About my situation. Is this HPPD?

[Vinicius Moretti]

Hello guys! I want to introduct myself and i wanna your help about my situation, i will tell you my story to help us. Well, i have 22 years old. I always had Visual Snow, since my childhood i have anxiety, panic attacks, hypochondria, OCD, and other disturbs. The last year was hard to me, because i went to doctors to talk about my hypochondria, i thought i was with heart diseases and it was just my hypochondria. Since my 15 years old, i took some meds to control this disturbs like paroxetin and ritalin. Well, i never had took any drug, but in the last August, i took a half of a little candy of weed. I had a panic attack two hours later but too much less than the panic attacks that i had before. Next days, were normal, without any difference. Three weeks later, i had head pain and i researched about this, i discovered that could be headhache and one of the symptoms of headhache is visual snow. Then, i start to notice more my visual snow and it seems more worst than before. So i am too anxious about this, i remember about this and blaming myself everyday because i ate that candy with weed. I was in the shrink but she said is just my head kidding me but, i don't know, she even don't knew about the visual snow....So you think it is HPPD or just my head playing joke with me? That candy could increase my VS? I am too sad and anxious about it.... 

Thanks for your help!

[MadDoc]

I'm not a doctor or a medical professional.  I'm just an old guy who has had hppd for a long time.  

You mentioned that you had visual snow, anxiety, and panic attacks before consuming cannabis.  Having a panic attack after consuming marijuana isn't that unusual.  Edibles can be very powerful and can produce a very uncomfortable experience in some people.  Noticing that your visual snow is worse may simply due to the added anxiety of have a bad experience.  I suspect you're not experiencing hppd symptoms.  Instead, the marijuana made your anxiety worse.  I'd stay clear of marijuana.  For some it's fine, for others (like me) it can produce a bad reaction.

Hang in there, and take care of yourself.

[Vinicius Moretti]

Yeah, for sure. I will stay far away from MJ. This episode is the only mine with weed and will be the single. I'm very grateful for your reply. Do you have HPPD for how much long? What are your symptoms? 

[MadDoc]

Visuals mostly.  If I look at any textured surface I immediately start seeing patterns and designs on that surface.  I've dealt with this for over 40 years.  I dosed a LOT over a six year period.  

[Vinicius Moretti]

You have a normal life? Had tried any treatment for this? 

[MadDoc]

Normal?  I think so.  I went to college, got married, raised two wonderful children, and have a profession.  I'm very happy and I'm grateful for each day.  I guess that's normal.  

I stopped using psychedelics around 1980.  Back then, this condition didn't have a name that I know of.  People who used a lot of psychedelics were just considered "burned out".  I doubt there were many doctors who had a clue.  

My approach was to stay sober and stay focused.  I did drink alcohol for some time in the 80s but gave that up as well.  I also follow a daily meditation practice which has been extremely helpful.  I try to exercise often as well.  I don't take any prescription medication.

In short, stay clean, stay focused, and keep moving.

Works for me.