I seem to be having more frequent episodes of so-called "silent migraine": I get the fuzzy vision without any other symptoms (no headache or vomiting). Although I have had these very infrequently all my life, perhaps once or twice a year, over the last few months I seem to be getting more of them. They are not painful, and normally last no more than 20 - 25 minutes, so it's not a major concern, but I do wonder whether I can attribute the increased frequency to imatinib. Has anyone else had similar experiences?
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Glivec and "silent migraine"
Hi Olivia
Having been a frequent migraine sufferer since puberty, I have been interested to find that since taking Imatanib since Sept 2009 I've had only one attack. Like you I have had vision distortion but very occasionally and, like you, it passes after some time without producing any further symptoms.
Perhaps it is one good side effect of Im.
Best wishes,
Chrissie
I also suffered from migraine from about the age of 15. I found that acupuncture 'cured' me and was migraine free until just before diagnosis when I started to experience 'silent migraines - visual effects which meant lying down in a darkened room for around 10-15 mins. No pain, no nausea. I still get this from time to time- not sure of the trigger, but low blood sugar/dehydration might be one cause.
Sandy
Thanks for all this, everyone. I have no idea what the trigger for the migraines might be - they are so infrequent that I don't think there can be any one cause. I saw a painting done by a sufferer once, which expressed it admirably - a normal scene apart from yellow and black zig-zags in an arc round the edge of her vision.
It's probably nothing to do with cml or imatinib, just one of those things we have to put up with from time to time.
Olivia