An Aura Without the Headache

Dr. Seth Haplea Health Professional Neurologist Seth Haplea, M.D., graduated from Duke University School of Medicine... Subscribe: Dr. Seth Haplea

Tuesday, June 06, 2006
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Question: Sometimes I see an aura, and expect to get a migraine, but the headache never comes on. What is this?Dr. Haplea: This type of event has the accurate if uninventive name of migraine aura without headache. Previously called ‘migraine equivalent’ or ‘acephalic headache,’ this typ...

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natalie
Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 10:33 AM
had aura without migraine 30 years ago. now 72 it has started again. have cad first time on ace inhibitor and crestor. am i doing enough?

35 years of aura w/o headache
Leslie
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 02:23 PM
When I was about 10 yrs old I had these about 3-6 times per year. my parents took me to every specialist and no one when what I "had". Finally, about three years ago during a routine eye exam I decided to mention it and low and behold IT HAD A NAME! My question is: is is common to have had these for almost 35 yrs? i have not read anything about them lasting that long.

re: 35 years of aura w/o headache
Anonymous
Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 12:57 PM
I had my first one in 1975 and just had one today. I imagine I'll have them for the rest of my life. Usually it appears after I've been stressed and not feeling good. I just put my head down or pull over if I'm driving until it goes away.

Aura Without Headache
Sondra
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 02:07 PM

I have never had the migraine headache but have often had the auras which begin when I suddenly realize I can only see half of whatever I am looking at. Pretty soon I see an arc of black and bright silver zig-zag lines in an arc. May progress to several lines of them in an arc or more than one arc and they may get larger and quiver. On occasion they bloom into full blown technicolor!

Doctors thought I was crazy when I tried to describe. Finally, to my great joy, I saw a drawing of exactly what I was seeing in Oliver Sacks book, "Migraine." Was so happy to know there were others like me!