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Am I going crazy or is my brain malfunctioning?
6 weeks ago I had a sudden change in saliva- bitter taste & dizziness. 2 weeks later I had a strange day feeling I was dreaming whilst awake type of deja vu & processing what I saw & heard in peculiar images - though I still went through motions of normality. Was on holidays with my adult daughter & she didn't notice anything.
That night as I was sitting on the toilet (sorry about detail but important) for minor ablution I suddenly was in a black void with a bizarre image of huge sinewy arm muscles pulling in opposite directions - felt I was being tugged & something in me felt I had to struggle against a presence. When I came to I didn't know where I was but I was still sitting on the toilet with hands clenched. When I realised I went to bed. Next day felt tired & out of it (normally high energy) & muscles around neck shoulder sore and jaw/teeth hurt.
Tests done later - CT scan (no contrast testing), EEG and tests for flow of blood to brain via neck arteries - all normal. The following week I had a brief strange vision (hallucination?) followed that evening by peculiar memory loss - kept forgetting what TV program I was watching when flicking channels during ads.
Week later had 2 episodes in one day of visual disturbance - dancing flickering colourful lights in my peripheral enough to alter vision.
Neurologist appt not for 2+ more weeks. (I hear MRI can pick up things other tests missed.) My GP can see no urgency at this point & suggests might be my mind reacting to old stress but I have NEVER experienced any of these symptoms before. I still have the bitter taste & dizziness.
Well yes I am stressed out now due to having to wait so long to find out what the heck is going on. I live on my own and fairly new to the area & am afraid to drive or swim until I know. It has totally freaked me out (especially the bathroom episode).
I was not in a stressed out state just prior to this all happening. Am I just going crazy?
That night as I was sitting on the toilet (sorry about detail but important) for minor ablution I suddenly was in a black void with a bizarre image of huge sinewy arm muscles pulling in opposite directions - felt I was being tugged & something in me felt I had to struggle against a presence. When I came to I didn't know where I was but I was still sitting on the toilet with hands clenched. When I realised I went to bed. Next day felt tired & out of it (normally high energy) & muscles around neck shoulder sore and jaw/teeth hurt.
Tests done later - CT scan (no contrast testing), EEG and tests for flow of blood to brain via neck arteries - all normal. The following week I had a brief strange vision (hallucination?) followed that evening by peculiar memory loss - kept forgetting what TV program I was watching when flicking channels during ads.
Week later had 2 episodes in one day of visual disturbance - dancing flickering colourful lights in my peripheral enough to alter vision.
Neurologist appt not for 2+ more weeks. (I hear MRI can pick up things other tests missed.) My GP can see no urgency at this point & suggests might be my mind reacting to old stress but I have NEVER experienced any of these symptoms before. I still have the bitter taste & dizziness.
Well yes I am stressed out now due to having to wait so long to find out what the heck is going on. I live on my own and fairly new to the area & am afraid to drive or swim until I know. It has totally freaked me out (especially the bathroom episode).
I was not in a stressed out state just prior to this all happening. Am I just going crazy?
Many thanks for your comments and interest. I suffer from slightly elevated blood pressure with a minimum dose of medication and monitor blood pressure with my own little device. So far GPs have thought my blood pressure OK. Never had a migraine before but as you say could be a possibility. Just hanging out for the neuro appt. Other medical question websites have suggested might be Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Yes, I'll certainly let you know out outcomes. Many thanks again. I feel less alone when I read these comments.
It *could be* that you had a drop in blood pressure and that is why you saw a black void.
The dancing, flickering things - may be visual migraines - at least, these are possibles.
I can understand freak out - but there could be explanations - I hope you find out that you are well. Let us know when you get tested.
The dancing, flickering things - may be visual migraines - at least, these are possibles.
I can understand freak out - but there could be explanations - I hope you find out that you are well. Let us know when you get tested.
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