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Original poster

Does anyone else suffer from weird visual trailing?

56 replies

Allofaflutter · 01/07/2024 17:47

About 4 weeks ago I started having weird visual trailing. By this I mean at times, not all the time, when I see something for example my hand in front of my face as it moves I see like trails or like the outline of the hand where it had been like it’s lagging behind like a shadow. It’s both eyes and only really when I’m tired. No pain just weird trailing. Saw dr who was unsure, sent me to specsavers, they said nothing on the scans, so now I’m having a head CT this week. I’m really worried. Anyone else have this?

OP posts:
iwentjasonwaterfalls · 03/07/2024 14:43

Do you take topiramate or any other medications? I have this, it started after I started taking topiramate.

If it helps ease any worries, I have a brain tumour and this was not a symptom of that - it didn't start until I started the topamax. I also had similar but not exactly the same when having migraines as a teen.

It's called "palinopsia" apparently!

Clawedino · 03/07/2024 14:28

Fraaahnces · 03/07/2024 10:14

Could also be optical migraines. Get your BP checked. If you are on oral contraceptives you may need to swap to another form as there is an increased risk of stroke.

I was prescribed the mini pill rather than the pill when I mentioned migraines

Fraaahnces · 03/07/2024 10:14

Could also be optical migraines. Get your BP checked. If you are on oral contraceptives you may need to swap to another form as there is an increased risk of stroke.

newmyname · 03/07/2024 10:14

It happens to me when I've been awake too long

Clawedino · 03/07/2024 10:14

I was also going to suggest migraines. Sounds similar to how mine used to start, just mine would progress into a painful one.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/07/2024 10:12

Having my head ct today. They called me Monday and offered me a cancellation at short notice which is fab.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 03/07/2024 10:11

I’m very stressed, major medical things this year.

OP posts:
Rumors1 · 02/07/2024 13:35

Sounds like ocular migraines. I had very weird visual disturbances including double vision and distortions for a while with no headaches. Got loads of tests, told it was ocular migraines. I now get the bad headaches and these visual disturbances are the precursor to them.

Ksqordssvimy · 02/07/2024 13:30

But could be retinal migraines. Are you stressed? I sound really annoying but lifestyle has an impact. Try and ignore it, that is honestly the best advice

Ksqordssvimy · 02/07/2024 13:27

Epilepsy for me. Dunno if epilepsy or medication. You learn to live with it

Mel2023 · 02/07/2024 13:13

Enterthewolves · 01/07/2024 19:21

I get this, I was told it was an optical migraine. I’ve had it for years.

Was going to say optical migraine. I get usual migraines with aura, that begins as visual disturbances and can sometimes be like OP is describing, as well as spots, tunnel vision and lines through my vision. The usual migraine symptoms usually follow after and are pretty awful. However, I went through a period a few years ago where I was getting the visual aura but then the actual migraine headache/sickness etc wouldn’t follow. It was just visual with no pain. I went to GP who told me about optical migraines. They subsided by themselves and never got to the bottom of what caused them.

Somepeoplearesnippy · 02/07/2024 11:10

Many years ago I had this. It turned out to be migraines but totally without pain. When I stopped working full time they it also stopped instantly.

bridgetreilly · 02/07/2024 11:08

For me, menstrual migraines with accompanying visual weirdness, and not necessarily a headache, were a perimenopause symptom. They stopped as soon as I hit actual menopause, thankfully.

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/07/2024 20:36

I had covid in Jan. but it only started 4-5 weeks ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/07/2024 20:35

Deedledee1976 · 01/07/2024 19:39

Yes, I’ve had this for the past 25 years!
It started when I was taking epilepsy meds at uni and would happen every time I was either tired or drank alcohol while on them. I don’t take those meds anymore, but I still get the visual trailing when tired in the evening or in the daytime if badly sleep deprived. For me, it’s like there’s a series of snapshot images trailing behind moving objects. Almost a slight strobe effect to it. I’ve had multiple brain MRIs over the years for various reason and there’s never been anything abnormal found.

I had amitripline and then it started, but I’ve stopped now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/07/2024 20:34

bridgetreilly · 01/07/2024 19:58

Are you perimenopausal?

I’m early 50’s so very definitely!

OP posts:
OneTC · 01/07/2024 20:00

Only after acid

bridgetreilly · 01/07/2024 19:58

Are you perimenopausal?

Deedledee1976 · 01/07/2024 19:39

Yes, I’ve had this for the past 25 years!
It started when I was taking epilepsy meds at uni and would happen every time I was either tired or drank alcohol while on them. I don’t take those meds anymore, but I still get the visual trailing when tired in the evening or in the daytime if badly sleep deprived. For me, it’s like there’s a series of snapshot images trailing behind moving objects. Almost a slight strobe effect to it. I’ve had multiple brain MRIs over the years for various reason and there’s never been anything abnormal found.

letmeeatinpeace · 01/07/2024 19:27

I've had this too!! Have you had any colds/viruses recently? Mine started a few weeks after I had a bad cold mid-May, and has only just started going back to normal (although I'm not 100% sure if I'm back to normal or if I've just got used to it). The cold also left me with no sense of smell which has only just started returning. Tested negative for covid but really wonder if the test was faulty!

Original poster
Allofaflutter · 01/07/2024 19:24

Thank you everyone that’s reassuring.

OP posts:
Morwenscapacioussleeves · 01/07/2024 19:24

I get this with my migraines but not at the same time as the pain, usually before. It often goes on for days.

I hope you get some reassurance from the CT 💐

seagullstolemypie · 01/07/2024 19:24

I sometimes get a wavy effect at the bottom of my vision and I have 'floaters' which are irritating if my brain tries to focus on them.

EthanofAthos · 01/07/2024 19:24

DH has this, had it for maybe 40 years now. Seems to just be a weird quirk.

Enterthewolves · 01/07/2024 19:21

I get this, I was told it was an optical migraine. I’ve had it for years.

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