Meds and Vision Scary Any Help?

Cinny · Post by **Cinny** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:33 am

I just started Wellbutrin and Ativan last Friday. I have tons of anxiety about some pins and needles in my feet and left arm. So, to try and get on top of my fears, I opted to start meds on my dr.s recommendation. Now, I have vision issues in my right eye only. Seems not too out of focus, but more foggy, like halos around things. Naturally, I have a brain tumor or MS or something, the way I think. Like alot of us in here. I have been fighting this fear for a couple weeks now. Does anyone have any experience with eye issues and meds? Eye issues in general? Anyone have JUST ONE EYE go goofy for days? Hope that it is med caused, as I see tons of stuff on line about Ativan causeing vision issues, but none say in just one eye... I can't believe that I am so worried, and I am a grown man.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:53 am

When I was taking anti depressants my vision was always kind of blurred. Some of it I think was due to the fact they can dry your eyes out. The drier my eyes were, the blurrier my vision was.
It went away when I stopped the meds, so it seems it was not permanent. You might want to try some lubricating eye drops to see if it helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:12 am

Thanks for the reply! I will try to find some drops. My short term memory is not very good, when I have anxiety. I THINK I can recall this issue before, and it cleared up after I stopped taking the ativan. I think I will try that too. What makes my so nervious about it, is that it is only in my right eye. I read somewhere, that a brain problem usually shows up in both eyes, and an eye problem usually shows up in that eye. So that may be a comfort. I am 42, and can't read up close too much anymore, with that eye,

but have never had halos before. I don't know how long it would take for the ativan to get out of my system long enough to see if that is what is effecting it. Any one with experiance in that area?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:30 am

Well, I did just get some good news I guess, my blood work from the labs is all good. No thyroid issues, no diabetes, all normal. So it has been 6 hours since my last (last) ativan. Hopefully my eye issue will go away too. seems to be improving slightly, in vision, but now I want to blink it all the time. Like itchy almost. Twitchy is a better word. ?? Not as sensitive to the LCD screen here at work. The drops seem to help too. I guess I am catastraphizing! I have just never had an issue only effecting ONE eye before. ?? Anyone else have any similar issues? Ativan?

rose_thorn98 · Post by **rose_thorn98** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:25 pm

Sometimes when you start a med it can effect your vison for a while, few weeks and then it goes away. I only had that with Geodon, but it was pretty bad. Then it went away and came back so I had to stop the drug. However, this drug made me extremley sick in every way possible. Did you check with your doctor about it. You could put a call into the nurse and let them know the issues you are having. I knwo it's kind of scary, hopefully it will stop soon, but I would let your care provider know.

Hope this helps.

Admin_1 · Post by **Admin_1** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:58 pm

I think some anti-depressants dry your eyes out and can make you experience cotton mouth as well so you may want to pay more attention to your hydration and use some eye drops. The good news is both of those symptoms (as well as the occasional constipation-I know TMI) went away once I got off my meds.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:04 am

HI,

Yes, I did call my FNP. She said to continue to take them, and I am. I see my vision change from slight blur to moderatly blurry. I guess that is just the way it is. I see in here where folks have had vision issues based on anxiety, meds, neck problems, (which I have) so I guess you just throw your hands up in the air, and see what happens. I have so much tingling and pins and needles in my arms and legs/feet, 24/7, that I can't hardly relax, so I am wound tight all the time. Just started therapy last evening, to try and get some more help. He said to stay on the meds also. I can't really afford all of this, so I guess I will just have to live with all the tingling burning in my calves and arms. I live with the fear of MS / ALS/ Tumor, like lots of good people in here. But I cant really afford all the testing to get the good news that I don't have it. So I just have to live with it I guess. Sure wears me down.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:58 am

I hope the side efects have tapered off and you are feeling better

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:36 pm

wow.. thanks for checking! yes and no.. I actually feel fine.. I have totally stopped taking any meds, for almost a week now. (under direction, not on my own) However, about the vision. I still see tons of floaters in my right eye. It really feels funny most of the time, and is very dry alot. Sometimes I wake up with a sort of film or something on my eye. Sometimes it is right over the pupil, and is like looking through a plastic bag. But when I blink once or twice, it gets shoved out of the way and I see clearly. I don't really see out of focus, just sensitive to certain things, like my LCD monitors at work. Looking outside, in the daylight, I see normally. Looking inside, in the dark, I see some little halos, and lots of floaters. Just in the right eye. I also get some numbness in the right eye area, around the temple. I don't freak out about it anymore, but I do wish I knew what it was. I see where floaters are very common, and I guess I just have to tough it out. I hate the numb feeling on my face, but not much to do about it.

It is so nice that you ask. I do check in once in a while, to see what the comments are, and to re-enforce my confidence in the fact that my symptoms are anxiety based.

I truly hope that all is well. I am curious to know, if anyone does, how long the wellbutrin takes to get out of your system? I tapered off to 75's, and have been off of those for almost a week. Maybe my eye will come back to normal some day.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:13 pm

Well, I am still here. Still have the same eye issues as in the previous post. I feel more anxious, and I wish I had some answers. Does anyone have any similar one eye experience? I get floaters in both eyes, but right is the one that feels goofy still. Side of face in the temple area still numblike. Comes and goes. I am trying hard not to focus on it, and calm down. But it is hard.