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[Mary G]

Lynda07, sorry to come to this thread late but I'm a fellow silent migraine sufferer - aura without headache.

Mine started in 2004 in the lead up to the menopause.  I instantly knew it was a migraine and I guessed the cause was hormonal.  My migraines start with blank spots then a shimmering, jagged "C" shaped pattern (scintillating scotoma) for 30 minutes but no headache.  Since 2004, I've probably had about 100 episodes.

As you probably already know, migraine auras are caused by cortical spreading depression (read up on it) which is caused by low seratonin levels which in my case (and probably yours too) is caused by low oestrogen levels and all types of hormone imbalance.  This is a subset of migraine that does not improve with menopause like menstrual migraines for example.  Because this type of migraine is driven by hormones/seratonin, hormonal manipulation works well and I managed this for several years but now I need some extra help with a low dose AD (amitriptyline) to keep seratonin levels up.

I'm afraid silent migraines are not easy to treat and it takes a while to find an HRT regime that worked but generally speaking, you need hormone stability and to avoid bleeds but very importantly, don't let your oestrogen levels drop too low. It's also worth taking testosterone because that helps to maintain seratonin levels.

If you search for "silent migraines" on here you will see some of my old posts going back years.

Please let me know if I can help.


Edit: apologies, I left out an important point and that is your age.  Without hormone manipulation and/or a seratonin enhancer, this type of migraine gets worse with age.  I'm 62 and about 15 years post menopause and I had to slightly increase my oestrogen dose (by half a pump) and start taking a low dose AD.  You are 59 and also very post menopause so it makes sense that your auras are getting worse and coming in batches.  That is what happened to me so I got together with my hormonal migraine specialist and started the ADs and it's helped enormously.

Please don't worry about it being a serious illness because it's not and it's quite common.

[Lynda07]

Hi Mary G

Thank you so much for your reply, the information and also the reassurance about these being quite common.

I didn't know the silent migraines were caused by cortical spreading depression so will read up on that for sure - thank you.

My migraines start - and continue - exactly the same as yours. My problem is how much they scare me, time after time.

One issue I do have is probably going to be a stumbling block for me if they do get worse - I have a phobia of medication. I'm on no medication.  But that's something I may have to address one day - I've an appointment with my GP on Friday and will see what he says.

I am so grateful for this reply.

Lynda

[Mary G]

Lynda, I'm afraid without medication, there is no real remedy for this particular type of migraine.

I think this is probably the only type of migraine that does not improve with age.  Most hormonal type migraines disappear after the menopause and the type that men have from adolescence (my partner included) get better with age but sadly, the subtype of migraine that I (and probably you) have do not improve with age or without medication.

It's a real bummer but I'm going to be completely honest with you.  Having put up with migraine auras for what is now 19 years, I can tell you that as far as I'm concerned (and obviously you could be different) absolutely nothing makes one iota of difference apart from good, hard, drugs ie HRT and ADs.  All the healthy diets, plenty of exercise, healthy weight, no smoking, no alcohol, no stress, taking all the right supplements in the world makes zero difference to the frequency or severity of my migraines. 

I used to get a horrible postdrome for 72 hours but since taking propranolol, I have no after effects at all.  The propranolol was supposed to be a preventative medication but it didn't work for that.

I'm sorry I can't say something more positive but believe me, I have tried everything and my current regime is the best so far.  I didn't have migraines during my reproductive years. 

[Lynda07]

I appreciate your honesty and the information you have given me Mary G. For various reasons I’ve given up alcohol, taken more exercise, recently stopped eating sugar - and I feel no better at all, still stressed, still anxious. So I can well believe these things make little difference to the silent migraines.