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Real members of MyMigraineTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Who Experiences Auras Before Migraines Sometimes?

A MyMigraineTeam Member asked a question 💭
Indianapolis, IN

I have always had some visual disturbance with and preceding a migraine. However it is rarer that I have a super aura. The first time I had one, I woke to the certainty of police and emergency vehicles outside our window. The red lights were flashing all around my room. I got out of bed to look out the window, there was nothing. Yet the red flashing continued for a few minutes. Followed by a migraine the first time, but not every time. Sometimes it looks more like moving grayish flying shadows… read more

October 6, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members shared a wide range of aura experiences before migraines, including flashing lights, zigzag patterns, blind spots, wavy lines, tunnel... Read more

Members shared a wide range of aura experiences before migraines, including flashing lights, zigzag patterns, blind spots, wavy lines, tunnel vision, and even phantom smells or sounds, with many describing the visual disturbances as disorienting and sometimes more debilitating than the headache itself. Several members offered practical strategies like taking medication immediately when auras begin (with some finding success chewing aspirin to stop the aura), pulling over while driving to stay safe, keeping a migraine journal to identify patterns, and working with specialists to rule out other causes like eye strokes or serious vision problems. A recurring theme was the variability of migraine patterns over time, with some members experiencing auras that evolved from purely visual to verbal confusion or physical symptoms, while others found their auras became more or less frequent with age, stress, or hormonal changes.

A MyMigraineTeam Member

I have auras like a lightening bolt lasts 20 minutes. I may or may not get the headache. Usually I get blurry vision and feel yucky. I get them maybe twice a month.

September 26, 2022
A MyMigraineTeam Member

I can get an aura, and usually within15 to 30 minutes the pain starts. If I am driving I have to pull over and wait for it to go away.

June 6, 2021
A MyMigraineTeam Member

I used to get the aura along with verbal difficulties thought I was having a stroke. Used to scare the the hell out of me. Then the headache that would follow would last for days and was horrible

July 14, 2019
A MyMigraineTeam Member

Pertaining to the visual auras, a neurologist I saw advised me to chew an aspirin when the visual aura started and it would stop the aura. I tried it and it worked for me.

January 16, 2019
A MyMigraineTeam Member

I usually drop off into a deep sleep sitting up and then wake up feeling bad. I get visual aura (scintillating scotoma) as well. Running to the bathroom - not fun. I can't stand light or noise and get irritable or depressed because I can't think straight and sometimes get very clumsy and tend to drop things. The headache pain usually hits about 20 minutes later. I am in the middle of this right now and am feeling despondent because I only had one decent day between this and the last one. :'(

March 14, 2018

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