Ocular Migraines
My body changed a lot when I became pregnant. After I had my babies I still held on to some of the extra weight I had packed on during pregnancy and now I’m suddenly allergic to cats. My nails grow faster and my breasts are a cup size bigger. Did I mention I have one dark hair that keeps growing back on my neck no matter how many times I pluck the stupid thing?
Of all the changes my body has retained – despite not having been pregnant for a few years – by far the most bizarre development I experienced was ocular migraines. When I was in my first trimester I was at a restaurant with some friends and all of a sudden I started to notice some flashing lights in my peripheral vision. Nobody else could see them, and then the next thing I knew there was a full-blown light show in front of my eyes. It was really weird. My head didn’t hurt, but I did feel a little lightheaded and it took about three minutes for the light show to pass.
I took my concerns to my doctor. He diagnosed me with ocular migraines, which don’t hurt but do present a pretty spectacular light show for a few minutes. It happened a couple more times during my first pregnancy then stopped. During my second pregnancy it started back up again, so I chalked it up to pregnancy hormones.
The funny thing is that after I had my second baby the ocular migraines didn’t stop. In fact, I just had one the other day. I could feel it coming on so I grabbed my husband and told him to take the kids because I was going to be out of commission for a few minutes, then I sat there and waited for it to pass.
It’s quite bizarre, really.
Apparently there is nothing that can be done to stop the ocular migraines and since they haven’t stopped even though I’m no longer pregnant I’m wondering if they’re just going to be around forever. I guess it’s not the worst thing that could happen, but of all the body changes I expected from pregnancy this certainly wasn’t one of them.
Read More
Multi-Tasking Mommy says...
Isn’t it SO weird how our bodies change with pregnancy and after!
I have a weird growth on arm after my son was born and I swear to you, it morphs every.single.day!
As well, my toe nails all dig into the sides (in grown toenails) for months after pregnancy, but not during.
Multi-Tasking Mommys last blog post..Menu Planning
Ashley says...
I am 30 and just had my first baby 9 weeks ago. Since delivering him, I have experienced ocular migraines at least once a week. It starts in my lower periphery and works its way counter clockwise until it is above my head. If i cover one eye, its there. If i cover the other eye, its there. It has a jagged edge and flashes black and white like a strobe light. It usually doesn’t interfere with childcare and is just an annoyance.
angela says...
hello this happens to me all thetime now. i had them when i was on birthcontrol and when i was pregnant and now that i am back on the depo shot…its so scary
Ocular Migraines says...
I found an interesting thing to try when you are having an ocular migraine. I read if you eat a largish piece of cheese as the migraine comes on, it can help make it go away. I tried it and it seemed to work. Of course maybe it would have gone away on its own in the same time. Not sure, but I am willing to try it again next time. I suppose it is worth a try.