One of those days... [Archive]

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Zim

24-07-15, 19:43

Hi all,

Hope you're all doing well.

I am a relatively new member on NMP and if you have come across any of my threads, you will know that I am currently suffering from an array of visual disturbances which began after an extremely stressful period of my life.

I have been attempting to ignore my symptoms to the best of my ability for a few weeks now but today is just one of those days (I know we all have them). I have been working 9-5 every day and going to the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday to keep myself active. During these activities, my mind is usually distracted enough to allow me to overlook these symptoms.

However, walking home from work today, I paid extra attention to my floaters and it seemed like there were more than previously. The weird shapes that they make always freak me out if I pay attention to them (which I shouldn't but sometimes I can't help it). There are hundreds of 'worm-like' strands made up of cells, intersecting with one another. One cluster has about 20 overlapping each other and it looks like a complete mess.

Anyway, I'm now sat at home with nothing to distract me and my 'visual snow' as some people call it is extremely noticeable. Everything in my vision is constantly shimmering and vibrating. Patterns are really bad. It's like fuzzy static on a TV which is always there but is much worse when it gets darker. I can even see it when I close my eyes. I know these are physical symptoms and I also know that they have been brought on by a combination of health anxiety, heightened awareness and adrenaline levels.

I'm not looking for people to tell me whether I have a brain tumour or something because I know I don't and that it's just the anxiety. Just felt like venting some of my frustration on here today because it's hitting me hard at this very moment. I also thought I would ask if anybody else has this 'visual static' and if they got it during/after their onset of anxiety/panic and if so, did it calm down as your anxiety reduced?

Almost finished week 3 of my course of 50mg Sertraline antidepressants. The Sertraline, starting at the gym, reading books on anxiety and getting out as much as possible seem to be working well in conjunction, reducing the number of bad days slowly but surely. Can't wait to start my CBT sessions. :yesyes:
I am determined to beat this.

Really feel like I need a hug though. Haha. :bighug1:

56degree

25-07-15, 02:49

Yes I have these eye floater things but not on the same scale as you though. Perhaps because I see no reason to worry about them. I have other symptoms that I focus on, and as a consequence, notice more.

Phill2

25-07-15, 03:10

I've had floaters all my life
They're quite normal and nothing to do with anxiety
Maybe you concentrating them increases your anxiety??

worrywart29

25-07-15, 05:51

I get floaters all the time. It's more common in near sighted people which I am. It also happen more frequently as we age. I don't think it's cause for concern it may just be your anxiety making it seem worse than it is.

Zim

25-07-15, 11:44

Thanks for all the replies and support, people. I always appreciate it.
Just knowing that others have similar issues puts it into perspective slightly.

I woke up today and because it's so sunny, I've already noticed loads of floaters. So irritating but I guess they won't be going any time soon so I'll just have to force myself to get accustomed to them. Might take a while though. Haha.

Going to force myself to go outside and enjoy the sunshine even though that increases their prominence.

ker92ri

25-07-15, 14:59

I've started getting quite a lot of floaters and I don't understand why, I thought they were associated with people who are short sighted. I can't go back to the optician because I can't count how many times I've seen them this month. All I know is that it started with blurry vision and has progressively got worse with no known cause. So I have to assume it's anxiety and work on that. Hope the CBT works for you.

Zim

26-07-15, 02:35

Phill2

26-07-15, 02:46

Hi Ker92ri,

Yeah. I know that floaters are benign and very common. I also know that many people develop them for no apparent reason at any age but I feel there has to be some correlation with stress/anxiety and their appearance because many people have said that they only began seeing them after they started having panic attacks etc.

I think it's because people become hyper sensitive to their bodies when stress/anxiety come along that they begin to notice them.
I'm 62 yrs old and can remember having them as far back as my teens.
If you can find a relationship between stress and floaters I'd be very interested

percythetrain

26-07-15, 02:57

Hi Zim, I've had floaters for at least the past year. I'm not sure whether there's any relation to my anxiety or my allergies. Have you been to an ophthalmologist? I think there are treatments for them if they bother you :)

Phill2

26-07-15, 02:59

Unfortunately Percy I've seen one and there's nothing that can be done about them

Zim

26-07-15, 20:23

Thanks for the replies Percy and Phil. :)

Similarly to Phil, I've also been to see an ophthalmologist and slightly puzzled, he basically said the same thing, assuring my that my eyes were healthy and that there's no indication of why I'm experiencing these symptoms. No sign of damage, inflammation or macular degeneration etc.

He has referred me to the Opthalmology department for a secondary opinion as a customary response to finding no physical causes for my symptoms. I was thinking that I may cancel the appointment as my GP has assured me that my anxiety is making this much more than it really is but I think I'm going to go any way because I'd rather not pass up an opportunity for somebody else to possibly (I know it's not likely) notice something that the first specialist did not. If this Opthalmologist says the same, I will accept the verdict.

percythetrain

26-07-15, 20:39

That sounds like a good idea. I think two opinions should be enough to get some peace of mind :-)