Thank you for the tips. Will give them a try. I have found that I get the headache with it more frequently as I age. Doctor recommends caffeine. First experiences, the doctor thought brain tumor, had vision fields tests, even spinal tap. Wish I'd known 23 years ago about SS. I find flashing light and/or stress increases frequency, duration of episodes. Have even had vision go to complete black during them, under extreme stress. Thanks again for the videos. God bless us all.
Thanks for posting this. I just experienced this for the first time yesterday, followed by a dull headache that lasted the rest of the day. Will give your treatment suggestion a try if it occurs again.
BTW, for me, the edges look like rainbow colored crystals - something like an extreme closeup shot of a snowflake, but much more vivid.
Thanks so much for your video and the accompanying video explanation.
I'd been experiencing this phenomenon since I was in my early teens, but didn't really know what it was, and as I was distrustful of pharmacology, didn't report it and as I had never heard of it before, thought I was 'special', though not in a good way.
For me the blind spots aren't connected with the 'fortification', and the scotoma looks more like shimmering circuitry, not saw-toothed wheels.
[...cont.] But I think you're right in that dehydration is playing a major part certainly in my own experience, as i'm extremely hot and dehydrated by the end of a session and I'm guessing that even a minor knock on the head is then sufficient to set off an SS attack. Perhaps is something to do with my brain being swollen through heat, and/or there's less protective fluid surrounding it at the time it suffers trauma, or there's some other mechanism at work? Thanks again, very helpful!
Great vid, thanks. I didn't know what SS was until this morning - I've had three episodes over the past couple of years, all subsequent to boxing sparring sessions, and I'd previously thought it was entirely due to head trauma. However, I hadn't taken any really hard knocks during those particular sessions, and last night I had one after banging the top of my head really hard on a doorway (don't ask) during a training session (eg there were no blows anywhere near my eyes)....[more])
the worst SS I had was immediately after chemotheray -- lasted abou 5 minutes. Ididn't have and have never had the headaches. The chemo is administered with saline for RE-HYDRATION, so, de-hydration may have been one of the reasons fo rthe onset of SS
I finished watching the video now. It's funny, just few days ago i thought this might be caused by (partially) by some deshydration... But you're talking about the headache, not the Scintillating Scotoma... Well, i'm not even talking about this but "flashes", but who knows...
I recall that, a year before the 1st and only time i had this Scintillating Scotoma, during a day doing computer repair, i had a head ache like NEVER.
It started like an usual but grown quickly and still grow and grow... I had to go back home and go to bed with lights off, as i do usually in case of bad headache. But it didn't stop, it kept growing until i also get strong nausea.
All this lasted for many 4hours, last part being about an hour, that's it. Still ignore cause of my daily flashes..
Thank you. I am going to try the Gatorade suggestion. I am female and I had 4 of these in the last 3 days. I instantly take a pain reliever the minute I see the blindspot. I get the headache in 30 minutes and nausea comes in waves for hours later.
@Barbsaja I sure do hope that both rehydration and raising your blood sugar and electrolyte levels, helps you. Those of us who suffer through these episodes, know how long and how severe they can be, and if we can even get any lessening of their duration or intensity, it is a definite victory. All the best to you! -M
@silicon212 Amen to that! SS by themselves are terrifying to most people at first. But, for those who get the migraines that follow, the SS truly are a godsend. Lucky are those who have only the SS, and no headache following, and, blessed that they do not have to "know" it..
I had an MRI scan recently, as I had a headache after a SS, which lasted about 3 weeks on and off !
I've just seen my neurologist today and the scan was perfect - phew ! He expected it to be, but it's hard to believe that such pain couldn't be something real serious. The last day I had coffee was Halloween and the SS frequency went from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.
I had two attacks in one week over Christmas (maybe due to more wine than normal?) I'll see over the next months how thew attacks go.
Just had one, freaked out. Chugged a gatorade and got better. I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, don't care. Glad it's over. I spoke with my mom and we have a family history of this. Thanks for the videos.
Any (mid brown+) burnt food,cheap burgers,red berries any citrus fruit(deadly), hot spicy foods, peppers,ginger(deadly),most cordials. Dont eat/drink any. Chocolate (only full milk) ok, dairy products ok but not coloured,exclude yoghurts.
drinking any energy drink (not red in colour) excellent add to this roasted salted cashew nuts (lots that is) and you are just about cured. 37 years of it. bad,total loss of vision 2+ hours, experiment and STAY SUGARY HYDRATED .magnesium rich foods blessing
Thanks so much for the great input! Sorry that yours last so long. It is really reassuring that even SS's that last this long are not necessarily a sign of any more serious pathology.
for now on i will drink large quantity of water and always take a bottle of getorade with me... thanks for the tip.... am what is it that you said after the drinking water?? i did not understand, did u just say power something?? thank you for this video... now i know that im not alone i thought im the only one who experience this... i just figured it out last week T_T the first thing that i thought that i have a brain tumor T_T
since i was a high school student i experice visual aura when im about to experience migraine it attack 2-3x a month then i though my migraine was vanished when no attacked happened for the last 2 and half years from its last attacke when i was a 1sy year college (im already 17 years old at that time) then just this december 2010 (im 20) it attcaked me again and i cried so much for thinking that its already gone!!!! i really hate it it feels like im going to die when i experienced that aura
Hey, you know I the one I had last night, I was definately dehydrated with low blood sugar. Was working a busy shift and wasn't drinking water and hadn't really eaten much for the last 14 hours....hmmmm. The only other one I've had was 2 years or so ago...I can't remember whether I was in a similar state or not. They've both been mild thankfully and lasted only 5-10 minutes. But exactly as you descibed.
Thank You very much for the Video, I have had Headaches before but experienced the "Scintillating Scotoma" for the first time today. was worried if i am losing my vision but after 30 mins what followed was Worst headache i ever had. I couldn't think anything. was painful. Will try ur remedy if i get it next time....
Before I knew what this was, I mentioned it to my eye doctor (I don't remember the word for an eye doctor, lol). She briefly explained it and suggested that consuming massive amounts of caffeine right when it starts can knock it out. It doesn't work 100% of the time, but I find that it does work pretty often.
iv had multy colored static trangles that start with a spot and grow but dont go past me.later ones are the zig zag .iv all ways have a streaming from top left to bottom right kalidascop in my mind as a a sepriate channel ...wake,kalidascope, sleep.my last zig zag i saw in my dream and when i woke up 17 years so far
This is excellent information, thank you very much for sharing the tips. I had never thought of dehydration as a possible trigger, or low blood sugar. So thanks again. . Not that the visual C thing is painful, but I can't see to read or drive when it hits. It would be great to nip it in the bud!
P.S. I never get the headache afterward, just the sparkly color flashing C shaped thing.
Weird at first like OMG a brain tumor! lol doctor never heard of the symptoms, yet I found it easy on google... now I think they are funny and kinda cool to experience... sometimes lol, rarely happens though
I only recently figured out what these are 'Aura Migraines'. I have found that simply flushing my eyes with cool/room temp. water seems to help a lot. I clean my glasses as well as take 500mg of acetaminophen with lots of water. If it keeps getting worse I take another 500mg. The first time I had one of these things I thought I was going to go blind in a matter of hours! Very scary indeed. I simply closed my eyes, buried my head and eventually I got a little bit better.
I only recently figured out what these are 'Aura Migraines'. I have found that simply flushing my eyes with cool/room temp. water seems to help a lot. I clean my glasses as well as take 500mg of acetaminophen with lots of water. If it keeps getting worse I take another 500mg. The first time I had one of these things I thought I was going to go blind in a matter of hours! Very scary indeed. I simply closed my eyes, buried my head and eventually I got a little bit better.
I've been getting these episodes periodically over the last ten years and had my most recent 2 days ago after not having one for a couple of years. Even though long knowing what this was via internet, it was still very disturbing and it is very hard to stop panic setting in and to keep positive that it will go away. I am lucky as I don't get headache. I have been able to reduce the severity and duration by lying down as soon as possible with my legs/feet elevated as high as is comfortable.
You are very lucky you don't get the headaches. Keep remembering that. I know it is disturbing. It was downright frightening when it first happened to me. But, as these episodes are not dangerous to your physical body, winning the psychological battle, and not letting your mind run away with you, is the most important thing you can do. Keep trying.
YES!!! I noticed this effect myself when I finished playing handball. the effect is realted to dehydration, I either drink gatorade or eat a banana. Now I just drink a glass of orange juice before I do play handball and it is no longer a concern.
I've been having these for years and just figured out that I'm not alone - gotta love Google. For me the trick has been to pound caffeine - coke or coffee work best. I can usually keep an attack at bay with enough caffeine - if I get to it fast enough.
I get these too, several times a year, have since 1983. At this point they really n longer bother me or frighten me in the least. I just do something useful for a half hour like rake leaves or do the laundry. Relax folks, SS is for many of us just part of being human. No need to worry !
Very accurate ! Thanks for your research and posting. You were spot on about the Gatorade I found that out one day by shear accident. I happened to drink one and my headache went away quickly, so next time I tried it it worked. Also the low blood sugar I realized because one day my lunch hour was not till 3 in the afternoon crazy retail hours it had been a while since I ate. The aura started and I knew I was really hungry. So spot on again. Thanks again and may you be migraine free. : )
Sorry for me bad english... Can anyone transcribe the video in text? I suffer " Scintillating Scotoma" and I need information (the treatment, principally).
Thanks!
In spanish: ¿Alguien puede transcribir el vídeo (o traducirlo)? Padezo de " Scintillating Scotoma" y me gustaría saber cómo tratarlo. En mi caso ocurre viendo la TV (en un TFT de 37''). Si no veo la TV, no me ocurre (por ahora). Y no me viene el dolor de cabeza después (por suerte).
En mi caso parece que tiene más que ver con algo "visual". Soy programador, y paso todo el día delante de pantallas TFT, y al llegar a casa, mi TV TFT me las provoca. Es de suponer que a causa de una "fatiga" visual...
Probaré lo de la bebida isotónica (¿Servirá igual con un "aquarius"?)
God Bless You for posting these videos. When I started having these years ago, I didn't have the internet and couldn't figure out what was happening to me. I thought for sure I was having some kind of stroke or my future vision was being damaged. Your videos were so right on the nose that I almost started crying as I watched and recognized my symptoms. You have done a great service for all the people like me who had no clue what was happening to them.
I am glad that I helped to keep you from panicking :)
I was also quite scared when this first happened, and ended up going through a full neurological workup, (Docs idea, not mine), including brain MRI, all to find out that it is 99.99% of the time a harmless phenomenon attributed to migraine headache mechanisms, (vascular spasm), in the brain. Shocking, but relieving that it is nothing serious! Whew. And, if you don't get the horrible headaches many suffer that follow a "SS," you are blessed!
First of all I am not a doctor. I was very paranoid the first time it happened, and I went to see doctors, had a brain MRI and read everything I could find.
All I can say is 99.99% of the time, it is only an optical migraine, either with or without the subsequent headache, which can be fierce.
If the SS lasts 20-40 minutes, and is unaccompanied by any other neurological symptoms like numbness, incoordination, etc., you are probably fine.
If you have other persistent symptoms see a doctor. ;)
I cannot thank you enough for your video. I just had one for the first time in my life. I just came back from the gym and I guess I was dehydrated. When it start happening I panicked and, I tell you it was the most frightening moment of my life! Thanks to you I know now what it is, but I can feel a terrible migraine is starting to build up. I am drinking now a vitamin water and made myself some apple juice, and took one tylenol, let's see what will happen . Thank you again.
Your welcome. I hope it helps. The most important thing is to be as calm as possible. Panic and fear can make this experience much worse than it is.
When I first had one. It was on a holiday, so my doctors were closed, and I wasn't going to the emergency room, so I had to "sweat" it out. All that fear was a waste.
99.9% of the time there is nothing hazardous AT ALL going on.
The headaches, if they come, can be excruciating, but they also are not life threatening. We just have to ride 'em out!
Thank you very much - I have not had chance to try your remedy yet as I only get these about once in six months, but i definitely think you are on the right track and I am so happy firstly that i do not get the headache and that i know whats happening to me and i dont have to panic anymore. Super!!
Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am going to try out what you've suggested next time I have an attack. I get one every 2 weeks on average, so I won't have to wait long :^(
I already feel slightly relieved however, as seeing these videos proves to me that I'm not on my own with this condition. I kinda thought I was unique with this kind of aura, until seeing other people's animated representations of it, which are very accurate !!
Thanks for the vid! I actually had one the other day when I was working outside. I get them every once in a while. It, to me, is the most painful experience once the migraine kicks in. When I get the Aura it is so blinding I have to stop what I'm doing. Usually I get the face and hand numbness as well as become very nauseous and throw up the entire day. I will definitely try the water or Gatorade next time I get the Aura. I received a shot of Imitrex and the headache went away after 30 min.
An old man told me there is something you can inhale which will stop the attack immediately. He died shortly thereafter. This was 30 years ago and I have forgotten. I had only one attack at the time and didn't pay much attention. I generally get attacks when I am exhausted. I will try the gatorade. Anyone else ever heard of something you can inhale. I think it was a common lip balm of some sort.
i suffer from almost completely blinding auras usually once a month, they are follow by crippling pain and nausea your video helped me understand about my condition and for that i thank you
Hello, Thank you very much for such a wonderful video offering us tips. I had auras without headaches for ten years now ( I am now an old goat-63) & no matter what I tried to avoid, coffee, chocolate, peanuts..nothing stopped auras. But, I will take your advice & drown in water & Gatorade & see if that helps. Be well.....Barry in PA.
I saw a neurologist last year who told me that there is very little research being done on the aura - all the research is focused on the migraine pain. So, those of us with aura but no pain are going to wait a long, long time for any sort of medical relief...
I've had these aura attacks for 40 years - very annoying. As I get older, they are getting more frequent - I now get an attack every other day, lasting for about 45 minutes (thank God I work at home). I've had MRI's, blood tests, you name it - I'm perfectly normal in every way, except for these aura attacks (thankfully, I don't get a headache, just the aura.) I've been able to stop a few in the past month by slamming 64oz of water all at once; hydration is definitely a major factor for me.
Sorry for your frequent attacks. And, thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear the rehydrating can actually stop an attack, and not just make it less severe.
I have had these "attacks" for over 2 years. Had one tonight for the first time in 6 months. I have the blind spot, then a developing crescent of zig-zag colors that grows until it encompasses my whole field of vision, then it is gone! Duration is 20 minutes. Had CT scan, no pathology!
OMG I have the same exact thing!! If I take something at the onset of the blindspot, my headache might not happen, but if I don't it will!! And the pain is always on the opposite side from where I lost the vision. Blindon the left, ache on the right. I had a head injury at four, baseball bat to the forehead, but didn't start getting these headaches until I was older.
Thaks for the info. I'm glad I've only had 2 before. I think fatigue, lack of sleep, chocolate, dehydration, strobing lights or patterns, or low blood sugar can trigger these.
Year ago first time I had one, it was just a blind spot in the center of my vison for about 15-20 minutes. Happened at night while on the computer.
Second time was the common colored/flashing/zigzag/arc that started in the upper area and moved down along the side and center for about 15-25 minutes. Mild ache in eyes after. Happened while watching TV and i think it was triggered from the blinds being partly opened by the TV and the trees outside where blowing in the wind making a strobe effect.
You´re wrong. Have you ever heard about migraineous brain infarction? The probability of experiencing this is higher in patients with visual aura. And that´s exactly what happened to me after a period of repeated visual auras.
Sorry, I mean, wrong saying it s harmless. Because Migraine with aura is associated with ischemic stroke (higher probability).
The auras frequency increased more and more and once suddenly soon after beginning of the aura it caused probably spasm of the brain artery (because aura is connected with changes in arterial blood flow) and stroke occured. The loss of vision was like 30%, now after year it´s just 5% so it´s ok but it´s really wise to do smth with these auras before smth happens.
Thanks for your contribution. Yes is it "associated" with ischemic stroke, but my understanding is that's a rare occurrence. Otherwise the brains of people who have had dozens of these events would be like swiss cheese.
If the scotoma does not clear up in +/- 30 minutes, a neurological followup is clearly advised.
I have had a brain MRI, and have gotten a clean bill of health. No stroke. My neurologist assured me that 99.9% of the time these scintillating scotoma are "harmless" vascular spasms.
I also believe dehydration triggers the scotoma aka aura. I am an avid runner who used to get these about 3 out of 5 times after a rigorous run. Recently Ive been hydrating more than usual the night before the run, and the day of the run. Ever since Ive been chugging water more (about 2 gallons a day), I havent had one. It has been 14 months since my last attack. I also happen to be in the LAFD academy at the moment, so if I get one while training, Im screwed. No relaxing allowed in the academy.
One day a two a day for soccer I got one of these it was like 100 degrees that day. I immediately suspected that i was dehydrated and drank water and the migrain was much more barable. Also I had these two days in a row, today and yesterday, i saw that the pollen forecast was high. Could the large amount of pollen cause this? plz reply the worst part is not knowing what causes it!
We all feel this way! No one knows what triggers a SS. 99.9% of the time it is a harmless blood vessel spasm that typically lasts 30 min. +/-. "I think," that dehydration and low blood sugar can increase the likelihood of an event, while keeping hydrated and your sugar level up can reduce the severity or duration once a SS starts. Others seem to agree. But this is here for us all to share our thoughts.
The most important thing? Relax. It will play itself out. Stressing only makes it worse.
good comments theyv helped ! i to suffer from this and always seems to be after doing somthing active .football,running etc, also places with poor ligting so yes dehydration seems to make sence,,
I have had SS for three years. The first one scared me silly. But, asked my optometrist about it and he said not to worry. I don't get the migraines, thank goodness. I used to get them about once a month, but for the past three days have had them three times. I am under a good deal of stress right now due to my house being flooded abd hving to live in a hotel. I no longert worry about them-they last about half hour so I relax enjoy the show.
Thank you for what you have done. I too suffer form scotoma. I used to have terrible migraine headaches when I was a child. The scotoma began in my teens, and I'm very fortunate, I no longer have the terrible headaches.
I had an MRI recently; and it turned up negative for AVMs, etc. Thank the Creator!
I want to thank you for your website. I had this phenomenon one week ago, and it was really freaky because it was the first time, at least i think it was. today was the second time it happened, and it was not as freaky since i kind of understood the pattern, but i was at work and running a meeting, which was rather challenging, so i was glad i was able to manage without having to quit the meeting. just want to thank you for posting this info, as i think maybe nutrition could be related.. nospace
I am having an SS as we speak. I often get them after i play basketball (I sweat ALOT when i play basketball). So the dehydration theory seems to make alot of sense, I just chugged two bottles of propel and it does in fact seem to be helping a bit. Whether it's a placebo effect after watching this video or if it really works i do not know, but it seems to have atleast helped for me. Thanks.
I had another SS last night, and chugged a gatorade as soon as I noticed it. I was somewhat dehydrated as I had just come back from a run, and had neglected to replenish my fluids afterwards.
The gatorade definitely lessened some of the effects.
How exactly? Although the duration was still around the same length, around a half hour, there was a definite decrease in the amount of the shimmering around the growing blind spot itself.
So the scintillating "castle fort," colorful edges were not very noticeable, and the blind spot, or scotoma, just enlarged and eventually disappeared.
I was disturbed at first because this SS was not like the other ones I've experienced where they start in a distinct spot and then grow larger until out of my field of view.
This one had an edge that remained near the center of my focus, and it grew mostly on the right side of my field of view. That left edge seemed to stay in the same position through the first ten minutes of the event, and I was concerned as it wasn't moving that it might become permanent. I had to just relax and chill, and not allow the fear to take hold. Which I did.
It's not easy, especially during the first of these episodes, to fight off the panic and fear, but it is essential to riding out these not so pleasant events the best way possible. After all, what good does panicking do, either during one of these SS events or any other time? Panicking clearly makes it all worse, and should be avoided at all costs, if possible, by breath control, mediation, or any other mind control technique.
Seeing as these events leave no lasting damage, and doctors tell us not to worry, panic control during these episodes is without question the most essential thing we can do. Fortunately or not, the more of these episodes that we live through, and the more we come to realize that we are not dying or going blind from them, the easier it is to be strong enough to not panic, be calm, and ride them out.
I'm an adolescent and i experience the headache after the ss. I tried drinking gatorade once I noticed the ss was developing. It did hinder its progress, however, I still had a headache but it was much milder than w/o gatorade. Thanks so much for the suggestion! It really helps!
I was really stressed out recently from returning to work and putting my little guy in day care for the first time. Also I was at gymnastics for the first time in years and all that jumping on the trampoline and flipping upside down could have triggered it. I really hope it does not happen again.. I hate not being in control. Also I had no pain at all just a bit sensitive to light for 5 days after and really emotional after (maybe because I thought I was dying!)
Another note, Since I had never experiences this before I thought I was going blind or dying so we called the ambulance and I had low blood sugar and I was very thirsty afterwards.
I recently went to gymnastics and when I got home I got an aura migraine for the first time. It was the most frightening thing I've ever seen. Mine looked like a neon zigzag and then the vision in my right eye started disintegrating! Then my speech was affected, then my hand went numb! I wish I knew what triggered that! I tought I was having a stroke!!
Now I do get regular migraines and tension headaches but Excedrin knocks them right out in about 15-30 minutes. I'm glad this is a popular thing. I thought something was seriously wrong with me when I first got them and I did not want to tell anyone.
I honestly think my aural migraines were due to stress. Back when I lived with my family, we fought constantly and rarely had any food in the house. I got those migraines weekly if not more. They were always followed by a terrible headache. I moved out and live with my girlfriend and her mom. Since I moved out I have only had 1 of those migraines and it was caused by stress from my job. It's been over a year since I moved out and about 7 months since my last aural migraine.
Thank you for this video. I've never been able to properly explain to others what it is I'm experiencing. I wish it would stop at just the aura though. I get numbness in half my body, confused speeh, loss of smell and taste, and dibilitating headache. The whole process lasts 4 hours. I think you're on to something with dehydration. I've noticed the events after eating very salty foods.
I'm 51 and 3 years ago started getting scotoma frequently (few times a month). Occasionally it's followed by a mild headache, but most of the time it's acephalgic. That might be because I always take ibuprofen as soon as I motice the aura. I always assumed it's triggered by light because it mainly happens either 1) after I've been playing volleyball (looking up at bright ceiling lights) or 2) sitting at my PC. However your dehydration theory makes sense with the v-ball. I'll try some Gatorade.
Thanks for taking the time to put this out there. I DEFINATELY believe that DEHYDRATION is the NUMBER ONE cause for my episodes. I have suffered from the visual aura and (thankfully) mild headaches for about 25 years now, since I was a teenager.
It's worse in the summer due to worse dehydration caused by the heat.
I don't have a strong thirst mechanism (a whole other topic) and often forget to drink. Whenever I have an episode it's always after I have forgot to drink for a few hours.
I first started getting these migraines when I was only 12 years old. I usually get them 4-5 times a month.My migraines include the aura, headache,and nausea.The scotoma to me can best be described first as a condensed circular shaped object that is dark or transparent in the center, with sawblade type colored lines surrounding it. I let this ride out into the migraine and nausea phases until it ends.The next day it almost seems like I have no energy at all.Totally drained.Good animation though.
I've had scotoma for 40+ years, averaging a couple a year, and I've never noticed a specific mental state before an attack; I've noticed a depressed state afterwards about 25% of the time. There are a TON of effects from migraine beyond scotoma and headache, including bowel problems, numbness in face & hands, cognitive difficulties (I once forgot how to read during an attack; now THAT'S scary), and more. Check out "Migraine" by Oliver Sacks, an excellent book on the condition, for more info.
Thanks for the input. I will try and remember my mental state the next time one starts up, and see if it is preceded by negativity or depressing feelings. The thing is they happen so infrequently, that were they to be caused by such depressive or negative feelings, I'm afraid I would have them much more often than I do! Certainly at least once a week!
Combating and vanquishing the fear related to these occurrences, while trying to lessen their impact is really the most important thing we can do.
i just had the scintillating scotoma visual aura half an hour ago.. for me, they start out as a small round blurrieness of central field of vision, then start growing into what i describe as a slowly rotating outline of a yellow sawmill blade, grows for 15 minutes then fades from my far field of vision.. have had half a dozen in the past few years usually two a year.. sometimes followed by headache, sometimes not.. bp is normal, i will try the Gatorade thing, never thought about dehydration..
adding: covering eyes, lying down in dark room, nothing i've tried stops it.. always last 15 mins. or so.. no other symptoms.. usually caused by stress but sometimes just out of the blue.. it's not pleasant, i worry about it happening while driving.. now a mild headache is coming on.. i've read reams about visual aura w/ and w/o migraine over the years since my first one.. my late Mom used to get them weekly!.. inherited from her perhaps?..
I don't know about inheriting this. No one else in my family that I know of, ever had them. My sister gets the headaches, but not the aura. Frankly, I'll take the aura.
The point is, nothing will stop them, but some things like rehydration, and the introduction of glucose, can mitigate the effects. Don't stress on driving. There will be ample time to pull over.
The best thing to do is try and relax as best as you can. I find covering my eyes and lying down, just helps me chill and ride it out!
I had the nightmarish headaches a few times a month from 1982 to about 2004, and floaters for the last 10 years. Never knew it was migraines. Yesterday I experienced a scintillating scotoma for the first (only?) time and had no clue what it was. I was hiding my hand behind the blind spot and thought it was pretty cool, but the shimmering stuff got annoying when it kept going for about 30-45 minutes. I'm now wondering if they'll reoccur or how often to expect them. Anyway, thanks for the video.:)
Yeah, I don't see anything to freak out about. It's just some rebellious neurons firing out of sequence. I've made some computerized neural nets so it's kinda cool to observe one in such an intimate way. As long as those headaches don't follow it, I'm happy. ;)
enjoy it?.. sorry.. not an enjoyable experience for me.. first one i had half a dozen years ago freaked me out so badly i thought a friend would have to take me to the ER.. i had no idea what was happening.. now i know exactly what it is, but i get one randomly, maybe twice a year.. your video was MOST comforting and helpful.. thank you so much.. folks who haven't had these have NO idea what it's like..
Thanks for posting this video. I just had an aura last night and for the first time it was not accompanied with a headache. I am 25 and last night was about my 4th time experiencing this. Everything you said are the exact sypmtoms that occur during the aura. It always starts off with the small little blind spot and then expands. I panicked briefly last night but then calmed down a bit. I was watching the red sox game and then all of a sudden the lil blind spot. I said to myself, here we go.
I just had one too. Finally it fucked-off to the right and went away. I spotted it in the distance when I was looking out the window and I was like, Oh no, here it comes again. Lasted about 25 minutes.
Had m. aura my whole life (42yrs); had an MIR last month, no lesions. So don't worry about brain damage. Thanks for the video; just one comment. Every video/picture of aura I've ever seen shows the rippling lines on top of the background scene; in reality, it's not a smimmering on top of the scene, but the scene itself that is shimmering, like a ripple in a pond. And the sports-drink thing works for me, a little; I think dehydration is a major factor in triggering my attacks. Thanks again!
I think that anything that helps you to relax as much as possible, and not panic, is good. I don't think that the dark room will lessen the intensity, or duration, like having a hydrated body with a good balance of blood sugar will.
However, if you are relaxed it won't seem so bad.
Your perception of the event is very important.
The more "chill" you are, about riding it out, the better. Millions of people, including my eye doctor get these.
(BTW, I ride it out relaxed, with my eyes closed!)
Don't panic. It's the worst thing you can do. It will also allow your imagination to run away with itself, invoking more panic.
The idea here is to keep your body hydrated and to have the right balance of sugars, which means to eat right, and regularly.
Drink water throughout the day, and eat good foods starting with breakfast, This is the best way to prevent these occurrences. Very few people in this country do any of these things. They eat terrible foods, and are dehydrated most of the day.
If these preventive steps are not taken, and you find yourself in the midst of one of these attacks, then you want to try and get yourself hydrated and raise your blood sugar the quickest way possible.
That is why any of the sports drinks can be helpful as one of these is coming on. It doesn't matter which brand you choose.
Rehydrate, and if no sports drink is available, get some food into your body as quick as you can.
Anything that can be quickly assimilated is best, like fresh fruit or...
And above all relax, as best as you can, and don't panic.
As to the brain damage, don't worry about that too much. As it is we use less than 10% of our brains. Though these studies show migraine sufferers are more likely to have these lesions, there is no hard evidence that migraine sufferers are debilitated because of this.
Thank you for the tips. Will give them a try. I have found that I get the headache with it more frequently as I age. Doctor recommends caffeine. First experiences, the doctor thought brain tumor, had vision fields tests, even spinal tap. Wish I'd known 23 years ago about SS. I find flashing light and/or stress increases frequency, duration of episodes. Have even had vision go to complete black during them, under extreme stress. Thanks again for the videos. God bless us all.
DeandGinger 5 days ago
Thanks for posting this. I just experienced this for the first time yesterday, followed by a dull headache that lasted the rest of the day. Will give your treatment suggestion a try if it occurs again.
BTW, for me, the edges look like rainbow colored crystals - something like an extreme closeup shot of a snowflake, but much more vivid.
stevedekorte 3 weeks ago
Thanks so much for your video and the accompanying video explanation.
I'd been experiencing this phenomenon since I was in my early teens, but didn't really know what it was, and as I was distrustful of pharmacology, didn't report it and as I had never heard of it before, thought I was 'special', though not in a good way.
For me the blind spots aren't connected with the 'fortification', and the scotoma looks more like shimmering circuitry, not saw-toothed wheels.
Shinhaquro 3 months ago
[...cont.] But I think you're right in that dehydration is playing a major part certainly in my own experience, as i'm extremely hot and dehydrated by the end of a session and I'm guessing that even a minor knock on the head is then sufficient to set off an SS attack. Perhaps is something to do with my brain being swollen through heat, and/or there's less protective fluid surrounding it at the time it suffers trauma, or there's some other mechanism at work? Thanks again, very helpful!
mdeckerLondon 6 months ago
Great vid, thanks. I didn't know what SS was until this morning - I've had three episodes over the past couple of years, all subsequent to boxing sparring sessions, and I'd previously thought it was entirely due to head trauma. However, I hadn't taken any really hard knocks during those particular sessions, and last night I had one after banging the top of my head really hard on a doorway (don't ask) during a training session (eg there were no blows anywhere near my eyes)....[more])
mdeckerLondon 6 months ago
Thanks, Media Valet.
the worst SS I had was immediately after chemotheray -- lasted abou 5 minutes. Ididn't have and have never had the headaches. The chemo is administered with saline for RE-HYDRATION, so, de-hydration may have been one of the reasons fo rthe onset of SS
hoytao 9 months ago
Mine is a Zig Zag
socue521 9 months ago
mine is a "C" sometime and a "Reverse C" on others...
garygw 10 months ago
I finished watching the video now. It's funny, just few days ago i thought this might be caused by (partially) by some deshydration... But you're talking about the headache, not the Scintillating Scotoma... Well, i'm not even talking about this but "flashes", but who knows...
kojinmalia 10 months ago
I recall that, a year before the 1st and only time i had this Scintillating Scotoma, during a day doing computer repair, i had a head ache like NEVER.
It started like an usual but grown quickly and still grow and grow... I had to go back home and go to bed with lights off, as i do usually in case of bad headache. But it didn't stop, it kept growing until i also get strong nausea.
All this lasted for many 4hours, last part being about an hour, that's it. Still ignore cause of my daily flashes..
kojinmalia 10 months ago
Thank you. I am going to try the Gatorade suggestion. I am female and I had 4 of these in the last 3 days. I instantly take a pain reliever the minute I see the blindspot. I get the headache in 30 minutes and nausea comes in waves for hours later.
Barbsaja 11 months ago
@Barbsaja I sure do hope that both rehydration and raising your blood sugar and electrolyte levels, helps you. Those of us who suffer through these episodes, know how long and how severe they can be, and if we can even get any lessening of their duration or intensity, it is a definite victory. All the best to you! -M
MediaValet in reply to Barbsaja (Show the comment) 11 months ago
I happen to be one of those people who view the SS as a godsend, as it allows me to take steps to abort the headache before it happens.
silicon212 1 year ago
@silicon212 Amen to that! SS by themselves are terrifying to most people at first. But, for those who get the migraines that follow, the SS truly are a godsend. Lucky are those who have only the SS, and no headache following, and, blessed that they do not have to "know" it..
MediaValet in reply to silicon212 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
I had an MRI scan recently, as I had a headache after a SS, which lasted about 3 weeks on and off !
I've just seen my neurologist today and the scan was perfect - phew ! He expected it to be, but it's hard to believe that such pain couldn't be something real serious. The last day I had coffee was Halloween and the SS frequency went from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.
I had two attacks in one week over Christmas (maybe due to more wine than normal?) I'll see over the next months how thew attacks go.
cielobuio 1 year ago
Just had one, freaked out. Chugged a gatorade and got better. I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, don't care. Glad it's over. I spoke with my mom and we have a family history of this. Thanks for the videos.
meowsamixlives 1 year ago
Any (mid brown+) burnt food,cheap burgers,red berries any citrus fruit(deadly), hot spicy foods, peppers,ginger(deadly),most cordials. Dont eat/drink any. Chocolate (only full milk) ok, dairy products ok but not coloured,exclude yoghurts.
drinking any energy drink (not red in colour) excellent add to this roasted salted cashew nuts (lots that is) and you are just about cured. 37 years of it. bad,total loss of vision 2+ hours, experiment and STAY SUGARY HYDRATED .magnesium rich foods blessing
06skszac 1 year ago
@06skszac
Thanks so much for the great input! Sorry that yours last so long. It is really reassuring that even SS's that last this long are not necessarily a sign of any more serious pathology.
MediaValet in reply to 06skszac (Show the comment) 1 year ago
for now on i will drink large quantity of water and always take a bottle of getorade with me... thanks for the tip.... am what is it that you said after the drinking water?? i did not understand, did u just say power something?? thank you for this video... now i know that im not alone i thought im the only one who experience this... i just figured it out last week T_T the first thing that i thought that i have a brain tumor T_T
sunade143 1 year ago
@sunade143 He said he ate a "Power Bar," an energy/protein bar.
bprett in reply to sunade143 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
since i was a high school student i experice visual aura when im about to experience migraine it attack 2-3x a month then i though my migraine was vanished when no attacked happened for the last 2 and half years from its last attacke when i was a 1sy year college (im already 17 years old at that time) then just this december 2010 (im 20) it attcaked me again and i cried so much for thinking that its already gone!!!! i really hate it it feels like im going to die when i experienced that aura
sunade143 1 year ago
Hey, you know I the one I had last night, I was definately dehydrated with low blood sugar. Was working a busy shift and wasn't drinking water and hadn't really eaten much for the last 14 hours....hmmmm. The only other one I've had was 2 years or so ago...I can't remember whether I was in a similar state or not. They've both been mild thankfully and lasted only 5-10 minutes. But exactly as you descibed.
kilgh 1 year ago
Thank You very much for the Video, I have had Headaches before but experienced the "Scintillating Scotoma" for the first time today. was worried if i am losing my vision but after 30 mins what followed was Worst headache i ever had. I couldn't think anything. was painful. Will try ur remedy if i get it next time....
ursdevesh 1 year ago
Before I knew what this was, I mentioned it to my eye doctor (I don't remember the word for an eye doctor, lol). She briefly explained it and suggested that consuming massive amounts of caffeine right when it starts can knock it out. It doesn't work 100% of the time, but I find that it does work pretty often.
Katathikazo 1 year ago
@TheAgentEnigma
iv had multy colored static trangles that start with a spot and grow but dont go past me.later ones are the zig zag .iv all ways have a streaming from top left to bottom right kalidascop in my mind as a a sepriate channel ...wake,kalidascope, sleep.my last zig zag i saw in my dream and when i woke up 17 years so far
fredheidrick in reply to TheAgentEnigma (Show the comment) 1 year ago
This is excellent information, thank you very much for sharing the tips. I had never thought of dehydration as a possible trigger, or low blood sugar. So thanks again. . Not that the visual C thing is painful, but I can't see to read or drive when it hits. It would be great to nip it in the bud!
P.S. I never get the headache afterward, just the sparkly color flashing C shaped thing.
Smashinz2002 1 year ago
Weird at first like OMG a brain tumor! lol doctor never heard of the symptoms, yet I found it easy on google... now I think they are funny and kinda cool to experience... sometimes lol, rarely happens though
RevolutionGFXoz 1 year ago
Thanks..
Bergthesgarten 1 year ago
Comment removed
eanhl2004 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I only recently figured out what these are 'Aura Migraines'. I have found that simply flushing my eyes with cool/room temp. water seems to help a lot. I clean my glasses as well as take 500mg of acetaminophen with lots of water. If it keeps getting worse I take another 500mg. The first time I had one of these things I thought I was going to go blind in a matter of hours! Very scary indeed. I simply closed my eyes, buried my head and eventually I got a little bit better.
eanhl2004 1 year ago
I only recently figured out what these are 'Aura Migraines'. I have found that simply flushing my eyes with cool/room temp. water seems to help a lot. I clean my glasses as well as take 500mg of acetaminophen with lots of water. If it keeps getting worse I take another 500mg. The first time I had one of these things I thought I was going to go blind in a matter of hours! Very scary indeed. I simply closed my eyes, buried my head and eventually I got a little bit better.
eanhl2004 1 year ago
I have found that taking a couple of aspirin and drinking water on the onset helps.. Thank you for this video.
ThePixicat 1 year ago
I've been getting these episodes periodically over the last ten years and had my most recent 2 days ago after not having one for a couple of years. Even though long knowing what this was via internet, it was still very disturbing and it is very hard to stop panic setting in and to keep positive that it will go away. I am lucky as I don't get headache. I have been able to reduce the severity and duration by lying down as soon as possible with my legs/feet elevated as high as is comfortable.
INsanedod 1 year ago
You are very lucky you don't get the headaches. Keep remembering that. I know it is disturbing. It was downright frightening when it first happened to me. But, as these episodes are not dangerous to your physical body, winning the psychological battle, and not letting your mind run away with you, is the most important thing you can do. Keep trying.
MediaValet in reply to INsanedod (Show the comment) 1 year ago
YES!!! I noticed this effect myself when I finished playing handball. the effect is realted to dehydration, I either drink gatorade or eat a banana. Now I just drink a glass of orange juice before I do play handball and it is no longer a concern.
cgordi 1 year ago
I've been having these for years and just figured out that I'm not alone - gotta love Google. For me the trick has been to pound caffeine - coke or coffee work best. I can usually keep an attack at bay with enough caffeine - if I get to it fast enough.
Thanks for the video and the advice
aslives 1 year ago
@hansmatthes You're welcome. All the best to you.
MediaValet in reply to hansmatthes (Show the comment) 1 year ago
I get these too, several times a year, have since 1983. At this point they really n longer bother me or frighten me in the least. I just do something useful for a half hour like rake leaves or do the laundry. Relax folks, SS is for many of us just part of being human. No need to worry !
zimtran99 1 year ago
Amen to that!
MediaValet in reply to zimtran99 (Show the comment) 1 year ago
I am right there with you...
kgarrison1986 1 year ago
Very accurate ! Thanks for your research and posting. You were spot on about the Gatorade I found that out one day by shear accident. I happened to drink one and my headache went away quickly, so next time I tried it it worked. Also the low blood sugar I realized because one day my lunch hour was not till 3 in the afternoon crazy retail hours it had been a while since I ate. The aura started and I knew I was really hungry. So spot on again. Thanks again and may you be migraine free. : )
annettee322 2 years ago
I use 10-20 mg of valium and that helps every time. Stopping what I am doing, especially computer work, is key as well.
XandraY 2 years ago
Sorry for me bad english... Can anyone transcribe the video in text? I suffer " Scintillating Scotoma" and I need information (the treatment, principally).
Thanks!
In spanish: ¿Alguien puede transcribir el vídeo (o traducirlo)? Padezo de " Scintillating Scotoma" y me gustaría saber cómo tratarlo. En mi caso ocurre viendo la TV (en un TFT de 37''). Si no veo la TV, no me ocurre (por ahora). Y no me viene el dolor de cabeza después (por suerte).
Gracias.
Daliphant 2 years ago
@Daliphant
ola, puede ser pression alta de azucar.
esta diciendo que, antes que comienze, debes de tomar GATORADE. Quizas eso de quita el scotoma.
CaptainFox91 in reply to Daliphant (Show the comment) 2 years ago
Muchas gracias por la traducción.
En mi caso parece que tiene más que ver con algo "visual". Soy programador, y paso todo el día delante de pantallas TFT, y al llegar a casa, mi TV TFT me las provoca. Es de suponer que a causa de una "fatiga" visual...
Probaré lo de la bebida isotónica (¿Servirá igual con un "aquarius"?)
Gracias de nuevo.
Daliphant in reply to CaptainFox91 (Show the comment) 2 years ago
God Bless You for posting these videos. When I started having these years ago, I didn't have the internet and couldn't figure out what was happening to me. I thought for sure I was having some kind of stroke or my future vision was being damaged. Your videos were so right on the nose that I almost started crying as I watched and recognized my symptoms. You have done a great service for all the people like me who had no clue what was happening to them.
dunebirdie 2 years ago
I am glad that I helped to keep you from panicking :)
I was also quite scared when this first happened, and ended up going through a full neurological workup, (Docs idea, not mine), including brain MRI, all to find out that it is 99.99% of the time a harmless phenomenon attributed to migraine headache mechanisms, (vascular spasm), in the brain. Shocking, but relieving that it is nothing serious! Whew. And, if you don't get the horrible headaches many suffer that follow a "SS," you are blessed!
MediaValet in reply to dunebirdie (Show the comment) 2 years ago
So is there nothing wrong with having them it doesnt mean i have a blood clot or anything does it?
cathycozdatsme 2 years ago
First of all I am not a doctor. I was very paranoid the first time it happened, and I went to see doctors, had a brain MRI and read everything I could find.
All I can say is 99.99% of the time, it is only an optical migraine, either with or without the subsequent headache, which can be fierce.
If the SS lasts 20-40 minutes, and is unaccompanied by any other neurological symptoms like numbness, incoordination, etc., you are probably fine.
If you have other persistent symptoms see a doctor. ;)
MediaValet in reply to cathycozdatsme (Show the comment) 2 years ago
I cannot thank you enough for your video. I just had one for the first time in my life. I just came back from the gym and I guess I was dehydrated. When it start happening I panicked and, I tell you it was the most frightening moment of my life! Thanks to you I know now what it is, but I can feel a terrible migraine is starting to build up. I am drinking now a vitamin water and made myself some apple juice, and took one tylenol, let's see what will happen . Thank you again.
bagshoesandbeyond 2 years ago
Your welcome. I hope it helps. The most important thing is to be as calm as possible. Panic and fear can make this experience much worse than it is.
When I first had one. It was on a holiday, so my doctors were closed, and I wasn't going to the emergency room, so I had to "sweat" it out. All that fear was a waste.
99.9% of the time there is nothing hazardous AT ALL going on.
The headaches, if they come, can be excruciating, but they also are not life threatening. We just have to ride 'em out!
MediaValet in reply to bagshoesandbeyond (Show the comment) 2 years ago
Thank you very much - I have not had chance to try your remedy yet as I only get these about once in six months, but i definitely think you are on the right track and I am so happy firstly that i do not get the headache and that i know whats happening to me and i dont have to panic anymore. Super!!
jayceefoto 2 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am going to try out what you've suggested next time I have an attack. I get one every 2 weeks on average, so I won't have to wait long :^(
I already feel slightly relieved however, as seeing these videos proves to me that I'm not on my own with this condition. I kinda thought I was unique with this kind of aura, until seeing other people's animated representations of it, which are very accurate !!
cielobuio 2 years ago
Thanks for the vid! I actually had one the other day when I was working outside. I get them every once in a while. It, to me, is the most painful experience once the migraine kicks in. When I get the Aura it is so blinding I have to stop what I'm doing. Usually I get the face and hand numbness as well as become very nauseous and throw up the entire day. I will definitely try the water or Gatorade next time I get the Aura. I received a shot of Imitrex and the headache went away after 30 min.
rsa12985 2 years ago
An old man told me there is something you can inhale which will stop the attack immediately. He died shortly thereafter. This was 30 years ago and I have forgotten. I had only one attack at the time and didn't pay much attention. I generally get attacks when I am exhausted. I will try the gatorade. Anyone else ever heard of something you can inhale. I think it was a common lip balm of some sort.
woodchopper20 2 years ago
hello and thankyou
i suffer from almost completely blinding auras usually once a month, they are follow by crippling pain and nausea your video helped me understand about my condition and for that i thank you
justynhawkins 2 years ago
Hello, Thank you very much for such a wonderful video offering us tips. I had auras without headaches for ten years now ( I am now an old goat-63) & no matter what I tried to avoid, coffee, chocolate, peanuts..nothing stopped auras. But, I will take your advice & drown in water & Gatorade & see if that helps. Be well.....Barry in PA.
nucleuscontour 2 years ago
I saw a neurologist last year who told me that there is very little research being done on the aura - all the research is focused on the migraine pain. So, those of us with aura but no pain are going to wait a long, long time for any sort of medical relief...
FistulaFRD 2 years ago
I've had these aura attacks for 40 years - very annoying. As I get older, they are getting more frequent - I now get an attack every other day, lasting for about 45 minutes (thank God I work at home). I've had MRI's, blood tests, you name it - I'm perfectly normal in every way, except for these aura attacks (thankfully, I don't get a headache, just the aura.) I've been able to stop a few in the past month by slamming 64oz of water all at once; hydration is definitely a major factor for me.
FistulaFRD 2 years ago
Sorry for your frequent attacks. And, thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear the rehydrating can actually stop an attack, and not just make it less severe.
MediaValet in reply to FistulaFRD (Show the comment) 2 years ago
I love you. You've saved me from a lot of stress.
jaylay734 2 years ago
Thanks for video. Is anyone know any technique to save from this? This is the one of worst things around the world.
Charlmagner 2 years ago
There is no technique I know of that prevents this.
There are things that I believe help or decrease the severity.
Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. Especially after exercise.
Keep your blood sugar levels up. Naturally, not with sugar.
Some people swear by caffeine, which makes sense as it is used as an ingredient in migraine medication.
When a SS starts, drink water or gatorade. And relax, it will pass soon enough.
MediaValet in reply to Charlmagner (Show the comment) 2 years ago
I get the zig-zag very colorful paterrn..... No headache ever but i hate them! Just once in a while thank god!
ZIPPTPH77 2 years ago
I have had these "attacks" for over 2 years. Had one tonight for the first time in 6 months. I have the blind spot, then a developing crescent of zig-zag colors that grows until it encompasses my whole field of vision, then it is gone! Duration is 20 minutes. Had CT scan, no pathology!
CHICAGOPD 2 years ago
OMG I have the same exact thing!! If I take something at the onset of the blindspot, my headache might not happen, but if I don't it will!! And the pain is always on the opposite side from where I lost the vision. Blindon the left, ache on the right. I had a head injury at four, baseball bat to the forehead, but didn't start getting these headaches until I was older.
PatriciaPike in reply to CHICAGOPD (Show the comment) 2 years ago
Thaks for the info. I'm glad I've only had 2 before. I think fatigue, lack of sleep, chocolate, dehydration, strobing lights or patterns, or low blood sugar can trigger these.
GsBBoyDan 2 years ago
Year ago first time I had one, it was just a blind spot in the center of my vison for about 15-20 minutes. Happened at night while on the computer.
Second time was the common colored/flashing/zigzag/arc that started in the upper area and moved down along the side and center for about 15-25 minutes. Mild ache in eyes after. Happened while watching TV and i think it was triggered from the blinds being partly opened by the TV and the trees outside where blowing in the wind making a strobe effect.
GsBBoyDan 2 years ago
You´re wrong. Have you ever heard about migraineous brain infarction? The probability of experiencing this is higher in patients with visual aura. And that´s exactly what happened to me after a period of repeated visual auras.
blebull 2 years ago
Please explain what you mean exactly by "wrong."
Have your symptoms become permanent?
If so, how exactly? (Continuously occurring auras. Permanent scotoma?)
Assuming you have seen a specialist, what did your neurologist say about this?
Btw, this page is here to share our experiences, thereby educating, allaying irrational fears, and thereby somehow helping.
How can you relay your experiences to contribute to helping those who have also found this page?
MediaValet in reply to blebull (Show the comment) 2 years ago
Sorry, I mean, wrong saying it s harmless. Because Migraine with aura is associated with ischemic stroke (higher probability).
The auras frequency increased more and more and once suddenly soon after beginning of the aura it caused probably spasm of the brain artery (because aura is connected with changes in arterial blood flow) and stroke occured. The loss of vision was like 30%, now after year it´s just 5% so it´s ok but it´s really wise to do smth with these auras before smth happens.
blebull in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 2 years ago
Thanks for your contribution. Yes is it "associated" with ischemic stroke, but my understanding is that's a rare occurrence. Otherwise the brains of people who have had dozens of these events would be like swiss cheese.
If the scotoma does not clear up in +/- 30 minutes, a neurological followup is clearly advised.
I have had a brain MRI, and have gotten a clean bill of health. No stroke. My neurologist assured me that 99.9% of the time these scintillating scotoma are "harmless" vascular spasms.
MediaValet in reply to blebull (Show the comment) 2 years ago
I also believe dehydration triggers the scotoma aka aura. I am an avid runner who used to get these about 3 out of 5 times after a rigorous run. Recently Ive been hydrating more than usual the night before the run, and the day of the run. Ever since Ive been chugging water more (about 2 gallons a day), I havent had one. It has been 14 months since my last attack. I also happen to be in the LAFD academy at the moment, so if I get one while training, Im screwed. No relaxing allowed in the academy.
madkoma 2 years ago
One day a two a day for soccer I got one of these it was like 100 degrees that day. I immediately suspected that i was dehydrated and drank water and the migrain was much more barable. Also I had these two days in a row, today and yesterday, i saw that the pollen forecast was high. Could the large amount of pollen cause this? plz reply the worst part is not knowing what causes it!
elementmaster93 2 years ago
We all feel this way! No one knows what triggers a SS. 99.9% of the time it is a harmless blood vessel spasm that typically lasts 30 min. +/-. "I think," that dehydration and low blood sugar can increase the likelihood of an event, while keeping hydrated and your sugar level up can reduce the severity or duration once a SS starts. Others seem to agree. But this is here for us all to share our thoughts.
The most important thing? Relax. It will play itself out. Stressing only makes it worse.
MediaValet in reply to elementmaster93 (Show the comment) 2 years ago
I'm glad I don't get these as frequently as some people do, I would go insane!
dvnstvn9 2 years ago
good comments theyv helped ! i to suffer from this and always seems to be after doing somthing active .football,running etc, also places with poor ligting so yes dehydration seems to make sence,,
skidleybob 3 years ago
I have had SS for three years. The first one scared me silly. But, asked my optometrist about it and he said not to worry. I don't get the migraines, thank goodness. I used to get them about once a month, but for the past three days have had them three times. I am under a good deal of stress right now due to my house being flooded abd hving to live in a hotel. I no longert worry about them-they last about half hour so I relax enjoy the show.
sheilab22 3 years ago
Thank you for what you have done. I too suffer form scotoma. I used to have terrible migraine headaches when I was a child. The scotoma began in my teens, and I'm very fortunate, I no longer have the terrible headaches.
I had an MRI recently; and it turned up negative for AVMs, etc. Thank the Creator!
I'm experiencing a scotoma as I write this.
Again, thank you!
mysticjaz 3 years ago
Thank you.
flakeyfilms 3 years ago
I want to thank you for your website. I had this phenomenon one week ago, and it was really freaky because it was the first time, at least i think it was. today was the second time it happened, and it was not as freaky since i kind of understood the pattern, but i was at work and running a meeting, which was rather challenging, so i was glad i was able to manage without having to quit the meeting. just want to thank you for posting this info, as i think maybe nutrition could be related.. nospace
adsu 3 years ago
Thanks for the info.
I wouldn't think the sugar would get into your system fast enough to make a difference. Maybe the cold liquid is the reason?
quirked 3 years ago
haha yea, i dont get them too often but when i do i get the blind spot for about 30 mins or so then later i get sick and or the headache...
..its hell
88swampedmj in reply to 125695 (Show the comment) 3 years ago
thanks for the help man, ive had SS for as long as i remember.. knowing im not gonna die really helps me out
thanks again
88swampedmj 3 years ago
Thank you.
peterglynnfilms 3 years ago
I am having an SS as we speak. I often get them after i play basketball (I sweat ALOT when i play basketball). So the dehydration theory seems to make alot of sense, I just chugged two bottles of propel and it does in fact seem to be helping a bit. Whether it's a placebo effect after watching this video or if it really works i do not know, but it seems to have atleast helped for me. Thanks.
ChronicWanek 3 years ago
I had another SS last night, and chugged a gatorade as soon as I noticed it. I was somewhat dehydrated as I had just come back from a run, and had neglected to replenish my fluids afterwards.
The gatorade definitely lessened some of the effects.
How exactly? Although the duration was still around the same length, around a half hour, there was a definite decrease in the amount of the shimmering around the growing blind spot itself.
MediaValet 3 years ago
So the scintillating "castle fort," colorful edges were not very noticeable, and the blind spot, or scotoma, just enlarged and eventually disappeared.
I was disturbed at first because this SS was not like the other ones I've experienced where they start in a distinct spot and then grow larger until out of my field of view.
MediaValet 3 years ago
This one had an edge that remained near the center of my focus, and it grew mostly on the right side of my field of view. That left edge seemed to stay in the same position through the first ten minutes of the event, and I was concerned as it wasn't moving that it might become permanent. I had to just relax and chill, and not allow the fear to take hold. Which I did.
MediaValet 3 years ago
It's not easy, especially during the first of these episodes, to fight off the panic and fear, but it is essential to riding out these not so pleasant events the best way possible. After all, what good does panicking do, either during one of these SS events or any other time? Panicking clearly makes it all worse, and should be avoided at all costs, if possible, by breath control, mediation, or any other mind control technique.
MediaValet 3 years ago
Seeing as these events leave no lasting damage, and doctors tell us not to worry, panic control during these episodes is without question the most essential thing we can do. Fortunately or not, the more of these episodes that we live through, and the more we come to realize that we are not dying or going blind from them, the easier it is to be strong enough to not panic, be calm, and ride them out.
MediaValet 3 years ago
I'm an adolescent and i experience the headache after the ss. I tried drinking gatorade once I noticed the ss was developing. It did hinder its progress, however, I still had a headache but it was much milder than w/o gatorade. Thanks so much for the suggestion! It really helps!
snaredrummer432 in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 3 years ago
I've had this for 3 years, I really want to find a way to rid of it because I want to be in the USAF. I hear it can happen because of dehydration.
Ninox37 3 years ago
I was really stressed out recently from returning to work and putting my little guy in day care for the first time. Also I was at gymnastics for the first time in years and all that jumping on the trampoline and flipping upside down could have triggered it. I really hope it does not happen again.. I hate not being in control. Also I had no pain at all just a bit sensitive to light for 5 days after and really emotional after (maybe because I thought I was dying!)
sarakling76 3 years ago
Another note, Since I had never experiences this before I thought I was going blind or dying so we called the ambulance and I had low blood sugar and I was very thirsty afterwards.
sarakling76 3 years ago
I recently went to gymnastics and when I got home I got an aura migraine for the first time. It was the most frightening thing I've ever seen. Mine looked like a neon zigzag and then the vision in my right eye started disintegrating! Then my speech was affected, then my hand went numb! I wish I knew what triggered that! I tought I was having a stroke!!
sarakling76 3 years ago
Now I do get regular migraines and tension headaches but Excedrin knocks them right out in about 15-30 minutes. I'm glad this is a popular thing. I thought something was seriously wrong with me when I first got them and I did not want to tell anyone.
haVocHWC3 3 years ago
I honestly think my aural migraines were due to stress. Back when I lived with my family, we fought constantly and rarely had any food in the house. I got those migraines weekly if not more. They were always followed by a terrible headache. I moved out and live with my girlfriend and her mom. Since I moved out I have only had 1 of those migraines and it was caused by stress from my job. It's been over a year since I moved out and about 7 months since my last aural migraine.
haVocHWC3 3 years ago
Thank you for this video. I've never been able to properly explain to others what it is I'm experiencing. I wish it would stop at just the aura though. I get numbness in half my body, confused speeh, loss of smell and taste, and dibilitating headache. The whole process lasts 4 hours. I think you're on to something with dehydration. I've noticed the events after eating very salty foods.
shandis2bellybuttons 3 years ago
I'm 51 and 3 years ago started getting scotoma frequently (few times a month). Occasionally it's followed by a mild headache, but most of the time it's acephalgic. That might be because I always take ibuprofen as soon as I motice the aura. I always assumed it's triggered by light because it mainly happens either 1) after I've been playing volleyball (looking up at bright ceiling lights) or 2) sitting at my PC. However your dehydration theory makes sense with the v-ball. I'll try some Gatorade.
dfo132 3 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to put this out there. I DEFINATELY believe that DEHYDRATION is the NUMBER ONE cause for my episodes. I have suffered from the visual aura and (thankfully) mild headaches for about 25 years now, since I was a teenager.
It's worse in the summer due to worse dehydration caused by the heat.
I don't have a strong thirst mechanism (a whole other topic) and often forget to drink. Whenever I have an episode it's always after I have forgot to drink for a few hours.
daveyboyOUFC 3 years ago
I first started getting these migraines when I was only 12 years old. I usually get them 4-5 times a month.My migraines include the aura, headache,and nausea.The scotoma to me can best be described first as a condensed circular shaped object that is dark or transparent in the center, with sawblade type colored lines surrounding it. I let this ride out into the migraine and nausea phases until it ends.The next day it almost seems like I have no energy at all.Totally drained.Good animation though.
Kevduke17 3 years ago
I've had scotoma for 40+ years, averaging a couple a year, and I've never noticed a specific mental state before an attack; I've noticed a depressed state afterwards about 25% of the time. There are a TON of effects from migraine beyond scotoma and headache, including bowel problems, numbness in face & hands, cognitive difficulties (I once forgot how to read during an attack; now THAT'S scary), and more. Check out "Migraine" by Oliver Sacks, an excellent book on the condition, for more info.
FistulaFRD 3 years ago
Thanks for the input. I will try and remember my mental state the next time one starts up, and see if it is preceded by negativity or depressing feelings. The thing is they happen so infrequently, that were they to be caused by such depressive or negative feelings, I'm afraid I would have them much more often than I do! Certainly at least once a week!
Combating and vanquishing the fear related to these occurrences, while trying to lessen their impact is really the most important thing we can do.
MediaValet in reply to isomomia (Show the comment) 3 years ago
i just had the scintillating scotoma visual aura half an hour ago.. for me, they start out as a small round blurrieness of central field of vision, then start growing into what i describe as a slowly rotating outline of a yellow sawmill blade, grows for 15 minutes then fades from my far field of vision.. have had half a dozen in the past few years usually two a year.. sometimes followed by headache, sometimes not.. bp is normal, i will try the Gatorade thing, never thought about dehydration..
hrlaser 3 years ago
adding: covering eyes, lying down in dark room, nothing i've tried stops it.. always last 15 mins. or so.. no other symptoms.. usually caused by stress but sometimes just out of the blue.. it's not pleasant, i worry about it happening while driving.. now a mild headache is coming on.. i've read reams about visual aura w/ and w/o migraine over the years since my first one.. my late Mom used to get them weekly!.. inherited from her perhaps?..
hrlaser in reply to hrlaser (Show the comment) 3 years ago
I don't know about inheriting this. No one else in my family that I know of, ever had them. My sister gets the headaches, but not the aura. Frankly, I'll take the aura.
The point is, nothing will stop them, but some things like rehydration, and the introduction of glucose, can mitigate the effects. Don't stress on driving. There will be ample time to pull over.
The best thing to do is try and relax as best as you can. I find covering my eyes and lying down, just helps me chill and ride it out!
MediaValet in reply to hrlaser (Show the comment) 3 years ago
I had the nightmarish headaches a few times a month from 1982 to about 2004, and floaters for the last 10 years. Never knew it was migraines. Yesterday I experienced a scintillating scotoma for the first (only?) time and had no clue what it was. I was hiding my hand behind the blind spot and thought it was pretty cool, but the shimmering stuff got annoying when it kept going for about 30-45 minutes. I'm now wondering if they'll reoccur or how often to expect them. Anyway, thanks for the video.:)
serpwidgets 3 years ago
I wish I could say it is a one time occurrence, but...
I have one about once every two months or so.
You are on the right track though. "thought it was pretty cool"
So, don't stress out, try to relax, and some even say, enjoy it!
MediaValet in reply to serpwidgets (Show the comment) 3 years ago
Yeah, I don't see anything to freak out about. It's just some rebellious neurons firing out of sequence. I've made some computerized neural nets so it's kinda cool to observe one in such an intimate way. As long as those headaches don't follow it, I'm happy. ;)
serpwidgets in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 3 years ago
"As long as those headaches don't follow it, I'm happy"
You know it!
I am one of the lucky ones, (unlike my sister), who has never had the headache part, just the freaky light show.
Sis, and many others have said the headache part is unbelievably debilitating, like the worst hangover imaginable, and that you barely even move.
Something for all those who experience just the Scintillating Scotoma, to be very, very thankful for!
MediaValet in reply to serpwidgets (Show the comment) 3 years ago
enjoy it?.. sorry.. not an enjoyable experience for me.. first one i had half a dozen years ago freaked me out so badly i thought a friend would have to take me to the ER.. i had no idea what was happening.. now i know exactly what it is, but i get one randomly, maybe twice a year.. your video was MOST comforting and helpful.. thank you so much.. folks who haven't had these have NO idea what it's like..
hrlaser in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this video. I just had an aura last night and for the first time it was not accompanied with a headache. I am 25 and last night was about my 4th time experiencing this. Everything you said are the exact sypmtoms that occur during the aura. It always starts off with the small little blind spot and then expands. I panicked briefly last night but then calmed down a bit. I was watching the red sox game and then all of a sudden the lil blind spot. I said to myself, here we go.
al184 3 years ago
I just had one too. Finally it fucked-off to the right and went away. I spotted it in the distance when I was looking out the window and I was like, Oh no, here it comes again. Lasted about 25 minutes.
joethepigg in reply to 125695 (Show the comment) 3 years ago
Had m. aura my whole life (42yrs); had an MIR last month, no lesions. So don't worry about brain damage. Thanks for the video; just one comment. Every video/picture of aura I've ever seen shows the rippling lines on top of the background scene; in reality, it's not a smimmering on top of the scene, but the scene itself that is shimmering, like a ripple in a pond. And the sports-drink thing works for me, a little; I think dehydration is a major factor in triggering my attacks. Thanks again!
FistulaFRD 3 years ago
I think that anything that helps you to relax as much as possible, and not panic, is good. I don't think that the dark room will lessen the intensity, or duration, like having a hydrated body with a good balance of blood sugar will.
However, if you are relaxed it won't seem so bad.
Your perception of the event is very important.
The more "chill" you are, about riding it out, the better. Millions of people, including my eye doctor get these.
(BTW, I ride it out relaxed, with my eyes closed!)
MediaValet in reply to lp09juhu8 (Show the comment) 3 years ago
Don't panic. It's the worst thing you can do. It will also allow your imagination to run away with itself, invoking more panic.
The idea here is to keep your body hydrated and to have the right balance of sugars, which means to eat right, and regularly.
Drink water throughout the day, and eat good foods starting with breakfast, This is the best way to prevent these occurrences. Very few people in this country do any of these things. They eat terrible foods, and are dehydrated most of the day.
MediaValet in reply to lp09juhu8 (Show the comment) 3 years ago
If these preventive steps are not taken, and you find yourself in the midst of one of these attacks, then you want to try and get yourself hydrated and raise your blood sugar the quickest way possible.
That is why any of the sports drinks can be helpful as one of these is coming on. It doesn't matter which brand you choose.
Rehydrate, and if no sports drink is available, get some food into your body as quick as you can.
Anything that can be quickly assimilated is best, like fresh fruit or...
MediaValet in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 3 years ago
...vegetables, or a power bar.
And above all relax, as best as you can, and don't panic.
As to the brain damage, don't worry about that too much. As it is we use less than 10% of our brains. Though these studies show migraine sufferers are more likely to have these lesions, there is no hard evidence that migraine sufferers are debilitated because of this.
Good luck!
MediaValet in reply to MediaValet (Show the comment) 3 years ago