unable to focus when reading, foggy and feeling of being disconnect

[Ranger01]

I've been experiencing some odd symptoms over the past few years and they have since gotten worse and now concerning to me.  My vision is constanly bothering me and I have a hard time focusing on words when reading.  In the past I've had spells of blurred vision followed by a lathargic state and then a pounding headache.  This headache sometimes lasted for more than 24 hours.  About 3 years ago, I had an MRI done and all came back clear.  I recently had bloodwork done and thought Diabetes was the case, but all results came back clear except my liver count (elavated AST and ALT).  I'm still going through some tests for the liver, but already had an ultrasound and Hep A,B,C test which were all clear. The blurry vision/foggy feeling has me concerned since I have recently been to the eye doctor and all was good. He simply gave me computer glasses and sent me on my way. The feeling is almost like being intoxicated and being disconnected. When I have conversations with people, it's hard to concentrate on that subject and even hard to remember what was talked about earlier. I'm a 31 year old male (6'1 210lbs) and in relatively decent shape.  I drank alcohol somewhat heavily on the weekends in college, but have 3-6 drinks a weekend at the most now.  

It's gotten to the point that I'm stressing about it and searching the internet for any clues.....If you have the same symptoms and hopefully a suggestion, please let me know. Any help is appreciated.  It seems that doctors have shrugged it off and I'm desperate for answers.

[Golfer01]

Hi

I don't usually respond to these medical sites but i thought I would on this occasion. Unfortunately I am not a medical person who can offer you advice, just someone who suffers from similar problems to youself but in fact a lot worse.  However I have given up on finding a cause although I am still undergoing investigative procedures.  Because off the symptoms however no one believes a thing I tell them.

Even writing this email is causing me issues at this moment as not only my vision is effected but also my hand coordination.

I have problems with my vision, jumpy eyes, reading, typing (finger coordination), dizziness.  I also have problems with thoracic back pain between my shoulder blades, neck pain, burning feet and groin problems which I won't go into although I believe that all the problems are related in some way as they all started within a month of each other.  I believe the problems basically relate to 6 weeks of Chiropractic treatment I received a few years back.  I was in agonysing pain for around a year after the treatment and in fact was only having minor pain beforehand.

The vision, jumpy eyes, puch drunk feeling, coordination problems, dizziness, ONLY seem to be really bad when either my neck gets very stiff and sore or especially when I get an extreme pain between my shoulder blades, almost like a large burning knot.  I initially had the symptoms continuously for a period of 3-4 months but then the back pain eased off along with a reduction in the vision problems etc.

However I only need to bend the wrong way or lift something to heavy and the centre of my back feels like it is on fire and all my vision issues start up again.  I basically find it hard to function at work at all when this occurs.  My short term memory also suffers terribly.

I have had MRI scans of my back except for my neck.  They show some kind of shadow between my shoulder blades which they believe is a "schmorls's node" (excuse the spelling if I've got it wrong).  However they say it should not cause these problems.

Currently awaiting a MRI scan of my neck which although is causing me a lot of pain recently, I am sure it is the centre of my back that is the root of the problem.

Only really replying to find out if you experience any of the other symptoms I get, especially back or neck probelms.

As I said earlier just writing this email has been difficult as I am having vision/coordination problems at the moment.  I have made at least 30 typo errors which I have had to correct in the few sentences I have written.

Hope to hear from you.  Hope things get better for you.

I have given up and basically just try to live for the days when I do not feel as bad.

Thank

Barry

[expatandconfused]

Barry,
I also understand your problem.  I suffer from blurred/ double vision, dizziness and balance problems. I cannot focus my eyes, and sometimes I feel like it's hard to talk or type or think clearly. I won't even get started on the pain/pressure in the back of my neck. When I turn my neck I feel like there is sand there, and sometime the pain radiates in my right arm. I cannot focus at work and I get extremely tirred very fast. At night I see halos around lights (yet a slit lamp test revealed no glaucome or cornea problems)and generally speaking I have really weird vision in which I don't have good clarity of what is close and what is far away. Doctors have put the following diagnoses: migraines with aura, ocular migraine, anxiety and stress, depression, neurosomatic disorder, very dry eyes. If you ask me, they have no clue what they are doing. The only depression and stress I have is the one inflicted by their incapacity for offering a proper diagnosis. I am 23 , young female and very healthy until 4 months ago. I am waiting now for an MRI.
Barry take care and don't give up. Never give up - I have had stress in my life but never ever felt this way. Doctors sometimes say things to get you off their backs cause they don't know what's wrong and they won't admit they have no clue.

[Golfer01]

Hi Expatandconfused

Sorry to hear you have so many problems at such a young age.

I'm 47 and my problems started just under 2 years ago, so I have had a reasonably healthy life until then. I was a fairly young looking, active, happy go lucky type of guy.  

How things have changed. Losing weight, bags developing under my eyes etc. Like yourself I do feel stress and depression but as you say these are caused by the symptoms and the lack of interest from the medical profession to investigate the cause of the problems.

Also like youself I get problems when turning my neck although more of a continuous cracking sound than gritty sand feeling.  I also get pain radiating down both arms and into my hands.  Feels as if the pain is right in the bone sometimes.

I assume like me you are awaiting an MRI of your neck area.  

I do feel that the dizziness, lack of concentration, coordination problems are related to the spine but in my case although the symtoms do get worse with the sore neck, they get much worse, as they are at the moment, when I get the burning pain between my shoulder blades.

I am currently undergoing a form of treatment to try and resolve the burning pain in my feet.  The last time I visited the consultant my back pain and neck pain were not to bad but lo and behold a month later and they are as bad as they have ever been.  Hopefully when I see him again in a couple of months he will investigate the problem.

I hope that your MRI shows something that can be treated.

Take care.

[Diamond Jersey]

Oh my God! I can't beleive there are others out there with these same problems I am having. I am 33 and very healthy, but for the past 2 years I haven't been feeling very good at all. I to have had these spells where I'm sitting there and suddenly my eyes go blurry then my eyes are blinded for about 60 seconds more or less and when I come out of it i have to go lay down and sleep, it drains me and this is the first time it has happened this year just last week. In 2006 this has happened 3 times but I thought it was just my eyes, so I got frustrated and went to an eye doctor and he tells me my vision is prefect and that I needed to see a neuroligist. He said that I may have some either blocked or clogged artiers and that the blood may not be flowing to the brain normally. So anyways I had to go to the hospital 2 days ago,they did give me pain medication because my head has a bad pain in it the whole back I can't even touch it and the pain is getting worse sitting here typing but I want to try and finish, the hospital also got me in today to see a doctor (Neurology) he checked me over asked me about how I was feeling. Dizziness, blurred vision, eyes not stabble in the morning or anytime I sleep, numbness and tiggling in my legs, feet and toes, major pain in my head, fever, my vision is the worst and then he checks me over and says I need a MRI on my neck, what the neck? I'm thinking I have no idea whats thats about because there is no pain in my neck. I also have chronic lower back pain and had an MRI done for the lower back for at least 6 years now. I'm so sorry I will need to come back another day my head really hurts, I can't do this anymore, but I feel where your coming from it's very scarey to feel this and not know whats going on. I will pray for an answer for all of us.

Take care.

[Diamond Jersey]

Oh my doctor asked me today if I was undergoing any treatment for my back and I told him no he said DON'T even start because things will get alot more worse and said if I was having any treatment of any kind not to bother at all.

[ac1895]

I been having all the same problems as everyone and its makes me nuts this all started in the end of feb i was bowling and a threw a bowling ball down the lanes and all of a sudden i felt dizziness foggy my vision was all screwed up and i have problems concertrated this is now july and its still here i have been threw every test mri stress test artiries check ecog inner ear test and nothing the only thing i have left to check is my neck and back people are telling me its depression but i know for a fact its not cause its happens to me in places i love like the bowling alley and atlantic city also i have notice that light bother me if anyone can help me please reach out and for those people who are like me please dont give up and be strong thanks for listening My name is Anthony

[medco]

that sounds like depersonalization, particularly the "feeling disconnected part." you should look into it.

[CaliChiarian]

After reading - at times just trying to make out the words- what you have all described, it is also what I have been dealing with, along with a lot of pain and headaches.  I had an MRI of my cervical spine after a car accident in 2004, but even then, the radiologist did not write about what I DO have.  I have been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation.  It is rare and there are only a few doctors that specialize in Chiari.  Chiari is a herniation of the Cereberal (sp?) tonsils past the Foramen Magnum.  Look into it and ask your doctor.  Most heard about Chiari in Med school but like my PCP who has been in practice over 30 years, I was the first case he had seen.

Hope this helps someone.

www.chiairchamps.proboards77.com

[stonem]

I think you may have a mild traumatic brain injury which often go undiagnosed for years.  You don't necessarily even have to hit your head to sustain one.  Even a whiplash type of accident can cause a mild traumatic brain injury.  In some cases the damage is caused by your brain hitting against your own skull, much like shaken baby syndrom.  Try calling the help line at the Brain Injury Association of America or go to www.mybrainconnections.com for helpful information and links.

[Eldo87]

hey stonem you mentiones mild traumatic brain injury, i have been experiencing what i think are panic attacks, it starts what a weird feeling in my stomach that spreads through my chest and my heart starts to beat really fast and i begin to sweat, then after that i feel very weird like i he says " disconnected" and i have experienced a lot of sleep paralysis while trying to go to sleep and some after waking up. Now i know it can either be panic/anxiety attacks or temporal lobe seizures but i remember when i was like 12 years old i got banged pretty good in the back of the head playing around with my brother, so could i have a traumatic brain injury? my family thinks im a hypocondriac or how do you spell that?...please help me this is really stressful. thanks

[Delta Elise]

Eldo87, it sounds like the classic panic attacks. I was born with them as well as depression, agoraphobia and ocd. Through the years, the dominant symptoms seem to change. It's hard to live with, but we can. I have found that group therapy and a low dose of xanax help. I take the xanax only when having a panic attack and it helps. I refuse to take anti depressants anymore though.

[Delta Elise]

Firomyalgia is a possibility but Drs. are leary of that diagnosis

[Eldo87]

Hey delta thanks for the response, you think they are panic attacks?...im so relieved i thought it was something more serious even though a panic attack feels very bad. can this happen during sleep? i remember i was dreaming something then i felt this fear surround me but i didnt wake up at that time, then when i woke up i tried to go to sleep again and just as i was falling asleep it happened again, i couldnt move or anything but this fear surrounded me again and i was conscious the whole time, then i remember some kind of shaking and then i could move like nothing happened...is this something i should be worried about?

[Delta Elise]

When I had the worst panic attack of my life back in 1999 and they put me in the hospital, I had yet to be diagnosed even though I had been going to Drs. asking why I had those symptoms since I was a young girl. Anyway, a Dr. finally took the time to find out why I was having these awful symptoms. He gave me all kinds of tests to rule out other things like hypothyroidism, or this and that and he found nothing wrong with my blood work that could cause the symptoms so he sat down and talked to me and I told him how I felt. He said I was suffering from major depression and panic attacks go hand in hand with that. He gave me prozac and xanax. As time went by, I began to feel a little better then it all hit me again and he said I needed to go to the mental health center. I went and I still go to this day. I was diagnosed with major depression, panic and anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and ocd. After six years I quit the prozac because it began to work against me and now I only take xanax when I need one. I will always have this and have to accept it, but knowledge is power so realizing what is wrong helps me to not feed the fear and make the attacks worse. It's a long hard battle especially since I am now suffering from several physical problems as well along with chronic pain.
My advice to you would be to go to your Dr and tell him what you suspect about the panic attacks and ask him to give a few tests to rule out other things that may mimic the same symptoms, then you can work from there. Most communities offer mental health services free of charge if one cannot afford them. There are sites that can tell you the symptoms and how to work through the panic attack. Good luck and try to get the tests done to rule out any other causes :)

[Shunes]

I too have been suffering from alot of these same symptoms for about 4 years now. Started out as fatigue and blurred vision and escalated on to hallucinations and severe fatigue coupled with headaches and back aches. I went to my PCP and he told me that I had developed an allergy to the city air (I come from a suburban environment). I started taking medication immediately and the problem seemed to subside. Now lately it seems to have returned even worse than before. I have tunnel vision, blurred vision, lack of hand-eye coordination, inability to keep my train of thought and I am always fuzzy. It is as if I were tipsy all of the time. I wake up this way and it just gets worse through out the day.

I am 33 and in relatively good shape, no history of neurological problems in my family or diabetes. I do have lower back problems from sitting all of the time at work and I have seen a chiropractor about it. I do have mild sciatica if that is important. This problem has me at the end of my rope. My doctor doesn't believe it is anything more than allergies but no matter what I do I cannot make it stop. The worst part is that my short term memory is completely shot and I am unable to focus at work. Any other thoughts on this issue are definitely apprecated.

[Nazareth434]

Good golly- The more I read this site, the more I realize that others are experiencing what I thought were just wierd unexplainable problems and which I feel stupid trying to explain to hte Docs along with the myriad of other symptoms- so I just don't mention them to Docs- don't want htem thinking I'm just a hypocrondriac, but am concerned about htem anyways. Yep- vision is really wierd- hard to focus on both near and far things- then when I do get them in focus, they blur, shimmer, and wobble. Like others here- eye examines show 'perfect vision, no glaucoma or other eye problems.' Another thing I'm experiencing lately is a very pronounced, disorienting 'strobe lite-like effect and when I look at something, it it like seeing it through a fisheye lens and the thing I'm looking at is flashing like a strobe light- it can last about 20 minutes or so, then it dissappears. It's very intermittent, and only happens about 2-4 times a month- but some months it doesn't happen.

It's very hard to concentrate, and to follow written words, and the cognitive issues just seem like trying to think with a bad flu- like your brain is trying to wade through mud- or trying to think rationally when your overtired and your mind is exhausted and can't htink striaght. Not bragging here- but I have a high IQ, and was always a sharp thinking person with a near photographic memory- never had to 'study'  for quizzes/exams in school- only had to very quickly skim the reading material and could recall the pages, paragraphs and words- could see them in my mind just as htough I had the book open infront of me. Now however, I imagine talking to me is like talking to someone who is whacked out on drugs and isn't too coherent- I can't seem to explain things well anymore, can't follow directions anymore, when someone tries explaining things to me, their instructions get all jumbled up, and I lose track of what they had previously said.

Sorry for gooing on about that- But yeah, the vision  thing is a wierd symptom to be sure, and you're not alone in that- Sure would like to find a Doc who has experienced patients with similar problems such as this because most docs just look at you funny when you try to explain somethign like 'wobbling vision' to them. Reading has become a real chore because of this- I was always an avid reader too- now, I just can't concentrate and forget what previous sections were about, and just lose track of what the subject is about, and have to struggle to even keep what I'm reading in focus- I was always a very fast reader, and comprehended what I read, and could see what I'd read in my mind afterwards- Now, that's all gone from me- Short term memory shot- even long term memory seems somehow distant and surreal, and I wonder if I'm even recalling htings correctly anymore- and I feel like a dolt trying to explain this to docs. As they say, of all the things I've lost before, I miss my mind the most! And my clear vision as well-

Thing is, the vision thing isn't quite bad enough to affect things liek driving, walking, but it seems like it will progress to that point at anytime, but visoin docs don't find anything wrong- very frustrating having htese symptoms and not knowing what is causing htem and not knowing what to do to treat the problem.

I'venoticed over hte years though that some nutrients/herbs will seem to help slightly- Things likej Ginkgo Biloba for sharpening htem ind seem to help clear the vision up slightly- the problem will still be there, but less pronounced- but it only works for a short time- this tells me that there must be a physical problem going on- not a psychological one- These nutrients will physically alter something (like increase blood flow or whatever some of htem do) and it will help symptoms like the blurry vission- so there must be a physical connection to the problem somewhere along hte line- But docs it seems don't liek to be bothered with obscure problems like this and don't inverstigate, and will instead write it off as being 'depression related' and prescribe anti-depressents, just to get us to stop mentioning somethign to htem that they can't explain I guess. Sorry, but I'm not into taking anti-depressents just so I can become an apathetic emotionless dolt who is too drugged up to question anythign anymore!

[fayzee1]

Have you seen a Rheumatologist? Fibromyalgia possibly?

[fayzee1]

Have you seen a Rhematologist? Possibly Fibromyalgia

[sloach]

Hi My name is Shirley and I have had this for the last 8 years. flicking vision, wobbling up and down left and right.  it starts it stops especially when I am either trying to read something or see anything in the distance.  Worse when I am tired or very hot.  Look up nystagmus though docs dont think I have got this but what do they know.  one doc said that even though no one can see my eyes move, they could be moving but only slightly not visible to the naked eye but it would be enough to muck up my vision.  The name for the wobbling vision is opsolopsia (or something like that) meaning swinging vision.  People with MS get this problem also people with sticky blood apparently.  This is the only website where people have described exactly what I have been experiencing for years.  Magnesium helps to calm it down I have found but it makes you feel a bit buzzy.  I am currently on vitimins and minerals to wake me up and now I am taking a low dose asperin a day just incase I have the sticky blood.  It got so bad lately I couldn't see my computer to do my job.  Due another brain scan soon.  Will let you all know the results.  

There's was a point where the wobbling improved over the years but they still flicked every day and now they have started up again.  If anyone finds any answers please let this forum know....
Shirley x  

[JMilton]

god bless you all.. ive been scared sh**less over the past 3 months for feeling all of the same symptons you guys have had and been getting nowhere with multiple, and sometimes seemingly apathetic doctors... im taking notes from this forum and have my first neurologist appointment next thursday.. wish me luck..

[sloach]

Best of Luck JMilton ... Let us know how you get on...Try and write down any questions you want to ask and take with you as I find I forget them when I get in there.    

[sloach]

Oh and I keep getting lost... Even though I have been somewhere many times before.  I also get a cracking sound at the back of my neck then I get a worsening of symptoms for a few days after.  I explained this to my chiropracter and he said it is air popping (doesn't sound like this to me though).  I paid loads of money for xrays of my spine and neck which he says are subscul.... dont know long work anyway in the wrong position and he could correct it.  I paid then more money and was on the table for no more than 2 minutes.  He really hurt the back of my head when he pushed his thumb somewhere.  I then went on holiday and had neck ache for 2 weeks.  I haven't been back yet as I am not sure I want to and I am not sure I trust him.  Anyone else seen a chiropracter  ?

[Menteith]

It's reassuring to know that there are others out there that suffer from what I am suffering from as well.

I'm only 21years of age, student journalist, 6'3" 185pounds, somewhat healthy, I don't drink or smoke.

I've had small series of the same dizziness/unable to focus/flickery vision symptoms listed here with many of you throughout the last few years.

Only within the past week the symptoms have not gone away...this is the longest they’ve persisted and I'm worried they will be here to stay.

I've had very little done for this, over the upcoming x-mas break I have a blood appointment and an eye appointment as well.

In the past I was diagnosed with tourettes at a very young age, maybe 4-6years old. I was at the age of seven then told that I did not have tourettes anymore and I have had no such symptoms of tourettes since then.

I've also been told that my blood pressure is very low. This stunned my mother at the time becuz I eat more salt than almost anyone I know.

I'm continuously in need of being on the computer and this limits my abilities to write drastically.

I'll be very honest, I'm extremely scarred that this will persist for the rest of my life...and that it is one of those things that cannot be cured.

...I guess I'll just have to see how the tests go, and hope for the best.

It seems that most of you here have had more tests done than I can imagine having over the next year...

...any advice?

Thanks,

Sincerely,

Caithness

[LLWB]

Your symptoms sound a lot like fibromyalgia. It is very difficult to diagnos. They have to rule out other diseases first. Do you have tender points on your body when you press them? There are 18 spots on the body that have to be tender, you need 11 out of the 18. It also causes fatigue, sore muscles, and BRAIN FOG. You might also consider cronic fatigue, or chronic fatigue immune deficiency. These can be very debilitating., You need to see a good rheumatologist or neurologist for diagnosis.  It is not all in your head, nor are you crazy.