Vision Disturbances: "Aura" Without Headache?

TITLE: EXPERIENCING VISION DISTURBANCES: LOOKING FOR SIMILAR EXPERIENCES

HI, EVERYONE. (I'm always serously nervous about posting about such things on forums because it's so easy for folk to say things that really succeed in only scaring me. I am aware that there are doctors, tests and hospitals, but, for this post, I just really want to hear from people about THEIR experiences of what I'm about to describe.)

I'm reaching out because I’ve been experiencing some unusual vision disturbances recently, and I’d love to hear from anyone who might be going through something similar, or who might have experienced them in the past. I wanted to describe exactly what happens to me when these episodes occur, in case it resonates with any of you. I’m hoping to connect with others who have similar experiences.

So! Throughout the last 50 years, or so, I've had, say, 4 or 5 of these vision disturbances during the typical year - more during years in which I've been extra stressed, it has to be said. My mother used to get a few of them per year and my sister still gets some of these, now and then.

DESCRIPTION OF MY VISION DISTURBANCES:

WHEN IT HAPPENS: Sometimes, these vision disturbances happen when I’m lying down, either (a) just before I fall asleep, (b) between periods of sleep, or (c) when I first wake up. Occasionally, I also experience them when I’m in a dark room, with my eyes closed. A fair few times in recent weeks/months, I've even had them come on while I'm at this computer, typing something or just browsing.

WHAT I SEE: It starts with a small and faint, curved line or zigzag pattern/patch - I never check whether it's in one eye or both. The pattern can look like trembling silver light in the form of a herringbone pattern, across my vision. That first patch grows over a few mintutes. It usually begins just to the side of my vision's center-field. Then, it spreads out, often in the visual shape of a crescent. The entire thing always then grows larger, and it can "feel like" it’s moving around, off to one side. I’ve noticed that it can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 60 minutes, but typically fades away slowly, eventually being completely gone.

INTENSITY: At its worst, it can feel like it's about to become overwhelming, making it difficult to see clearly or focus on anything, especially continuing to type or browse, or do most other things. There is no pressure and no real headache. There is no pain, but it’s very unnerving and can bring on a feeling of panic in me and I need to try to get a grip on this so that future episodes of it have the least possible control over me.

ASSOCIATED SENSATIONS: As I said, I get a very faint "headache" around my eye sockets or in the forehead and/or temple area, which may last for a while after the vision disturbance ends, but never becomes anything bad, thankfully.

HOW IT ENDS: The disturbance usually fades slowly, and the vision clears up completely. I often feel a bit shaky or panicked during the episode, believe me! When it's passed off, my eyesight seems to be "too sharp" and "too clear", for a while, then normalises. It's almost like I'm hunting for it, in case it's going to start again, which is very self-defeating. I try to carry on with my day, even though I can’t shake the feeling of it lingering in my mind for a while. Just occasionally, I get it back within 2 hours, again...that's only ever happened, in my life, twice, though...both of them were this year.

Since January of last year, I've had enough stress to have (June and July) put me in a psychiatric hospital, residential, voluntary, for 2 months.

But, it's what the medical profession did in January, of last year, that caused the year to be far worse than it needed to be. If you heard what it was that they did, you'd understand my position regarding trust in the medical profession. So, my current level of stress is savage beyond description!

My Questions:

- Has anyone else experienced these "Aura" (without headache) attacks, or any things similar?
- How do you cope with these episodes?
- Do people just learn to live with them?...can that be done pretty easily?
- Do you have any advice for managing the anxiety that comes with them, or tips to help with relaxing or handling the aftermath?

I’ve found them to be quite frightening, and I just want to know if this is something that other people go through, too.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has had these or knows more about them. Thank you for reading!