a few light triggered aura migraines and more rarely this is followed by a difficulty finding words. As well, since the cataract removal I have very frequent olfactory illusions of smoke or dying embers. I wonder about the relationships of these events.
Hi Lulu,
Thank you for your question. I'm sorry you have seen an increase in your migraine frequency and severity. Any time we have new and/or different symptoms it's important to discuss this with our doctor so he can rule out anything more serious. If you haven't contacted him, you may want to do so tomorrow.
Sometimes migraine attack can be triggered by refractive errors, not cataracts, which basically means wearing the wrong prescription glasses. You may want to talk to the eye doctor about this.
As far as light triggering an attack, that happens to many of us. There are glasses specifically made by two companies I know of to help with light sensitivity;
https://migraine.com/sponsored/sponsored-proven-migraine-relief-with-new-theraspecs-glasses/ and
https://migraine.com/sponsored/are-you-ignoring-one-of-the-top-migraine-triggers/.I hope that helps,
NancyNancy - have just found and read your update- I never have associated my aura quiet migraine linking to my cataract removal - no probs re Aura before this - during 80's + 90's much serious vertigo- diagnosed as Menieres ! Always coped as understood once confirmed - you can read about my recent symptoms under YUMMY(saves repeating) - in hindsight your story has explained something for me . Now can say I did experience a full Aura episode whilst having my cataract removed + new lens inserted ! Kept telling others about the vision (which I now was an Aura episode) - not happened to others - I still regularly have face tingling / struggling with words / continual head noises which are now returning - I hear conversations - truthfully! beautiful music! Use hearing aids which I need, of course, but make my head worse/ so have them low as I cannot cope with the head pressure they give !! And all this with no real headache (just brief sharp knife like pain in forehead) - my symptoms seem nothing to others - no-one can see or understand - a personal private debilitating problem - been told by Dr they are Neurological Episodes! Do feel for you and everyone who writes about their pain - thankyou for reading and listening to me 😊
thank you so much for sharing your experience - it's wonderful that you have had some insights from others sharing their experience. It can be so hard to feel like our non-pain symptoms get dismissed and can be risky too if physicians don't ensure it's not something more serious. Was your doctor more specific? Strictly speaking these kinds of symptoms are neurological but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken seriously or left untreated I think!
Anyway I'm so glad you found a connection here within the community and that it's helped you feel understood. There are lots of us here who can understand - and I appreciate you sharing! Tracy (Team Member)
Hannigan
Another late night catchup - experiencing an aura headache(no pain) - as always starts with prickly face / a v v busy head + this time am distressed and feel tearful - am a poor sleeper + experiencing the conversations (voice) in my head - scenario - I am not scared but is stressful - is usually music! Where does this come from! They are spasmodic but unsettling - reading other accounts but I seem to be in the minority re head voices etc ? Seriously going to look into meditative support- it could help - to also mention- if relevant - I can / do occasionally wake up talking to myself- think I am aware of being awake but carry on talking - just wanted to continue the chat - have read somewhere in our forum re a book written which did relate to my episodes( music etc) wld be interested to read this report - if you can locate the title would be interested - thankyou for listening to my experiences once more - appreciate being able to speak.Thankyou for talking to me - will be looking into the meditative side once I am back in the 'real world' - You Tube + Kindle ( I am a reader) - will certainly follow through on The Self Help - thankyou again . 
I'm so happy to hear that it was helpful. I wish you all the best of luck and much relief. It's a daily - and even sometimes moment-to-moment - journey to manage migraine. We're in it with you though!
Best
Alene (team member)
Thankyou so much for your feedback to me - this Aura is unusually a longer episode - really is comforting to have feedback - just the words "auditory hallucinations' which I wasn't aware of - gives me some understanding - will look into this thro my Drs Surgery + when I am more relaxed will be looking into the Meditative side - will keep my post open - hopefully there is another Member - out there- who will benefit from this update too - some side effects like mine cannot always be discussed - just suffer ' in private silence'! Thankyou again. 
Isn't it wonderful how posts on this site can keep on giving - sometimes years later? We are grateful you started this conversation and you will likely never know how many people were assisted by your post. It's of course also wonderful that you are continuing to gain helpful feedback as well. There is so much about migraine that is isolating - the more light we can shine to help raise awareness and connect with others who are navigating this challenge- the better. Please keep in touch as you learn more in general and specifically about how meditation may work for you once you feel well enough to explore it. We are here for you and are so thankful you are with us. Warmly - Holly (team member)
