Stress Center Peer Support

Hi, I am a 42yr female. Recently, since July, i have been experiencing visual problems. I get a blind spot in my vision, like i looked into the sun, then i get a kalediascope of lights and shapes in my left peripheral vision, which lasts from 10-50mins. I am getting these weekly. I don't get a headache afterwards. I do suffer with migraines and headaches, but no visual disturbances with these. I have been to eye docs, Ent doc and neurologist, who diagnosed me as having a vascular migraine!!! My point is that this causes me so much anxiety and that is why i had to start the programme. I am doing good on the programme, then i have one of these eye things and i am back anxious again. Can anyone relate to the visual stuff. It would help not to feel so alone, and maybe give me more confidence in this diagnosis. I wonder if it is hormonal, or due to stress??? I used to get these once every 2 years, what would make them come more frequently all of a sudden?. I have had Mri and Ct of head. All the docs want to do is write me a prescription for anti-depressants or other meds to try and control the visual stuff. Sorry for the long post, but i feel if i could get to the bottom of my visual problems, my anxiety would be so much easier to tackle, and i wouldn't always be anticipating these 'attacks' which give me no waring, and can happen when i am at work, shopping or even driving. Please help any input would be much appreciated.
Thank you

Hi britgal, yes I can relate to what you are experiencing. From time to time I have what are called "ocular migraines". I don't get a headache afterward but it lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. It can start anywhere at any time, without warning. It starts as a shining "blob", if you will, and it gets bigger until the middle of the eye is affected. It then gradually goes away. I have talked with and seen both my optometrist and opthalmologist about this and they said that they are absolutely not harmful. I can understand why it would make one anxious though as it is a very frightening experience. But, ocular migraines are nothing new and nothing to worry about. I simply lie down and close my eyes until they go away. I don't get them often, but I don't like them. I refer to this webpage often to read about them. Maybe it will help (and it has pictures):

<A HREF="http://www.allaboutvision.com/condition ... graine.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.allaboutvision.com/condition ... ine.htm</A>

Good luck. It sure scared me until I knew what these things were.

I have had a similar occurrence with my vision since I was 13 years old. I am now 64. I no longer have a headache with them. My Dr. calls them cluster headaches. I have narrowed the cause down to tension or stress. It comes when I am doing something that causes tension in my shoulders and neck. I usually can "nip them in the bud" by focus on relaxing those muscles. I know they aren't serious especially since i can usually control them. I hope that yours will be as easy to control.

Thank you so much for your kind replies, it really does help. I will go and check out the webpage too.