Visual white noise? What am I seeing..

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and describe something that I've been noticing lately..

I'm not sure if these events are related to my general health, or if it's something more indepth, perhaps spiritual, but I've been noticing that everything "looks" different.

When I stare at a wall, I see a wall, but it seems like theres more there. It's really hard to explain.. The best way I can explain it is if you were to look at a light and close your eyes, you see a whitish blur slowly fade away on your eyelids.. now imagine looking at a wall, or a chair or anything and seeing this whitish blur scattered on everything.. without drawing an analogy from the film 'matrix' it seems as if this whitish blur is spread out much like the "code" from the movie. (Again, I'm not making any comparison to the movie plot and what I see.. just the 'scatter' of what I see)

It's almost as if everything I look at is there, I can see it, touch it, sense it.. but it just doesnt look the same. Everything has an almost surreal aura about it..

Now, I talked to my wife about this, and she mentioned some things that could possibly be causing this..

-I'm currently taking the anti-depressant Lexapro
-I'm currently sleeping alot (10hours a day)
-I'm working midnights
-I sit infront of the computer alot (like most of you)

But, I just had an eye examine for my job less then 2 weeks ago and I had 20/20 vision with no signs of stigmatism(sp)

Could any of these scenario's be causing my "white noise"? Or could it possible be something else? I remember reading about frequency changes and the whole 2012 thing and how we're all gonna "advance" into the 4th dimension.. is there a relation? Look around your house, does anyone else see this unusual 'white noise' or do I need to get my vision checked out?

Before anyone throws out any wild ideas, go to a docter immediately. This may be a side effect of the medicine you are currently taking, though im not a pharmacist. But seriously, go to a professional and get it checked out.

I see it often too. It's almost as if the world is pixelated. It intensifies if I were to meditate.

I to take Lexapro and see the same thing. Sometimes it gets a little more bizarre than just white blurring though. I sometimes see my entire enviroment within my vision and peripheal speed up. Almost as if someone has sped up the film. I have also seen it slow down.

Could SSRIs cause this? or am I really seeing something there that can only be seen when the brain chemistry is right?

I didnt start seeing this until I started taking Lexapro, so this may be all related.. I read through the Lexapro FDA pdf and didn't see anything regarding vision problems.. Maybe we're on to something here..

I'm no medical doctor or anything, but I know depression pills are beta blockers correct? perhaps theres a variance in lexapro thats blocking something it shouldnt be? Do we have any medical people here that can build on this? Perhaps theres a Vioxx-type coverup going on here?

Like I said, I just had a medical Physical for my job 2 weeks ago and had no ill forthcomings. Blood pressure is fine, no headaches, no nothing.. I just see weird things.

It's almost as if the world is pixelated. It intensifies if I were to meditate.

This is exactly what I see.. at first I thought it may be because I spend too much time reading ATS But I see it even when I take a week or two off from the computer..

I sometimes see my entire enviroment within my vision and peripheal speed up. Almost as if someone has sped up the film. I have also seen it slow down.

I have noticed this something, not alot though.. mostly slowing down.. like I'll llook at my wife and look away and it seems the whole vision takes a few milliseconds to catch up.. kinda weird, like I look away and still see my wife then everything catches up..

Definitely talk to your doctor about it. SSRIs can cause visual disturbances in some instances--"misty" vision, halo effects, "vapor" trails, visual snow--there is no explanation for it, but it obviously has something to do with the unknown neurological effects. The "visual disturbance" side effect is buried in the prescribing information (search for "visual"--it is in there a few times), but I have a few friends taking SSRIs, including Lexapro, who experience the "misty-ness " that you describe.

I have migraines & experience visual aura (a checkerboard pattern that dominates my field of vision, blind spots) as a warning sign that a headache is coming, so my anti-depressed friends and I all sit around and compare notes on our visual wierdness. But do talk to your doctor about it because if it interferes with driving or normal life, it could be controlled with a dosage regulation or perhaps a switch to a different med.

[edit on 23-10-2004 by lmgnyc]

I see it sometimes, and i am on no medication and have no known health problems. and it occurs seemingly at random.

Originally posted by QuietSoul
I didnt start seeing this until I started taking Lexapro, so this may be all related.. I read through the Lexapro FDA pdf and didn't see anything regarding vision problems.. Maybe we're on to something here.

Any/All of your inquiries are only "Falling on Deaf Ears if you think telling the medical community is interested or will listen!!

Since '89, when 'they' forcibly made me take Haldol...my vision, eyesight was severly degraded...almost OverNight!!!....

I suspect your vision anamolies are Lexapro related
the WHY is up to researchers...but the 'delicate tuning' of your brain is
being assaulted (opinion)
? the pineal ?

better days are bound to be ahead....

~~~~~~~~~~~~

BTW, the matrix movie 'symptoms' were incorporated into the movie...because-> many people share this visual-phenomena...they only
used the 'group experience' as a connecting link...so you would have
this undefinable affinity with the (pay to see) movie & 'compatible' friends, strangers!! just like with the 'synchronicity'; a hive-mind manipulation by
TPTB...think book-sales & cinema marketing among the 'strategists'

...got milk??

HOLY CRAP!, i wanted to make a thread describing the same exact thing, but i dont know how to describe it. i can especially see it when i look up at the sky, its exactly like seeing the matrix program in a way, but its a whitish kinda blur. got damn, i knew i wasnt the only one who could see this.

Originally posted by jimmy1200
HOLY CRAP!, i wanted to make a thread describing the same exact thing, but i dont know how to describe it. i can especially see it when i look up at the sky, its exactly like seeing the matrix program in a way, but its a whitish kinda blur. got damn, i knew i wasnt the only one who could see this.

Exactly, it greatly intensifies if i look at the sky. It almost looks like little white bugs flying around.

Have no medical problems, take no meds, and have 20/20 vision.

I've also noticed from the time I was a kid that if i close my eyes I can sometimes see only what i can describe as 'light sources' of different colors.

*I need an operator*

Just a quick question but how many of you who are experiencing this wear corrective lenses or have impaired vision?

Just seeing if there is a more common connection than Lexapro(sp?), especially considering the posts of those who are not on the drug and have been experiencing this for quite a long time.

Just curious.

Spiderj

r u serious?!?!?
k i was gonna go for an eye examine and then i was like screw it,i live with the stigamtism or whatever ,but i see what your talking about,after thinking of every possible reasonable explanation the only thing i can think of is that the mayans werent dicking us around...cause it doesnt end at the white noise too.can u explain two ppl hearing soemthing unusual (hearing it clearly)in a room where the other two ppl didnt hear anything at all.can u explain to me why everytime i look into my boyfreinds eyes and try to comunicate with the darker side of his subconcious i get strange coincedental reactions(if anybody out there can READ BETWEEN THE LINES my email is [email protected] add me to ur msn) when i say read between the lines i mean can anybody really understand what i mean by "draker side of his subconcious,i sincerely hope that there still are the few of you left on the website(specifacally,if indigo_child reads this please contact me)

Could SSRIs cause this? or am I really seeing something there that can only be seen when the brain chemistry is right?

I'm no medical doctor or anything, but I know depression pills are beta blockers correct?

Anti-depressants are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

As the name implies they block the Serotonin from being reabsorbed which in effect creates a larger pool of Serotonin. This is not natural. Thus I would not say it is making your brain chemistry right. In effect it creates more Serotonin so it helps people with Serotonin deficiencies. However, since it is unnatural it has some negative side-effects.

SSRI's are psychoactive, blood-brain barrier passing drugs and interact with the serotonergic system in the brain. An example of drugs interacting with the serotonergic system are '___' and Ecstasy (MDMA).

I would suggest testing out a 5-HTP supplement. This is the natural and direct precursor to Serotonin production. It's a derivative of the amino acid L-Tryptophan

Originally posted by Lucid Lunacy


Anti-depressants are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

As the name implies they block the Serotonin from being reabsorbed which in effect creates a larger pool of Serotonin. This is not natural. Thus I would not say it is making your brain chemistry right. In effect it creates more Serotonin so it helps people with Serotonin deficiencies. However, since it is unnatural it has some negative side-effects.

I was on Paxil for 3 years and have been on Lexapro for 1.5 now. With both of these drugs, I have had no side effects with my vision. Other things, yes, but not my vision. And I have done research on my "condition" and how I can beat it. I don't seem to be able to now, but I will in time, I'm sure.

I wear glasses to correct myopia and astigmatism.

The SSRIs do not create a larger pool of serotonin per se. Here's some info from the National Institutes of Health (emphasis mine):

How does an SSRI work?
The brain is made up of neurons, which are interconnected brain cells. Messages travel along these cells. When a message reaches the end of a neuron, it has to jump a gap (called a synapse) to the next one. To do this, the neuron releases tiny amounts of a chemical (a neurotransmitter) into the gap between the nerve cells. Ideally, a nerve impulse starts in the new nerve, and thus the message gets from one nerve to the next. In order for the original nerve to recover and get the next message, it needs to replace its stocks of the neurotransmitter in the original neuron so it is ready to send the next message. The "healthy" body thus takes the neurotransmitter back into the originating neuron (this is called "re-uptake").

In the case of depression, certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin are lacking, so they cannot be taken back in full to the originating neuron and therefore cannot send the next message. SSRIs slow down the process of returning serotonin to the end of the neuron it comes from (they inhibit the process of re-uptake). This makes it more likely that enough serotonin will build up to set off the impulse in the next neuron. Therefore, SSRIs work by allowing the body to make the best use of reduced amounts of serotonin.

edited to add info about my vision

[edit on 25/10/04 by ishari]

I can also see weird things when I look at the blue sky or any solid color like a wall, most of the time when your looking your vision is distracted by too many other things and that's why you can't distinguish them then, i also have perfect vision, when I went to the optometrist about this he said it was probally floaters, which is odd to me because I'm only 23 and floaters are usually something your grandparents have, oh well! Guess I'm just getting old!

Definitely worth talking to a doctor about. If you are seeing strange things with your physical eyes, it is reasonable to exhaust physical explanations before reading anything more "supernatural" into it.

In other words, it may be physical rather than spiritual.

But the line between what is "physical" and what is "spiritual" tends to be somewhat subjective.

Originally posted by ishari



...and I have done research on my "condition" and how I can beat it. I don't seem to be able to now, but I will in time, I'm sure.


The SSRIs do not create a larger pool of serotonin per se. Here's some info from the National Institutes of Health (emphasis mine):


...SSRIs slow down the process of returning serotonin to the end of the neuron it comes from (they inhibit the process of re-uptake). This makes it more likely that enough serotonin will build up to set off the impulse in the next neuron. Therefore, SSRIs work by allowing the body to make the best use of reduced amounts of serotonin.

I am bi-polar. I mean, I am "bi-polar" =). I have played around with anti-depressants and anti-convulsants. Anti-convulsants may help some bi-polar people but they were horrible for me. They are specifically for the mania end of it. They almost always make people more depressed. So typically bi-polar people are given anti-convulsants for mania and SSRI's for the depression. Simply too many chemical changes for me. I would definetly suggest you try a combination of fish oil (Omega 3's) and 5-HTP for your depression. That combo works wonders for me.

SSRIs slow down the process of returning serotonin to the end of the neuron it comes from (they inhibit the process of re-uptake). This makes it more likely that enough serotonin will build up to set off the impulse in the next neuron.

This is saying it's creating a larger, temporary pool of serotonin. By slowing down the reuptake process, it unnaturally extends the length of time the serotonin chills in the synaptic gap.




[edit on 083131p://26u42 by Lucid Lunacy]

i wear no glasses and am not on any drugs at all.
i can say that, most of the stuff ive experienced, was after i started doing mind/body exercises a while ago.

Definitely worth talking to a doctor about. If you are seeing strange things with your physical eyes, it is reasonable to exhaust physical explanations before reading anything more "supernatural" into it.

other words, it may be physical rather than spiritual.

But the line between what is "physical" and what is "spiritual" tends to be somewhat subjective

exactly, i dont like to consider things spiritual, to new age for me, but there are many things in this world that we dont understand(at least the mainstream folks dont) and just because someone hasnt come out and said, "they know what it is", doesnt mean it doesnt exist.

wow finally i find someone else with this! I have exactly the same things going on with me, its freaky.
But whats weird is im only 14 and its happening, im not on lexapro or anyother medical tablets but what i see is the same as what you have described.
But something none of you have mentioned is this, ive never seen it when i look at a human only solid objects etc walls, carpets, doors and so on, and the sky.
For a while now ive thought its something to do with me and my health but now im not so sure.
What could this be or mean??

WOW thats what i see aswell

and when i look at the sky it like its pixelled it very weird try to focus on them its weird i can also see auras it mad