Comments on: Persistent Migraine Aura and Visual Snow? http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/ Thoughts and information about the latest news in the world of migraine, cluster headache and other headache treatment around the world. Wed, 23 May 2012 02:41:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Barry paul T. http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-193264 Barry paul T. Tue, 22 May 2012 14:57:07 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-193264 Hello, I also have VS & I strongly urge you to go to Facebook & type in a groupg called Visual Snow, as it has well over 300 members who can support your questions. If you have any problems finding the group, let me know at nucleuscontour1@hotmail.com Hello,
I also have VS & I strongly urge you to go to Facebook & type in a groupg called Visual Snow, as it has well over 300 members who can support your questions. If you have any problems finding the group, let me know at nucleuscontour1@hotmail.com

]]> By: Battar http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-192358 Battar Sun, 20 May 2012 20:01:52 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-192358 Hi all, My wife started seeing snow a few months ago and was worried to the point of tears about it. Since she has other eye problems and has undergone eye surgery in the past she was convinced that her vision was getting worse to the point of useless (she can't see well enough to use a computer or drive). The eye specialists she went to could find nothing (none of them thought to refer her to a neurologist). Eventually I wised up enough to type the symptoms into google and up popped VS/PMA. The wisest and most helpful comments I found here (thanks, guys) were "relax and stop worrying about it". One other thing - my wife suffers from a mild form of epilepsy (she takes lamictal, so if you thought that would help with the symptoms, forget it) and is also close to menopause. Anyone ever heard of a relation between epilepsy, or menopause, and VS? By the way, one unusual point about my wife's case - she has never suffered from migraines, and doesn't get them now, either. All variations in a theme, I suppose. My job is to cheer her up - you've all helped a bit. Hi all,
My wife started seeing snow a few months ago and was worried to the point of tears about it. Since she has other eye problems and has undergone eye surgery in the past she was convinced that her vision was getting worse to the point of useless (she can’t see well enough to use a computer or drive). The eye specialists she went to could find nothing (none of them thought to refer her to a neurologist). Eventually I wised up enough to type the symptoms into google and up popped VS/PMA. The wisest and most helpful comments I found here (thanks, guys) were “relax and stop worrying about it”. One other thing – my wife suffers from a mild form of epilepsy (she takes lamictal, so if you thought that would help with the symptoms, forget it) and is also close to menopause. Anyone ever heard of a relation between epilepsy, or menopause, and VS? By the way, one unusual point about my wife’s case – she has never suffered from migraines, and doesn’t get them now, either. All variations in a theme, I suppose. My job is to cheer her up – you’ve all helped a bit.

]]> By: Barry paul T. http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-183194 Barry paul T. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:00:57 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-183194 Benji, I was online researching info about hooking up an ethernet cable to my computer router when I saw your post pop up. I am the one who eats those carrots. All I can say about your PMA that you now have from your last Aura, is that I have read in my many researches, that there are people who have gone through what you are now going through, & in time, their vision came back to normal. How much time, I don't recall, & how many cases this has turned into a postive result, I do not recall either, as I have not saved the link. MY PMA is constant shimmering in my peripherals, but your plight is in your central vision, which I hope will subside in time. I wish I could help more. I will wish you a very speedy recovery. Barry in Pa. Benji,
I was online researching info about hooking up an ethernet cable to my computer router when I saw your post pop up. I am the one who eats those carrots. All I can say about your PMA that you now have from your last Aura, is that I have read in my many researches, that there are people who have gone through what you are now going through, & in time, their vision came back to normal. How much time, I don’t recall, & how many cases this has turned into a postive result, I do not recall either, as I have not saved the link. MY PMA is constant shimmering in my peripherals, but your plight is in your central vision, which I hope will subside in time. I wish I could help more. I will wish you a very speedy recovery. Barry in Pa.

]]> By: Benji http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-182873 Benji Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:11:41 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-182873 Hello, I am a 33 year old male and have suffered from intermittent migraines for the past 5 years or so. They happen every 1 or 2 months, almost always at work, and are predominantly aura with little or no head pain. Recently I had 2 attacks in the space of a week (unheard of) and since the second attack my vision has not returned to normal. It has been 2 weeks now and I am struggling to read, especially on a computer. Unfortunately my profession is in IT, so I have been unable to work. I am waiting for the results of an MRI and have already had a CT scan which came up back clear. I have had numerous eye tests, all fine. The doctors seem uncertain so i've been having a look online and PMA makes the most sense to me. Is there any advice anyone can give for sufferers in the UK? Are there people/agencies that can help me adjust to this (if it's here indefinitely) and get back to work/lead a normal life? I have been placed on Amitripyline 10 mg dose but I am really not keen on taking this medication... especially because nobody seems sure. My migraine attacks were infrequent and i could manage them without medication, suddenly all that's changed which is a bit scary. Any advice appreciated, I am going to check out the book "Paleo solution" as mentioned above and also get stuck into eating carrots! :) Hello,

I am a 33 year old male and have suffered from intermittent migraines for the past 5 years or so. They happen every 1 or 2 months, almost always at work, and are predominantly aura with little or no head pain.

Recently I had 2 attacks in the space of a week (unheard of) and since the second attack my vision has not returned to normal. It has been 2 weeks now and I am struggling to read, especially on a computer. Unfortunately my profession is in IT, so I have been unable to work.

I am waiting for the results of an MRI and have already had a CT scan which came up back clear. I have had numerous eye tests, all fine.

The doctors seem uncertain so i’ve been having a look online and PMA makes the most sense to me. Is there any advice anyone can give for sufferers in the UK? Are there people/agencies that can help me adjust to this (if it’s here indefinitely) and get back to work/lead a normal life?

I have been placed on Amitripyline 10 mg dose but I am really not keen on taking this medication… especially because nobody seems sure. My migraine attacks were infrequent and i could manage them without medication, suddenly all that’s changed which is a bit scary.

Any advice appreciated, I am going to check out the book “Paleo solution” as mentioned above and also get stuck into eating carrots! :)

]]> By: Barry paul T. http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-181851 Barry paul T. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:26:38 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-181851 Hello, I have had VS since I was given steroid eye drops three years ago to cure a pink eye. I have been having Migraine Auras without the headaches for about twelve years. Three years ago, I discovered I had some shimmering in my peripheral vision(extreme right & left) of my only eye, the right one, as the other one was eventually lost from a childhood explosion. The right eye was always checked by my retina specialist & the eye is fine, except for a small cataract, but he couldn't explain the shimmering, which has already driven me nuts. I am very depressed about the shimmering, althought the VS is quite mild. I alwasy think the worst is going to happen, & I am totally possesed by the PMA (shimmering). I am seen staring at walls by people as I am checking the frequency level for the shimmering, which is not in sync with my heartbeat. I am 65, & am tired of this life. I am going to ask my regular Doctor for a med to relax my anxiety & fears. I am a Hermit & I refuse to go anywheres. So be it.... Barry in Pa. ps I have post here before.. Hello,
I have had VS since I was given steroid eye drops three years ago to cure a pink eye. I have been having Migraine Auras without the headaches for about twelve years. Three years ago, I discovered I had some shimmering in my peripheral vision(extreme right & left) of my only eye, the right one, as the other one was eventually lost from a childhood explosion. The right eye was always checked by my retina specialist & the eye is fine, except for a small cataract, but he couldn’t explain the shimmering, which has already driven me nuts. I am very depressed about the shimmering, althought the VS is quite mild. I alwasy think the worst is going to happen, & I am totally possesed by the PMA (shimmering). I am seen staring at walls by people as I am checking the frequency level for the shimmering, which is not in sync with my heartbeat. I am 65, & am tired of this life. I am going to ask my regular Doctor for a med to relax my anxiety & fears. I am a Hermit & I refuse to go anywheres. So be it…. Barry in Pa. ps I have post here before..

]]> By: Sarah http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-169980 Sarah Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:38:34 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-169980 I'm 17, and have had this since I was about 4 or 5. I was playing with my sister in our bedroom late at night with a little mermaid doll, and I was straining to see since we had the lights out. We dunked the doll in a bowl of water, and once we flicked the hair these dots appeared everywhere and I've had them ever since. They're not inhibiting or distracting, but they never go away. I've had floaters for years too, but I've heard that some visual distortions are typically related to VS. I've had no experiences with drugs, nor with depression, anxiety, or panic disorders. It's never stressful to me, but can get pretty noticeable in lowlight conditions or when I close my eyes. It's pretty puzzling! I’m 17, and have had this since I was about 4 or 5. I was playing with my sister in our bedroom late at night with a little mermaid doll, and I was straining to see since we had the lights out. We dunked the doll in a bowl of water, and once we flicked the hair these dots appeared everywhere and I’ve had them ever since. They’re not inhibiting or distracting, but they never go away. I’ve had floaters for years too, but I’ve heard that some visual distortions are typically related to VS. I’ve had no experiences with drugs, nor with depression, anxiety, or panic disorders. It’s never stressful to me, but can get pretty noticeable in lowlight conditions or when I close my eyes.
It’s pretty puzzling!

]]> By: Kimberly http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-161861 Kimberly Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:48:42 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-161861 Hi Pamela, I personally believe that you are correct about anxiety causing your VS. I am constantly on the web looking up things about VS, blogging, etc. I have heard stories very similar to yours many times. I, too, obsessed about my vision and I found that the more I focused/dwelled/worried about the issue, the worse it got. It took me over two years just to find out on my own through looking on line what VS even was and the fact that I have it. (I also have PMA and Palinopsia.) I started up a vicious cycle and things got pretty bad. If you are like the many others I have met online, you will find that NONE of the doctors you encounter know what is wrong with you, they probably have never even heard of visual snow and they have no idea how to help. It’s extremely frustrating. One of the good things to think about is… if by now, they have run tests (blood work, probably an MRI or an MRI-V, etc.) and they have not found anything wrong, you are perfectly healthy. It was hard for me to come to grips with this. Even once they told me nothing was “wrong”, I was still scared I was going to lose my vision or die. Once I trusted their findings, I was better off emotionally (and the VS calmed down a good bit). I hope this might help you and I hope your condition improves. Best of luck, ~Kimberly Hi Pamela,
I personally believe that you are correct about anxiety causing your VS. I am constantly on the web looking up things about VS, blogging, etc. I have heard stories very similar to yours many times. I, too, obsessed about my vision and I found that the more I focused/dwelled/worried about the issue, the worse it got. It took me over two years just to find out on my own through looking on line what VS even was and the fact that I have it. (I also have PMA and Palinopsia.) I started up a vicious cycle and things got pretty bad.
If you are like the many others I have met online, you will find that NONE of the doctors you encounter know what is wrong with you, they probably have never even heard of visual snow and they have no idea how to help. It’s extremely frustrating. One of the good things to think about is… if by now, they have run tests (blood work, probably an MRI or an MRI-V, etc.) and they have not found anything wrong, you are perfectly healthy. It was hard for me to come to grips with this. Even once they told me nothing was “wrong”, I was still scared I was going to lose my vision or die. Once I trusted their findings, I was better off emotionally (and the VS calmed down a good bit).
I hope this might help you and I hope your condition improves.
Best of luck,
~Kimberly

]]> By: Pamela Jones http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-161642 Pamela Jones Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:42 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-161642 My VS started Xmas day 2011. I had a very severe anxiety attack on xmas eve that caused my vision to blur. @ the hospital, the dr told me my peripheral vision was limited in my right eye, however it wasn't. After I was discharged I began to obsess about my vision. The nxt day I had VS. I am convinced that anxiety has caused this. I've been probed for the past 2 months by drs and specialists. Nothing has been found. My VS started Xmas day 2011. I had a very severe anxiety attack on xmas eve that caused my vision to blur. @ the hospital, the dr told me my peripheral vision was limited in my right eye, however it wasn’t. After I was discharged I began to obsess about my vision. The nxt day I had VS. I am convinced that anxiety has caused this. I’ve been probed for the past 2 months by drs and specialists. Nothing has been found.

]]> By: Kimberly http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-158704 Kimberly Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:03:14 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-158704 I certainly will contact with updates. Take care, ~K I certainly will contact with updates.

Take care,
~K

]]> By: Alex Clements http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-158703 Alex Clements Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:58:03 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-158703 Hey Kimberly, Yeah i can relate to everything you say, lack of sleep, stress in life or stress caused by having this ect. One thing i'd like to point out that alot of people are saying that anxiety makes it worse, as you say the vicious circle of having these symptoms seems to make them worse but in contrast for me personally as i discovered all of this that i feel alot less scared of it and in turn my VS seems to have calmed right down, it was almost instant! It's still there but nowhere near as apparent. After finding all of this out i looked up everything related to it i think i suffer from, VS, Palinopsia, vibrating/shimmer vision, burn-ins or after image/vision (Maybe just palinopsia), PMA and occasionally 'pulse vision' which is like a flicker in the vision with the heartbeat only noticed while trying to sleep and subsiding with minutes.. I also very rarley get any kind of headache, not even as often as once a year.. We both agree that the knowledge we are not alone is what has helped the most i feel, i was suffering from all of this for three years and finally found all of this the other night (i may of said) but that relief is un-imaginable. Now i know what it is by our own definations, i have to be honest that now i actually find the visual effects very interesting, finding a definative cause would be of most interest now and thinking of what the hell is causing it.. In the forums i have read already from people the most common link is anxiety, not sure if i mentioned but this happened to me a week after my mum died, i became scared and was having all manner of anxiety attacks (far worse than panic) then shortly after i noticed all these effects.. Another common thing i read is people linking it possibally to some kind of anti-depressants, which i did start taking and others who suffer have also been taking. However it's easy for a doctor to bang you on anti-depressants when we feel anxious so whether it's the anxiety or the tablets.. I only took them for a month after my mum died but obviously the effects have remained from whatever has caused them. I never even thought of wearing sunglasses but it makes perfect sense, since your the first person who suffers from this that has replied to me i'd love to ask you some things about your personal experiences and also welcome any questions you may have about mine. For now though i'd like to thank you for your reply and also wish you all the best. If you make any discoveries, please send me an e-mail clements1986@hotmail.com Alex.. Hey Kimberly, Yeah i can relate to everything you say, lack of sleep, stress in life or stress caused by having this ect. One thing i’d like to point out that alot of people are saying that anxiety makes it worse, as you say the vicious circle of having these symptoms seems to make them worse but in contrast for me personally as i discovered all of this that i feel alot less scared of it and in turn my VS seems to have calmed right down, it was almost instant! It’s still there but nowhere near as apparent. After finding all of this out i looked up everything related to it i think i suffer from, VS, Palinopsia, vibrating/shimmer vision, burn-ins or after image/vision (Maybe just palinopsia), PMA and occasionally ‘pulse vision’ which is like a flicker in the vision with the heartbeat only noticed while trying to sleep and subsiding with minutes.. I also very rarley get any kind of headache, not even as often as once a year.. We both agree that the knowledge we are not alone is what has helped the most i feel, i was suffering from all of this for three years and finally found all of this the other night (i may of said) but that relief is un-imaginable. Now i know what it is by our own definations, i have to be honest that now i actually find the visual effects very interesting, finding a definative cause would be of most interest now and thinking of what the hell is causing it.. In the forums i have read already from people the most common link is anxiety, not sure if i mentioned but this happened to me a week after my mum died, i became scared and was having all manner of anxiety attacks (far worse than panic) then shortly after i noticed all these effects.. Another common thing i read is people linking it possibally to some kind of anti-depressants, which i did start taking and others who suffer have also been taking. However it’s easy for a doctor to bang you on anti-depressants when we feel anxious so whether it’s the anxiety or the tablets.. I only took them for a month after my mum died but obviously the effects have remained from whatever has caused them. I never even thought of wearing sunglasses but it makes perfect sense, since your the first person who suffers from this that has replied to me i’d love to ask you some things about your personal experiences and also welcome any questions you may have about mine. For now though i’d like to thank you for your reply and also wish you all the best. If you make any discoveries, please send me an e-mail clements1986@hotmail.com
Alex..

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