'Silent migraines' - do you have them?

Although this may sound 'mad' have you tried a flannel soaked in cold water and vinegar across your head? I'm unsure if it's the fumes or what??? But I have found this works!

I get the flashing zigzag lights now and then, never sure what triggers them. Had them first when a few months pregnant, so possibly BP related, but my BP is generally fine. If I lie down quietly for 20-30 minutes they gradually disappear.

Came late to this thread and it’s so interesting! I started with aura + headache migraines when I was about 12, coped well with them if I started painkillers as soon as the aura appeared - awful ones in pregnancy. Since the menopause (decades ago now) I’ve just had the silent version - small ball of zigzag lines which grows until it reaches the edges of my eye and then disappears, about 15-20 minutes. However, interested to read the possible link with epilepsy. For several years, I was prescribed Topiramate to deter the episodes. These tablets are also used to treat epilepsy. I stopped it because I read for migraine it should only be used for six months or so. And, of course, now the zigzags happen more, about two or three a week. More annoying that anything else.

*American - predictive text has it in for me this year!

ExDancer

What is prophylaxis?

I think that's another name (Amerucan, I believe) for condoms.

After saying I haven't had one since I left work, today I was walking the dog and one appeared! I thought it was a smudge on my glasses until I noticed the sparkly bits. But must not complain, I've been 14 years without one.

I get them, in clusters. Sometimes 2 or 3 in a day. They arrive out of the blue so I just sit with eyes closed while the zigzags do their thing and pass. Sometimes 10 minutes sometimes 40. I occasionally have a slight feeling of heaviness on the top of my head but not really a headache. Ive decided its due to stress, too much screen time or reading. Another thing to cope with as age creeps on 🙄

Yes I get them also, the first time I was at work which was an optician’s luckily. My boss said they can be delayed stress and are common in post menopausal women though men can get them but less commonly. There has never been anything I could pinpoint, just totally random. However since starting on HrT a few months ago I haven’t had one episode. At one point I was getting more than one a day. Totally harmless and they would pass in 20 minutes or so but an irritating nuisance.

As others have said and I'm in full agreement, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one suffering these hidden monsters. I'm fortunate I don't have them often. I commiserate with you all who get them frequently.

I get them occasionally. I usually sit quietly with my eyes closed for about 15 min and it goes away.
The worst time was when I was driving through a city I didn't know and just had to keep going!

Hello, I'm 61 I started with silent migraines at 57, it was a very frightening time,I had coloured lights and really panicked for quite some time as the Drs had no reassurance
Anyway years later I just accept them now and have become more used to them

I used to get migraines linked to my period, but I have only once had a silent migraine that affected my sight. I was at work in the finance office of a store and I freaked out my manager when I announced that I suddenly couldn’t see! I had had the zigzag flashes before, but I had never lost my sight before. I knew it was a migraine and would pass, but Karen was panicking and called her manager. It only lasted a couple of minutes and there was no headache after. I went to the optician to get checked and there was nothing wrong.

I also know a few minutes before they start. I think I can best describe it as feeling ‘not quite with it’! Sounds awful, but it’s reassuring to know other people get the same symptoms! Sorry.

I used to get these now and again when I was working. Since I retired I haven't had any at all. Like some others on here I had my first one when I was driving which was scary. Looking back it was during my first trip alone driving from Essex to Leeds, so I was probably stressed.

And another one-I get them too when under stress. Very frightening when you don’t know what it is but once reassured, where possible, take time out to relax and for me at least, after 20ish minutes, the zig zag ‘blows away’

My triggers are similar to yours Snorkel plus stress. I’ve had to take half an hour or so time out at work when I get one of these ‘heads’ and having told my boss I could only see half his face he said he hoped it was the better side!!
As Lizbethann said, I know a few minutes beforehand that I’m going to get one but couldn’t explain why - it just seems to be a slight distortion of general sensation.

I have had these since early childhood. I tried telling adults 'I can only see half your face' and was told I was being silly. I still have them frequently (now 62). The worst tuned into full blown migraine headache with vomiting. The school nurse (remember them?) drove me home three days in succession when I was about twelve and told my mother she should take me to the doctor. Prescribed a paracetamol/anti-nausea medication called Paramax, taken off the market a few years ago. Mine are triggered by fluorescent lighting and going into some stores eg Peter Jones Kings Road always resulted in a bad episode. Catching a flash of light like sun reflected on a car bumper also a nightmare.

When I was younger I used to get terrible migraines, though fortunately only occasionally. I got the blotchy vision and flashing lights plus the most awful headache and nausea.

Since then I have on a couple of occasions experienced the visual disturbance without the other horrible symptoms. It is such a relief when it gradually goes away.

I have them when I am stressed or anxious. I was terrified the first time it happened. Now I just accept it as a nuisance, especially if I am at work as I work in a library and can't read because of all the Ziggy Ziggy lines. but it was such a relief when I realised it was nothing to worry about. I find they last for up to half an hour. Sometimes I have a slight headache after. I was told they were called optic migraines. I always know a few minutes before they start that I am about to have one, but I don't know how I know! I have friends who have full blown " proper" migraines. I am so glad that I have these optic ones.

Mine use to be sparkling lights then it change to what they are now psychedelic lights usually about once a year lasting 15 to 20 minutes I just close the curtains lay my head back and wait for it to be over no pain. I did once go to the hospital and had dye put in my eye to check it out verdict silent migraine no pain and the doctor said all the fun with out the pain!

I used to get what i described as a halo of stained glass. A circle, which when it eventually joined to make the circle, the migraine pain would kick in. I haven't had it since being diagnosed with coeliac disease and being gluten free.

Had my first migraine at ten and am still getting them fifty plus years later. No longer get the visual disturbance ( which was like coloured waterfalls) and the actual headache, while painful, is relieved with an imigran injection, icecold compress over eye and a lie down. They now last for around three days every month and I feel really washed out afterwards. I am just grateful the horrendous headache and vomiting (thirty - forty times during an attack) have ceased. Several times my late dh had to call out a doctor to inject me and one wanted to hospitalise me as I was so dehydrated. My late dh used to get the visual disturbances but not always the headache. One thing I do notice is how my coordination is affected - I am naturally clumsy but so much worse during an attack. Lack of sleep, bright lights ( going to the theatre frequently brought a migraine on), alcohol and strong cloying perfumes are among the causes but often there is no apparent cause. I am so used to them now but still dread them. Have total sympathy for fellow sufferers.

Brilliant thread you have all reassured me my flashes are normal. Thank you

I used to get full blown migraines, including awful sickness, in my teens and twenties. They eventually stopped, but started again recently as ‘silent migraines’ (never heard that name before!). My GP dent me for a CT scan, followed by an MRI scan, but they apparently showed nothing, apart from damage from an old MS flare-up. I describe the visual disturbance as like looking through a child’s kaleidoscope. Scary at times.

bohiminan. Yes I get them occasionally. They started when I stopped getting full blown migraines when I reached the menopause. Horrible loss of vision on one side and flashing lights.
What I do is immediately take 2 paracetamol and it is gone within an hour. I hope this helps.