My neurologist prescribed me amitriptyline today. No clue if it’s gonna help but she’s treated patients successfully with different medications before. Lamotrigine didn’t work for me, and if Ami doesn’t work I’ll try topiramate. Will let you guys know if anything changes
Imagine the black star being real. I will get all these negative afterimages overlapping each other if the contrast is high enough when I move my eyes. For example on a tv screen, a simple sign, a sheet of paper etc. It happens instantly.
Hi everyone,
first of all, I want to express my sincere empathy to all of you. I have been dealing with what I believe is a rather severe case of VSS since 2020, so I know how challenging it can be.
Please also keep in mind that I am not trying to speak for everyone. Every case is unique, and if I generalize at times, please don’t take it personally.
Lately, there’s something on my mind that I would really like to discuss with fellow VSS patients.
I’ve noticed what seems to be a significant difference between “lifers” and those who developed VSS later in life. That difference appears to lie in how people deal with the symptoms. From what I’ve seen, VSS often causes much greater distress in those with a later onset, while many lifers don’t seem to be as mentally affected. I’ve read comments from lifers who go months without even thinking about their VSS - which is great, of course.
This made me wonder why that might be the case. I have a theory: for those of us who were used to normal vision, our brains may interpret these visual changes as a potential threat. As a result, we pay more attention to the symptoms because we fear them. This can lead to anxiety, a constant fight-or-flight state, and repeated checking to see if the “threat” is still there. In turn, this increased attention makes the symptoms feel even more prominent. It becomes a vicious cycle.
People who were born with VSS or developed it very young never learned what “normal” vision looks like. For them, VSS is their baseline. Because of that, the symptoms may not be perceived as threatening, and they are less likely to get caught in this cycle.
I wonder if breaking this cycle is the most important step. If we can teach our brains that the symptoms are not something to fear, it might allow us to gradually adapt and pay less attention to them. That, in turn, could calm the brain and reduce the perceived intensity of the symptoms. In a way, this would create a positive cycle instead: less anxiety, less checking, and fewer intrusive perceptions.
What do you think?
Anyone know the history of this place? We drove by but couldn’t find a way in. Locals seemed dismissive when we asked them about the place.
Neben den offensichtlichen Armeniern tummeln sich hier diverse Russen, einige Georgier und gelegentlich auch ein Iraner
My wife and me always wanted to have kids, but lately the thought of passing this shit on makes me doubt this decision. Add to that the lack of research on VSS and genetics.
This is something I just don’t understand. I feel like people with VSS are a million times more stressed, anxious and depressed from their symptoms than blind people and other people suffering from chronic illnesses. Why is that so?
Where and how can I buy tickets for the cup final on May 14th?