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Yeah, this is really really off-topic, I know, but I'm in somewhat of a bad situation and would appreciate some input/ideas. I have no transport of my own and public transport sucks and our public healthcare system will have me waiting around +/-7 hours before getting a basic consultation just to get me referred to somebody else for another consultation (which'll involve another +/-7 hour wait) and that may lead to multiple consultations. I hate hospitals and hanging around for sometimes up to 9 hours is more than I can stand. Do not worry about the consequences of posting any medical advice here, I'm covering you with an indemnity note* and I'm responsible enough to consider everything first and then, based on all the evidence at hand, consult a pharmacist and speak to my cousin who did a year of nursing. If it really seems dire I will go to a doctor.

*Notice:

By viewing this thread you automatically agree to all terms and conditions stated above, whether or not you have read and/or understood them.

Right, you're covered. Okay, now to the medical problems:

1. I have lately been suffering from sort of double-vision. It's as if my eyes are crossed (but they're not as I photographed them). It's kinda like double-vision but not. When I forcefully focus, my vision goes normal. The same when I close one eye (any eye). I don't think I need glasses because my vision is above normal (I can see ants in the garden from my front door at around 5 meters distance.

2. Memory issues. I seem to have developed severely poor short-term memory (may be the medication I'm on) over the last few years. But my long-term memory is also degrading now (Haha, my brain need more HDD space maybe).

3. Slow-downs, freezes, and confusion. Over the last 8 months to a year, I've been suffering from these mental "glitches". I'll be typing something one minute and suddenly, I'll get really confused (like "What the hell syntax is this?", "What was my protagonist gonna do?" or I'll muddle things and type an incorrect formula or even write a totally illogical block of code that seems to make sense at the time). The most embarrassing thing is when I'm talking to somebody and I just freeze and can't think what the word is or in extreme cases what the hell I was even talking about. Sometimes, especially if I read for too long, I feel dizzy and disoriented.

4. Loss of self-discipline. I'm a very in-control person. I'm particular about full control of my environment and myself. But lately I find I can't do anything as I just feel unmotivated. I constantly procrastinate too. Even in bed, I procrastinate sleeping by browsing the web on my phone.

So here are the things I think are exacerbating my problems:
I'm on strong epilepsy medication (although I've been on the same stuff for like 3 years now).
I'm overly tired.
I'm depressed because I've lost almost everything (I live out of a suitcase with some relatives on the other side of the country, far from my friends, while most of my belongings sit rotting in storage).

So, any medical suggestions on what is overall wrong with me? I've thought about the fact that it could be all in my head but something's just not right with all the physical symptoms. Tks

PS: Sorry for the lengthy post.

Why not make an appointment at a clinic? In the states, if you set up an appointment, they usually stick to it reasonably close.

You may want to look at your diet causing your problems, but it could be other things too. I would say find a doctor and find a way to do it so you don't have to wait 9 hours.

nonZero

I can only comment on the vision... it sounds like you may have a type of Nystagmus

Have a read and see if any of it makes sense...

I too have been having sudden lapses in current memory... could be stress...

I do hope your circumstances change soon...

And yes do try to make an appointment... you should expect a maximum 1 hour delay from the alotted time... [As far as I know Doctors need a certain amount of time between patients to complete bureaucracy... and then clear their minds to assess the next patient correctly... as the actual time for each session is not easily put into a time frame they can only push the time forward and make the next patient wait...]

Are you drinking enough fresh water?

EDIT

I should probably mention I was born with Mild Nystagmus...

I was thinking diet as well. It sounds to me like your having blood sugar dropages, and that can affect a lot of things. As you get older, you need to make sure you eat properly, otherwise your brain just can't function. If you don't have enough glucose in your blood, it can be very difficult to concentrate on anything. It would also affect your vision, almost giving you a kinda lazy vision, like your eyes just can't be bothered focussing. It could also make you tired, in fact it can make you feel incredibly drained - your muscles need the glucose to function, including your brain - you you have low glucose, then you might notice your hands can't grip as tightly as they should, you might even get tingling, sore feet, and a general muggy, tired feeling.

Lots of things can cause low blood glucose, Diabetes obviously which is how I have experience with those symptoms. If you've noticed that you have a shorter fuse, are less tolerant, are peeing a lot more, well I think you should ask for a blood keytone test, and at the very least a blood glucose test. If you know any diabetics, ask them if they could test your blood for you, save you the hours of waiting.

But anyway, it sure does sound like a problem with your blood or your diet, concentrate on finding out what it is, but remember a couple of things.

Conditions and diseases that affect the blood can cause psychological effects, the same blood that fuels your muscles is fueling your brain, if there are problems with your blood, you feel it all over - and the brain is great at optimising and staying alive. So if your brain isn't being fueled properly, it can't work properly, and it really doesn't take much to affect your thought process, sleeping patterns, general happyness, everything.

Every single symptom anyone has ever had is a sign of cancer. Sometimes you have to check health sites online, but just try and keep relaxed and make no assumptions if your doing that. The UK has a reasonable health system, probably only wait 20 minutes on an appointment, but I still had to self-diagnose diabetes, not long after a full suite of blood tests failed to notice it. Just try not to dwell on those health and diagnosis sites, they'll tell everyone it's cancer just on the off chance that they actually have cancer, and the website somehow saves their life. Typically they tell you to get checked by your doctor anyway - it's just a good idea to have some questions about what it might be, and doctors will be more direct about it, the more you know yourself.

I agree with Van B. Try to leave out any sweetened beverages and drink a lot of water and/or tea. (dont put white sugar in your tea)
A personal advice from me: do not consume any sugar replacment products (coke zero, diet lemonade etc.)

Do you eat enough fruit and vegetables?

Do you heat your meals in a microwave?

Do you consume a lot of fast food?...if so: stop completely.

Exercise: Do you get out at least twice a week? Fresh air and a long walk in the forest might do wonders.



What exactly?

****************************

This is more...out of the box stuff.



Well, you can only cowboy up then I'm going to give you some out of place life advice here...because why not: You can never be in control. You can't. Its always only an illusion... so you can only deal with it as it comes. Control is just a fantasy to deal with the fear of change.



How long and how often do you use your cellphone a day?

How do you sleep?

Is there a phone antenna very close to you? (just a thought)

***********************

Bottomline: Eat well and try to be happy I mean, why not?

If you ask me...which you dont... I see a possible issue in your diet, a definite issue with your depression and another possible one with your sleepingpattern. (the only thing in life you need a pattern in: food and sleep)



-Wolf

You sound malnourished to me. I think your bad memory is probably not that you can't remember, it's that you can't concentrate enough to remember. I would try eating better and taking vitamin supplements for a few weeks and if you don't improve go and see a doctor.

based on my huge dbpro experience my diagnosis is the following: you are turning into a werewolf, the conversion is in the final stage, i'm sorry, it can't be reversed

To me, your symptoms sound close to a situation I was in about a year ago. Though, my eyesight is poor to begin with (lost my glasses a couple of years ago, can't find them; going to optometrist soon). For me, the issue was malnourishment. I was doing a strenuous workout routine at around that time, and not eating enough in general. (I ate pretty much just oatmeal most of the time. Didn't have the money to buy anything much better. We occasionally got apples, but not much else.)

A friend of mine also has similar symptoms, but he attributes it to old age. I'm not sure I agree with that 100%, but his symptoms also aren't as severe as yours. Your symptoms sound to be more severe than mine were as well. You should speak to your cousin, and/or another (former or current) healthcare professional regardless of the suggestions we provide.

Personally it's not far fetched to be partly psychological... but if it all started happening at around the same time, it's probably one thing... and I highly doubt psychological ailments will manifest themselves at the same physical levels as what you're experiencing.

Cheers. Get well soon.

Eyesight problems and memory loss are serious symptoms when you put them together: don't self-diagnose, go to a doctor.



ReasonToGoSeeADoctor++++++++++++++++++

If these are side effects of the medication they could be potentially life threatening if you don't inform someone


By the way: Go and see a doctor!

When you go and see a doctor make sure you address your depression and make a fuss about it. In my experience they are very nonchalant about it and reluctant to prescribe medication that could really help you out. If you are suffering from malnutrition then depression is very dangerous to have in the mix and will make it very difficult for you to maintain a proper diet.

Thanks guys, I think I'll look into my lifestyle. To be honest I do have bad eating habits. My meal plan goes something like this:


Just actually thinking about it, I realised that I have quite a poor diet. I never intended too, I just seem to have slipped into it the last few years. Thank goodness I don't ever use white sugar in my drinks (I like the brown stuff).

@Jericho: There aren't any clinics in walking range. But not a bad idea as clinics aren't that busy out here afaik. If I can find one within driving range I could squeeze a lift out of my one uncle.

@MrValentine:
Don't think it's Nystagmus but I'll put it on my list just to be sure. I'll see if a lifestyle change works first though as I'm trying to avoid the public healthcare system.

@Van B:
It's kinda ironic you mentioned blood-sugar. There' a history of diabetes in my family on both sides. One of those "it'll never happen to me" thoughts, I guess. There's a pharmacy down the road that do blood sugar, cholesterol, etc tests for about R10 (abt $1 USD) so I think I'll get a blood sugar test. Might even get a cholesterol test too.

@Wolf:
I eat sufficient vegetables in that my lunches are usually meat and three vegetables (mostly fresh, organic stuff). I could probably do with better suppers as there are not always leftovers and this usually leads to instant noodles.

Sadly, I heat my supper in the microwave. Actually probably heat at least one thing a day in the microwave. I even learned to cook with it. It's evil but I love it. In my old house my kettle broke and I just started using the microwave instead. Then my mini-oven broke so it was even more nuking back then.

I'm proud to say that I hardly ever eat take-outs. My only vice is instant noodles. I have take-outs less that once a month and when I do have them, I have a wrap and not a burger or fish and chips.

I don't go for walks since the relatives I live with have a fortress of security gates and leaving the property is quite a mission. But the grounds are big and I pay my way by doing house chores, gardening and DIY-stuff. I spend a large portion of my day between lunch and supper working up a sweat.

My medications are:
Carbamazepine, 800mg / day
Lamotrigine: 25 mg / day
Clonazepam: 1mg / day

Well, about cellphones and antennae... The house has many wifi devices, cellphones and a potable phone. Also we are right next to an electric substation. I use my phone very erratically as some days I'll spend most of the day instant messaging and others it'll seem like an over-priced mp3 player. I don't make/receive many calls though. I browse the web and check emails mainly at night.

As to how I sleep, I sleep mostly on my back. Foetal position is my preferred position but I try not to lie on my sides these days as I run the risk of dislocating my shoulders (repeated damage. corrective surgery not available to me). I still wake up in agony with my right shoulder dislocated and have to try putting it back in while half asleep every so often. I guess maybe I don't sleep very well because I can't lie in my optimal position.


Yeah I totally agree. Placed in the environment I'm in under my circumstances, I guess I have been trying to give myself some semblance of order which has been adding stress to myself.

@Obese:
Can't concentrate? Actually that makes a lot of sense. It may very well explain why my memory has never been perfect either. I had ADHD as a kid and thankfully my mother told me to learn to control it rather than putting me on medicine. I guess falling into this rut has sorta re-ignited the attention-deficit thing.

@Brendy boy:
Aww, I wanted to be a vampire though. Oh well, best go to the pet store tomorrow and buy a grooming comb.

@Aaron:
Also malnourishment? I think this is definitely serious then. I'm gonna start a proper diet from tomorrow.

@David R:
I will ultimately seek medical counsel if this problem cannot be patched. I won't be putting it off too long either.

Well everyone, thanks again. From tomorrow, I'll try:
-Breakfast: fresh milk and cereal (no white sugar)
-No snacking throughout the day except on fruit
-Take a walk along the beach now and then
-Eat a decent supper
-Turn my phone off at night

...And what a long post this was...

Talk to em first cuz usually blood sugar tests require you to be fasting (no food/water only for 8+ hours).

issues 2,3 and 4 can be depression related.

I know a common response from people is to man up and get over it, but depression isn't just sooking, its a chemical imbalance in the brain of which some side effects are sadness, confusion, memory and thought problems, poor sleep patterns, letting go of things that matter, self neglect, etc.

From some of what you have posted it seems you may want to see a doctor about your depression as well. It isn't a big deal and can quite often be fixed within a couple of weeks.

If they identify that depression is the issue they will prescribe you medication(these days there are some good ones which are non addictive and at the end of the course can be gradually reduced to zero with no residual effects besides a lack of depression)

It will do nothing for a week or two and then you will start noticing that you can go to sleep and get up on time, you can think clearly and everything is not so hard.

people often fall into the trap of thinking that depression is weakness and they try to fight their way out of it when really their brain chemicals are just so out of wack that they arent functioning correctly, correct the chemicals and the issues simply vanish. Emotions are not the cause of depression, they are the side effect.

I got nothing about the vision though. that is a concern.

good luck, remember you have mates here.

The most accurate time to test blood glucose is first thing in the morning. There are 2 tests that are commonly used, the blood glucose level, and the level of ketones in your blood. Untreated diabetes leads to ketones, which is an acid your body produces when burning it's own fat. If you've lost weight recently for no obvious reason, pee a lot more, dehydrated even after you drink a lot, and are tired the whole time, then go see a doctor and demand to be tested.

I don't think your diet is all that bad, but that wouldn't matter if you are type 1 diabetic - you'd loose weight no matter what you shoveled in. Anyway, I think you should look the symptoms up and see how many of them apply to you. It might appear morbid to some, and it might seem foolish to try and self-diagnose, but the key with serious illness is to identify it early. I wasn't diagnosed quickly despite regular checkups and requesting blood tests, instead I had to loose 3 stone and almost die. The joke is that they tell you 1 in 30 people have diabetes, but a lot of them don't even know they have it... well duh!

Your breakfast and lunch seem okay, but in my opinion you need a big healthy dinner.

I used to live off ready meals and pepsi max, but this lead to highs and lows as the pepsi max was keeping me going and the ready meals were not sustaining me.

So I learnt to make stir frys, which I now eat about 5-7 times a week They take about 10 minutes to do, 4 minutes of actual cooking time and I can't recommend them enough.

Here is how I make mine:



Now it does seem like you are depressed, as other people have said. I sometimes get into a state of learned helplessness where I feel like there's nothing I can do to improve things, so I just stick with what I've got and keep on going. But actually that is rarely true, there's always steps you can take to improve things, so try to keep that positive mentality.

Exercise can really help. If you don't already I would recommend going on a short run every day, it will give you endorphins and generally help you to feel more positive.

And lastly, you say you procrastinate alot; try to give yourself a goal to achieve, maybe start a software project or set yourself targets while you are exercising. If you can channel that wasted energy into something productive, you will feel better.

Tks for more feedback everyone. I have made an effort to diet better. Today I bought cereal so I'm now eating a real breakfast. I also had a supper of tuna and salad on sandwiches. As for sleeping, I turned my phone off last night and left it on the other side of my room. Accessibility seems key to preventing late-night Wikipedia sessions, emailing and general mucking about. I cheated a little and doubled up on my sleeping meds but it was worth it for a decent night's sleep and the doctor who prescribed them said it was safe to take up to 2mg so I'm within limits.

@Kezzla:
Yeah, you're right about depression being not taken seriously by people. I had childhood depression in junior school. Nobody realized and the teachers wanted to put me on Ritalin because I wasn't concentrating in class. Luckily my mother and grandmother were there for me and I survived and got better without the Ritalin. In high school I had another bout of depression after a messy breakup. I was still torn apart by it a year after graduating (totaling around 3 years) and by then I was not even getting dressed some days. Saw a shrink and he gave me a anti-depresents that gave me my first seizure. He denied it was his fault, blaming me for not stopping them when I started feeling weird side effects - as if I knew that mild morning dizziness was related to medicine I'd been on 2 weeks without any problems. Naturally I stopped taking them and seeing him. I actually got better eventually because I finally got a job and started living life. Will see how the new life style pans out this time too and if I'm still down I'll seek councelling but I'm a little weary of medications.

@Van B:
Well, my weight is a strange thing. I don't ever get thinner or fatter, no matter if I'm eating right or not. My muscle tone changes but my size doesn't. I do fit a few of the diabetic symptoms; going to the toilet frequently, tired a lot and somtimes constantly thirsty. Have an appointment booked for monday at the pharmacy (the nurse isn't there on weekends because it's a helth drive thing which is why the tests are so cheep). Hopefully I'll know then.

@Michael P:
Thanks for the recipe. I actually like cooking so I'll give it a whirl. I'm big on spices too. Sadly my relatives aren't (I made a mild curry for them once and got told it would give them ulcers, lol). So lunches are pretty-much bland things. Still, supper's "sort yourself out" hence the instant noodles. I definitely am making an effort though (I had some tuna and salad on a sandwich tonight). As for goals, my current one is to have my book ready for Kindle by month-end.

How well are you sleeping?
My daughter was born on June, and of course my sleep quality took a big hit. Sometimes, I was having this "surreal" feeling, like seeing things through a lens, and sometimes I would enter on "automatic" mode (mental "glitches" as you call them), which can be a bit scary. After several consultations with a neurologist and a psychiatrist, it was determined that it was caused by a lack of sleep. No meds needed, just had to sleep a couple of nights on another bedroom.
In any case, if you're having trouble sleeping, you really should consult with a doctor, since sleep deprivation works on a positive feedback scheme, meaning that the less you sleep, the harder it will be to be able to sleep.
Hope this helps.
Edit:
By the way, I was also under carbamazepine on my teens, for a mild epileptic spot on my frontotemporal lobe. I'm no neurologist, but your dosage is way off. That coupled with the benzodiazepine may be the cause. Do not stop your treatment, but you should really seek a competent neurologist to adjust the doses. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can lead to death, so don't even think about stopping the treatment until you see a competent neurologist.
Edit 2:
After a bit of research your carbamazepine dose is not excessive, but it borders the lower limit. From personal experience, it may be the an issue with sleep.

Many of your issues can be migraine related. Not everyone has headaches. Years ago I ended up in the emergency room after losing all vision in one eye. It was an ocular migraine. Many forms can cause disorientation, forgetfulness, etc. Do some internet research to see all the forms.

Well, I spoke to my cousin and she told me that doing chores don't count as exercise and neither does working in the garden. She told me it's useless exercise because I'm not getting my heart pumping. She also told me to drink more water. Oh and I was told to buy apples and stick them in a bowl and eat them when I wanted to snack instead of "snacks". The rest was just general scolding for taking this long to act.

@Dextro:
Yeah my carbamazepine is very high. My epilepsy was so severe they maxed me out to 1000mg a day but that turned me into a zombie so my dose was dropped. I now take 400 morning, 400 night. Anyway, I'd been stable nearly a year when I started going down the tubes. I have noticed that I've been feeling a little better now that I keep the phone away from myself. Sleep does seem to be a factor.

@Slow Programmer:
I had a look and was surprised at everything I found. Even thirst can be a part of it apparently. I had quite a few migraines as a teen and they'd come in the form of a headache and a pain in my eyes and I often felt dizzy too. I never would have made the connection though as I always assumed it wasn't a migraine if it didn't hurt.