Bipolar Disorder and visual/auditory distortions

Hello all,

I recently started taking medication for BPD (Geodon 40mg 1xday. Refused medication for a long time due to side effects; during most recent hospitalization psych said this med had relatively few). I've noticed that I'm experiencing things that haven't happened since I was a kid, and indeed that I had totally forgotten about. I'd like to know if this is a connection to the Geodon, a BPD symptom, or something unrelated.

Sometimes when I look at things, they appear far away, as if looking down a long hallway or tunnel. Sometimes *something* triggers a feeling of "prickliness/roughness" that I can almost see in my mind, even though I know that makes absolutely no sense. Then theres the auditory stuff. I'll be listening to someone talking, like music or television, and all of a sudden it'll sound louder and faster, like more rushed, and have a tone to it. Like the words take on an annoyed quality. Or the opposite, they'll sound slower, warped, as if the person who talking is drugged and slurring their words. Its a weird sensation/feeling. Almost like I'm in my own world for a second. Then it goes away.

What the heck is this? Can't remember it happening since I was a kid. Thanks in advance

I've had visual and auditory issues stemming from my illness. It's not like what you have described. I think if this all started since starting a new med, it's reasonable to consider the med could be causing it. Regardless, you need to report this to your doctor right away from my perspective. The sooner the better. I'm sorry you are experiencing this.

Please do tell your treating pdoc.

Do you have migraines?

I'm encouraging you to also consider a neurological consult. Your symptoms, as described above, seem more neurological. It sounds similar to a migraine variant or TLE (Temporal Lobe Epilepsy). Some of the distortions which occur in "Alice in Wonderland" are those of a neurological origin.

I am not a health professional. I can assure you "I've been there, done that."
However, it's not been the BP; it's been, for me, a migraine variant. (Variants are symptoms attributed to migraines with or without a headache. Often, without a headache.)

Talk it over with your doctors.

I hope you find the answers you are seeking.

WC

i've been on geodon for a very long time and i've never had any of those experiences. but i do hear and see things if i'm off my meds which i havent been in a long time. i take much more geodon than you do

I get the 'tunnelling!' I've never known anyone to have that, but things appear much further away than where they are. I don't get it as often as I did when I was a kid, but it still happens from time to time.

OMG, this happening to me right now. I started taking Geodon about 10 days ago. Total dosage per day = 120 mg. I have lost almost all of my BLURRY near sight. My symptoms started on Tues. night. Wednesday I called pdoc, she said to reduce dosage to 80mg per day. By Thursday evening, it was worse. Friday morning, she told me to stop taking it. So I did.

My eyesight is still horrible. It is so scary. I don't think it has gotten any worse, but I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better. My taste buds are off too. It's like everything has a bit of a metallic taste to it.

I don't have any advice. But, I'm totally freaked out. If your'e having issues on just 40mg.... I'd run for the hills with this stuff. If my vision doesn't improve by tomorrow, I'll have to seek help. I thought it would have worn off by now. SCARY. Good luck.