Hello my name is Danny. I live in Hayward, Ca. I haven't been to the Dr to have a diagnosis but I'm certain I have VS. I got an onset of floaters Nov 2016 and VS came this Jan 2017. I've worn glasses since I was a teen. My mom has bad eye sight as well, she began to suffer from various conditions late in her 50's from iritis, inflammation, and one or two floaters.

I'll be 36 this year and I am attributing VS to the very stressful and traumatic 2016.

Here is my story it's long but I promise it will provide some insight....

Feb 17th, 2016, I sustained 3rd degree burns to my right arm due to an accident working on a car. I was hospitalized for 13 days at St Francis Medical Burn Unit. I had the first 2 surgeries of my life during my stay (xenografts and autografts) it was the absolute worst pain I've experienced ever. It was also the first time I've ever taken pain meds, ever. I was given morphine, percocets, dilaudid, fentynol round the clock. After being discharged, I spent the next 5 months healing up at home. Physically my recovery has gone well. Attempted to go back to work and everything seemed normal for the next few months.

Come Oct 8th, 2016 while I was visiting a friend in NY I got a severe panic attack, hands turned blue and ice cold, began convulsing, heart beating a million miles, in and out of consciousness. A week later after coming home, I began to experience heavy anxiety. So much so I could barley walk, short of breathe, felt as if at any moment I could pass out. Within the coming weeks my anxiety got so bad I couldn't leave my apartment. I saw a psychiatrist and was prescribed anti depressants (benzos and SSRi's) at times they worked. However in Nov 2016 I noticed eye floaters in my vision and after some research I personally came to the conclusion that the benzos may have caused the floaters so I decided to stop. Coming off benzos to SSRI's was extremely hard and literally felt like I was going die. I've seen 2 optometrists and 1 ophthalmologist who said nothing could be done about my floaters and not to worry as my eyes are structurally and physically healthy.

Jan 2017 I began to have bad acid reflux from some of the SSRI's I was taking so I stopped them as well and began to notice the VS. When the VS came it also came with a very strange sensation of de-realization which eventually went away. It also came with a host of other eye problems, negative after images when I close my eyes, visual portals/auras, lightning bolts, light sensitivity a bit of tinnitus and my very first migraine.

I'm generally a very healthy person. I don't eat beef or pork or any fast food at all whatsoever. I do a lot of walking. I've never done any serious drugs my entire life aside from cannabis, in fact it was only until 2016 that I've taken morphine when I was in the ICU (for my burn) or any prescription medications.

As of Oct 2016 I've quit drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis. I was only a weekend social drinker, and smoked cannabis a few times a week.

My VS consists more of color static. I have trouble focusing and can't stare at anything bright for too long, glares, reflections all bother me. I also have light trails from objects that I stare at, almost as if the image follows after I've moved on.

All of this has had negative implications on my life. Before I was very outgoing, fearless, I loved to travel and try new things, and was very social. I now find it hard to enjoy things I once did. I'm afraid of doing simple things like going on day trips, work, or going to social gatherings. My floaters and VS are constantly in the back of my mind and they exacerbate my anxiety. I'm saddened that I can't fully experience my sight and I'm afraid that perhaps one day it might be gone from me.

As of this month June 2017 I've now fallen into a pretty dark depression. I now get migraines nearly every day that have been on going for 11 days since writing this. My 5 year relationship with my gf has been greatly impacted and I've been let go of my job due to poor performance. I realize I'm not dying but internally I feel I have very little left.

I do my best to practice yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises as they do provide me with some relief with my anxiety and depression however it's been extremely hard accepting there is no cure for my VS and I don't do them as often as I should.

Any kind words or advise would be immensely appreciated.

To anyone who is suffering from this or knows anyone I'm truly so very sorry, my heart breaks for you and your loved ones. I feel like a caged animal, all I want to do is run free but this disease has me chained up and I could only imagine how hindering it must feel for young children suffering from this.

Sending my love,

Danny