I think I have HPPD of some sort and need help

[imZanderr]

Hello there, I'll get right to it. The main thing I am worried about is my symptoms getting worse to the point where I can't function. Right now I have trails and some visual snow that's not too bad. I'm worried these symptoms will get worse over time even if I stay sober and healthy and I'll be screwed forever.

 

Any advice on what to do and how to deal with this would be much appreciated. I am in college and need to keep my grades good but my anxiety about this is deterring from that.

[jbalsa2]

Hey there Zander,

How long has it been since your HPPD has set in? Typically things gradually improve over the course of a few months - until you get to your baseline, which is the point that your HPPD hits a point where it stays the same.

If you smoke weed at all, i'd recommend that you stop - any drug use will cause your symptoms to become significantly worse.

If you really need some relief from your symptoms for a short while, you can always see your family doctor and have some ativan prescribed to you, just don't get too heavy into them, they're only a temporary solution to help you adjust to your new set of symptoms.

Other then that, if you continue to live healthy habits, your HPPD should only improve over time.

[imZanderr]

I noticed trails a couple weeks ago, and visual snow I feel like has gradually gotten worse over the last few days which I hope baselines. I need to quit nicotine most likely I am heavily addicted to it. Hope you are well

[jbalsa2]

Yeah it really took me about 2 months to stabilize, but you will adjust soon enough. For what it's worth I wasn't able to leave my room for like a week after mine started.

Did your trails appear well after your last trip? Or did your trip lead right into your HPPD? For me I was tripping, went to bed, and then woke up the next morning still tripping, and haven't really stopped since.

 

[imZanderr]

See I feel weird cause my last trip was in June, and I didn't develop the trails until November...so maybe it's placebo for me but I really don't know

[jbalsa2]

Yeah it's quite common for people to develop HPPD weeks and months later.

Certainly wait a couple of months and see how things go. If you can, abstain from using any form of benzodiazepine until your sure that you've hit your baseline, as using a benzodiazepine before then can confuse your senses into what your baseline actually is - causing you to think things are getting worse when they are not.

If perhaps, 6 to 8 months down the road, you feel like you'd like to try out some medications to help you, you can check out my thread regarding available medications below - although I would recommend sticking it out for as long as you can without medications and seeing if you can recover naturally. Good luck

 

[imZanderr]

Thanks J. Also, how in the world am I supposed to sleep without any sleep aids? I’m afraid melatonin could have adverse effects

Edited December 13, 2018 by imZanderr

[jbalsa2]

Melatonin won't have any negative effect on your HPPD. You should go to one of those fancy tea places and get yourself a nice calming herbal tea perhaps.

[imZanderr]

If only! I live in a small town  the best thing we have is Dakota Coffee haha. I shouldn’t be complaing much though my symptoms are mild compared to some people on here. If only there was a cure

[jbalsa2]

I like this stuff, plus you can order it online.

https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/organic-mothers-little-helper/10233DT01VAR004072.html

Otherwise, melatonin works well, and if you really need the help you can always talk to your family doc about the occasional ativan.

[imZanderr]

Thanks, and referring to earlier you’re saying that symptoms will lessen overtime until baseline? Just making sure

[imZanderr]

Also, will I ever be able to drink alcohol again? 

[jbalsa2]

They'll become much less of a burden on your mental state as time goes on - let me put it this way, i've had HPPD for 3 years now and I drink every weekend, among other things. At the very onset of my HPPD I couldn't leave my room.

So - yes things will improve over time.

[imZanderr]

Thank you, I’m just paranoid I fucked up my brain forever and it will only get worse over time leading to a life of meaningless

[jbalsa2]

Oh christ no, you'll learn to adapt. For me i've certainly had to make some changes to my life - but I have used this as an experience to redirect my life in a slightly different direction. 

For what it's worth, I take 1000mg of Keppra a day, which really helps me with my depersonalization and derealization. 

Give yourself time - it could take years, but youl get better. Just keep your nose clean, if you know what I mean.

Edited December 13, 2018 by jbalsa2