If you get flashes of light in one of your eyes (particularly if middle-aged or older)...

[thecrow]

66. I also have ocular migraines!

At first, I thought the pattern had changed and the flashing was related to the ocular migraines. It was after a few days and internet research that I called the Doctor.
I have the scintillating scotomas and it can be an "L" or a "C" shape which gradually materializes and then gets bigger ... like if I was looking at a face, I might only be able to see one feature of the face. Extremely annoying. Sometimes there's just nothing there. Very hard to read or type if I'm experiencing this. I've had this all my life, for as long as I can remember.

Years ago, I also got the killer headache afterwards. I treated it with a shot of vodka and a couple pills. They MRIed my brain. They gave me the electro encephalograh test... they gave me all kinds of meds but nothing changed. The headaches were debilitating and could last for a week or so. Terrible program for a young mother of two!
Then they gave me 100 mg tabs of Elavil and had me take it for about 6 months. It made me very groggy all the time. But it worked! I got off it and then within a month had an episode, but when the "C" shape of twirling zig zags got bigger and bigger, it sort of went over my head and the it felt like someone was shining a very bright light behind me..... and... NO PAIN!
It was magical, I said.
The zig zags persist at a rate of maybe 2 episodes /month; sometimes more. I keep a diary nowadays to track them... which can be helpful if you seek medical attention.

However, when I was 50 I had a stroke, and all during the first part of the stroke, I was basically fighting my way through the zig zags. So, if it persists for you. I would suggest getting a Dr. to look at your brain to be sure nothing else is wrong.

Ocular migraines without pain is related to a higher stroke risk! (I am pretty well recovered from it, but still get expressive aphasia if I am very stressed and am dyslexic where I never was before... gotta live with a spell check.) I am very impressed with all of you who have reported having this condition.

Thank you for this thread....
It makes me feel not-so-all-alone.