afib and ocular migraines

I recently noticed that twice within 12 to 24hrs of having an AF episode I got what is called an ocular migraine (seeing flashing lights etc in my eyes for a brief time). Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar?

no personal experience, but ...

Review in 2022: Migraine and atrial fibrillation


Or more generally ...

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or ...

Lone AFib and migraines



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2022 02:45PM by Kwilk.

thnx Kwilk yes links are very frightening which is why I was wondering if other afibbers have ocular migraines



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2022 07:27PM by anneh.

Quote
anneh
yes links are very frightening which is why I was wondering if other afibbers have ocular migraines

Yes, I have had them for years but not very often and not in direct time association with Afib. I had them daily after a atrial septal wall puncture (not during an ablation, rather the placement of a MitraClip). Others have also reported this after septal wall punctures during ablations.

My take of the literature is that it is common.

Daisy what is frightening me is that research shows ocular migraines can cause strokes so because of the danger of stroke with AF I feel like I have double the chance of having one in spite of being on Eliquis

thnx Kwilk, as I mentioned to Daisy I am now frightened of having double risk of stroke

I had regular migraines when I was young. I now have ocular migraines now and then. I did not get any headache pain when I had my first one, just the twinkly lights and temporary vision loss, I was quite confused.

My MD ophthalmologist told me that these are not of concern unless you get them all the time. Not associated with my AFIB. as far as I can tell.

My migraine with Aura started one week after my 1st ablation about 7 years ago. Was never a headache guy before that at all. Let alone aura where I lost my vision and rushed to ER thinking stroke.

They never went away but best treatment I have found is propranolol keeps them largely at bay after trying every other thing. Also keeps my HR lower which was a bit of an issue. I am about 5 years from successful ablation which was my 4th ablation and 1st with Dr Natale, NSR since.

I now take 60mg extended release Propranolol and largely migraine free after battling 2 to 3 a month since they started. It has also helped with a slightly elevated HR and spikes I continued to get occasionally that would not qualify as SVT but way more time in 90's and low 100's than was ideal.

So do I think a connection, of course, but you'll never get a straight answer or reason from a Neuro and EP's will only look at you odd when brought up.

I have had two Migraine Auras, the first one sent me to ER to be checked if I was having a stroke. After many tests and a CT Scan, they told me what I had, had was an Ocular Migraine. I have had one other since then, but that is all. When it happened the second time it scared me, but when I saw that "light bulb filament" I realized it was a migraine. This time I got a slight headache afterward, the first one I had no headache, just the Aura.