Not a stroke, but maybe a silent migraine?

I spent several hours in the ER today. A couple hours in the waiting room, and one in the actual ER. I was there because the advice nurse told me I had to go. But I couldn’t drive myself. I had to get a ride.

I had floaters in my right eye. Wavy lines that started in the middle of my vision and eventually retreated to the periphery. After about 30 minutes they were gone, but the right side of my face felt numb. Like I’d gotten a root canal on an upper front tooth, but several hours ago, and novocaine hadn’t worn off yet.

It was the numb face that prompted me to call. If it had just been the floaters that went away I wouldn’t have worried, but the numb face freaked me out.

When the advice nurse asked for my current address, and whether or not I was alone, I knew what was coming next.

My mom took me to the ER and my dad brought me back to my car, which stayed at work. Luckily I was done teaching for the day, so I only missed a meeting.

I’m relieved it wasn’t anything serious. I’m concerned about the probably that it was a silent migraine because I’ve never had one before and I hope they don’t become commonplace. I guess I should be happy it just came with auras and numbness, but no pain.

Evidently both my sister and father have had these before. I had no idea. I guess I’ll be learning more about them.

I was back at work close to when I would have left for the day. I had missed my long block prep, which I had planned to use to get ready for the big party I’m throwing tomorrow for the students who for blackouts on their free reading bingo boards. I hope I can get it all done tomorrow before lunch.

I’m tired and I’m supposed to get to bed early tonight. I hope the rest of the week is less eventful.

5 Comments

  1. Definitely sounds like a migraine aura, I have had them all my life. Starts with a small blind spot in the centre of my vision which enlarges into a sparkling blob which over about 30/40 mins changes into a bright C shape that moves slowly to my peripheral vision and becomes shimmery then disappears. Used to be followed by a headache but now I just get the aura without headache. My mother had them and my daughter and son get them too occasionally. I can get one or two a year or currently 2 to 4 a month. Completely random. Never really figured out what triggers them. Think it’s a combination of lack of sleep, stress and physical exertion with me. Hopefully you won’t be bothered by them too often.

  2. ughghghgh I had that (the vision part, not the numb face part) once and NO headache. it was very scary. i’m glad you got checked out!!!!

  3. Optical migraine. I had one of these, years ago, and my husband gets them occasionally. I had no idea what the f*** it was, when I had mine — I just went into the staff room and lay down for a while with my eyes closed until it disappeared. (I was young!) I’ve never had one since then. My husband called me the first time it happened to him, and I called our eye doctor and he told me what it was. He said generally they disappear on their own after half an hour or so — but it’s important to get checked out, especially if you’re having one for the first time, because yes, some of the symptoms are stroke-like. I’m glad you got went to the ER, and that you’re OK!

  4. I am sorry this happened to you. Super spooky because can be a highly undesirable event. Glad you went to ER. Important to do that.
    Hydrate. And I think steady state hormone levels also help. As does stress reduction…. lots of stress reduction. Has hiring a housekeeper helped you? Has that actually happened? Hoping so.
    Hope this weekend eases up a bit.
    Best wishes!

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