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misswoofalot
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28 Jun 2009, 2:53 am

Since January I have been very ill and I think maybe suffering from chronic stress. Amongst other symptoms ( gallactorrhea, chronic fatigue, insomnia, bruxism, paraesthesia, muscle spasms, and chronic constipation ) I have developed what seems like hallucinations to fluorescent colours. They are so bright they really really hurt my brain. I can't handle it and seeing them that actually made me vomit yesterday the stewards at the fair were wearing orange jackets. I asked my son and my brother if they thought the jackets were so bright, they said no. It is also accompanied by buzzing in my brain. This makes me believe that I'm hallucinating. I have never had this before in my life. I am scared to see fluorescent colours now. I'm also worse under artificial light, like on the tube or in the shopping precinct.



peterd
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28 Jun 2009, 3:00 am

Well, a list of symptoms like that would be enough to give anyone chronic stress.

What medications are you taking? Have you checked their possible interactions or individual side-effects?

Darker sunnies might help with the colors...



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28 Jun 2009, 3:02 am

Sleep deprivation alone will eventually cause hallucinations. Chronic stress is oxidative stress. You need to take high-dose antioxidants and allow sometime for yourself. I suffered from insomnia pretty bad last year, after going through a traumatic experience. Turns out I needed zinc, ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin to recover.

When we stress, it depletes our adrenals. Start looking into hypoadrenia. Also, check out Orthomolecular Therapy. Nutrients and patience + solidarity will likely cure you. When our brain's antioxidant system becomes compromised due to chronic stress and low supplies of nutrients, noradrenaline becomes oxidized producing adrenochrome in the brain.


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just-me
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28 Jun 2009, 3:09 am

misswoofalot wrote:
Since January I have been very ill and I think maybe suffering from chronic stress. Amongst other symptoms ( gallactorrhea, chronic fatigue, insomnia, bruxism, paraesthesia, muscle spasms, and chronic constipation ) I have developed what seems like hallucinations to fluorescent colours. They are so bright they really really hurt my brain. I can't handle it and seeing them that actually made me vomit yesterday the stewards at the fair were wearing orange jackets. I asked my son and my brother if they thought the jackets were so bright, they said no. It is also accompanied by buzzing in my brain. This makes me believe that I'm hallucinating. I have never had this before in my life. I am scared to see fluorescent colours now. I'm also worse under artificial light, like on the tube or in the shopping precinct.


I'm no expert but what your describing sounds like a seizure.

I would look into that and talk to your doctor about it. If they think its that they will refer you to a neurologist.



misswoofalot
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28 Jun 2009, 3:34 am

peterd wrote:
Well, a list of symptoms like that would be enough to give anyone chronic stress.

What medications are you taking? Have you checked their possible interactions or individual side-effects?

Darker sunnies might help with the colors...


I'm not taking any meds, I'm exercising every day and changed my diet. my doc has referred me to an endochronogist for the gallactorrhea, a dietition for the constipation, and my dentist gave me a mouth guard for the bruxism. I can't help but think it's all related to stress though. It all started when I couldn't sleep . I have had memory loss too. I am sleeping a few hours a night now but still don't feel refreshed.



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28 Jun 2009, 3:40 am

Your stress is doing it to you.
Now there is the off chance the stress triggered some latent genetic predisposition towards schizophrenia, but I'm more apt to believe its the constant lack of sleep and freaking out about everything.
I've been there too. Seek help for anxiety, learn some breathing exercises, do yoga or something else to help ease it.

This will not go away without medication and or some serious dedication on your part in the wonderful art of chilling the heck out.
Everything you listed are all caused by stress from the teeth grinding to the constipation. Just promise us you'll get some help for yourself please, otherwise you are going to break physically and mentally.



just-me
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28 Jun 2009, 4:02 am

Also fiber will help get rid of your constipation. Look on the nutrition facts on your food and it should list how much fibber is in that item of food.

Beans and veggies are good sources of fiber. Also some breads.

As for stress I'm working on that too and I know some good you tube links for meditation if you want them.



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28 Jun 2009, 10:40 am

:arrow: Look up migraines. All that visual stuff sounds like classic migraine. Either that or seizures. And in either case, get an appointment to see a neurologist as soon as you can.


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misswoofalot
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28 Jun 2009, 10:42 am

Thanks for the advice guys. I will start on vitamins & minerals, and fibre to start with and see how I get on before I go to the doctors.



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28 Jun 2009, 12:33 pm

Pardon me for being somewhat alarmist, but much of what you're describing could also be caused by pressure on a specific area of the brain, brought on by a tumor. Fiber's not going to do much to offset that. See a doctor sooner rather than putting it off. Normally I'm not one to push doctors on anybody (they're only practicing after all), but this could be serious.



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28 Jun 2009, 12:49 pm

Go to a doctor.

Yes, this could be caused by stress; but it could also be caused by other stuff--including nasty stuff like adult onset epilepsy or crazy out of whack hormones--and you really need to get it checked out.

I wouldn't call what you're having "hallucinations". It seems more like really huge amount of visual sensitivity. Some patterns and colors can affect me in much the same way, though the effect is milder than what you describe. The problem isn't the visual sensitivity; it's that it's a recent change, and changes of that nature can be indicators of physical illness (or, yes, indicators of stress).

Antioxidants and fiber are all well and good, but once you're sick, preventative stuff is going to be too slow-and-steady to make much of a dent. Yeah, live healthy. Get rid of the stress. Obviously. But just like wearing a helmet won't heal a fractured skull, preventative health strategies aren't going to solve a health problem that's already there (though they will make treatment more effective by giving you more resources to work with).


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28 Jun 2009, 1:29 pm

Quote:
Pardon me for being somewhat alarmist, but much of what you're describing could also be caused by pressure on a specific area of the brain, brought on by a tumor.


I know what you are saying because it is very important to get checked for this if you start to develop weird symptoms in the mind. Although it is extremely unlikely to be a brain tumour, it is always worth going to get a MRI scan or something because if it is a nasty tumour, the quicker the diagnosis, the better the treatment. Hopefully, it is something more simple. I have to admit, the thing about the bright colors making you vomit does sound like some kind of migrane. Not everyone gets the major headaches with a migrane (which I thought they did), I myself have like little migranes where my eyes fuzz over and everything gets too bright/loud. Definately go see your doctor though.


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millie
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28 Jun 2009, 1:43 pm

This sounds like visual hypersensitivities. If you have recently changed your diet - what are your intakes of omega 3,6,9's like?
If the issue is recent and not something you have had your whole life as part of an ASD (sensory issues) then get it checked out.

Either way, after getting a clearance from your doctor, start taking flax seed oil capsules or lecithin in good quantities.
I was recently told these substance have a good effect on increased serotonin and other chemicals in the brain. when such are low, the kinds of sensory problems many of us experience with ASD's can be worsened. That is my experience. I still have visual and other sensitivities but at least they are a little easier to live with. I have recently begun taking flax sees again and it is good...reduces the things you describe.

But see a doctor first to get the more serious possibilities screened out.



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29 Jun 2009, 3:51 am

Yeah see a doctor man.
It could be alot of things, I only said stress because it fit and you said you were experiencing it.

I'm sure its at least a component of it but your doc is better trained and equiped to figure it out for sure.

I mean it also sounds like when I was quiting smoking lol. :lol:



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29 Jun 2009, 7:22 am

Quote:
SYMPTOMS OF A MIGRAINE:

Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A typical migraine attack produces some or all of these signs and symptoms:

* Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
* Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
* Pain that worsens with physical activity
* Pain that interferes with your regular activities
* Nausea with or without vomiting
* Sensitivity to light and sound


When untreated, a migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. You may have migraines several times a month or much less frequently.

Not all migraines are the same. Most people experience migraines without auras, which were previously called common migraines. Some people have migraines with auras, which were previously called classic migraines. Auras can include changes to your vision, such as seeing flashes of light, and feeling pins and needles in an arm or leg.

Whether or not you have auras, you may have one or more sensations of premonition (prodrome) several hours or a day or so before your headache actually strikes, including:

* Feelings of elation or intense energy
* Cravings for sweets
* Thirst
* Drowsiness
* Irritability or depression


And here's a self-assessment from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migrai ... he/MI00007

Like the others are saying, make an appointment to see a neurologist asap (although you may need to see your GP first for a referral). If these are migraines, at least you have the option of getting some treatment and possible relief. If they're seizures, likewise you can get medicated to make sure they don't worsen with time. But also if this is a sudden change in your status quo, it's vital to get that checked out and make sure nothing more serious than migraines or seizures is going on.

Don't avoid the doctors, this is serious enough to warrant you make an immediate appointment. I hope you choose not to avoid it.


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29 Jun 2009, 6:51 pm

Strangers on the internet are not the people you should be asking. You should be asking your doctor; that way you can check it is not caused by any potentially serious condition and you may be given advice or medicine to stop these 'hallucinations' from happening.


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