Hi @turley78
Having visual disturbances 8-10 times a day would definitely be distracting. Wow, sorry to hear that. Wish I had a solution for you.
MESSAGE TO ALL: Especially to those having temporary blind spots in just one eye. Be sure to get checked out and don't just assume visual disturbances are ocular migraines. Two years ago, I wasn't sure if I had an ocular migraine or TIA. Now after two more incidents, providers have determined I'm having TIAs (aka mini-strokes) connected to afib.
Good 5 min video on Amaurosis Fugax by neuro-opthalmologist
I've now had 3 TIAs in less than 2 years, all three times they happened at the end of about 30 hours in afib (atrial fibrillation - irregular and rapid heartbeat that can cause blood clots). Almost two years ago, vision in both eyes became totally pixelated and then a weird fall backwards 4 hours later. Last week, I suddenly lost a third of my vision in just one eye for 2 minutes, blurred out/cloudy, not pixelated this time, but couldn't see through it. 4 months ago, my left arm suddenly became heavy, numb, had strong pins and needles, hand became bright red and felt like it was swelling (all at once) then suddenly every symptom was gone in less than 30 seconds. I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke while just talking to a neighbor. Every time, the issue(s) both started and stopped in an instant and were of brief duration.
When my neurologist concluded it was an ocular migraine 2 years ago, I didn't make the afib connection and didn't bring that up. I also have a rare neuropathy with lots of neuro issues so that just seemed like one more. At the time, I went to see her because I was more worried that it might be my advanced breast cancer spreading to my brain, but luckily a brain MRI confirmed it wasn't.
Blessings to all hoping you all find solutions to your visual disturbances.
Hi Zebra,
Thank you for sharing your vision experiences. I'm sorry you have been through all that. I watched the video on Amaurosis Fugax which is really excellent.
I have had partial vision loss several times. It lasts for roughly an hour or longer. I was interested that the physician in the video said that if an incident lasts longer than a few minutes, it is likely not a TIA. My eye doc didn't have any helpful thoughts and I'm going to ask my cardiologist.
Thank you again and wishing you all the best with your health.
Hi Zebra,
Thank you for sharing your vision experiences. I'm sorry you have been through all that. I watched the video on Amaurosis Fugax which is really excellent.
I have had partial vision loss several times. It lasts for roughly an hour or longer. I was interested that the physician in the video said that if an incident lasts longer than a few minutes, it is likely not a TIA. My eye doc didn't have any helpful thoughts and I'm going to ask my cardiologist.
Thank you again and wishing you all the best with your health.
Sorry to hear about your vision episodes. That hour must feel like forever. So unnerving. I hope you find some answers soon.
If you don’t already, keep a medical diary to see if you can find the trigger. Jot down everything during the 24 hours prior to the episode like food eaten, any new meds or supplements, activities, stress, sleep, any other symptoms, etc. Describe the vision episode while it’s fresh. It’s surprising how fast we can forget details. I’m always surprised when I read old notes. I write it like Captain Kirk on Star Trek asking questions, capturing my thoughts about what it could be. I’m the only one that reads it later and it’s helpful to know what I thought at the time. Maybe something simple like food allergies or dehydration…something preventable. One can hope!!! Best of luck! Zebra
I've been having recurring migraines with aura since I was 18. After I turned 60 years old, it manifested as dizziness. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist, ENT, neurologist, etc. She ordered brain MRI. After she confirmed there wasn't much sign of serious illness, she sent to me to UCSF Neurology Dept. The doctor said my dizziness and aura came from migraines. He said my blood veins in brain sometimes contracted to create migraines. When the contractions happen, it doesn't necessarily manifest as headaches.
The neurologist prescribed Rx for Sumatriptan to stop migraine when I first see the aura or feel migraine is starting. I also take once a month preventive shot for migraine prevention. This Rx is called Emgality. I heard treatments for migraines is one of the most advanced field in past 15 in neurology field. I hope you can find some method to contain your symptoms. Please take care.
I have had this for 50 years. In the past, I would have a slight headache. Now, I sometimes have no headache.
I will see things as fuzzy, then a blue lighting bolt appears. The perimeter is wavy. This freaked me out for years. Now, I just wait it out. Lasts about 30 minutes. I had one yesterday while I was working. Kept going.
I’ve had MRIs of the brain. No one ever thinks much of them.
I recently was asked by a NP about a TIA she saw on my chart. This was news to me. She said that the cardiologist had noted it. No one has ever mentioned this to me. So, if you can’t see a tia unless it’s happening, how can this be diagnosed?
As a footnote, I had a bad fall a month ago and currently have a brain bleed. It’s being followed and hasn’t really affected my life. Including migraine auras.
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Hi Zebra,
Thank you for sharing your vision experiences. I'm sorry you have been through all that. I watched the video on Amaurosis Fugax which is really excellent.
I have had partial vision loss several times. It lasts for roughly an hour or longer. I was interested that the physician in the video said that if an incident lasts longer than a few minutes, it is likely not a TIA. My eye doc didn't have any helpful thoughts and I'm going to ask my cardiologist.
Thank you again and wishing you all the best with your health.
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1 ReactionHi @lyleswan
Sorry to hear about your vision episodes. That hour must feel like forever. So unnerving. I hope you find some answers soon.
If you don’t already, keep a medical diary to see if you can find the trigger. Jot down everything during the 24 hours prior to the episode like food eaten, any new meds or supplements, activities, stress, sleep, any other symptoms, etc. Describe the vision episode while it’s fresh. It’s surprising how fast we can forget details. I’m always surprised when I read old notes. I write it like Captain Kirk on Star Trek asking questions, capturing my thoughts about what it could be. I’m the only one that reads it later and it’s helpful to know what I thought at the time. Maybe something simple like food allergies or dehydration…something preventable. One can hope!!! Best of luck! Zebra
I've been having recurring migraines with aura since I was 18. After I turned 60 years old, it manifested as dizziness. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist, ENT, neurologist, etc. She ordered brain MRI. After she confirmed there wasn't much sign of serious illness, she sent to me to UCSF Neurology Dept. The doctor said my dizziness and aura came from migraines. He said my blood veins in brain sometimes contracted to create migraines. When the contractions happen, it doesn't necessarily manifest as headaches.
The neurologist prescribed Rx for Sumatriptan to stop migraine when I first see the aura or feel migraine is starting. I also take once a month preventive shot for migraine prevention. This Rx is called Emgality. I heard treatments for migraines is one of the most advanced field in past 15 in neurology field. I hope you can find some method to contain your symptoms. Please take care.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have had this for 50 years. In the past, I would have a slight headache. Now, I sometimes have no headache.
I will see things as fuzzy, then a blue lighting bolt appears. The perimeter is wavy. This freaked me out for years. Now, I just wait it out. Lasts about 30 minutes. I had one yesterday while I was working. Kept going.
I’ve had MRIs of the brain. No one ever thinks much of them.
I recently was asked by a NP about a TIA she saw on my chart. This was news to me. She said that the cardiologist had noted it. No one has ever mentioned this to me. So, if you can’t see a tia unless it’s happening, how can this be diagnosed?
As a footnote, I had a bad fall a month ago and currently have a brain bleed. It’s being followed and hasn’t really affected my life. Including migraine auras.
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Helpful -
Hug
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