mycall81

Light sensitivity and starbursting seem to be worsening and I fear it will start to effect drivin ability.

Light sensitivity and starbursting seem to be worsening and I fear it will start to effect drivin ability.

Thanks for that account. So if I'm reading this correctly, you oy get intense CEVs after a night of drinking? Or do you have them every night? Do you take any medications?

Thanks for the reply. I don't know what to do really...I'm about to go to sleep and fear having another night of intense CEVs and flashbacks. What were the detrimental effects of the SSRI you used, if you don't mind me asking? I will obviously not drink alcohol again, at least for a looooong time. If I'm being honest, I drank quite a bit last weekend for 3 days straight. I only increased my SSRI 5 mg. That was 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure if I should go back to the lower dose of SSRI with the aim of completely coming off it. I have been on Paxil for 15 years and it never worsened my visuals before. That being said, when I first had HPPD, it was never this bad. I cannot believe smoking pot a few times could aggravate it this badly when I was certain it was gone. The only other thing I changed was to stop using Klonopin about 3 days before my trip to Mexico. I had been taking 0.25 mg in the mornings for about 2 weeks, but surely that can't be a large enough dose or a long enough time to see withdrawal effects, right??

From my experience, I considered myself 100% (maybe 95%) better after time and abstinence from drugs. I thought I'd be safe to smoke pot again. I smoked a few times and am now in a worse position than I was when I first had HPPD. Much worse visuals at an older age and stressful career. If I could go back and not smoke that weed, I would. It is not worth it. It was a terrible decision, but I was caught in the moment and thought marihuana couldn't cause any harm. I was sorely mistaken. I am the poster boy for why you should not try any drugs even something as "benign" as pot after recovery. It's embarrassing, terrifying, soul crushing, and crippling. I fear there is no 2nd chance for me. Be warned.

I'm so sorry for the novel... I had a recurrence of HPPD starting ~ 4-5 months ago from what I assume was pot or stress or alcohol. Mainly worsening afterimages, trails, photophobia, and headaches. I have been taking an SSRI for 15 years or more (Paxil 15 mg daily - which is a tiny dose). I have been avoiding alcohol and adding loads of supplements and eating relatively healthy. Despite al of this, my anxiety and depression have worsened so I was advised to increase my Paxil to 20 mg daily. I did so despite so many peoples, claims that it may worsen symptoms. That was 2 weeks ago. I went on a vacation this weekend for a wedding. While on it, I drank pretty steadily for 3 days. While there, my symptoms seemed dulled (prob from alcohol and distraction). I didn't have any problems with worsening of symptoms while there. When I returned, however, I had very poor sleep due to a delayed flight. I went to sleep and was awakened to a full blown flashback. I had CEVs of morphing 3d plants made of black and white swirling circles. I freaked out and when I opened my eyes, my tails and afterimages were amplified by like 50x. I got them off everything and they lasted for a very long time. I discounted it as being due to sleep deprivation and maybe the alcohol while on the trip, and figured it was a one time event. When I woke up 2 hours later, the CEVs had gone and the visuals were improved but not gone. I went through the day essentially at my new baseline since the recurrence. I went home after work and planned on getting a good night sleep. I went to bed at a reasonable time. Alas, last night, at about 1 am, I had the exact same CEVs and heightened afterimages and trails. By this point, I was terrified that my symptoms were going to stay this way; that this was a sign of a progression of the disorder due to alcohol or maybe the SSRI. Again, I woke up and say for a few minutes and the symptoms started to lessen. When I woke his morning, my baseline seemed back. Throughout the day today, my afterimages seem more noticeable. I get a complimentary color off of everything with a color on white background. My question is this: do you, from your experiences, think this is due to alcohol consumption? If so, have you heard people get a permanent increase in symptoms from alcohol?? Otherwise, do you think this is due to my increase in SSRI 2 weeks ago?? I would think the SSRI would cause immediate increase in visuals if it were going to do so. Also, in the past, SSRIs never aggravates my visuals. I am terrified as you an tell. I fear my condition is going to continue progressing. I tell myself I will end my life if it continues to worsen. That's why I went on the SSRI increased dose in the first place. Thanks for your time.

Which Magnesium do you use exactly?

Indeed. I'd rather not have to be that example to warn of the harms of drug use long after HPPD recovery ???? It's been 4 months now. Hoping for SOME sign this will fade.

That's reassuring. How long did it take for the photophobia to go? I too had my first bout of HPPD when I was 18. It was pretty mild and went away. I'm 34 now with this recurrence. It's much harder to deal with once you have a career, expenses, responsibilities, etc. IMO.

Flashed? By headlights? I would give my left nut to not have the photophobia.

Damn man. I only recently developed photophobia and negative afterimages. Car headlights destroy me; cause immediate headaches. I haven't really heard of anyone recovering from these 2 symptoms. It sucks.

I suffer from daily headaches which may or may not be a migraine variant or HPPD related. Lions Mane is supposedly effective in HPPD symptoms but may be detrimental to migraines as its mechanism of action is to increase NGF. NGF is thought to increase nociceptive factors involved in headaches. I'm wondering if anyone can chime in. I'm at a loss as to what I should be taking. I'm 4 months into whatever I'm dealing with. The headaches are the worst bit. Along with the afterimages and photophobia. I've been on it for 2 weeks now and still have a daily headache. Debating on whether I should continue or if I'm actually worsening things.

@booze do you have bad afterimages? Light sensitivity?

I'm sorry booze. What sort of symptoms have become worse?

What sort of 'fallback'?

Are supplements not effective??

I'm sure you've heard my story... Started 16 yrs ago. Symptoms faded to the point of not effecting my life after the first 6 months to year, but still were present (trails, slight light sensitivity, peripheral movement, feeling 'spaced'). I considered myself a changed man, but well enough to go to college, hold a job, smoke pot, drink alcohol, go to grad school, etc. I rarely thought about it. Stopped smoking 8 yrs ago. This "flare" or "recurrence" onset 4-5 months ago not long after smoking pot again for first time in so long (maybe a month after smoking the last time). I also had a migraine in that timeframe. I was also under a ton of stress. Visuals are now different than first HPPD case. Afterimages, trails, more night static, SEVERE light sensitivity and starbursting. I also have an odd daily headache that Dr. A was stumped about. Can't be sure if it's migraine aura or HPPD or both. Lamictal is used to treat both. The anxiety iseading to depression. Hard time at work.

So I was seen by a Boston headache specialist for return of HPPD-like symptoms vs persistent aura with daily headache. He was convinced that my symptoms are more likely a migraine variant that had been brought on by stressful life situations. I have history of classic migraine since 15 years old. Now 34. He has very low suspicion that smoking weed a few times could cause such a drastic change in perception along with daily headaches. He recommended Lamictal to be started at 25 mg daily, up to 25 mg bid, then 75 mg daily, and finally 50 mg bid. I am also advised to take Klonopin .25 bid for the next few weeks to help with anxiety. My question is, could these 2 meds result in delaying the body's natural healing process? I am somewhat optimistic that I'll see at least some relief. Any input from those who have tried Lamictal and Klonopin together? Aside from possible rash, any side effects to watch out for?

What in the hell can I do to treat negative afterimages? If you recall, my HPPD recurred at a much more intense level ~4 months ago after smoking a small amount of pot 3 times. Since then, my HPPD seems to be worsening EVERY single day. I fear what new symptom I will develop tomorrow. I work in a field where I require a strong attention span. The afterimages are so intense that I peer at any object, look away, and see its reverse for up to 10 seconds(depending how long I had fixed my gaze). If there is a high contrast with light involved, add extra time. This was never a symptom in my former HPPD case. It is terrifying. I have heard some people say they were treatable. Please, has ANYONE found success treating this symptom? Aside from a pair of glasses or a Klonopin now and again, that is. They feel Soooo fucking permanent. I'm going to see a headache specialist and psychiatrist tomorrow to tell them how absolutely Fucked I've felt lately. Literally considering quitting my job and moving back to parents' (I'm 34). Either that or checking myself into a mental institution. I'm thinking about increasing Paxil because I'm so depressed over this. My thoughts are going bad places.

Hi oldschool. Did you ever get fitted for those specs?? If so, what color? How are they working?

What is the treatment option that the VSS community is working on? Anyone know?

I believe imaging and genetic testing are crucial. I am scheduled to undergo an fMRI within the next 2 months. I wonder if it will show anything. I wonder what the definition of recovery is. Would it be complete absence of visual disturbances or the adaptation to the visual changes? I am also just starting a trial on Clonidine per Dr. A's recs. I am happy to chime in with any effectiveness. My HPPD had seemingly resolved over many years. However, it recently found its way back. The return may be due to cannabis or triggered by a migraine headache. I believe there needs to be a focus on detailed history of any comorbid conditions such as migraine as people with persistent aura have such a similar presentation.

Congrats! Well done for all your hard work.

50's, you are cured?? What were your worst symptoms? How long did you have them? What mess did u use?

What sort of symptoms do you suffer from and for how long? I can say that mine went away to a point of being unnoticeable. It onset 16 years ago and I considered myself cured for a veryong time. That is, until I smoked pot a few months ago. Now it has reared its ugly head again. You certainly can beat this. Just be cautious. Patience is a virtue.