What is Persistent Migraine Aura?
Persistent Migraine Aura (PMA)
persistent aura without infarction
Migraine aura (ie visual) which hangs around for more than a week (and could last for years).
Proper diagnosis:
To be diagnosed, it must occur in a patient who has had previous migraine attacks with aura. Death of brain cells (infarction), and other related disorders must be ruled out.
Symptoms
Aura symptoms, and especially visual aura symptoms such as:
- Visual snow
- Flashing lights
- Patterns
Treatments
Drugs such as acetazolamide, valproic acid, furosemide, verapamil, and lamotrigine
PMA can be very difficult to treat.
For more information, read Persistent Migraine Aura and Visual Snow? and Visual Snow and Persistent Migraine Aura – tests and treatments
Selected References: The visual aura rating scale as an outcome predictor for persistent visual aura without infarction. Cephalalgia 2008; The International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd edition 2003; Is ‘visual snow’ a symptom of migraine? Dr Paul Shanahan; Is Visual Snow a Migraine Aura?; Migraine with Persistent Visual Aura: Response to Furosemide Clinics 2009; It’s snowing! Seven cases of persistent migrainous visual aura Saint Louis University; The visual aura rating scale as an outcome predictor for persistent visual aura without infarction. Cephalalgia 2008
Sarah_Estep
4 September 2013 @ 1:49 am
@migraine_blog I think I could be poster child for PMA,I had 5 on Saturday-Alice in Wonderland Syndrome style.Its awful & its getting worse.
6 July 2016 @ 11:18 pm
What about Persistent Migraine w/o Aura? I used to get auras but as my migraines have progressed I no longer have them. MRI shows “chronic myeloid changes consistent with chronic migraine” but nothing else significant. I’ve been on every preventative including Botox and have tried Cefaly, tens, massage, chiro, oils, and more. Any studies or info you could offer me?
28 November 2016 @ 3:51 pm
My 12 year old daughter has had a PMA for two months. Had the MRI with contrast, been treated for Lyme as she tested positive for early type. She had six migraines in a 1-1/2 year timeframe prior.
Do any of you know the best, most well-versed doctors to contact for a second opinion. We’ve seen the head neuro-ophthalmologist in boston at Mass Eye and Ear.
Thanks for your help.