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[Belle1]

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[Anaise]

Yes, I had auras whilst on Estrogel so I had to come off it. Never had one since I came off or before being on it..

[Taz2]

I developed auras a few years ago but didn't have to stop HRT as I'd been on it for ten years by then.  I was referred to the eye clinic by my GP and nothing untoward was found. I've found stress or tiredness can cause them with me plus too much phone screen time can also do it. Some research has been done on the effect of LED lighting as a trigger apparently.

The key thing is that they shouldn't last longer than 30 minutes and that only one eye is affected.

Taz x

[milly]

I have had these for many years, always lasting around 20 to 30 minutes, on average 2 a month, sometimes 2 in a day, rather scary each time. It can be one eye, or both eyes, if I shut my eyes I still see the zig zags. I have after all these years never found a pattern.

I had a brain scan 2 years ago after deciding they must have damaged my brain after all this time... it was completely normal! The neurologist told me just to get on with it and remember that each time I come through it, and continue with normal life till the next time.. this helps me a lot.


Google the migraine summit, there is a lot of useful information here.

[milly]

No, not now, but it was no different when I was!

[hotmama]

Oh aren’t they flipping ghastly. Two weeks ago, I had three episodes of aura in one day that left me exhausted. I have a blind spot, then scintillating lights and zigzags. Plus pins and needles down one side and inability to talk or write things down. Not really much of a headache though. Like you, no pattern. Started at eight years old and still having them at 71. I came late to HRT at age 64 as so worried it would make them worse but horrendous menopausal symptoms for over 12 years with no quality of life made me go on it. Oestrogen patch only 50mcg has given me my life back apart from wretched migraine and various arthritis. I still find them scary so can completely understand how you feel.

[hotmama]

I think we have to accept there is no answer because I’ve been trying to find that out for so many years. I suppose if we knew that then we could cure them! Because they are so scary, I tend to live in fear of having one and this is something I struggle with. Especially if I have one when I’m out and have to drive. X

[Taz2]

I hate those attacks but find some comfort in the fact they wont last longer than half an hour. I don't like the unreal feeling which I have afterwards - sort of woozy and a bit unsteady - and I do worry that it will happen when driving and I'll have to park up for an hour before I feel right enough to drive again. I found this info on the Migraine Trust website https://www.migrainetrust.org/understanding-migraine-aura/  and more details on this part about migraine in later life https://www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/coping-managing/migraine-in-later-life/

Taz x

[milly]

Unfortunately over the many years I have had these several times whilst driving, if I can I just pull over and wait for it to pass.

I’ve had a couple on the motorway and just got into inside lane and followed car in front as best as I can, and come off at next exit or service station.

I try to see them as a nuisance now, rather than a health worry, but it’s taken years to come to this point.

[Mary G]

First of all, anyone who suffers with migraine auras has my sympathy, they are pretty scary and can be very debilitating, particularly if you suffer with postdrome.

I started suffering from silent migraines (aura without headache) at the onset of the menopause so I immediately guessed they were hormone related.  My auras are caused by sudden surges of oestrogen and these surges are made worse with the introduction of Utrogestan and synthetic progesterone.  I consulted a migraine specialist who concluded that the reason I did not suffer with auras pre menopause was because I was protected by my own hormone stability but as soon as peri menopause kicked in, my hormones became destabilised hence the onset of the auras.

The only advice I can give is to keep your hormones as stable as possible and to avoid a cycle.  Often a progesterone coil (Mirena or Jaydess) can help to achieve that along with a stable form of transdermal oestrogen.  Tibolone is also a good option for women with hormone related migraines because it does not lead to oestrogen spikes. 

It is important to identify your migraine trigger and they are not always hormone related but if they start at menopause or get worse around that time then they most probably are.  If they become really troublesome, propranonol (beta blocker) is worth considering as a preventative medicine.

[milly]

My neurologist suggested riboflavin 400mg daily.  It’s taken 3 months to have an effect, but seems to reduce the amount.

[shrosphirelass]

I have these occasionally and they make me feel really washed out afterwards. I find them quite frightening. They may be triggered by light. Ive had them when Ive been looking at a screen with lights flashing even subtly and being in a dark environments and then going into a lit up ones. In the past I seemed to get them more when I was very tired or stressed but recent episodes have been in fairly relaxed environments. I had my eyes tested and the GP wasn't concerned.

[hotmama]

Thank you to Milly for the interesting information on riboflavin. It’s certainly worth a try. Thank you also to Mary G for her wise words on keeping hormones stable. I think that’s the reason for my three episodes in one day because I had started to slowly reduce my patch. Hopefully, it’s all settled now as I’m where I want to be with regards to the patch strength.

[Aprilflower]

Programme on Radio 4 now.

LIFE SCIENTIFIC - All about migraine.