Black spots, unusual images in vision.

[LukeL]

Often upon awakening I will have unusual images in my field of vision. Sometimes I see a black blob in the center of my field of vision, other times everything is distorted and looks werid including having different colors and shapes, and text on written items. People will also look different to me. This can go on for up to thirty seconds or more.

I have no other symptoms at the time this is going on, don't feel dizzy, weak, disoreinted etc. I do have a history of sleep paralysis, possible apnea, and benign heart palpitations. I am currently on Paxil CR 12.5mg daily, and Toprol XL 25mg 2X daily.

1. Could the medication be effecting my vision?
2. Does seeing a black blob in the center of my vision indicate anything serious like presyncope or hypotension?
3. What can explain the other distortions in my vision?
4. Could sleep paralysis and/or apena beplaying a factor in this?

I should also point out that during these events I am fully aware and able to move, talk etc.

[Jenn_lynn9876]

Hi,
  I am Jenn and I have a question on this topic. See I am 20 years old and I have been having black outs. I have had them for some time now I believe since I was 17 or 18. They come in groups like I will have them about once or twice a week for a couple months and then I won't have them for another 6 or 9 months or so. I have them as head rush when I stand up quick and I know that part is pretty normal, but I also having them when I have been standing up for some time like in the shower or walking up some stairs or just standing in a room talking to someone. I have no warning when they come. My vision just goes black and after about 5 to 10 seconds it comes back in spots kind of fading back into my eyes. Recently I had one that lasted longer than usual it was about 15 to 20 seconds, I estimate. After this longer one I became shaky and felt very bad and weak. I went to lay down and then realized I had not ate all day and it was about 1 in the afternoon so I reached for a bag of chips next to my bed and started to eat a couple I felt better quickly after eating. Never before have I noticed that these black outs were at all related to my eating habits. Though I have lost about sixty pounds in the past couple years from weight watchers. I went to the doctor for the first time about these black outs last week. I am in the process of finding time to shedule all the test the doctor wants me to do to find out whats wrong. The doctor however believes that most likely it will be that my barrel receptors (I believe that was the correct name of them) are not working correctly. Basically the valve in my neck that regulates the blood to my brain is letting to much blood leave my brain before it is replaced by other blood. He told me that eating 5 meals a day would help to reduce the black outs for now. Oh, I forgot to mention that the black outs never happen while I am sitting or lying down. Sometimes I loose awareness of where I am during the black out, but as soon as it is over I realize where I am again this has only happened maybe two or three times before. Most of the time I am completly aware of what is happening and where I am. Anyway my doctor says after the tests are done we will meet to discuss options. I want to know what you think about this also I have been wondering what are my options? This is something the doctor forgot to mention, but if it is this valve thing/barrel receptors what can be done to fix this? Is it an operation or a pill or can nothing be done. Also if nothing can be done and this keeps getting worse than doesn't that mean long term effects could be caused by the lack of blood in my brain? I have been looking all over the internet for info on this, but I can't find anything so any help anyone can give would be very appreciated.
                               Thank-You
                                      Jenn

[Forum-OD-MP]

1) yes
2) possibly
3) dont know. see below
4) yes

this sounds vascular to me.  low blood flow.  could be hypotension, postural or medication-induced.  could be migraine, even if you dont have headaches.  or could be neurological.  many possibilities.  have you had an eye exam?  you need:

1) an eye exam
2) blood pressure testing
and possibly:
3) blood workup/physical
4) medication changes
5) further sleep analysis/treatment
etc

[maximum01]

i have already posted on here before....i also get weird visual symptoms upon waking.  sometime i'll see a bright ring, or a pulsing dark circle with lots of static and visual snow everywhere.  this usually fades upon waking 30secs - 1 min later

i have seen an opthamologist and retinologist...they say the symptoms are likely related to blood pressure are don't see them as serious.  

i also get black outs when standing up and other low blood pressure related symptoms.  

as the doctor said though, better to see a specialist just to be on the safe side.  i worried myself sick about this but feel much better having seen a specialist.

[FRED1]

A related discussion, Black spots was started.