Hi, I am an 18 year old male suffering from serious visual/auditory problems. About 8 year ago, i woke up with a 'fuzzy' overcast across the whole of my vision. It's like millions of microdots which move slightly (NOT floaters). I see them with my eyes open and shut, and they are more visible in the darkness, or when i look at bright colours...although they are always there. When i consulted my doctor about it, he referred me to an optician, who done absolutely nothing about it, except telling me i needed glasses (even though the results of my eye test came back fine, rediculous i know!) Being young and naive, and content with the fact that wearing glasses would soon 'cure' my problem, i went on with life as normal.. with no visual improvements.

About a year later, i started seeing moving green/purple patches in the darkness, which stopped me sleeping alot of the time.This prompted me to go back to my doctor, who again, didnt seem to take me very seriously, assuring me it was 'perfectly normal'. I still have to sleep with a light on, which makes not sleeping at home very difficult! Till around 6 month ago, I was content with just 'getting on' with my problem, however the 'fuzzy' vision and the patterns have worsened. It is now to the extent where my vision is becoming extremely impaired and i find being in the dark pretty stressful...

Along with my visual problems, i have always had a slight buzzing in my ears. This was not a major issue until last month, in which i started to hear an intense 'electrical' sounding noise in my head. The noise is constant, and makes sleeping practically impossible. Also over the past few nights, when on the verge of falling asleep, the 'electical-type' noise has progressed into a loud explosion in the head, making me almost jump out of bed with anxiety. Going to bed is now very stressful for me, and i am suffering from exhausting insomnia.

I have been getting regular migraines over the past year or so too, which i have never suffered from in the past, i dont know if this is linked?

I've been to the doctors again, and they have no idea what is wrong with me, should i go and see a neurologist?

Please help, I am very stressed about this.

Thanks, Jonathan.

Hi Johathan,

What a mystery! I didn't understand clearly, did you go to the same doctor or have you been to a different doctor for a "second opinion"?

And, did you see an Optomitrist(sp?) (a doctor strickly for glasses) or an Ophthamologist, who is an EYE Specialist?

If you did see the latter, then it sounds to me like you should be seen by a Neurologist, for sure. Has anyone sent you for a CT or MRI of your head?? Have you told your doctor about the noise? Sounds like tinnitus, which can be caused by various things (including many medications), but IT SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT!!!!!

Do your parents go with you to the doctor? I think you should insist that tests should be run to rule out a tumor or something. Even if you had a non-maligant tumor it should be found and dealt with.

Please get back to me, okay?

Take care,

Denise

It's hard to understand what to do with new things going wrong, when you don't have a clue as to what's going on!

When you say doctor examinations.. are you being treated for the migraines thru your GP or a specialist?

A outline of a good neuro exam, what is done and why can be found on Neuroexam.com Each set of tests are to see what neuro aspects can be eliminated and what aspects need further testing. With most things neuro, the usual route is ELIMINATING the most obvious causes.

I agree with Denise that it's an problem that could need further looking into, and, second opinions are cheap in getting answers or even the 'I DON'T KNOW' answers. At least you will find a cause and treatment or be tested and learn that it's not potentially devastating.

Please give us an update and let us know how you're doing. - j

I'd first off get started by just asking (be very forward) for a referral to a Neurologist for a proper exam. Furthermore, I know this sounds weird but in some places you may find an Optometrist (yes, not an Opthamologist) who specializes in patients with neurological conditions, vestibular problems, etc. They aren't easy to find, but they really do exist (I have one of the best).

You shouldn't have to settle with the lack of investigation you've been given regarding your health and your quality of life. It has a lot of potential to grow into larger problems if it continues untreated. While many assume lack of sleep typically results in fatigue, it can bring a lot more problems than just that.

I normally have similar symptoms before or after a seizure. What I can suggest to help out (comfort wise) is to sleep with a television on. I keep mine on to add some light and to drown out the buzzing sound. If I had a large seizure, the sound is so bad I have no choice but to deal with it until it leaves (so loud I can't hear anything else).

Another thing you should do if you haven't yet, is get your blood pressure tested. The problem with vision and hearing disturbance is they happen to be a symptom for a lot of things and sometimes they come alone and unexplained. Regardless, you should keep moving forward until you are happy with your treatment.

Denise:

Hi, it was a differnt doctor i went to see the second time, he put it down to 'floaters', and it was a Ophthamologist i was referred to. I've never been for a CT or MRI scan. Ive got an appointment at the doctors tomorrow, i'll be informing him of the tinnitus. My parents do not usually come to the doctors with me, but my mother is coming tomorrow.

Dahlek:

Hi,I've ben treated for migranes through my GP, i'll do the exam and get back to you, thanks!

Ellie:

I will be sure to demand a neorologist in the morning! Also, i've tried sleeping with the TV on, music in my ears, everything! Nothing seems to work, i havnt been getting to sleep til 7/8 in the morning of late, which is seriously affecting my education etc.

Thanks for the quick responses everyone, lifted a great weight off my shoulders being able to talk about it on here..

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for getting back to us! I'm glad you're going to doc's so soon! Let us know what happens.

Denise

Well, i went today, got sent for an eye test and a blood test. Been told i need glasses, certain this isnt linked though! Also got prescribed some oil stuff to clean out my ears

Apparently he wants to rule out everything before he sends me to a specialist.

Been given some sleeping tablets aswell which is a bonus i suppose.

Anyway, ive got to go back when the results of my blood test come back, which is another week, cant believe how slow the process is!

Cheers for your interest people, i'll keep you updated.

Jonathan...Certainly see a neurologist. You may be having ocular migraines or atypical migraine. It's probably no coincidence that you started having typical migraines also. Migraine pain results first from dialation of the inner cranial blood vessels. Pain receptors in the vessels are stimulated resulting in the throbbing or pounding pain experienced in the typical migraine. Ocular migraines may not produce pain, only visual disturbances. Find out if there is a family history of migraines. Chocolate, caffeine and red wine can cause or worsen migraines as can stress. Typical migraines are distinguished from tension headache by their pounding characteristic and are often accompanied by nausea and photophobia (adversion to bright lights). Tension head are characterized by a "band" across the forehead and neck tension or pain. It is not uncommon for tension headaches to develop in response to the migraine. Anyway, do a google search of ocular migraines or atypical migraines and see if anything hits the target of what you are experiencing.

Jonathan...There actually is something called exploding head syndrome which may help explain the "brain explosions" you experience when you are either falling asleep or when asleep. I forgot to mention that in my last post on ocular migraines. Google exploding head syndrome. Good luck at your doctor visit. Keep us posted on your diagnosis.

I agree Jonathan...my twins are 19, and I would definitely have this checked out more thoroughly rather than just treating the symptoms.

I'm wondering too, if you're under a lot of stress with school, or maybe trying to work and go to school as well.