Hello, I'm new here, but have been on the forums looking at people with similar issues. I'm currently going through a pretty rough time. I've had anxiety, panic attacks, and social phobias for awhile now (starting at 19, I'm now 31). This year has been rough as I'm having marital issues with my wife. I've been a functioning drinker for the last four years and have finally made my move to overcome. Moderating or none at all. Obviously, drinking made a lot of the pain from the things bothering me go away...temporarily. I'm seeing a counselor to help work through everything. I'm finally giving my SSRI meds a shot after all these years. I also take alprazolam for my issues daily. Obviously drinking less or not whatsoever is the best idea as I'm a better parent, husband, and also the risks involved with medications. I've also dropped 30 pounds.
about
1-2 months ago, I've been having "visual snow". My doctor chalks it up to anxiety. The anxiety itself hasn't seemed as bad. Still waiting to see if Zoloft will kick in and make things a bit better (75 mg). Visual snow, if you aren't aware, is like it sounds in some parts. It's like there's a dark shimmering in my vision. I'm sensitive to lights and sunlight (look at a light bulb and that image is still there when I close my eyes). I also see trailing images (like if you move your hand quickly in front of my eyes, I see it moving from point A to point B). I do have the "eye floaters" as well, but my eye doctor said it's very normal. To clear somethings up: with my weight loss and a push from not drinking, I've had good blood pressure readings, my liver has recovered, my EKG results were good, I've had a brain scan less than a year ago (had the same visual snow...but it eventually went away) that came back clean, and also an EEG (which I assume rules out seizures). I've only used rec drugs once...**** when I was 15. Once...and nothing else like that ever again. Would seem weird for that to come into play with the vision. The neurologist I saw took my "palinopsia" diagnosis and suggested that I have might have migraine visual issues without the headaches. I've also seen my eye doctor as mentioned. Other than being very slightly farsighted and having an astigmatism, he didn't see any issues. I can say I probably need to do a better job getting some sleep. Obviously I know that's big...if I drink at night...I know I'm going to get adequate or quality sleep. I don't think I have insomnia, but maybe the Zoloft could play in on that? Anyway, yeah, trying more sleep and getting back on my exercise routine. I was doing very well with that.
With the eye symptoms, I've been feeling brain fog, fatigue at times (oddly enough, I was worn down, but playing a hockey game gave me energy back?? weird..), some issues with short term memory (what was I just thinking/doing...OH YEAH!). Obviously my scan would have showed any "brain damage" as my doctor said. I'm just confused as to whether this will go away, if it truly is related to my anxiety, stress within my marriage, my stressful job, or all of those things. I did have some relapses with the drinking, but not as bad as it ever was before and I'm back on the horse. I also wonder if it has anything to do with the drinking...before or not. Again, where I didn't give the Zoloft a chance before, I'm completely all in. Truly trying to get well and good. Any suggestions, thoughts, or anyone in a similar situation? Truly just frustrating and I want to feel more confident about
it just being anxiety. I know I can beat that part of it. Thanks for reading :D
Had to edit due to drug reference.
Post Edited By Moderator (AngelLisa) : 6/19/2015 5:45:23 PM (GMT-6)