From the article: Migraine Aura
Sometimes migraine auras are very obvious, but other times it can be tough to figure out what is going on. Sharing information is an excellent way to collect information to help you deal with our own situation. What types of symptoms or warnings do you experience before a migraine? What is your experience?
Stroke-realted
- I am 62 and started experienceing auras for the past five years. It starts usually with a runny nose and blurriness when I read. I don't get a headache afterward, but I do feel a lapse of memory. The aura has not progressed where it interfers with my life but I wish I would know what to do to stop it before I get a stroke. After seeing many doctors no one can come up with an answer.
- —maryanndelguidice
no real diagnosis
- Most recent event was sudden tingling all over my body, immediately unable to speak clearly, couldn't answer questions, find words, walk quickly or write my name. I was transported to the ER, they said it was not a stroke and told me next time to wait it out. This is at least the 8th episode of immediate debilitating symptoms which have included left arm paralysis, chest pain, partial loss of sight, inability to speak, nausea, jaw numbness and the like. All sudden and intense. Tests are clear except for one MRA which showed narrowing of the arteries, claimed false since 2nd test was clear. Diagnosis of exclusion says migraine equivalent. I have irregular heartbeat, iron overload and blood clotting disorder. This started out of the blue in May and happens every 17-20 days. Is it migraine? I don't get a headache, but I do get some burning circles in my head, like half dollar size. No history of migraine but have had chronic sinus headaches since age 13. Any thoughts??
- —51Caddie
Migraine and aura
- I have had migraines for 24 yrs, with them progressing in severity and frequency over the last 19 or so. I have only had one aura to where I saw flashing lights and was very sick from that one. More recently I have been getting auras to where my head feels "funny" and I get very lightheaded and alway wind up with a migraine afterwards. I have had 4 C-spine surgeries and a whiplash injury, with fibromyalgia and also get occipital neuralgia (h/a's) as well. I am very photophobic all the time, but much worse with the onset of a migraine. Have nausea and occasionally vomiting with some of the migraines. Mine are always right-sided only and feel as though I were being stabbed in my right temple area with a cold icepick. I am also sensitive to any noise and need to be in total darkness once it comes on.
- —Sunnydove
Auras?
- I don't have classic auras. However, I often get stiffness and pain in my neck and shoulder area. Sometimes this develops into a full-blown migraine, but sometimes it just dissipates. Occasionally I will have a feeling of euphoria for a few hours before a migraine begins. The euphoria is great, but I always feel like "oh no, a migraine is on the way...". I am 58 years old and have had migraines for decades. My sons are the fifth generation of my family to have them.
- —Guest gigibee
before the ache
- for a long time i would have "smell" auras. usually rotten fish, burning leaves or burnt rubber. no one else ever smelled it so i knew i was "in for it". nowadays a change in the weather, lack of sleep, a strong smelling cheap cologne, an out of routine happening or a trigger food eaten unawares causes me the most violent headaches, taking days to subside and then weeks sometimes to recover. shellfish (shrimp, lobster, clams, crab, catfish, oysters, etc) is my worst offender and will cause me to vomit uncontrollably until it clears my system. anybody else who has a shellfish trigger should know that one of the contrasts they use to do an MRI-A is made from shrimp shells. i've had two MRI-A's and have never wanted to take the chance that it might make me sick so i asked the tech not use that particular contrast. yes, there is an alternative that can be used. the MRI technician(s) were astonished that i knew to ask for the alternative contrast. information - good to know ;-)
- —mrsrdb
Migraine Aura
- Tingling scalp, tingling arms, dizziness, acute sense of smell, sense of taste "off", sensitivity to light and sound
- —Guest Gina
Migraine Aura's
- i have been suffering from migraines for more than 20 yrs and the aura is really bad when i start seeing shooting lights or part of my vision get these shiny clusters and they get bigger and bigger and then when it passes which can last about 15-20 mins only, i would get the baddest migraine PAIN for about 2-3 days which includes throwing up and lying in bed inside a TOTALLY dark room, no sound or light. But these aura's come from nowhere. i dont know how they get triggered but when i do have them...that's it for me for 4-5 days.....
- —Guest Gwen
Migraine Warning Signs
- My symptoms of a pending migraine range from a craving for sweets and chocolate to auras of bright jagged flashes of light, sprinkles of light around the room, shifts of brightness in the room, sensitivitiy to sound and light, nausea and dizzyness. I may feel irritated and want to be alone, for no particular reason. Reading may become difficult as letters become blurred or jumbled. Comprehension may slow down. Sometimes I will get particularly cumbsy, or experience some numbness on one side. There a times when a combination of these symptoms will occur, yet no migraine pain will follow. My migraines are under increasingly better control now that I attend the MHNI in Ann Arbor, MI. It is important to get control before your migraines become chronic like mine had.
- —PainFreeAngel
CONFUSING AURAS
- Often I will get aura but then never develpos into a migraine. Blue, yellow and white dancing and exploding spots in left eye and generally muscle spasms through face and neck. Generaly doesn't last more than 10 minutes. Maxalt in 2 doses nearly always works enough to at least get through a day at work and then crash in dark quiet cool place. Once I get enough releif to be able to sleep, I will get on top. Another BIG warning for me is very irriatable and emotional, and weak and numb on one side, mainly between head and waist. Walking at least 1/2 hour a day, sometimes even right at the start of the migraine, along with medication can make a huge difference.
- —Guest FJS
warning sign
- When the migraines hit, I usually see black spots in my vision first. Next I see moving colors, similar to an Aztec Indian design. They are usually arched with vivid colors. I try to sniff something that smells strong (like a bottle of Olbas oil), use my nasal spray, and take a pain migraine pill immediately. I then drink a good bit of water and turn down the lights until the aura goes away. I hope this helps other sufferers.
- —Guest deb
migraine warnings and effects
- yawning and acute sense of smell at onset of migraine - then slurred speech, extreme pain behind left eye, tiredness, facial changes (ashen skin, dark circles, swollen eyes) - often wonder why and how these dramatic changes happen.
- —Guest dana
Migraines
- Usually when my left hand/fingers start to hurt, like a shooting pain in my fingers/hand. Not long after that my head will start hurting also.
- —Guest GSP
maybe if figured out whats wrong with me
- usually around supper time during or right after i break out in a sweat get sick to my stomach and then i have blank feeling in my head it is very scarry i think i will pass out and sometimes my left arm goes numb and my chest tightens i have seen several dr they think its panic attacks but i dont i think something is reaaly wrong well i been having a lot of headaches ice picks and tentions i never heard of aura's and never thought what was happing could be a warning of the headaches to come i am passing through menopause and never had this trouble til the past couple yrs now i will keep a diary and maybe have some real answers thanks all
- —Guest rose
idk whats wrong...
- i will be perfectly find then i'll go lift some stuff pick up around the house i instantly get light headed and get a really bad migrane that wont go away for a few days, i just want to lay in bed and not get up. If anyone knows anything about that please let me know.
- —Guest Marleyy
Aura
- This is my first episode with Aura's. I've had migrains for years now but this time its different. I had a heavy workout last Tuesday Night and within an hour I started seeing diamonds shaped in a half moon out of my left eye. Then all night long I could barely function. The pounding in the back of my head was excrusiating.I had terrible side effect with Imatrex, so the Dr. now has me on Corgard? Just about an hour ago I started seeing the diamonds again but no headache yet. Crossing my fingers it wont happen. This is misery at its best.
- —Guest Carmen
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