Flickering in top of vision, headaches and pins and needles in right arm and hand. Worried.

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I keep experiencing flickering in the top of my vision (not where I’m focusing, it’s out of focus at the top) it usually happens where there are lines (usually happens in our living room where there are black beams. I thought it was an optical illusion at first (it’s been going on for around 2 months)but I’m freaking out as i think it’s a sudden change. It’s starting to happen more often. I’m also suffering from frequent, mild headaches - sinus like and have also started to get almost constant tingling in my right hand as well as muscle twitches.
I do suffer from health anxiety which I thought was under control but I’m slipping back down google rabbit holes and terrifying myself with awful conditions such as MND and brain tumours.
I’m going to the opticians tomorrow so hopefully they will put my mind at rest. I’m my own worst enemy. Terrified of clinical settings/hospitals and it takes an awful lot of courage to even book appointments, never mind turn up for them.

Sounds more migraine like. The opticians is a good start.

I think I’m being ridiculous to be honest. So nervous for my checkup tomorrow! Just want to enjoy half term with my girls 😩

Hemiplegic migraine. Scary but not dangerous.

@Gt345 this happens every time I look at these beams but only seems to be in bright daylight. It doesn’t happen as much or at least as intensely with only artificial light at night. Would that still fit with a migraine? Other possibilities are PVD which is harmless but not common in people my age (I’m 27) usually associated with ageing.

Yes light triggers are common. Worth a blood test as mine were caused by deficiencies.

Oh right, will definitely ask for a blood test! What were you deficient in if you don’t mind my asking?

Is the flickering a kind of arc? I had this for a while. Apparently stress can cause your retina to slightly detach, it can resolve on its own. Optician is a good start. I think trying to get a handle on tress with meditation, yoga etc would probably help loads, on all fronts. Try not to worry!

@Fifilafrog - Apparently stress can cause your retina to slightly detach, it can resolve on its own.

I have never heard this. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency, not caused by stress.

Doesn't sound like what OP is describing at all.

Op, good luck at the optician tomorrow.

yes could also be vitreous detachment, which tugs on the retina enough to make optical symptoms like flashing lights etc. Often nothing further happens and the vitreous detaches cleanly, but occasionally there can be tears in the retina, or worse, a retinal detachment, so it's not always harmless. Those need to be seen pretty urgently at an eye clinic, so if you start to get increases in floaters/little black spots when you look at a light background/etc, then do go in. It's more common as you get older, but also if you are short sighted, so don't rule it out for just being 27. I was around 40 when I had mine.

Ahh thank you all, yes, I am aware of symptoms of retinal detachment but I’m pretty sure it isn’t that. But know that PVD makes this more likely and that an increase in floaters and flashes means to get seen to pronto. Yes, I’m short sighted and had read it’s more common if you are! I’ve had it or noticed it for 2-3 months now, I know it’s stupid but my heart misses a beat when it happens and catches me off guard. I get this awful feeling of doom and dread.

@Fifilafrog I note what you say about stress. We’ve just had a new baby (well , she’s 3 months old now!) I’ve been homeschooling DD with a toddler running around too. OH is also in the process of disputing his mothers will. His business and out home are very much up in the air so I guess I’ve got quite a bit going on - does me good to write it down and see just how much actually! Fast approaching 4 Months PP and this is when my post natal anxiety really kicked off with my last DD too so interesting it seems to be happening again!

Folic acid - from pregnancy and breastfeeding. We could have a winner!

@Gt345 certainly could be! Makes a lot of sense and I have some folic acid lying around so worth a try.

Unfortunately I’ve had to postpone my opticians appointment today which I’m really miffed about. I started with awful stomach cramps over night and am thinking Ive either eaten something dodgy or picked up a bug from somewhere. Although I have no clue where! Have managed to get booked back in on Tuesday morning though!

I must admit I’m leaning slightly more towards PVD.

Just to update everyone.

I managed to get to the opticians last Wednesday. Started noticing certain objects ‘vibrating’ in my vision to. I have chalked that particular symptoms down to anxiety as I tend to only notice it when I’m really anxious and it worsens the more anxious I am.

They were really thorough with my eyes. I had a hospital grade scan done as well as various other tests. Nothing could be found. No swelling, no tears, no PVD. Apart from astigmatism in my left eye that I had no idea about, everything looked perfectly healthy. The optician mentioned silent migraines or migraines with aura. She thought it sounded like these but I’m not 100% sure the symptoms fit. In many ways they do though.

My anxiety has really piqued in the last few days so I’ve referred myself for CBT and am going to see my doctor next week as I just want to get on top of it before I end up spiralling.