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I'm back home after the CA ultrasound but before I left this morning I had a chance to read all of your posts and they were very helpful. You guys are the best. DreamDiver, your post and the screenshots got me to thinking and I did a little more reading about the fireflies. I have a documented history of autonomic (neurological) instability that involves orthostatic intolerance (BP drops on standing, etc.). It's possible the fireflies are just a new manifestation of a longstanding condition.

I should have the US results by the end of the week according to my doctor and I'll post here. Meantime, this song has been playing in my mind all day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOXlB1mHhk8

Thanks everyone!

I've had both--I see stars with some orthostatic hypotension--usually when I'm sick with an upper respiratory infection and I stand up quickly or cough really hard. It never lasts more than a few seconds, though.

I get ocular migraines, too. They used to be very rare and occur only in times of great stress, but as I'm getting older and more menopausal they are more frequent. They last about 30 minutes for me, and if I have any head pain at all it's very vague.

My mom had ocular migraines too, and used to describe them as "Indian patterns". I see very intricate geometric patterns that look a lot like the Tlingit Alaskan Indian artwork my husband used to collect--with some of the geometric shapes filled in with bright colors. My auras are really very interesting and beautiful! They start in my central vision, so I can't drive or function very well until they slowly swirl out to the periphery of my vision and eventually disappear. Sometimes, instead of the distinct geometric shapes I see a shimmering light. I find I just have to wait the visual disturbance out, inconvenient if I'm driving (I pull off the road) or need to be driving somewhere.

One thing I've identified as a trigger is eating oranges. I can expect to get an ocular migraine sometime within 24 hours of eating anything containing real orange flavoring or oranges. I seem to be getting more food sensitivity since I've altered my diet to paleo/low carb.

I've had ocular migraines off and on for years. For me they seem to come on in times of stress. I get the zig zags and sometimes lose vision on both sides of my eyes (like a horse with blinders on.) Usually no headache afterwards, sometimes a small one on the back left side of my head. I find it helpful to either go into a dark room and lay down, or use a pair of dark sunglasses and wait it out.

Finally got ultrasound results and carotid artery disease (stenosis) was ruled out. I haven't seen the fireflies since the episode I posted about, and the doc still thinks it was an ocular migraine. I don't think there will be any further follow-up unless something changes.

Thanks again for the support.

Glad the serious stuff has been ruled out, there's a little less stress for you. Now you can focus on stress management, and see if that helps *smile*.

Take care.

RogerSC wrote:Glad the serious stuff has been ruled out, there's a little less stress for you. Now you can focus on stress management, and see if that helps *smile*.

Take care.

Will do, thanks again Roger *smile*.

Delighted it wasn't serious!

I remember the first one I got back in the 70's. I was waiting for the train to go to work with my then partner and the world started to sparkle. We took the train downtown and a taxi to ER because my partner was sure I was having a brain tumour or something like that. A lovely way to spend the morning.

kaiasgram wrote:Finally got ultrasound results and carotid artery disease (stenosis) was ruled out. I haven't seen the fireflies since the episode I posted about, and the doc still thinks it was an ocular migraine. I don't think there will be any further follow-up unless something changes.

Thanks again for the support.

Glad to hear the news! Hopefully, it was a one time thing and nothing will change, and you will be free from any future episodes like that .

John