Video of Aura

By Katie M. Golden

1 min read

I took this video just as I was starting to get a visual aura, which occurs right before the head pain sets in. I illustrate how my field of vision changes during this prodrome phase. You can tell that I’m a bit spacey and clumsy as I try to show how I use Migranal, a DHE nasal spray abortive. I even say to squirt one spray in each “nose” instead of each nostril. You all know what I mean!

This demonstration is for those who have been prescribed Migranal, talk to your doctor if you are interested in this abortive.

I used to get auras right before every migraine, but now that it is chronic, I rarely get auras. When I do, I know this attack is going to be particularly bad. And it was. It took about 4 days to get back to my normal.

Hopefully this helps you to understand what an aura is like or use the video to show someone who doesn’t get it.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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helrose28 Member
My auras are like this. Is it called a Scintillating Scotoma'? Sounds like a pop group. Plus, I get an auditory aura with it - things sound distorted - and head feels very wierd I feel 'far away'/spacey. Then I get the headache! Have to get medication quickly and step out of the world to my bedroom for a few hours. I do have a visual stress thing. Am using over glasses for reading and computer work which I think are helping a bit. From a company called Happy Eyes.
1. Katie M. Golden Moderator
 Yes! Scintillating Scotoma is the very technically name for an aura. Sorry you go through this too. I'll have to check out Happy Eyes. -Katie <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Moderator
helrose28 Member
<a href='http://www.happyeye.co.uk/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>www.happyeye.co.uk/</a>
inkie03 Member
As difficult as I know it was to record this video, I commend you! I also get visual aura right before my worst attacks. Mine start as just a small dot just like yours. I usually have to close and cover my eyes to make sure it wasn't just that I looked into a light source. If it is an aura, I feel panic. The really bad attacks can progress to numbness and loss of strength in my arms and sometimes my legs and face. I noticed that right after you used your spray, you froze up a bit... I've tried several different medications and anything that is taken through the nostril always makes my head feel like it's going to explode for almost a minute (making communication impossible), which can also be scary in itself. I want to thank you for taking the time to show something that the vast majority of people (sufferers included) have little to no knowledge about. I wish you all the best!
1. Katie M. Golden Moderator
 SamanthaAnn, So sorry you get auras too. No part of it is fun. You're really perceptive in noticing that I freeze up. The DHE nose spray actually doesn't sting much (although my ketamine nasal spray does!). It reminds me of getting water in my nose in a swimming pool. I think I stop momentarily to make sure I don't need to tilt my head back if the medicine is running down. I re-watched the video today and boy was I clumsy. But that's real life. It just shows how quickly life can take a turn for those with migraine. Thanks so much for your feedback! -Katie <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>
Member
I have a question for any of you. Most abortives are for the most part unsuccessful for me. However migranol worked for me pretty good except it always gave me sinus infections! Does anyone else have this reaction?
1. Katie M. Golden Moderator
 Crystal, I use Migranal and if I use it too often (which also isn't good at preventing medication overuse headache) I will get extremely stuffy. Sometimes it takes a day or two to clear up. The main ingredient in Migranal is DHE (dihydroergotamine) and can be prescribed in liquid form that is administered via a syringe. So you'd have to inject yourself (or have someone help you). That's not always an option someone wants to do, but if Migranal works for you talk to your doc about the intramuscular form. -Katie <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>
fy1xl5 Member
I have had migraines for twenty years but they have become chronic in the last three years. I have been on high doses of anticonvulsants (Depakote, Topomax, etc). I have recently had the Omega procedure with excellent results...I have had 1 migraine/month vs daily. However, I am having auras frequently with blurred vision, loss of hearing, and constant fatigue with no pain associated. Does anybody else have these problems?
1. Katie M. Golden Moderator
 Pain in GA, So sorry you are now chronic. That's great to hear that the Omega procedure has made such a huge improvement in your life. I've never had this procedure, so I can't really speak to those symptoms. One of our writers recently wrote about Omega and gave some other research. Just thought this might help. <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/whats-the-deal-with-the-omega-procedure/' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/whats-the-deal-with-the-omega-procedure/</a> -Katie <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>
jones8900 Member
Katie I know EXACTLY how you felt during the video and can't believe you were able to do that during that phase of migraine! My very first migraine in 1976 cage with aura first and I thought I was having a stroke
jones8900 Member
Katie I know EXACTLY how you felt during the video and can't believe you were able to do that during that phase of migraine! My very first migraine in 1976 cage with aura first and I thought I was having a stroke
jones8900 Member
Gosh Katie.. My reply to you somehow got cut in half and since I have a migraine now there's no way I can remember what I wrote. I don't understand why most of my reply disappeared?
1. Katie M. Golden Moderator
 Janet, I looked into our back-end platform and couldn't find any comments that were saved in draft form from you that just didn't get to what posted in the comment sections. Sorry about that! Also, auras can be scary. That's such a long time to have migraine. How frequent are they now and what works best for you to help stave them off?

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