medication

I am trying to stay on medication. I am becoming disturbed by the side effects. I have started to see flashing lights in my head and ghostly images floating around the room. My PN hasn't been able to see me because of the severe weather here. Has anyone else experienced these hallucinatory side effects? They are not listed as potential side effects. I am on resperidal, zonegran, xanax, and cymbalta. I feel so strange.

This may not be side effects... it could be psychosis.

When do you see the flashing lights? If they show up just as you're falling asleep, and appear when your eyes are closed, this is normal and is called a "visual sleep start". If you're seeing them at other times, it could be something going on with your eyes that would warrant a call to an eye doctor. Or it could be psychiatric or neurological.

As for the "ghostly images" - not sure what to make of that. Do others see them? Again, it could be visual, it could be psychiatric...it could even be paranormal if you believe in that sort of thing. Do the images only appear in one setting or in one light source? Or are you seeing these things everywhere? So many things it could be. I'd give your pnurse a call, just to let her know since it is causing you distress.

It may be the cymbalta, I am finally off of it after 4 yrs., but I had similar "flashes" throughout the time I took it. Btw, if you ever come off of this drug, be ready for a terrible withdrawal with similar symptoms that you mentioned.
Bluemountains

You were right about the cymbalta. I cut my dose in half and in two days all the symptoms are gone!