confusion, panic, dizziness, eyes seem weird

[pgonk]

I really need help.  I'm 21 yrs old and when i was studying abroad i just felt gradually and gradually worse.  Feelings of confusion, panic, easily startled....and just feeling in a fog.  I was also very sick with something later on and ever since i feel 20x worse.    Now my eyes feel like they are crossed and when i talk to someone and look at them, it seems like my eyes get more and more blurry to where i have to look away.  Everything looks dull and it seems like my eyes can't focus to objects correctly.  Besides that, i'm always feeling confused and feelings of being in a fog...like everything around me is going on around me while im not there...occasionally i will get a twitch as well. I can't concentrate on anything nor think straight at all... I had a test that said i had mono but a long time ago(7months ago), but all my blood tests/sugar levels are fine according to doc's.  Now they are treating for depression and im on wellbutrin.  im pretty much at the point where i'm becoming suicidal b/c i can't take this anymore.  I used to love to run, read, and do so many things and i can't do anything anymore.  i've been like this since march and if i remain like this for much longer i cant take it anymore.....i have job interviews and all sorts of things right now.  Somebody help

[DonnaT521]

I am sorry for how you are feeling. I know there are days you just want to feel like your old self again.Somehow I cant even remember anymore what that feels like. I am having alot of visual problems as well. I have always worn glasses and my left eye has always been worse than my right but in the last week my eyes have gotten really bad. I look at something than look away yet still see the image I Was just looking at. I feel like everything is kind of in a haze. My ability to focus on things is just really poor. I also get dizzy If I move my head too fast.. and feel nauseaous, almost like  motion sickness. I feel like Im high without the euphoria . It all feels kind of dream like. When I am at work and Im in a serious conversation its real fun trying to pay attention . When my eyes wont focus , I just look away and look back and try to refocus. I know this is all scary and the dr's dont help when they think its all in your head. But, often these conditions or episodes will come and go, so I Know it may seem completely dreadful but remember only in the darkest night can you see the stars. There is a light at the end of the tunnel even if we cant focus on it lol.. feel better.. and I hope you find an answer, as we all are waiting on answers it seems... be well.. Donna

[mineandours]

Could be neurological Lyme disease. See www.LymeNet.org and here's a symptoms list for you. I have it and had a LOT of eye problems, sensitivity to light, etc.  Very nasty bacteria once it gets into the central nervous system. You have to find a Lyme specialist, though. Doctors don't know about it or its co-infections, believe me.

Musculoskeletal System
Joint pain or swelling or tenderness
Stiffness of joints, back, neck
Muscle pain or cramps
Bone pain

Neurological System
Tremors or unexplained shaking (especially at night)
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Weakness or partial paralysis/stroke-like symptoms
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
Increased motion sickness
Lightheadedness, wooziness
Sudden jerking of fingers or entire limbs
Pain in spinal column

General Well-being
Unexplained weight gain, loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen glands
Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
Symptoms seem to change, come and go
Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well.  (If it was mild, you may not even recall this.)

Eyes/Vision
Double, blurry or dim vision
Increased floating spots
Pain in/behind eyes, or swelling around eyes
Over sensitivity to light
Flashing lights
Optic neuritis

Ears/Hearing
Decreased hearing in one or both ears
Buzzing or clicking noises in ears
Pain in ears or sound sensitivity
Ringing in one or both ears
Pressure or feeling of fullness in ears

Digestive and Excretory Systems
Diarrhea, irritable bowel
Constipation
Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping)
Frequent urination that is not normal
Upset stomach (nausea or pain)

Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
Shortness of breath, cough
Chest pain or rib soreness
Night sweats or unexplained chills
Heart palpitations or extra beats
Heart blockage

Psychological well-being
Mood swings, irritability, rage
Unusual depression
Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Feeling as if you are losing your mind
Overemotional reactions, crying easily
Too much sleep, or insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Mental Capability
Memory loss (short or long term)
Confusion, difficulty in thinking, brain fog
Difficulty with concentration or reading
Going to the wrong place
Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
Stammering speech
Forgetting how to perform simple tasks

Head, Face, Neck
Unexplained hair loss
Headaches, mild or severe
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Tingling of nose, cheek or face
Stiff or painful neck or creaking
Jaw pain or stiffness
TMJ – sudden onset, jaw spasms
Sore throat, hoarseness
Loss of sense of taste
Difficulty swallowing, throat spasms

Females only:
Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity
Unexplained breast pain, discharge

Males only:
Testicular or pelvic pain

LYME FACTS
1. You do not have to recall a bite or have gotten the target rash to have Lyme disease. Less than 50% of people with Lyme do.
2. The tick that carries Lyme is as small as the period at the end of this sentence and their nymphs are nearly microscopic.  Ticks are on the move at 35º and above. It’s a year-round problem.
3. You do not have to experience ALL of these symptoms to have Lyme disease.  It is also typical for many of these symptoms to come and go or occur once and never occur again.
4. It is possible to have Lyme disease and have a negative test result.  After Lyme bacteria enters your system, it tricks your immune system into no longer producing antibodies to fight it, hence, a negative test result. There are also other numerous factors that can affect the results.
5. Lyme bacteria hide in the spinal fluid, bone, tendons, muscle and nerve fibers and tissues and in many cases are not “floating” around in the bloodstream where they can be picked up on a test. It is a cousin to the syphilis bacteria and very difficult to eradicate.
6. It takes a LYME SPECIALIST to diagnose, test for and treat Lyme disease and any of its associated co-infections. To find one go to www.LymeNet.org.
or www.ilads.org.  Lyme specialists do not require a referral.  

NOTE: Everyone may have symptoms that appear on this list; however, it does not mean he/she has Lyme disease.  If one has numerous symptoms on this list and no other explanation for them, consider Lyme.

[cyndid]

I had similar symptoms.  I found I was defficient in many B vitamins.  Also I had an intolerance for Gluten.  It seems any tramatic experience, such as an accident or being sick can trigger the body to develop a Gluten intolerance.  
Try laying off ALL Wheat, Gluten and anything with Sugar or artificial sugar for about two weeks.  

See if you begin to feel better ( You will actually feel worse for the first week).  The body will go through withdrawls.  Then after two weeks most of the toxins will get out of your systema and you should feel better.  Also try taking some extra minerals and B vitamins.

Hope this helps..

[expatandconfused]

pgonk, I know exactly how you feel. I could have written that!! I am a 23 year old female and I am on and off moving from country to country. My vision is exactly the way you describe it. More than that I have horrible headaches, nausea, fatique. But the feeling that I get dizzy when I try to focus my eyes is always there, 24/7/ I have been like this for 4 months now. I am desperate (waiting for an MRI soon) as I can barerly work and then I come home and can barerly get out of bed.
If you found anything to help please tell me about it.

[pgonk]

so far haven't found anything out...been to eye doctors and according to them everything is fine except possibly refractory problem, but im using the new contacts they gave me and no difference......don't have money to go to neuro nor would i want to tell my parents about it....best of luck! hope you feel better! Lemme me how your mri goes, hopefully it will help you see what is causing all your suffering or give you somethhing

[AJC]

i don't think you have lyme disease. Go to a neurologist.

[marRachel]

Check out any antibiotics you may have been on the past year, in the quinolone family. Avelox, cipro and others. type in toxicity quinolone antibiotics.  New info out with some of your symptoms. My daughter had some of your symptoms months after taking.

[adamvant]

I have face pressure forehead, behind nose and a sharp pressure from my forehead down to my top front teeth I get confused, foggy vision sometimes my fingers and eyes are very slow to move or react I get so dizzy i have to lay down. I then get fevers or a cold sweet become pale and go into horrible anxiety and panic attacks was at the ER three times in two months then finally admitted by my doctor for overnight test. first test said acute sinusitis's but doctor said he thinks it is a psychological disorder prescribed Zoloft xanax any ideas please help this is driving me crazy little hope.

[pvtvee]

i am a 22 yr old female and for the last two weeks i have been experiecing headaches,nausea,confusion,lightheadednessand pain in my lower back.. i went to the hospital and they just checked my stomach ,gave me a naracotic and said me how but i think its something more seroious

[shel25]

I've been feeling the exact same way..blurry and heavy eyes, dizziness, confusion, difficulty focusing eyes, and feeling panicky, strange headaches..the docs think i'm crazy..i took levaquin towards the end of last year and am wondering if that could be causing it..i'm so confused..and dont know what to do..:(

[ShaunaMarie]

ive been experiencing symptoms for years (probably since age 16, im 23 now). symptoms such as joint pain (specially knees, hips, and elbows, severe headaches, stiffness at times, shooting pains(usually in limbs), dizziness/lightheadedness, motion sickeness(recently), difficulty walking at times, extreme fatigue, trouble falling asleep, pain behind eyes, oversensitivity to light, diarrhea, irritable bowel, had about 6 ER trips last year for sever abdominal pain n nausea where i couldnt hold n e thing down(after they seen me so many times they became very irritated with me cuz they said nothing was wrong with me and they acted like i just wanted pain medicine b/c after they gave me the pain n nausea med it would go away until the next time), sharp shest pain occasionally, overemotional, mood swings, irritability, rage, feel as though im losing my mind, depression, forgetfullness, difficulty concentrating, jaw pain - realize im clenching my teeth, night sweats n chills, severe back pain, and i also experienced heart palpitations and anxiety attack from age 16-18.  i had given up going to the doctors at one point b/c i felt that they werent going to do anything and they just felt as though i was just some young person that wanted pain meds- thats the way they treated me. i just learned to cope that this was the way that i was and i always had family telling me that you know "i had head aches too when i was younger alot and back aches but i managed to get up everyday and keep trucking" i felt as though everyone thought i was giving excuses and couldnt handle everyday struggles so i started to just withdrawal from everyone and stay to myself. i also felt as though i was trapped inside of a older persons body and no one understood. FINALLY, i went back to the doctors and told her all of my ailments and told her that i wanted to see a specialist b/c i ffelt that i had junior arthritis and that i couldnt take it n e more and id rather die than live like this.  she gave me a foew more blood tests before goin to a specialist just to rule out lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and lyme disease...  blood test came back n i tested + for lymes disease (GO FIGURE)  so i suggest to anyone that if they r having any of the symptoms to request a blood test for lymes, and make sure they do the ELISA test also (there are a few they do) i believe thats the most accurate.  sometimes it can give false readings b/c the antibodies can mimic that of other things (i  believe im saying that right).  and dont give up - it affects everyone differently and the symptoms ccan change and come n go.  even if it does test negative but u have some of the symptoms be persistent and tell the doctor that and maybe go see a specialist b/c regular docs do not have the knowledge about lymes..... maybe even suggest them to put u on an antibiotic trial if it comes back negative. and if after u start taking the antibiotics ur symptoms become worse - GREAT!!! thats a good sign that u do have lymes.... when u have lymes and u start the antibiotics - it gets worse before it gets better.  the spirochette bacteria is a corkscrew shaped bacteria that moves about in a wiggly manner and is inside of ur joints and in cases left untreated affects ur heart and brain. when u take the antibiotics the spriochette bacteria  begins to die off and i like to think of it as they are struggling for life wiggling about crazily and we feel that ( if u can imagine it) - its a disgusting thought!!!   GOODLUCK!!

[jmith]

I have been suffering for over a decade with pressure in head confusion spacey feelings, brain at one time felt as if it were floating head, tired feelings, eye sensitivity from light and air, eyes feel like there crossing from time to time.  Ive had mri, upperskeletol tests, blood work . have tried chiropractor,  talk therapy , psychiatrist (with meds), eating healthier exercise  thinking maybe its a stress related issue, still no clear answers . any suggestions??

[soldy]

Hi
Please read all comments posted by soldy,

[PlateletGal]

Have you had your vitamin B 12 level checked ? If not... I would recommend talking to your physician about that lab test.

Also... I agree with the other poster. Lyme testing is very important and also consider ruling out CFS. I know you mentioned mono in your launch post and I can tell you that 10% of people who get mono are later being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

CFS diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with six months or more of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. These symptoms include:

cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
unrefreshing sleep
joint pain (without redness or swelling)
persistent muscle pain
headaches of a new type or severity
tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
sore throat
Other Common Symptoms

In addition to the eight primary defining symptoms of CFS, a number of other symptoms have been reported by some CFS patients. The frequency of occurrence of these symptoms varies among patients. These symptoms include:

irritable bowel, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or bloating
chills and night sweats
brain fog
chest pain
shortness of breath
chronic cough
visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain or dry eyes)
allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
difficulty maintaining upright position (orthostatic instability, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, balance problems or fainting)
psychological problems (depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks)
jaw pain
weight loss or gain

[PlateletGal]

P.S. ~ If you haven't had thyroid testing done... please ask your physician about that as well.

[jmith]

hi im a 30 yr old male with head confusion from time to time, my thoughts dont flow normally, anxiety issues, past head trauma, i have had mri testing ,blood testing and everything  is normal. probally for over ten years i would say with these feelings. i have seen neuro doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, primary care, accupuncturist, chiropratic docs. my mind almost feels as if it seizes up on me..and my thought just wont flow. do you have any thoughts on this?

[R_ADAMS31]

Hi , my name is Rodney and im a 31 year old male. for the last 2 years i have had chest pressure and acid reflux very bad. for the last 4 months i havent really had the chest pains its been other stuff . i remember like it was yesturday... me and 3 friends went out to eat i had 1 bud light and then we went to a local club and i had 4 more bud lights and 4 yager bombs. went home went to bed around 5 a.m. got up around 9 or 10 and got a shower..and it hit me..real dizzy almost like i was going to pass out . i thought damn what a hangover..but this started getting to me after a goodnite sleep and it was still there. i have had test after test done and nothing..MRI , STRESS TEST, BLOOD WORK AFTER BLOOD WORK , CT SCAN , SUGAR CK , BLOOD PRESSURE IS ALWAYS 150 OVER 90 BUT DOCS SAY ITS CAUSE OF THE HOSP. VISIT...LOL..I SAY AS FAR AS STRESS I FEEL A LITTLE BETTER AND SAFER JUST WALKING THROUGH THE DOORS. I WENT 4 TIMES IN 3 DAYS TO THE ER. THEY ASK DO I FEEL SAFE IN MY HOME...YEAH ... BUT NOWHERE ELSE.  JUST THERE AND THE HOSP. BUT WHEN IT STARTED IT WAS VERY BAD , THEN I STARTED HAVING BAD NITE SWEATS LIKE I HAD PISSED ON MYSELF OVER NITE ..YEAH THAT BAD..THAT WAS FOR 2 WEEKS AND THAT WAS IT..NOW I HAVE REAL BAD LEG AND ARM PAIN WHEN I WAKE UP AND THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND AT NITES.. AND IM DIZZY / LIGHTHEADED  FROM MORN. TILL NITE.. NONE STOP..I FEAR MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN... AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT PISSES ME OFF SOMETHING BAD TO SEE WE AS A NATION SPEND BILLIONS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND THERE IS ALL THESE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT ONE ******* DOCTOR HAS A SOLUTION... IM SORRY PEOPLE BUT ITS MADE ME VERY UPSET...I HAVE GOOD HEALTH INS. BLUE ADVANTAGE.. THIS TELLS ME THAT EVERYTIME I GO SEE THE ******* DOCTOR... HE GETS PAID WETHER IM FIXED OR NOT...DAMN PEOPLE THATS LIKE TAKEING YOUR CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEM CHARGE YOU $1,000.00 TO JUST SAY "UMM DONT KNOWWHATS WRONG WITH IT " PAY ME !  WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND INCLUDING THE ******* DOCTOR WOULD PAY THEM. IF ANYONE FEELS THIS WAY PLEASE ... I MEAN PLEASE ...LET ME KNOW... IM TIRED OF GUESSES AND IM TIRED OF BEING TIRED.  
                                                              THANK YOU ,
                                                                RODNEY

[mattys123]

Hi everyone...I am 19 years old and have been having many of the same symptoms as all of you for at least a year now. It started with a very heavy headed feeling, a brain fog, and i noticed i couldn't think very clearly. I was often very confused and dizzy. My eyes always felt tired and I feel a pressure around and in between my eyes, as well as my forehead. It was difficult to focus my eyes. I quickly became very upset and depressed, I just wanted to go back to the energetic fun kid that I previously was. The docs did every test in the book, I had an MRI, several blood tests, and a sleep apnea test, everything coming back okay. I saw a psychiatrist and have tried many different antidepressants, although I never felt as if it was initially depression, rather the way that I felt for so long had driven me to the state of depression. I try to ignore the feelings and go on with my life but I am always fatigued. I am very scared that this will never go away. I had my tonsils and adenoids (adenoids) removed, hoping it would alleviate some of the pressure and eyes issues, by maybe improving drainage, though it didn't, and I am going to have my deviated septum corrected. I feel like anyone I explain this to just thinks I'm crazy, no one understands. I don't know what to try next or where to turn.

[Gaucho25]

So I have the same symptoms that all you guys have... Visual disturbances like sperm swiming, this is noticeable in solid backgrounds (the blue sky or white walls), eye pain (behind and in between the eyes), occasional headaches, lightheadedness, dizzyness, sometimes I see dak dots in the peripheral vision, increased floaters, tired arms, burning sensations, pins and needles, pressure in the face (chin, forehead..). Everything started July 2008 with a sudden onset of confusion and dizziness... then led to the rest of the other symptoms... im not confused anymore but some symptoms came with time, other went away. Feel pain on one of my nuckles (left hand), pain on my right wrist... they last for like 2 weeks and go away, then  come back.. have upper back contractures...
During this year I have had 4 MRIs of brain, 2 MRIS of neck and spine, 2 evoked potentials, blood works, visual field tests, EEGs (2), optic nerve tomography. EVERYTHING NORMAL. I have seen several neurologists, one thought I had Multiple Sclerosis but then it got ruled out since the MRIS were all normal along this time. What can I do?

[Dancer87]

Try and understand that I have Lyme Disease that has reached Neuro, so I must space paragraphs this way in order to comprehend meaning better.

My husband had to read all of your comments out loud to me.

Most all of the complaints and symptoms you all seem to have point towards Lyme Disease.

Doctors do not wish to consider this a disease because of the money that will be lost to health care and pharmiceutical companies.

I would hope that by now, you have all realized that it all comes down to money.

My father has had it for years, my cousin as well.

Finally, after years of being yelled at by doctors, prolonged hospital stays that gave no answers and my personal favorite,"the this is all in your head speech", it turned out that I had Chronic Lyme...

Lyme Disease can also mirror mono and give a positive test result. The first time I was diagnosed with mono was at age 16... every test since then says I still have it.

So read Mineandours comment. It explains alot. I would also suggest watching the Lyme Disease Documentry "Under Our Skin". You will be shocked!

Even if your doctor laughs at you when you request the tests, insist! Remember, you have hired them, so they work for you.

Make sure you know what tests are being done and request that they not be sent to either LabCorp or Quest Labs. They do not test properly and often time return with negative results.

After researching on your own, I would suggest Igenix Labs. They specialize in Lyme Disease and know what they are looking for.  

Find it and stop it before you end up in my situation. At only 22, I already suffer from memory loss, and there is nothing worse then forgetting your own child, which I on occasion, I do.  

I have become severely deppressed, and as most of you already know, deppression adds a terrible wieght on top of everything else and can make life miserable.

So, take your health into your own hands. Quit trusting those who care nothing for you. You are your own advocate!  Educate yourself and make the best choices that will benifit you.

Never let a doctor push you around. I did, and I have ended up in a place that I never dreamt I would be.

I can't work, My husband,my son and I have to live with my mother because I am not allowed to be alone. School is out for me at the present time because of my short term memory loss.

What little energy I have is spent taking care of my beautiful baby boy and trying to get myself healthy.

We are very fortunate to have a tool called the internet! Make a plan for yourselves and follow through with it.  I promise that you will not regret it!  

[crazycow]

What about an anxiety dissorder?