Parenting
The first time I experienced an ocular migraine, I was around 20 years old. It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and while watching TV, my vision suddenly blurred. Assuming it was just the heat getting to me, I decided to lie down for a bit.
Then, the most unsettling thing began to occur. From the corner of my right eye, I noticed a flickering band of lights. Within minutes, this strange phenomenon expanded, obstructing my vision on the entire right side. I attempted to close my eyes, yet the lights persisted. Anxiety set in, and I was torn between whether to call 911 (which, in hindsight, I probably should have) or just wait it out. Just as I was starting to convince myself that I wasn’t having a stroke, the lights vanished. My vision returned to normal, but I was left with an overwhelming sense of fatigue and a throbbing headache on the same side where the lights had appeared.
While many would rush to a doctor in such a situation, as a young woman with a fear of medical professionals, I hesitated. I reached out to a friend who had experienced something similar. She recalled having a “flashing light” episode while dealing with a severe eating disorder, and her doctor had attributed it to dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance.
Recalling the hot weather that day, I attributed my episode to the heat and stocked up on electrolyte supplements, convinced that would solve my issue. Over the next few years, I continued to have these “flashing lights” episodes, mistakenly believing they were merely the result of dehydration. However, during my first pregnancy, the frequency of these occurrences increased, prompting me to consult a medical professional.
My midwife suggested they might be migraines, which are not uncommon during pregnancy. Later, I spoke with my optometrist, who carefully reviewed my symptoms and confirmed that they were likely the aura phase of a migraine. She noted that many of her patients experienced similar symptoms, and as long as I didn’t have other alarming signs like memory loss, we could focus on managing them. Each migraine sufferer responds differently to various treatments, making relief a challenging journey.
She advised me to identify and eliminate potential migraine triggers. The list was overwhelming, including everyday items like coffee, chocolate, and even stress. It seemed nearly impossible to avoid all triggers without spending my days in bed, meditating, and consuming only rice and water.
I decided to accept my auras (thankful they weren’t a sign of something more dire). Interestingly, at that time, I only experienced mild headaches following the auras, so I thought I could just tolerate them. However, after giving birth, I faced a harsh reality: intense migraine attacks that were unbearable. I’m not sure if it was the extreme sleep deprivation of new motherhood or hormonal changes, but my migraines escalated, overshadowing the auras that had once concerned me.
Now, when I do experience an aura, I feel more annoyed than frightened. Thankfully, they aren’t frequent, but when they do happen, I brace myself for the impending pain that follows. I view the aura as a warning that a severe migraine is on the way.
If you’ve ever encountered an aura, you understand how surreal it can be, especially when it first occurs and you’re uncertain if something life-threatening is happening.
One important note: if you ever suddenly experience vision loss accompanied by flashing lights, seek medical attention immediately. It’s crucial to rule out more serious conditions before assuming it’s a migraine.
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