Chantal,
Do you think you could be having any mild allergic reactions to anything. I used to get this sensation and for some reason I used to think it was a reaction to medicine.
I would also get the vibration in my ears at the same time.
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Betsy
Don't take anything personally.
Always be impecable with your word.
Don't assume anything.
Always do your best!
Frustrated with my eye symptoms!
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EastCobbGABetsyH
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2001 2:00 am
Hi Betsy,
I know you are right, I am just feeling pissy these last few days...lol. I weaned off my medication and my symptoms all intensified, I don't know why I was expecting that they would go away! I am really trying hard to take one minute at a time and float thru all these feelings. I have my period right now, so that doesn't help, but I am going to exercise, watch my diet,and try to take time for me. I will ignore the eye symptoms, and I am now getting the vibrations in my ear (left one only) I always wondered if it was sinus pressure, but not an allergic reaction. Who knows, and I am trying[i/] to say Who cares. It is all anxiety anyway you slice it! I have had this for about a year, so if it was going to get worse it would have...end of story. I am trying to not focus in on these stupid feelings, but it is hard. Now if I post about this anymore.....kick me in the you know what <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/biggrin.gif">
lol
Chantal
I know you are right, I am just feeling pissy these last few days...lol. I weaned off my medication and my symptoms all intensified, I don't know why I was expecting that they would go away! I am really trying hard to take one minute at a time and float thru all these feelings. I have my period right now, so that doesn't help, but I am going to exercise, watch my diet,and try to take time for me. I will ignore the eye symptoms, and I am now getting the vibrations in my ear (left one only) I always wondered if it was sinus pressure, but not an allergic reaction. Who knows, and I am trying[i/] to say Who cares. It is all anxiety anyway you slice it! I have had this for about a year, so if it was going to get worse it would have...end of story. I am trying to not focus in on these stupid feelings, but it is hard. Now if I post about this anymore.....kick me in the you know what <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/biggrin.gif">
lol
Chantal
"[i]Remember...You can't make sense out of nonsense...[/i]
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Guest
To Chantel and others in this forum:
I have had these symptoms on and off for many years, and I caution forum visitors from writing them off as anxious preoccupation of "normal" phenomena.
Visual disturbances such as long afterimages, "trails" or ghosts after moving objects, spots, halos, light sensitivity, etc., are definitely a common syndrome. The afterimages and trails have the medical term "palinopsia" or "visual perseverence".
My neuro thinks the causes are basically migraine-like (i.e., brain vasculature), but that doesn't help much because they don't understand or treat migraine very well. All they can say is that because the vision system uses a lot of the same neurotransmitters as the rest of the brain, anxiety, depression and migraine sensitivity can easily affect vision in the way you describe.
People who have taken LSD (which affects neurotransmitters) also can acquire this syndrome (it is called HPPD in that case). It is also the case that some older antidepressants (specifically, Trazadone) and a few fertility medications actually cause this syndrome, and there are cases where it does not go away after stopping the medication.
So, select your medications carefully, get lots of exercise, and get a good neurologist to work with you to avoid aggrevating the problem. There is some evidence that certain medications can improve the visual symptoms, too, if anxiety reduction does not work.
But don't buy the idea that these symptoms are just anxious preoccupation.
I have had these symptoms on and off for many years, and I caution forum visitors from writing them off as anxious preoccupation of "normal" phenomena.
Visual disturbances such as long afterimages, "trails" or ghosts after moving objects, spots, halos, light sensitivity, etc., are definitely a common syndrome. The afterimages and trails have the medical term "palinopsia" or "visual perseverence".
My neuro thinks the causes are basically migraine-like (i.e., brain vasculature), but that doesn't help much because they don't understand or treat migraine very well. All they can say is that because the vision system uses a lot of the same neurotransmitters as the rest of the brain, anxiety, depression and migraine sensitivity can easily affect vision in the way you describe.
People who have taken LSD (which affects neurotransmitters) also can acquire this syndrome (it is called HPPD in that case). It is also the case that some older antidepressants (specifically, Trazadone) and a few fertility medications actually cause this syndrome, and there are cases where it does not go away after stopping the medication.
So, select your medications carefully, get lots of exercise, and get a good neurologist to work with you to avoid aggrevating the problem. There is some evidence that certain medications can improve the visual symptoms, too, if anxiety reduction does not work.
But don't buy the idea that these symptoms are just anxious preoccupation.
Swede,
I was told the same thing by my very good neuro-ophth about my visual symptoms - don't know if you read my post above. He believes it is a migraine-variant. I have had these symptoms for a year and they started after taking Elavil ( a relative to trazadone). I happened to be stressed at the time and my migraines were coming frequently, but the visuals started (at least most of them) right after the Elavil to suppress the migraines.
You said you experience these "off and on". Mine are constant. Have you found any medications that have helped at all? Any anxiety reducing strategies? I was on zoloft for awhile and went off because it actually aggravated my symptoms.
My symptoms are much like those with HPPD even though I've never touched illicit or hallucinogenic drugs.
I do find it curious that I've come across so many people with similar symptoms on stress/anxiety boards. I wonder about the serotonin connection. Serotonin is a molecular "cousin" to LSD too. Hmmmmm....
Sorry for the rambling - just wonder if you could share any treament options you've tried or what you have done to accept these visuals and move on with your life!
Thanks so much,
Melissa
I was told the same thing by my very good neuro-ophth about my visual symptoms - don't know if you read my post above. He believes it is a migraine-variant. I have had these symptoms for a year and they started after taking Elavil ( a relative to trazadone). I happened to be stressed at the time and my migraines were coming frequently, but the visuals started (at least most of them) right after the Elavil to suppress the migraines.
You said you experience these "off and on". Mine are constant. Have you found any medications that have helped at all? Any anxiety reducing strategies? I was on zoloft for awhile and went off because it actually aggravated my symptoms.
My symptoms are much like those with HPPD even though I've never touched illicit or hallucinogenic drugs.
I do find it curious that I've come across so many people with similar symptoms on stress/anxiety boards. I wonder about the serotonin connection. Serotonin is a molecular "cousin" to LSD too. Hmmmmm....
Sorry for the rambling - just wonder if you could share any treament options you've tried or what you have done to accept these visuals and move on with your life!
Thanks so much,
Melissa
Thanks for the "new" information SwedeP. I looked up the word "palinopsia" and read about it. Very interesting....it kinda made me feel better b/c some people have it way worse than me! I was alittle concerned about the LSD thing, I took it 14 years ago, ONCE, and it didn't really affect me (must have been mild), but I have taken "magic mushrooms" quite a few times, it was what everyone did in my high school, and that was also about 13 years ago. In one article I read it stated that mushrooms can have simular effects as LSD, but much milder. This caused me some concern, b/c I am terrified that I have caused myself "permanent damage". BUT, I also have to realize that this thinking is just feeding my fear cycle, and is not giving myself a fair chance to heal. My visuals started after a very "high stress" time in my life and slowly crept in. I believe mine is linked to low serotonin and migraines. I have had a neck injury due to a car accident that has been bothering me ALOT since I have had kids. I have alot of the migraine symptoms, tension in my forehead and back of my neck. I have had an eye exam, and my optomotrist said things were fine. So I am back to the original cause of it bieng stress. I believe once my chemicals balance out again, it will lift/improve. I feel this way b/c when I am calm/relaxed/not thinking about it does improve, so "worrying" about it only aggravates the condition and the whole "fear cycle" for me, so I will keep "accepting" this as something NON permanent.
Chantal
Chantal
"[i]Remember...You can't make sense out of nonsense...[/i]
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Guest
Melissa and Chantal:
Vision disturbances are a big stressor and if stress disturbs vision, it can be hard to break the cycle. I don't have any great secrets about reducing anxiety and stress, but being aware of the linkage (vs. other nastier diagnoses) has helped me, personally, a lot because I thought my retinas were going, etc.
Also, for me, exercise in settings that do not challenge my vision too much (like jogging or walking at night, etc.) helps quite a bit, as does a good pair of sunglasses to relieve some of the symptoms (I use the darkest, wrap-around Maui Jims with anti-glare coatings: MJ162-02). The less of the visual garbage I see, the more relaxed I am.
I have not gone the antidepressant route (not yet, anyway). But I think there are probably some antidepressants that won't further mess up your vision (Paxil seems to be pretty mild, according to reports), but I think it is always better to start at half or less of the initial dosage that the docs prescribe if you are drug sensitive.
I also find it reassuring to know that others have this problem, and that there may be some treatments that I have not tried yet. For example, there are some PubMed abstracts on the interenet that suggest that Clonidine and Clonazapam have been useful, at least in patients that got palinopsia from drug or medication effects. (Search for HPPD and Lerner AG on PubMed.)
I have not tried these yet, but i am hopeful of getting my neuro to pursue them. Right now, he is treating me as a migraine patient with calcium channel blockers.
My vision problems are basically 24/7, but there are days that are better or worse than others. This, too, tells me that there must be something affecting it and so there must be some way to improve it if the right hook can be found.
Basically, knowledge, hope and nitetime walks on the beach are my main anxiety-relievers.
Vision disturbances are a big stressor and if stress disturbs vision, it can be hard to break the cycle. I don't have any great secrets about reducing anxiety and stress, but being aware of the linkage (vs. other nastier diagnoses) has helped me, personally, a lot because I thought my retinas were going, etc.
Also, for me, exercise in settings that do not challenge my vision too much (like jogging or walking at night, etc.) helps quite a bit, as does a good pair of sunglasses to relieve some of the symptoms (I use the darkest, wrap-around Maui Jims with anti-glare coatings: MJ162-02). The less of the visual garbage I see, the more relaxed I am.
I have not gone the antidepressant route (not yet, anyway). But I think there are probably some antidepressants that won't further mess up your vision (Paxil seems to be pretty mild, according to reports), but I think it is always better to start at half or less of the initial dosage that the docs prescribe if you are drug sensitive.
I also find it reassuring to know that others have this problem, and that there may be some treatments that I have not tried yet. For example, there are some PubMed abstracts on the interenet that suggest that Clonidine and Clonazapam have been useful, at least in patients that got palinopsia from drug or medication effects. (Search for HPPD and Lerner AG on PubMed.)
I have not tried these yet, but i am hopeful of getting my neuro to pursue them. Right now, he is treating me as a migraine patient with calcium channel blockers.
My vision problems are basically 24/7, but there are days that are better or worse than others. This, too, tells me that there must be something affecting it and so there must be some way to improve it if the right hook can be found.
Basically, knowledge, hope and nitetime walks on the beach are my main anxiety-relievers.
Swede,
Thank you for your advice. I am dealing with this much better than I once was and you're right - ruling out the nasty diseases has been a big help. I've had two normal MRIs (MS was my fear) and had my eyes examined by countless specialists.
I also exercise regularly and just bought an excellent pair of RayBan sunglasses, polarized, wrap-arounds. Best money I ever spent! Really helps with the light sensitivity and glare. I actually found that the darkest BROWN lenses were better for me - the black ones didn't get rid of the blue light enough.
How long have you been dealing with this? Did it happen during a time or great stress? Do you have a history of migraines?
I took verapamil for several months - a calcium channel blocker. It helped my headaches but not the vision. I was also on depakote (an anti-seizure med used for migraines) but it didn't help either. I even tried an injection of furosemide as recommended on the Upstate New York website of Dr. Haas who wrote about "migraine aura status" in great detail. Have you seen his webpage? The injection did nothing for me. I've corresponded with Dr. Haas via e-mail and he recommended Diamox next, but I've given up for awhile. Just tired of pumping drugs into my body.
My neuro-ophth suggested staying off of any SSRIs - which would include paxil. He fears the connection to serotonin may cause my visuals to worsen. There have been reports with folks with HPPD that this is true - of course, there are conflicting ones as well that suggest SSRIs are helpful. Who knows?
I am glad you posted - was it your vision that brought you to this forum? Are you doing the program?
Could you log my e-mail away on your computer in case you find relief for your visuals someday? I would love to keep in touch. I'm at corco6400@aol.com
E-mail me anytime!
Talk to you soon,
Melissa
Thank you for your advice. I am dealing with this much better than I once was and you're right - ruling out the nasty diseases has been a big help. I've had two normal MRIs (MS was my fear) and had my eyes examined by countless specialists.
I also exercise regularly and just bought an excellent pair of RayBan sunglasses, polarized, wrap-arounds. Best money I ever spent! Really helps with the light sensitivity and glare. I actually found that the darkest BROWN lenses were better for me - the black ones didn't get rid of the blue light enough.
How long have you been dealing with this? Did it happen during a time or great stress? Do you have a history of migraines?
I took verapamil for several months - a calcium channel blocker. It helped my headaches but not the vision. I was also on depakote (an anti-seizure med used for migraines) but it didn't help either. I even tried an injection of furosemide as recommended on the Upstate New York website of Dr. Haas who wrote about "migraine aura status" in great detail. Have you seen his webpage? The injection did nothing for me. I've corresponded with Dr. Haas via e-mail and he recommended Diamox next, but I've given up for awhile. Just tired of pumping drugs into my body.
My neuro-ophth suggested staying off of any SSRIs - which would include paxil. He fears the connection to serotonin may cause my visuals to worsen. There have been reports with folks with HPPD that this is true - of course, there are conflicting ones as well that suggest SSRIs are helpful. Who knows?
I am glad you posted - was it your vision that brought you to this forum? Are you doing the program?
Could you log my e-mail away on your computer in case you find relief for your visuals someday? I would love to keep in touch. I'm at corco6400@aol.com
E-mail me anytime!
Talk to you soon,
Melissa
Melissa:
I will email more to you offline, but wanted to reply that I have had this problem for more than 8 years, but it got worse recently, so I am actively pursuing treatment now. I do have a history of migraine (but mostly aura, not severe headaches. I got to this web site with a Google search, not because of the stress management. However, all this junk did start with a stressful event, so there is some commonality.
I will eMail you today with some details that probably are not of interest to the forum overall. All the best.
I will email more to you offline, but wanted to reply that I have had this problem for more than 8 years, but it got worse recently, so I am actively pursuing treatment now. I do have a history of migraine (but mostly aura, not severe headaches. I got to this web site with a Google search, not because of the stress management. However, all this junk did start with a stressful event, so there is some commonality.
I will eMail you today with some details that probably are not of interest to the forum overall. All the best.
All for His praise, glory and the joy it gives Him.
Hugs, In His Love >:D<
Gman9259
"He who dwells in the secret place of the most
high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"
Hugs, In His Love >:D<
Gman9259
"He who dwells in the secret place of the most
high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty"
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mallorygodisgood
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:23 pm
Chantal..I have been having exactly what you are describing word for word. I see that this was written a while ago...how are you now? EVer find a diagnosis..Im in the stage you were a while ago. The vibrating vision is horrible, and it bothers me SO bad. Makes me scared something is wrong. Please write me back!