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1925822 tn?1333705617

confusion/tunnel vision in stores

Does anyone know why some of us get this confused feeling and tunnel vision/blurred vision in shopping males,stores...lets say in places which are lighted.does that come from the many lights and impressions or what is that?
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Avatar universal
Before I had the surgery, I had huge issues with having tunnel vision, getting disoriented and nauseous in stores.  At the grocery store, I had issues with looking at the rows of groceries, it made me very dizzy and sick.  I've had the issues with not being able to see right to drive at night for a really long time too.

The decompression surgery (2 years ago) helped a lot with the visual issues that were making me nauseous all of the time, although I still have issues with the night driving.  Every once in a while I'll get off balance or a bit dizzy in stores, but it's much better.  I still can't tolerate oncoming lights when I drive at night and I do have some trouble seeing and judging distance in the dark, but I can work around those issues much easier than the visual issues that kept happening when I was out in public.

I hope you are able to find relief.  

Tina
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi...I have been through a pain management/headache clinic at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC and had 4 occipital nerve block shots back in February of 2011.  They worked for about 36 hours for me.  Even though they did not last for me, it gave me the opportunity to experience what I "used to feel like" before my Chiari became symptomatic.  The Neurologist there was very understanding and honest with me even before we started going through the various treatments.  He said, "This may or may not work for you as we are attempting to medicate a mechanical problem."  Unfortunately, pain management hasn't been too helpful for me and I am looking to schedule surgery through TCI sometime next year.  I have been referred to a genetic MD in Baltimore to confirm/or rule out Ehler Danlos Syndrome.  I would do the nerve blocks again in given the opportunity....they did not hurt (as much as the HA do) and the relief (albeit short lived) was bliss.  Good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the florescent light issue too and am fortunate that I work for a company that allowed me to put both the lights over my head out and my desk lights.  Now I only get light from the window (which is still a little much) and residual light from my neighbors.  It's better than before for sure.
Helpful - 0
1306714 tn?1327257080
I'm glad to see you had the full spine MRI.   I'm having one tomorrow and Fri.  Hope you get answer's  soon.  Let's us know how your test results are.  Your in my Chairian prayer's.   :)     Linda
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for telling me about the doctor links! Dr. Iskandar is very close and I've already been in the UW Madison system. They did the scans (dr. dempsey was the overseeing neurosurgeon though and they did do full spinal cine mri and whole bit) so that should be an easy transition.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and input and I hope you all are doing great and feeling well!
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  The biggest issue u have now is finding a Dr that is well experienced with Chiari and related conditions....that is y u r so frustrated....the ones u r seeing do not know enuff about chiari to help u or offer suggestions that will work.

The best u can do for pain, is avoid activities that trigger a flare of pain and issues....sorry, do not lift, bend, or push....

  Avoid places with florescent lights, or where it is overly loud....again u will see a pattern as to what triggers ur symptoms, listen to ur body and do not over do things, go slow and do little at a time.....

Soak in a warm tub with the lights dimmed with ur fav music and scents....ne way u can to relax.

   Use our list of Chiari Drs to research and find a Dr that is right for u.....scroll to the bottom of this page and see the links for the Health Pages....U will find the list in there as well as other helpful info.

   "selma"
Helpful - 0
1306714 tn?1327257080
I know how flustraing this is.  I also had a 6.5 mm, but as Selma states it doens't matter the length.  I knew when it was time for me to have surgery.  When you can't live a normal life any more.  I'm happy to hear yu have found something to relieve the pain.  I have had the nerve block's and for me it didn't help, but does for some so it might be worth a try for you.  Wish you the best.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nope, no surgery but yes I was diagnosed about a year ago now. I'm at 5.7 mm and have had ALL the scans without any "significant" findings. Despite that there have been a number of interesting episodes including the above. The most irritating is the constant back of the head pain at the lower right side that will often extend over my head to my right eye and pound like hell if i go from sitting to standing, walk up the stairs, drive a car, bend over etc. And I cannot cough during those headaches, that would be suicide. BUT they come and go. I also have sharp pain between the shoulder blades and I feel I have muscle atrophy as there is NO amount of PT exercise that I do that is fixing these muscles. I used to have daily headaches, but they seem to have subsided with topirimate a bit. I'm allergic to ibuprofen so the pain management is my main complication. I also have pain and weakness in my left arm (mostly left side to date) that the docs have refused to acknowledge. I've been to an Neurologist multiple times(useless if you ask me, they just give you pills and let you go on your way) and I've been to a couple of neurosurgeons after the scans and have been told "it's not surgically fixable if we can't see where the problem is". What the hell is wrong then?! I have resorted to beating up my Primary doc to ensure I have some pain relief(usually hydrocodone) and have tried PT(with little-actually NO progress). The last visit she told me "yes there is something definitly wrong with you". Great. encouraging. But here I am. Sorry for the splurge. Nice to talk to people that might actually get it.  Any pain management suggestions are welcome. I love to know if anyone has had occipital nerve blocks done and if so did they work?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, do u also have a dx of chiari? Is that the possible relation to ur issues as well as ours?

  U did not mention it so I was wondering, if so when were u dx'd and did u have surgery yet?

    "selma"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought I was crazy! I recently was driving at night and got very confused and anxious. That has NEVER happened and it freaked me out something awful as I had my 3 year old son int he car with me. I've noticed that driving at night makes me dizzy and a little disoriented(but not all the time) and that driving during the day makes my neck pain more pronounced, usually when going up and down hills. I drive a lot as I'm in sales. Nice(but not so nice) to hear I'm not the only one that had that happen. Once or twice the Menard's store has given me that same dizzy uneasy feeling and makes me feel cross eyed too. Why only occasionally though? odd
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've always had problems with lights in various public places.  It's nice to know why!  I too have some serious depth perception problems.  I'm constantly bumping into everything.  I can't tolerate public places or noises as much as I use to.  Even at family gatherings, I'm often found lying in a dark room trying to escape lights and noise.
Helpful - 0
1755089 tn?1376053555
That's Chiari related too!!!! Well I always put on Asperger! Wow! Mabey Chiari is the real reason for my Asperger syndrom after all.

Sory I just got one of my flash of knowledge!!!    :0)
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  It is better post op, but at night I still have issues, and I still do not drive.....not sure if it is the speed that my brain does not or is not able to focus, but I notice when a passenger in a car, I cringe as it still looks like we r way too close...so that is not good, I have smacked the door, and my DH asked me y, I had no idea I was that close, but it was dimly lit...so lighting plays a role, and it can just be me...

  Not sure that I got use to it, as some days I feel nauseated....and some days I hit the wall brushing my hair....lol...well mayb I am use to it, I know my DH is not!!...lol....

But it is a bit better post op...in fact the longer it is post op the better my balance is....not sure if the night or darken room issues will change.

"selma"
Helpful - 0
1925822 tn?1333705617
It is so interesting what u r writing...i could never find a word for my major problem...its that depth perception does not work...thats why i feel like flying and not being on ground sometimes...is there sth to help it?did u get use to it?and did it get slightly better after decompression?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  I always say, we adapt and get accustomed to things and do not realize it is a symptom of something.....I had this issue driving at night for yrs...not to mention the on coming head lights messing with my vision and focus, but then not  to have the depth perception either...I was sitting up against my windshield...my DD would say mom sit back...u look nervous, I said I can't see right...
Helpful - 0
1925822 tn?1333705617
Wow...u just gave me the key to a question i always had.since i have my drivers licence i refused to drive at night as i could not drive normal anymore...i stopped as i thought i am in a curve although it was much further...chiari was present for such a long time without noticing...some strange things that happen since u r born...people laugh about you as u seem to be sweet or clumbsy...well at least there are some episodes u should take for fun...otherwise u ll get depressed
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Over stimulation....just  can't handle it....lol...

Depth perception is another problem...a room dimly lit will cause balance issues as u can not tell where the floor is...like driving at night...u can not tell how far u r from something.....

  "selma"
Helpful - 0
1925822 tn?1333705617
Yeah true...floors with patterns is horrible...and shiny blinky things just drive me made :) the strange thing is the more light others see the darker it gets for us...and in crouds i also get real nauseas...to much impressions are just not good for us ;)
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi...yes, it is the florescent lights...it gets to me, in fact it makes me nauseous.....

The other issue for me is if they have a light and dark checkerboard or patterned floor ....I also notice the more people the more confusion for me...lol...

But, these are the lights that our Gov want us to use in our homes,...not sure if they really considered that so many get this reaction from them.

   "selma"
Helpful - 0
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