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. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:36:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 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..

]]> By: Kimberly http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-158692 Kimberly Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:54:30 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-158692 Hi Alex, I am SO glad this site helped you. I, too, received relief when I found this blog. My doctors were completely useless to me, as well. Lack of sleep or poor sleep does seem to be a common theme I hear of when people talk about their VS getting worse. I know that stress can also make it worse and it DOES become a vicious cycle. I have also noticed that swings in my hormone levels and blood sugar levels have an impact on the severity of my condition. You may notice this in you, too. In addition to visual snow, the “sperm-like” things you are seeing are called Persistent Migraine Aura (PMA). You might want to look that term up and I know for me, getting a prescription for migraines help me out a good bit. (I know that seems strange to take a migraine medication if you don’t have the actual headache, but you can have visual migraine symptoms without actually having the PAIN of a migraine.) Your over sensitive vision might be “Palinopsia”. I have that condition, too, and I have to wear sunglasses every time I am on the computer or around fluorescent lighting. I hope the knowledge of these new visual terms helps you in your further search for answers. You are definitely on the right track. I know how relieved I was when I finally put a name to my conditions. Although I still have the eye problems, the knowledge that I would be OK brought such peace. Good luck to you and I hope you have many restful nights’ sleep! ~Kimberly Hi Alex,
I am SO glad this site helped you. I, too, received relief when I found this blog. My doctors were completely useless to me, as well.
Lack of sleep or poor sleep does seem to be a common theme I hear of when people talk about their VS getting worse. I know that stress can also make it worse and it DOES become a vicious cycle. I have also noticed that swings in my hormone levels and blood sugar levels have an impact on the severity of my condition. You may notice this in you, too.
In addition to visual snow, the “sperm-like” things you are seeing are called Persistent Migraine Aura (PMA). You might want to look that term up and I know for me, getting a prescription for migraines help me out a good bit. (I know that seems strange to take a migraine medication if you don’t have the actual headache, but you can have visual migraine symptoms without actually having the PAIN of a migraine.)
Your over sensitive vision might be “Palinopsia”. I have that condition, too, and I have to wear sunglasses every time I am on the computer or around fluorescent lighting.
I hope the knowledge of these new visual terms helps you in your further search for answers.
You are definitely on the right track. I know how relieved I was when I finally put a name to my conditions.
Although I still have the eye problems, the knowledge that I would be OK brought such peace.
Good luck to you and I hope you have many restful nights’ sleep!
~Kimberly

]]> By: Alex Clements http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-158231 Alex Clements Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:59:20 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-158231 Hey to everyone on this 'site' pardon the pun lol. I have been having visual snow for 3 years and i only just diagonsed myself a few moments ago by finding this site, doctors were useless for me and i've been really scared for the 3 years it's been happening to me, i thought i was alone but couldn't except this is only happening to me. I cannot put into words how grateful i am to everyone on this site, for the first time ever i now know whats going on and i no longer have to fear it. I am so happy , this website from today forward will improve my life and stop me being scared about it! I have monitored myself regarding my eye sight and now i know for sure i'm not the only one i'd really like to help other's with my experiences of it to help diagnose it for them. I can now go to bed and not worry about waking up blind! Having problems in your vision that no one can identify is really scarey, One thing i wanted to say to people here is that for me personally, my mum died when i was young and this visual snow started straight after! So my experience is that being upset, stressed, anxious to the point of attacks, was what has caused it for me, unless its coincidence. From other experiences i'd say that lack of sleep is what makes it worse for me. It's a vicous circle, i was anxious because my mum died, then became more anxoius when my vision went funny and therefore being anxious for me also makes it worse. My symptoms are, grainy vision, over sensitive vision, small almost sperm like 'things' swimming around my field of vision when looking at something bright or white, looking into a blue but sunny sky makes them appear.. Anyway once again a big thank you to everyone who made and commented on this site, it's given me a sense of relief i'd never thought i'd get! Much love to you all. Alex Clements, UK aged 25. Hey to everyone on this ‘site’ pardon the pun lol. I have been having visual snow for 3 years and i only just diagonsed myself a few moments ago by finding this site, doctors were useless for me and i’ve been really scared for the 3 years it’s been happening to me, i thought i was alone but couldn’t except this is only happening to me. I cannot put into words how grateful i am to everyone on this site, for the first time ever i now know whats going on and i no longer have to fear it. I am so happy , this website from today forward will improve my life and stop me being scared about it! I have monitored myself regarding my eye sight and now i know for sure i’m not the only one i’d really like to help other’s with my experiences of it to help diagnose it for them. I can now go to bed and not worry about waking up blind! Having problems in your vision that no one can identify is really scarey, One thing i wanted to say to people here is that for me personally, my mum died when i was young and this visual snow started straight after! So my experience is that being upset, stressed, anxious to the point of attacks, was what has caused it for me, unless its coincidence. From other experiences i’d say that lack of sleep is what makes it worse for me. It’s a vicous circle, i was anxious because my mum died, then became more anxoius when my vision went funny and therefore being anxious for me also makes it worse. My symptoms are, grainy vision, over sensitive vision, small almost sperm like ‘things’ swimming around my field of vision when looking at something bright or white, looking into a blue but sunny sky makes them appear.. Anyway once again a big thank you to everyone who made and commented on this site, it’s given me a sense of relief i’d never thought i’d get! Much love to you all. Alex Clements, UK aged 25.

]]> By: Kimberly http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-156206 Kimberly Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:08:05 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-156206 No worries, Barry. I don't think anyone will feel you are trying to lure anyone away from this site. I have found that people with VS are appreciative for any and all resources, sites, chat groups and blogs they can find about the subject since there isn't a wealth of info out there. Thanks for passing the Facebook info along. ~Kimberly No worries, Barry. I don’t think anyone will feel you are trying to lure anyone away from this site. I have found that people with VS are appreciative for any and all resources, sites, chat groups and blogs they can find about the subject since there isn’t a wealth of info out there. Thanks for passing the Facebook info along. ~Kimberly

]]> By: Barry paul T. http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-156201 Barry paul T. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:20:37 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-156201 Kimberly, I am happy to read you are doing better. I also started to cut down on my sweet snacks as I watch TV & already went from 153 pounds down to 147.5. I have read in the past the sugar can affect VS. I belong to a Facebook group called Visual Snow & a lot of info is on there as we already have 242 members. Nope, I am not rying to lure people away from this site, just trying to add my resources for everyone. If you feel I am trying to take away members, let me know, because I do care about everyone & mean well...Barry in Pa. Kimberly,
I am happy to read you are doing better. I also started to cut down on my sweet snacks as I watch TV & already went from 153 pounds down to 147.5. I have read in the past the sugar can affect VS. I belong to a Facebook group called Visual Snow & a lot of info is on there as we already have 242 members. Nope, I am not rying to lure people away from this site, just trying to add my resources for everyone. If you feel I am trying to take away members, let me know, because I do care about everyone & mean well…Barry in Pa.

]]> By: Kimberly http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-156106 Kimberly Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:54:55 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-156106 Very interesting Barry! Thanks for the info. I have had some relief recently, as well. I have read the book The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf (the author's writing style is annoying, but the information is amazing, truly life changing). I have been following his ideas and as a result, my blood sugar levels have evened out . This has caused my visual snow, Palinopsia, and PMA to "calm down." I still have those conditions BUT they do not consume me. It is much easier to ignore because it all stays at the same low level of intensity. For example, it's much easier to forget you have your windshield wipers on if they are going at a constant speed versus fast-slow-fast-faster-medium, etc. I've only been following this book since the start of 2012. It's started working in 11 days (and as an extra bonus although it was not my reason for following the info) I have lost 5 lbs in those short 11 days!!! ~Kimberly Very interesting Barry! Thanks for the info. I have had some relief recently, as well. I have read the book The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf (the author’s writing style is annoying, but the information is amazing, truly life changing). I have been following his ideas and as a result, my blood sugar levels have evened out . This has caused my visual snow, Palinopsia, and PMA to “calm down.” I still have those conditions BUT they do not consume me. It is much easier to ignore because it all stays at the same low level of intensity. For example, it’s much easier to forget you have your windshield wipers on if they are going at a constant speed versus fast-slow-fast-faster-medium, etc. I’ve only been following this book since the start of 2012. It’s started working in 11 days (and as an extra bonus although it was not my reason for following the info) I have lost 5 lbs in those short 11 days!!! ~Kimberly

]]> By: Barry paul T. http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/persistent-migraine-aura-and-visual-snow/comment-page-1/#comment-156100 Barry paul T. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:19:19 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1337#comment-156100 I have VS & also suffered from Migraine Auras, but without the headache for 12 years until recently. I have not had any Auras for 10 1/2 weeks now, since I was getting them (auras) about every 2-3 weeks. I found out that eating about 1/4 stick of raw orange carrot every morning has stopped my Auras, so far. Don't ask me why this is happening, but if this continues to work for me, I will do what I am doing until the day I croak. Go ahead, try it..it won't hurt to find out if this works for you. I have not noticed any change in my VS, however...barry in Pa. I have VS & also suffered from Migraine Auras, but without the headache for 12 years until recently. I have not had any Auras for 10 1/2 weeks now, since I was getting them (auras) about every 2-3 weeks. I found out that eating about 1/4 stick of raw orange carrot every morning has stopped my Auras, so far. Don’t ask me why this is happening, but if this continues to work for me, I will do what I am doing until the day I croak. Go ahead, try it..it won’t hurt to find out if this works for you. I have not noticed any change in my VS, however…barry in Pa.

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