LittleLostGirl
13-11-15, 15:08
Ive avoided posting on this forum for a long time. Ive been following the threads on here reading everyones experiences, praying that my anxiety would go away. Well it hasnt and Ive decided to reach out for help.
All of this started in August when I experienced what I believe to be an ocular migrane (the first Ive ever had). It began with a squiggly line in my vision that rapidly expanded and culminated into a flashing orb that distorted my peripheral vision on my right side. The entire episode lasted only about 15 minutes but was enough to cause me extreme panic. I went to the emergency room where the doctors released me, claiming it to be caused by anxiety. The following month I experienced three more episodes of the exact same nature all within one week. And finally, about a week after the last episode, I was at work and fainted. I work in a hospital so I was rushed down to the emergency department again. When the nurse admitted me, it was mentioned that I had a suspected seizure. Apparently when I collapsed I momentarily had convulsions. However I recall the entire series of events- I felt light headed, I managed to make it to a chair to sit down and I told a nurse I did not feel well. I then blacked out but I came around quickly and was able to comprehend where and who I was and what had happened. I had no loss of urine or stool. The admitting nurse ruled out the possibility of seizure and the information was not relayed to the physician. I was given an EKG (which came out normal) and released with the same diagnosis, anxiety.
About a week after that I started noticing strange spots in my vision. And this has been the ultimate cause of my lasting anxiety over the past few weeks. I will often get what looks like a bright spot of light in my eye, almost like I got a glimpse of something bright and the afterimage remains. However this often happens when there is nothing around that could have caused this. Sometimes it has the same shape but sometimes I believe the shape changes. It will last for 2 or 3 seconds and disappears when I blink. At first I only noticed it randomly throughout the day. Now I seem to see it especially when standing up, when going from a well-lit to a dimly-lit room, and especially while Im in the shower. I am now constantly monitoring my vision and it seems Im noticing more and more disturbances. Ive seen tiny pinpricks of light that flash in front of my eyes and disappear very quickly. When looking at a blank wall I will see what looks like blotches or patches out of the corner of my eye. Ive seen a dim blue light out of the corner of my eye. I am constantly checking to see if Im actually seeing these things, each time my heart sinks when I realize nothing is there. I have also noticed an increase in floaters and lingering after images. Ive suffered from visual snow for as long as I can remember but it seems like that too has gotten worse. I went to an optometrist and had a dilation. She said she didnt seem to notice anything but suggested I see a neurologist. I am scheduled for a CT scan and consultation next week. I work full time and I am also a student. The minute I wake up (if Im even able to sleep) my stomach is in knots. I often feel like I cant breathe and am on the verge of passing out again. This has completely dominated my life. Im always on the verge of tears. I fear my vision will only continue to get worse and that I will eventually be blind. I have become obsessed with googling my symptoms and Im now convinced that I have epilepsy, MS, a tumor, the list goes on and on.
I have been diagnosed with anxiety since I was in my early teens and I have been on fluoxetine for the past three years. I havent experienced panic like this since I was in highschool. I am so afraid that I will lose everything to this. My job, my relationship, my sanity. If anyone has experienced the same type of visual problems and has any insight or suggestions please let me know. I feel like Im dying everyday. I dont know how much longer I can go on like this. I suppose my main concern is whether my vision will be like this forever or if my anxiety is making it worse? Will it get better when my anxiety does? What do I do until then? Please please help!
All of this started in August when I experienced what I believe to be an ocular migrane (the first Ive ever had). It began with a squiggly line in my vision that rapidly expanded and culminated into a flashing orb that distorted my peripheral vision on my right side. The entire episode lasted only about 15 minutes but was enough to cause me extreme panic. I went to the emergency room where the doctors released me, claiming it to be caused by anxiety. The following month I experienced three more episodes of the exact same nature all within one week. And finally, about a week after the last episode, I was at work and fainted. I work in a hospital so I was rushed down to the emergency department again. When the nurse admitted me, it was mentioned that I had a suspected seizure. Apparently when I collapsed I momentarily had convulsions. However I recall the entire series of events- I felt light headed, I managed to make it to a chair to sit down and I told a nurse I did not feel well. I then blacked out but I came around quickly and was able to comprehend where and who I was and what had happened. I had no loss of urine or stool. The admitting nurse ruled out the possibility of seizure and the information was not relayed to the physician. I was given an EKG (which came out normal) and released with the same diagnosis, anxiety.
About a week after that I started noticing strange spots in my vision. And this has been the ultimate cause of my lasting anxiety over the past few weeks. I will often get what looks like a bright spot of light in my eye, almost like I got a glimpse of something bright and the afterimage remains. However this often happens when there is nothing around that could have caused this. Sometimes it has the same shape but sometimes I believe the shape changes. It will last for 2 or 3 seconds and disappears when I blink. At first I only noticed it randomly throughout the day. Now I seem to see it especially when standing up, when going from a well-lit to a dimly-lit room, and especially while Im in the shower. I am now constantly monitoring my vision and it seems Im noticing more and more disturbances. Ive seen tiny pinpricks of light that flash in front of my eyes and disappear very quickly. When looking at a blank wall I will see what looks like blotches or patches out of the corner of my eye. Ive seen a dim blue light out of the corner of my eye. I am constantly checking to see if Im actually seeing these things, each time my heart sinks when I realize nothing is there. I have also noticed an increase in floaters and lingering after images. Ive suffered from visual snow for as long as I can remember but it seems like that too has gotten worse. I went to an optometrist and had a dilation. She said she didnt seem to notice anything but suggested I see a neurologist. I am scheduled for a CT scan and consultation next week. I work full time and I am also a student. The minute I wake up (if Im even able to sleep) my stomach is in knots. I often feel like I cant breathe and am on the verge of passing out again. This has completely dominated my life. Im always on the verge of tears. I fear my vision will only continue to get worse and that I will eventually be blind. I have become obsessed with googling my symptoms and Im now convinced that I have epilepsy, MS, a tumor, the list goes on and on.
I have been diagnosed with anxiety since I was in my early teens and I have been on fluoxetine for the past three years. I havent experienced panic like this since I was in highschool. I am so afraid that I will lose everything to this. My job, my relationship, my sanity. If anyone has experienced the same type of visual problems and has any insight or suggestions please let me know. I feel like Im dying everyday. I dont know how much longer I can go on like this. I suppose my main concern is whether my vision will be like this forever or if my anxiety is making it worse? Will it get better when my anxiety does? What do I do until then? Please please help!