Is there anything new to prevent auras?

I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing struggle with migraines and auras. It's frustrating not to have clear answers about their cause.
Have you considered discussing newer treatments or therapies with your neurologist?

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with this new frequency of auras. It sounds like you've been dealing with some level of migraine for a number of years now too. It's interesting/frustrating how they can change over the years. The changes can be different for each person but how we experience migraine can change in different seasons of our life. Of course, the most important step is to always keep your doctor in the loop on any changes so they can do proper testing. It sounds like you've been having active conversations with your neuro and had some recommendations on medications. As for "newer" treatments, I'm not personally aware of current research or developing treatments, but I do believe that migraine is a massive field of research now, so I like to think new options will be available at some point. The questions of course is how soon, right? You need relief now! Well, others may chime in with their knowledge, but I wanted to pass along some resources on auras that we have on our site here that you might find helpful. As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn't.
https://migraine.com/migraine-aura

https://migraine.com/stories/aura

https://migraine.com/video/video-of-aura

I hope these help and please keep us posted on how you're doing, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Best
Alene (team member)

I hear how frustrated you with this uptick in aura frequency, I would be too. I can tell you it's not uncommon for our migraine symptoms and/or patterns to change over time. The thing is when this happens it's always a good idea to let the doctor know so they can make sure everything checks out OK.

The medications we have available to treat migraine work to prevent (prevention medications) and/or stop (acute) the migraine process. We don't yet have medications that work to specifically work only on migraine visual aura. Has anything changed recently that could be attributed to this uptick in aura? So many things can contribute to an increase in attack frequency such as an irregular sleeping schedule, skipping meals, dehydration, changes in the barometric pressure and so many more. The frustrating thing is migraine attacks can occur for no apparent reason - I think this is the nature of the disease.

We don't know exactly what causes migraine, however we do know it's a complex neurological disease falling on a spectrum from mild to severely debilitating. The four phases of a migraine attack include prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome. The thing is not everyone will experience all phases with every attack.

I wish I had a better answer for you but can suggest it may be time to reach out to a doctor who is a true expert in treating migraine/headache. General neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and more. Many general neurologists who treat people with migraine and headache disease claim to be experts but that may not be 100% accurate. A true migraine/headache disease expert is board certified in headache medicine (not all neurologists have this additional certification) and treats migraine and headache all day, every day. Here is more information on why these doctors are beneficial and where to find them;
1) https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/
2) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/
3) https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/
4) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-to-find-a-neurologist-or-headache-specialist
5) https://migraine.com/living-migraine/hiring-right-doctor

Please let me know what you think and I'm hoping today is a good one, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (Team member)

Thank you, Nancy. I will look into finding a specialist. My neurologist gave me all the necessary tests you mentioned, actually twice, as I worked with him for several years when the auras returned. He released me last year to my PT so now finding another doctor is a good idea.