For the last few days, I've been having this "shift in my vision." I don't know what else to call it. I notice it especially when I'm driving, I think because I have to be staring straight ahead to notice it. So I'm staring straight ahead, and suddenly, the picture shifts to the left (or right, I haven't noticed that it only goes one way) I don't know if my eyes are involuntarily twitching, or if it's a perception problem. I don't know how to tell what's going on. I tried staring at my eyes in the mirror and it didn't happen. But just a second ago, I stared at something on my desk and it happened.
I feel a tiny bit dizzy when it happens, probably because of the weirdness of what is happening.
This morning, I woke up at the usual time and got my son to school. About an hour and a half after I got up, I started feeling awful. I couldn't stand the smell of the baby's diaper--it made my head hurt--and couldn't stand any loud sounds or anyone touching me. I felt a little nauseated, but not like I was going to throw up. More like I was motion sick. The only thing that helped was to lock myself in my room and lay down. Then I got cold, so I got under the covers. I didn't want to move. I fell asleep for like 2 hours and feel a lot better now, but still not great.
The first time I ever remember this happening to me was about 2 months ago. We were on vacation and my kids got the flu. Then I got it. I never threw up, but felt cruddy for a few days, and that's when the shift in vision set in.
I've been a little sleep deprived lately, but got a good night's rest last night. I don't have any sickness going on that I know of (except depression and fibromyalgia, which I'm on one medication for--it treats both). My life is super stressful right now, and I wonder if that's it. I've tried googling "shift in vision" and the results are all about self-improvement and corporate mission statements, lol.
I would like to go to the doctor, but our insurance is improving BIG TIME as of March 1st, as in I only pay $25 instead of paying everything out of pocket for a visit, so I would really like to be able to hold off a little longer.
Does anyone have any idea what's going on?
sounds like stress and anxiety. I went through this a few years ago and took every medication out there for anxiety, and nothing really helped. It eventually went away when my life's circumstances changed for the better. Hang in there, I know it doesn't feel good, but it really does sound like a symptom of anxiety, which is very common with depression. Take care-
I would not put off going to the doctor, you could be experiencing a migraine or it may be a medical emergency. Are you experiencing the visual disturbance in both eyes or just one eye? Maby a detached reina, maybe a neurological emergency or maby just a migraine, the only way to know is to go the the doctor and get medical attention.
Okay, let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor, just a well-read mom with experience.
My 9 y.o. just went through something like this (very similar symptoms), and was diagnosed with "nonspecific vertigo" which is a fancy way of saying that she had vertigo, it eventually resolved on its own, and the doc still has no clear idea as to why. The ENT says he sees a lot of this kind of thing, and that it is most likely caused by calcium crystals in the fluid in the inner ear, which are normally attached to the walls of the inner ear, but can detach and float around in there, causing vertigo symptoms for awhile. They did all kinds of tests to eliminate other causes. After about 4 months, the problem solved itself, which the doc says is also common.
IF that's what is going on with you (big if - other conditions can cause similar symptoms), the good news is that other than the problems the symptoms themselves cause, it is not dangerous, nor is it something that is urgent. The bad news is that there is nothing medical that can be done to fix it. I'd recommend heading in to your primary care doc as soon as your insurance is fixed - less than a week now.
Another possibility - is the vision shift and queasiness followed by a headache? Does it happen at specific times, such as when a storm is rolling in, or when you are about to start your cycle? If so, you may be developing migraines. The sensitivity to smells and the queasiness you describe are almost exactly what happens to me when I've got one coming on. I don't get the shift in vision, but one of my girlfriends does. Not pleasant, but again, something that will wait until the better insurance kicks in.
Bottom line - as soon as the ink dries on the new insurance papers, head in and see your doc. Also, do a little research (which I suppose you're already doing, since you're posting here to gather information) and make sure there's no reason to drop everything and head for the clinic now.
Make an appointment now for March 1, if you can. If this problem presents itself as a bigger emergency before then, you'll know, and you can handle it as such.
Your weird symptom sounds like possibly a very low-grade version of vertigo, which may actually be associated with an inner-ear problem (your main organ of balance). I had vertigo so severe I was hospitalized for a day a decade ago, and one of the symptoms was "nystagmus," or jumping of my eyes from side to side – an attempt to keep up with the spinning room. More on that here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003037.htm.
Hope you get to the bottom of this, S., and that it turns out to be something minor.
drug side effects might be another thing to look into. your doctor will be able to figure it out soon.
I would call a doctor. It sounds like it could be a migraine. I experience those with vision disturbances. Sometimes with nausea and feeling sick as well.
I have experienced something similar-sounding and went to my doctor about it. For me, I was experiencing migraines. I don't get them often enough or severely enough to require medication, but when they hit the only thing that helps is to lay down and close my eyes until it's over.
Mine come-on when I'm run-down, stressed or dehydrated so it could be that! Schedule yourself for a complete physical in early March and ask.
Yuck. Sorry you're going through this.
Sounds like a migraine :( Stress could certainly have brought it on.
Contrary to popular belief, migraines aren't just bad headaches... they come with neurological symptoms... the actual "headache" is typically the END of the migraine. My doctor explained to me that a constriction of some kind stops blood from flowing normally to parts of your brain (hence the vision issues... or in my case also numbness and speech issues)... the painful part of the headache frequently comes when the other issues are resolved as the constriction stops and blood RUSHES back in... it hurts.
HTH
T.
I don't know what anybody else has written, but I'm in favor of your calling the doctor's office and asking if they think you can wait or if you should go in now. I know it's just a few days, but when your eyes are doing weird things on their own, it could be an indication that your brain is doing weird things on its own. I don't want to scare you, but I'd take this seriously. At least call the office and ask.
Not meaning to scare you but I was having a problem with my vision and I couldn't quite describe it because it was subtle, but before long it was full blown double vision and I learned I had Graves Eye Disease along with Graves disease. I've been through 4 eye surgeries now and waiting on number 5. I also have Fibromyalgia. All I am saying is that if it continues to happen, it's best not to wait to be seen Get yourself in to be checked out even if it's just at an eyeglass place. Good luck and I hope it gets better.
My dd had this, and the eye doctor diagnosed it as an Ocular Migraine. Try looking that up and see if it fits what is happening to you. She did not have a typical migraine headache, only the visual disturbances. There are many different types of visual disturbances, and a shimmer or shift can be one of them.
Sounds to me like a classic migraine. Very similar to what I get. For me the triggers are stress and lack of sleep, but I do know people who have food and environmental triggers (strong perfumes, dust, etc.). Talk to your doc when you can, but start keeping track of things that may be triggers for you. It is possible to develop allergies or sensitivities as an adult.
