I don't even know where to begin...

This post is about my "rabies scare" approximately 2-1/2 months ago when a bat flew about 25 feet over my head. My hands were in my pockets, I was not bitten and the bat was simply feeding and appeared perfectly strong and healthy. I've been a lot closer to bats than this one and did'nt have all the fear I've had these past few months.

Anyway, shortly after that incident, a movie was on TV and it was (of all things) about a man who was infected with rabies. In the end, this guy had double vision, hyperventilation and was really acting like a mad man. At first I thought this was just a lot of drama but then I read that double vision was indeed a symptom of rabies.

So this played on my mind for the next month and I began doing this little test where I would cross my eyes to simulate a double-vision affect and then un-cross them again. Then I'd "compare" the difference between the two in an attempt to convince myself that I did'nt have double vision. Sort of like "ok, this is double vision and this is not...see?...your normal!".

This really did'nt help at all and I continued to worry. One day my room mate came to the door while I was sitting at my desk and as I turned around in my chair to look at him, it looked like he was "drop-shadowed". In other words, I saw two of him - one image sort of overlapping the other. When I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, the "double vision" became even more pronounced. However, when I turned all the way around in my chair and looked at him head-on, both eyes focused on the samer "target" and he looked normal again.

Was this because the bridge of my nose was separating my eyes so that I was projecting two separate images or was it because I have rabies or something?. I felt the panic welling up inside of me as I contemplated this. I've either never experienced this before or did but just never payed that much attention to it. Is any of this normal?.

I sit at the computer a LOT, just came off of Benzos in the last week and am currently taking Vistaril. I've only been taking the vistaril for about 3 days for the insomnia caused by what I *think* might be benzo withdrawal. Or could it be rabies?. I also took 30 days of Cipro XR (1,000mg). The horror stories surrounding this drug abound everywhere.

Do this. Look at someone head-on and focus on them for a few seconds. Then slowly move your head to either the left or right while continuing to keep your eyes on them. Do you begin to see a double image of them as you slowly turn your head?. I know this might seem silly but please do it. It will only take a few minutes of your time but will save me a LOT of continued worrying. I've been through absolute hell with this and I really need this favor...please!!.

- Thank you!

Hey GG:
I tried it -- I do get a 2nd image with my glasses on, but don't if I take my glasses off. However, with my glasses off, I only use 1 eye (involuntarily because one of my eyes is strong and the other is very weak) so I'm not necessarily a good one to use as an example.

Hang in there -- statistically, your chances of catching rabies from that situation are about .001 in 7 bazilligillion.

Set your mind at ease Graygoose,

There is nothing to stress about because a person can only get rabies by a direct bite from the bat or other animal that has the rabies....you can't get it from 25 feet away. It is not something that is transmitted through the air....That would be like catching cancer from across the room from someone that has cancer & we all know that cancer is not contagious.

To put your mind at ease, spend some time browsing the internet for information on "rabies" ...if that doesn't work, I would suggest going to a Dr to take the tests to determine you don't have rabies....but please don't sit & worry because stress from worring has it's own set of problems.

Be calm,
Debbie

Youre okay gg that kind of double vision is perfectly normal, I also get double vision when i don't really look at anything, like, am so in my thoughts that my eyes "glaze"

U should read a good description about rabies. There's more to it than just double vision. You would certainly notice if you had it

I get u tho, everytime I have a headache or any kind of ache, or bruises I don't remember getting, I first think it's cancer ..i know i'm just being silly though...

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a person can only get rabies by a direct bite from the bat or other animal that has the rabies

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That's actually not true. U can also get it, like for example if a dog with rabies licked your hands, and then you'd rub your eyes.

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That's actually not true. U can also get it, like for example if a dog with rabies licked your hands, and then you'd rub your eyes.

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Um...could you get it if a bat flew over your head and dust/dandruff from it's hair fell onto you?. Not that this even happened and I know I'm stretching things a bit but I had to ask because this is what has been playing on my mind (the "what if's"). It all happened very quickly really. I saw something swoop past, looked up, saw a bat fold it's wings over what was probably an insect it had caught, then BAM...it flew/glided several hundreds yards into the trees. Also, it was never really directly over my head. I only saw it as it flew over and then in front of me and finally when it took off into the trees. Now, every twinge...every twitch...every little pain. Man, I really am not liking this

Nah, it's the spit you'd get the virus from, that's why it's normally from a bite. I just corrected that u can get it trough your eyes too, that is if u get the spit in them. But i'm sure the bat didn't spit on your face

If youre very nervous u really should take the test, u can get vaccinated against it too. Or u could move in to a country that doesn't have rabies lol You're okay.

I don't know anything about rabies... but wouldn't the symptoms have manifested by now, after two months, if you had it?

hi sweetie.......read your post and did a little research......there is no way you have rabies.....don't worry........

Thank's for all the replies.

Well, unfortunately, there is no test for humans which is why shots are always given if there was any reason to suspect an exposure. The only way to know for sure is to examine the brain of the animal (microscopically) you were bitten by (if it is avaiable). Of course, I did read the story of a girl who survived rabies and they determined that she was infect by drawing spinal fluid from her so maybe they do have tests out now .

Anyway, I found this site...

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/bats.htm#contact

Somewhat reassuring and I was thinking about emailing them. I hope it is ok that I posted that link. If not, please accept my apology and remove it. I just found this site very informative.

Thank's again people

The virus can "sleep" for even up to two years (sorry i don't know the terminology ), but few weeks - few months is more common.. If u can use that word.. I don't know how common rabies is there anyways.

And neither do I, GreyGoose, let's try to lay this one to rest. You'd be dead by now. Dead as a door nail. Dead as you could be. 6 feet under. The things that happen to someone, or an animal, that gets rabies would have completely wiped you out...you would not have lived this long..without the vaccine.

I do not believe that you can get innoculated "against" rabies..at least not here..the vaccine is put into play after you've been bitten and displayed the very conspicious symptoms of rabies. I grew up in southeastern Oklahoma where there were lots of bats. I didn't get it. I saw them all the time. I saw cows and foxes with rabies. You do not have rabies. I lived in New Mexico. They nested on the end of the guest cottage. Neither myself nor a guest ever contracted rabies.

AND NO, you cannot get it from hair or dust. You don't have rabies.......and unless a bat bites you, it's doubtful that you'll ever have it.

Put your mind to rest on this and think about something else that you can work on . In Oklahoma, we'd say that you are beating a dead horse.......xoxo pat

I just read this on two different sites today and oh yes...this bat would make the gov's F-16 Jet fighter squadron green with envy because this thing could fly like arrow!. Anyway...

"A bat in the air is generally a healthy bat, because bats stricken with rabies usually become crawlers; they don't have the strength and coordination to fly. But it's always a good idea to use gloves whenever attempting to capture or handle bats. It decreases tremendously the chances of being bitten."

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GreyGoose, let's try to lay this one to rest

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If only it were that easy fayerody. I'm sure not enjoying this myself. Actually, I don't know if you said the line I quoted (above) because I'm beginning to sound like a broken record or because you really believe I don't have it. It sure does'nt sound like I do from everything I've heard and read.

I know this thing can stick around in you for awhile (as "nerl" so eloquently pointed out) and that is one heck of a lot of worrying and I may die of old age before then. I feel a little better now (I guess) but that will only last for a little while until I get another twinge or pain and my mind starts going into overdrive again.

I've been here for awhile and have made many friends. I hope I don't end up being seen as "that crazy guy" from repeatedly beating the same "dead horse" over and over again but when I'm really scared (no matter how irrational my fears may be) I tend to post about what is frightening me - it's almost a carnal, instinctive thing.

Please forgive me if I am running this into the ground as this is not something I'm doing intentionally.

(((grey)))) I'm sorry you are feeling such anxiety about this. I'm thinking that this isn't the only thing that you are anxious about, and obsessing about. I don't see you as "that crazy guy" and in fact, the use of "crazy" here was long ago a topic in which we decided NOT to use ther term... lol so no fair trying to! lol

That you can sense that this fear is irrational is good... what other fears do you have that you also think could be irrational? Being able to work on this from that perspective might be the way to go... and feel free to bounce things off us here at psychcentral, that way you can allay some fear in the future, knowing that if you tell us something that really does need attention, we'd be sure to tell you up front, OK?

Hi Sky

I saw that you had responded and since I know you are a moderator, the first thought that jumped into my head before I even read the first word of your post was that I had received a warning for posting about my fears more than once (or something like that) and I was thinking "ok, the one place on earth where I feel comfortable and I just blew it". Suddenly, I felt all alone...without any friends...hopeless.

Then, I scrolled down and read your post and it was exactly the opposite (ie; warm, compassionate, humorous, etc) and I REALLY appreciate that . It is not uncommon at all for people suffering from fears wether real or imagined to drive those around them nuts (if you'll pardon the pun/expression...lol). My room mate get's so mad at me whenever I bring this type of thing up and so I feel very misunderstood and neglected - like I have all these fears bottled up inside and noone can relate to them (or me). Maybe I am the only one with this level of anxiety(?).

Anyway, I'm fighting a constant battle against either posting my fears each timethey come up or just keeping them bottled up inside and allowing them to simmer. It has'nt been as bad lately because I have been working nearly 16 hours each day but now that I have a bit of a break (and more time to think and focus on my probs), it canget kind of harrowing to say the least.

GreyGoose, I tried to reassure you that you don't have rabies. You really don't have it. Try, on the internet, to find ONE case of it lying "in wait" for years and then stepping forth to claim it's host.AND try to find a case of it that came from a bat that was flying overhead about 25 feet//.I hate it that you're so afraid that you have rabies and all I tried to do was be factual, friendly and firm. It sounded like you needed something to hang your hat on.

Do you see a therapist? Or take anything for anxiety? I remember our going over this about 2 or 3 months ago, but I don't remember about a T or meds. I'm sorry, but I can't recall that. If you aren't seeing one, please try to make arrangements to go. If you are, are you bringing up all these fears to your T? This must consume most of your life and I hate to see you "grow old" worrying about whether or not you have rabies. Pat

PS I'm not a mod.

TY... nice words.

Post your fears in the Anxiety Forum all you want Grey! That's what it's there for!

I think the meds and all the work oh dear what a toll you are taking on your body and mind! I'm sorry my replying gave you any cause for increased anxiety... If I ever do that, you can PM me and we'll discuss it ok?

Well.. as for driving anyone nuts LOL it would be a short trip for me!

To fayerody:

Sorry if I seemed a bit touchy. I know you meant well (really I did) and in fact, I was very encouraged and reassured by your reply. I just misread part of your post and construed it as a subtle hint that my continued posting about "rabies" was "getting old" and then I got that rejected feeling. Believe me, it's nothing you said or did. I'm just a basket case, that's all. I'm a very emotional and overly sensitive person at times and with the internet (where body-language, voice inflection and other subtle "cues" are absent) it's sometimes difficult to know exactly what the other person is thinking. (I actually think you did a GREAT job of reassuring me and I DID take comfort in it, ok?

Anyway, I've been such an emotional wreck for months now that even the "ding" sound Windows makes when I bring up a copy of NotePad practically makes me jump out of my seat (and I'm not joking!). My room mate calls me and that makes me jump too.

This is'nt the first time I've freaked out over rabies, AIDS, cancer or some other horrible disease. Seeing a bat, looking up symptoms and driving myself silly with thoughts has only served to oil the gears of the great fear machine. I read a thread from a "cave-divers" forum where they said that you cannot get rabies even from bat feces or urine and so I went to the CDC's official website to confirm this since that has been one of my greatest fears (the bat peeing on me or a stray hair falling on me, etc). Here's what they have to say about this...

"People cannot get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, or at a distance. In addition, people cannot get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur (even though bats should never be handled!)."

I found this "temporarily" reassuring - at least until the "what if's" start up again...ahhh!!.

PS: Yes, rabies can (in rare instances) lie dormant for several months and up to 10 years. The normal incubation period for documented cases I have actually read have been from a few weeks to about a month.

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I'm sorry my replying gave you any cause for increased anxiety

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Not in the least!. I am just happy that I have all of you to talk to right now and that is a HUGE comfort to me (((((((((((_Sky)))))))))))

((((((((((GreyGoose))))))))))

GreyGoose,

The more of your posts I have read here, the more I really hope you have or will get a good therapist to help you get over your anxieties. Some anxiety in life is normal &amp; even good, but when it effects your functioning in life, it becomes a problem that needs professional help. We can help some here by trying to talk you through some of your issues but like you said. that only works until your "what ifs" come back &amp; you start all over.

If the bat situation is so consuming in your life, how many other things are there that are doing the same thing to you? If it were me, I would definitely be in search of a good Psychiatrist that could prescribe a med that can calm you down in order to allow your thinking to slow down &amp; a good psychologist that can help you work through your issues &amp; maybe even help you understand where it all is coming from. I would really hate to see you live the rest of your life in a state where everything is scaring you. Just reading your posts, I can seem to feel how uptight you are about everything, &amp; I really hope that you can find some calm in your life. You don't deserve to feel this way, no one does, &amp; it really isn't something we can fix on our own, only with help.

I hope you realize how much we care &amp; are just trying to help you iliminate at least one worry out of your life, but I'm thinking that probably won't work by what you have said.

Please take care of yourself &amp; hopefully we can at least ease your mind on some things. You seem to realize yourself that you obcess about things, &amp; I hope that you will seek some professional help to take over where we can't.

Be calm,
Debbie

tim..........if you can't come here.......no matter how many times you have to replay your fears.....where the heck can you go?????..yes...all these wonderful people have responded in ways to help alleviate your fears and hopefully it helps you a little......i just want you to know that having ocd myself....i understand the rising up again of the fears and the thoughts no matter how many times you've outwardly expressed them......rest assured that i will always be here to listen to you even if its the 100th time i've heard your story......and i hope that you find comfort at the obvious outpouring of love from PC members....peace.....

Tim, if you are upset over my postings to you, last night, i'm sorry. i hope you're getting professional help and in due time, all of this calms down for you. pat

TY Grey. Hey, you know you can go into your settings for your computer and remove the sound for your notepad or anything else... or just change the sound... remember?