Possible Migraines

It sounds like a migraine. I used to get them quite often, but I changed my eating habits which got rid of them. No more processed foods for me. I pretty much followed the "msg myth" website and the list of ingredients to avoid. It was very very worth it!

Yes, that absolutely sounds like a migraine. That is exactly how mine happen- visual disturbances, then those clear, then blinding pain, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and vomiting. Pain is on one side of the head, usually in a very specific location, not just a generalized headache. Kind of like a railroad spike in the brain. You need to identify your triggers so you can avoid them and get a scrip for some meds so you can get some relief when you do have one. I found that I had a lot less when I eliminated caffeine and fake sugar (NutraSweet/aspartame) from my diet. Other triggers for me are extreme stress, birth control pills/hormone fluctuations, and hyacinths (kind of flower with strong smell). Any doc that you go to will tell you to start a headache journal with all of the foods, activities, sleep, new things, etc, surrounding each headache. You will want to go to a neurologist and maybe consider supplementing that with a naturopath to help identify triggers.
The neurologist will help identify any medical causes and will get you the good drugs. The naturopath will help look at your life as a whole to help you identify and avoid triggers. If you get a good neurologist who specializes in migraine care, they will do both.

You need to see a Neurologist.

I have chronic migraines. The original migraines began when I was teenager, but in my early 30's they were just awful. I even once had spinal meningitis and just thought it was a regular migraine. that is how painful they were.

I am now on a beta blocker (low dosage of high blood pressure medication) and it is wonderful. I know when I am having a migraine, but all I need to do is slow down for a small amount of time. None of the pain anymore.

Go and see a doctor, there is no reason for you to suffer any longer.

Sounds like a migraine to me. The vision issue is called an aura and it is your warning sign to take an abortive medication before the pain hits. Fortunately for me, a heavy dose of OTC ibuprofen works for me.

Your GP can typically handle it. If they think it is something worse, you may be referred to a neurologist. Being in constant pain for two weeks is concerning, so it might not be as simple as a prescription. You'll need to examine what your triggers are and work to avoid them. Could be foods, stress, allergies, etc.

There are a number of treatments. Most just mask the symptoms or pain such as the use of barbiturates (Fiorinal is one of many.) Usually you start with your primary care physician and either start medications under that person, or you are referred further (depends on what other symptoms may be present but it could be a neurologist or endocrinologist).

There are also nutritional solutions used safely by many. That's always a safe place to start. I have a friend who was a terrible migraine sufferer for years (headaches, nauseated, vomiting, passing out on the street, and worse). She took barbiturates for years but didn't stop getting migraines. She's been migraine-free for something like 12 years now, and takes no meds.

I struggled with what I thought were sinus headaches for years...they would last three to five days and were just miserable.

They weren't sinus headaches they were migraines and when I finally mentioned them to my doctor...I didn't have to suffer with them anymore.

I sometimes have fireflies in my field of vision before the headache starts.

Go to your regular doctor mine has done fine handling me. Or they can refer you to a neurologist if they need to if they can't help.

Good luck!!

that does sounds like a migrane. I get them every once in a while. Ususally when it happens, it's an ER visit so I can get a shot (last time they did an IV). I do now have a Rx migrane medication so I don't have to go to the ER every time it happens. I don't have them often though. I had maybe 2 last year and then 1 a few months ago. Before that it has been maybe 3 or 4 years.

Yes, it very well could be a migraine, and you should see a neurologist. However, I personally always prefer to start with my PCP, and let her refer me because she always refers me to top specialists. I trust her judgement very much.

Yes, it means an extra copay, but otherwise I'm just picking a name out of a list and who knows if I'm choosing someone appropriate. For example, neurologists can specialize in migraine, vertigo, seizure, movement disorders like parkinsons, dementia, etc. You want one who specializes in migraine because if you accidentally get one who major interest and expertise is in dementia, that person won't know the latest research on migraine. But you won't know this if you just look at a list of neurologists - you need someone on the inside who knows which neurologist does what. Hopefully your primary care doc is that person for you.

In the meantime, someone below had great advice - start a diary and keep track of foods and your menstrual cycle. These are triggers for many people, and a good doctor who knows about migraines will ask you to do this anyway, so get a head start now.

For me, switching to eco friendly products throughout my home stopped my migraines. Now, I only get a premenstrual migraine. You can try taking Excedrine Migraine or Advil for migraines. If you go to the doctor, they will most likely prescribe a prescription drug. I'm just not one to take prescriptions because of side effects. But an OTC for a few days works for me. Also, my OBGYN recommended an OTC over prescription.

Take a Midol the next time this happens and see if it works. My FIL takes Midol when he first feels a migraine coming on and it stops it before it grows and gets bigger.

It does sound like a migraine. I've suffered for around 15 years with them and I can tell you, you need to get to someone to figure this out. There are so many different types of migraines, and they are extremely difficult to diagnose the "source". If you have a regular PCP that you see, then yes, start there. They will probably refer you to a neurologist, but considering you're having these issues with your eyes during this (migraine) time, I'd maybe consider seeing an eye doctor b/c you may be having "ocular migraines," my friend suffers from these, and you describe similar to what she says happens to her. If I were you, I'd start keeping a diary of some sorts, activities, what you eat, period, etc...and see if you can narrow down timing of these incidents. Best of luck to you and please keep us all posted!!!