migraines: help ?

[rh71]

Anyone experience migraine headaches preceeded by vision problems such as white spots / blind spots / blurryness ? I've had this problem for a couple years now, but it's on and off. I think I had it a total of 3 or 4 times last year while I've already had it at least 5 or so times this year.

My doc says cheese, red wine, and chocolate can cause migraine headaches, but I'm worried as to why it causes my vision problems. Sometimes I have the problem soon after eating cheese pizzas, chinese food (msg), and sometimes nothing with the aforementioned ingredients. It's really baffling.

To tell you what it's like, I'd hold my hand less than a foot out and move it across left to right or right to left... and just a little bit over from center, I won't even see it... like it's missing. I'd be driving home with my hand on the steering wheel and I don't even see my arm/hand while looking forward at the road - very scary. This vision problem goes away after 15-20 minutes and the migraine sets in - always following this routine. Sometimes it's so bad that I can't even fall asleep after taking pills for it. Doc prescribed Zomig for me and he says it goes right after the migraines... well it hasn't worked that well and I need some help with this problem cause 2 doctors haven't helped much thus far.

I'm a web developer so I sit in front of a monitor all day long, not to mention doing it as a hobby at home too. I don't believe I'm stressed either... I'm pretty easy going anyway.

Anyone have any experience/expertise to share? I really need to fix this bitch of a problem. Thx.

 

[Azraele]

Vision problems are not an uncommon occurrence with migraines. Short of changing meds or seeing a specialist, I'm not sure there's much you can do.

One thing you might try is a new diet, drink juice or water instead of soda or coffee, eat well balanced meals, and exercise.

 

[olds]

What happens with me is I see "heat waves" around the edge of my vision then it looks like I am looking down a narrow tunnel. My vision gets all pin pointy. The first time it happened it scared the $hit out of me. I thought I was going blind as I had no other symptons. Now I like it (well sort of) because it tells me I have a migrane coming on and I can take my medication and I won't get the migrane. The way my doctor explained it to me was something about the pressure change in the eye or optic nerve, brought on by the impending migrane, that causes the vision problems. There is no fix that I am aware of, it's just a sympton of the migrane, not an eye or vision problem.

 

[sheselectric]

My mom has bad migraines and she's on Sansert (prescription meds). It seems to work for her...you might want to ask your doc about it.

 

[HappyPuppy]

I've had migraines for over 45 years. My symptoms are almost identical to yours. They can come on in a matter of 2 minutes or less, which is extremely disconcerting when your are traveling at 85mph on the freeway and suddenly can only see a few blurry objects around the periphery of your eyes. I get off the road as quickly ass possible, find a place to park and throw a jacket or whatever is handy over my head to cut out the light. In 15 to 30 minutes they are gone.

As an adult I've never mentioned it to a doctor because I think most of them are ignorant buffoons who don't have the faintest idea what they're doing.

If you find a cure, IM me. I'd like to get rid of them, too.

 

[chowderhead]

Here is a good resource for information on migraines.
WEBMD

I don't think you can stop the vision disruptions i.e. flashing lights or "auras" once they starts. I just take two excedrins and go take a nap until the migraines are over.
For me, eating right is important and not having a lot of stress can decrease the number of episodes. If they seem to be increasing in frequency then definitely go see your doctor.