Can I still have a migraine without a headache?

The experience of headache “pain” varies from person to person, and other “pulsating” and “pressure-like” sensations may occur in migraine. Some people experience other transient phenomena like simple visual illusions like colourful shapes and lines. This is known as a visual aura, and can occur before during and after a headache. Vertigo, or the illusion of movement, often a spinning sensation, is another example of a migraine aura, that can occur before during or after the migraine headache. Tingling in the tongue, face hands and feet may also occur. Aura is common, occurring in at least a third of migraine sufferers.

It is possible that these phenomena may occur without the typical headache features. However, this can only be diagnosed after serious causes have been excluded, in particular stroke. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact 000 and/or present yourself to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.