Could this be migraine? Anyone who gets migraine with flashing lights?- Update

That sounds very much like the aura for a classic migraine. I get the zig zag flashing thing in a similar way and it grows until it takes over my entire vision and then disappears outwards to my peripheral vision - it also takes 20 minutes or so from start to finish. I usually get the headache after, along with motor/speech trouble and I feel quite rubbish. I think I might have had one aura when nothing happened after.

Try not to worry about it at the moment but do get it checked out.

Yes, I used to get a lot of this. For me it was related to stress and high BP. It wouldn't necessarily happen when the stressful situation occurred, but a few hours later. Since I got my BP under control it's stopped. My GP says it's a type of migraine.

I get migraines, that sounds exactly like what happens to me. Sometimes I get the full on migraine with zig zags, flashing lights and a pain in my head and eyes and then sometimes (usually if I have been stressed) I get the aura only - zig zags, etc and then just feel a bit wiped out after.

thanks pudontour. How do you deal with the flashing lights when it happens because it had me panicking like crazy. Do you just have to sit it out til it goes away, or do you take something like migraleve? Does anthing stop it? Closing my eyes didn't work or moving around. it gradually went after about 20 minutes but when it happened it was so scary.

Yep - usually I sit it out, keeping my eyes closed if possible and wait for it to go (I've had classic migraines for 20+ years and only had an aura start whilst I've been driving - I just had to pull over and wait it out, have had two whilst skiing which is not particularly helpful!). Nothing that I know about will stop it.

If you have another one you'll know what it is and you'll know the outcome so you needn't be so worried or panicky. The first one I had arrived in the middle of a geography lesson when I was 13 and I thought I was losing my sight - frightening at the time.

And, as an aside, you shouldn't take the combined pill (one with oestrogen) if you get this sort of migraine.

Oh poor you, that sounds really scary. hope the eye doctor is ok.

I get an aura - usually zig zags but then I start getting grey patches in my field of vision which continue until I basically can't see. At the first sign of the zig zags and usually accompanying early pain, I'm straight on the migraine medication and I go straight to bed. I try and minimalise light by pulling the blinds or whatever and just try and keep calm. I know it usually takes a few hours to subside so I sort of "lie it out". It's pretty much impossible to sleep during the actual pain.

I found my most recent migraines were due to "over exursion" - basically I was going like a bat out of hell at the gym and not eating or drinking properly afterwards. I've started drinking Lucozade sports drinks during my workouts to replace the salts and fluids I lose and thankfully I haven't had a single migraine since. <keeps fingers firmly crossed>

I get the same - flashing lights, inability to see and then I also get pins and needles all over my body and start talking nonsense. I have a headache for a couple of days and can't focus 100% either.

I find that I get them when either I have exercised first thing with no meal, or when I have been stressed and I suddenly stop and relax. Making sure you eat properly can help as can avoiding red wine, I also have to admit to having tried the orgasm theory (to do with releasing hormones which help combat the migraine medics feel free to correct me here!) and yes it has helped but then I ate a banana when I was suffering from one once and it cleared up much more quickly than usual! Ho hum.......

No chance you are pregnant is there? Only the first sign that I was pregnant with both of my girls was a really bad migraine (something to do with an increase in female hormones) - not trying to scare you just covering all bases!

I get this as well, exactly as you described it, and I dont get the headache afterwards. It usually happens about 3 times a year, although when I have been pregnant I get it much more often, sometimes twice a day and my doc said in some people it can be hormone related hence why I am particularly prone when pregnant.

I just sit with my eyes closed and wait for it to go. If I am at work I have been known to go and sit in the toilet as I cant look at my screen and dont want to explain what is happening to other people!

I get the zigziags too, mine start with a pop in my peripheral vision, then I get missing grey patches in my direct line of sight. My test to see if it's 'migrane eyes' is to look down to see if I have any hands, if my arms stop at my wrists and I can't see my hands, or I can't see peoples faces just the outline of their heads, then I know I'm having an attack.

Mine last 40 minutes, if I'm lucky I can get just 'the eyes', or just the headache, if I get both at once I'm screwed for at least 48 hours - 24 with the headache and nausea and 24 with a migrane 'hangover' - Everything is too loud, too bright, too complicated, too tiring, etc.

The first one was bloody terrifying, I thought I had a brain tumour or something. It gets less frightening ?

Another one here who gets just the flashing zig zags, never the headache. My doctor said its a visual migraine and not to worry. I find I get them when I'm stressed and/or dehydrated and the best thing for me to do when it happens is just have a long drink of water and lie down for a bit and after 30-40 mins it goes away. It is scary at first and definitely worth seeing an opthamologist to rule out anything more scary but don't get worry too much about it.

WEES, sounds like migraine aura. I've found recently that a hot shower, focussing shower head on hard spray on back of head/neck/shoulders seems to get shot of it, or at least stop the aura within half an hour or so and avoid the pain hitting. Sex also helps cure migraines, or so I've been told [whistles nonchalantly]

I get either the zig zag aura/patches of missing vision (from start to finish maybe lasting an hour) OR I get a terrible headache, nausea, vomiting, and need to sleep it off. I've never actually had them both together.

I'm way luckier than my sister who can be ill for days, loses her vision completely and projectile vomits as if auditioning for the Exorcist!

It's quite scary but it passes and you'll know if it happen again. ?