Migraine Auras

I've had a few since having a stroke five years ago.

I can't speak -- I just babble. I can't remember anything. My vision gets strange; I can't quite describe it. Everything I hear sound metallic.

The worst of it has passed within a couple hours, but lingering effects can last for days.

In terms of triggering, I've found that bright lights and/or certain geometric patterns are the worst.

I have not received any treatment. My doc won't prescribe anything stronger than naproxen, which is like taking Pez. I just wait 'em out.

@scottrl
Has anyone suggested the possibility your episodes may be seizure related due to your stroke?
Can you understand what's going on around you or what others are saying when you can't talk?
Do you have a headache after?
Have you had an EEG with the strobe lights?
Jake

Migraines and temporal lobe, absence or perhaps other types of seizures are hard to distinguish. One of my kids had a migraine diagnosis for years before it was determined they were having seizures and was properly medicated with Lamictal. It can be hard to catch seizures on an EEG and some don't show up on EEG's at all.

I never had a TGA but I can certainly speak to migraine auras. My presentations are unlike yours but auras nonetheless. And those of us who are unfortunately suffering from migraines could probably tell you many different symptoms. No 2 folks are alike.
There is the yawning and so-called "phantom" odors no one else in your company smells. The odor could be anything at all from cigarette smoke to cow manure to rotten fish (the list goes on). And there is "allodynia"...scalp sensitivity, you can barely touch your head. And the vision changes...once I saw 2 perfectly round blue-sky circles in front of my eyes. The blue was actually pretty as odd as that sounds. And then there are the "waves" in the corners of my eyes, the first time it happened I thought I was having a stroke - just to name 2. All lasting about 30 minutes or more. And when driving my husband can not make U turns...I instantly get nausea/migraine. And thank goodness for migraine sunglasses which I wear over my regular eyeglasses when watching TV. The glare unbearable. Do you have a migraine ice cap? Also handy. Of course, I am on medication - the CGRPs as I can not take the triptans because of heart disease. Even with medication, the auras can and do appear. My sense is you could be on better medication than the nortriptyline and need preventative medication too - not just for an acute attack. Over the past 5 years more migraine medications have appeared on the market than the last 20. But changing medications is common. One works for months and suddenly does not - so a change up called for. And then this is all repeated again and again. The life of a migraine sufferer. I even have a neuromodulating device for prevention which worked great for months. Now? Not so much. And brain fog is a given along with dizziness. I am assuming you had a CT scan/MRI of the brain? Also, I found not all neurologists are headache specialists. Maybe a physician change is in order? The National Headache Foundation and the World Migraine Summit are 2 good resources. I truly feel you could be receiving better care and more "up to date" care. But of course - your call here, whatever works for you. The very best of luck!
Most folks don't know migraine is a true neurological disorder not simply a "headache".

Briar rose thank you so much for all this great info! I do want to ask you if you drive? At this point, after having 3 of these Episodes in one year, even if they are short 5-7 mins, I don’t want to hurt anyone or myself.

Yes, I do drive mercuryrose...but then again, I don't have the exact symptoms you do.
I more than understand your concerns about driving and having a possible episode - even just for minutes - which could end up being a terrible disaster for yourself or others.
I do hate to say this...being able to drive is one of our "freedoms" so to speak, especially more so as we age, but you must be realistic. And this would apply to anyone...if one knows there is even the slightest chance of becoming incapacitated at the wheel of a car, my feeling is one can no longer drive. Safety is always number 1!
Of course, people become suddenly sick while driving all the time - such as sadly having a heart attack at the wheel but such a situation is unexpected and unknown. The difference is you already know of your particular health issue - which can have dire outcomes - so you must not take the wheel of a car. I am sorry to say this...but I am speaking as if I were in your situation. There are lots of options to explore having "others" drive you. As a senior you would be entitled to "share-a-ride" or "access-a-ride" (that's what it is called where I live). You enroll, make a phone call for a pickup and drop off & there you go! Family members could give you gift cards for Uber on special occasions. And there are lots of car services available...perhaps you might be eligible for a senior discount. So don't despair. Your life/health has changed...as it has for all of us as we age. And we must go with the flow. I wish you improved health and all the very best.

In my young adult period I would typically get “heat waves” in my visual field and then a fronto temporal migraine. That went away after Puberty and I would have episodic paroxysmal hemicrania attacks relieved only by Indocin, believe it or not. It’s a incessant ice pick character untreated. They even refer to it as Indocin headache. They come for two weeks and then may go away for two years. But as I reached my 60’s they just all
Stopped. So there’s light at the end of the tunnel for your misery.
Seems we may just age out.