A problem I've had since I was in 4th grade...?

Question

Since the 4th grade (i'm currently in the 8th grade) I have had 'blackouts', they only last a few moments, but then I am right back to normal. I do not collapse, but everything goes gray, I cannot hear, and I do not know what is going on. I have told my mother but she insists it's probably nothing. I have been to the doctor but she was not much help, she hardly answered my questions and had no suggestions whatsoever. This mostly happens randomly, but is often triggered by fluorescent lighting, strobe lights, or extremely bright colors, or quick change in color. It is also caused by high-pitched sounds. I often experience dizziness, and nausea (in and out of these 'blackouts'). What could this be diagnosed as seeing as the doctor is completely impossible to work with. (and yes I am currently in the process of changing pediatricians). I hope my description was thorough, and if you need further details, you are welcome to ask. Thanks in advance.

In response to that pokemon thing...
My friend sent me a photo of that, as a joke, and as a matter of fact, it did trigger one of these 'blackouts'.

Answer 1

I have the same problem as you do and it's triggered in every way you said except for the hight-pitched sounds. I just did some research and i think that this may be what you and i have:


Amaurosis Fugax

Amaurosis fugax refers to a temporary black-out of vision. This is usually affects one eye, is painless, and is often described like a "shade coming down over the vision" of that eye. The black-out may last minutes, and then the vision returns. The problem can recur in the future, and could affect either eye. Most commonly, this happens in older people with arteriosclerosis and possibly vascular disease, and is due to small clots breaking off of the walls of arteries and then lodging in the vessels of the eye. The clot obstructs the blood flow to the retina, and the vision blacks-out. When the clot breaks up, the blood flow returns, as does the vision. The source of the clot (or embolus) is usually from the carotid arteries leading up the neck to the brain, or from the heart. The embolus may be a cholesterol crystal, a calcium deposit, or a true blood clot. This problem falls into the same category as "transient ischemic attacks" (or TIA's), which may herald a stroke. Vascular evaluation and possibly anticoagulation (use of blood thinners) is indicated for this problem.

Other problems which cause a temporary loss of vision include:

* Obstruction of the vertebral arteries, which course up the back of the neck and supply the visual part of the brain. People which this problem may notice temporary dimming of vision affecting both eyes, and possibly imbalance.
* Increased intra-cranial pressure (the pressure of the fluid around the brain) can cause momentary lapses of vision especially when moving, such as standing from a sitting position. Sometimes even eye movements are enough to induce a temporary loss of vision.
* Retinal migraine is a spasm of the artery leading into the eye which supplies the retina. This spasm can lead to a temporary black-out of vision on one side, and is fairly rare.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Sounds like epilepsy to me. This is an easy diagnosis if you visit the right doctor. It'll either be a neurologist or optometrist. I'm not sure which, but this is something a lot of people have.

In more severe cases, people vomit or go into seizure, which is dangrous undiagnosed.

When the cartoon "Pokemon" was released on TV in Japan, one of the episodes featured a huge fiery spectacle, and they used a special light technique, brighter and flashier than normal, and it caused kids all across the island to vomit and have seizures. Even people w/out the disorder full-time can experience it if lighting is too abnormal in pattern. Needless to say, this episode was not released States-side without being edited.

Answer 3

I cannot diagnose your condition, but this sounds like some kind of seizure disorder. You don't have to fall into convulsions in order for something to be a seizure. You should make that physician change as promptly as possible. Make sure to tell your new doctor exactly what's happening. Remember, it has to be YOU who tells him, not your parents or someone else. You're the one having the problem so only you know how to describe it. Also, it would help to keep some kind of record of these incidents: when they happen (date & time), what triggers them, what your experience is before, during and after them. This isn't something that should be pushed aside.

Answer 4

I am not a Dr but I think its possibly epilepsy. You could be having petit mal seizures. You need to have your mother bring you back to the Dr and have him/her test you for that. You need to be on medication or it will just get worse. You will be taking a large chance if you dont and then go on and get your license when your old enough and have one of the " blackouts" at the wheel

Answer 5

i kinda agree with the second one. it sounds like a form of epilepsy. the fact that it is triggered by colors and lights is what makes me think that. you might ask your new dr about epilepsy directly so they know that you are aware of it and see if they have tests that they can run. if it starts happening more and more i would go to the er right away and see if they can pin point it sooner if it will take a while to find a new dr

Answer 6

Have u discussed seizures with your doctor because this sounds like u are having some type of seizure. Specifically "Absence Seizures". I'm not a doctor but I am a nurse and I have dealt with absence seizures in patients. If I were u I would talk to your doctor about this, be aggressive with them if u have to and make them listen to u. Hope all goes well, gl.

Answer 7

It does sound like some sort of seizure disorder...please go into as much detail as you have here as soon as you get to a doctor. There has to be some sort of therapy or medications for you to get on.

Also, they will probably need to do a CT Scan to make sure there are no lesions or anything else like that on your brain.

Answer 8

replying the person above me,
are you serious or just stupid.


penicillin fights infections dumb ***. it wouldnt help her condition at all, considering blacking out isnt caused by a bacteria.


you have signs of epilepsy, but you dont have it. since the main part of epilepsy is having siezures. and you dont have that, or atleast you didnt say you did.


it could be a neurological disorder, but unless it really effects your daily life, i wouldnt stress too much.

Answer 9

This sounds very much like a type of epilepsy. I would see a neurologist. My mother had this and could never be around strobe lights. Please have it checked out.

Answer 10

WOW...This sounds pretty serious to me (I'm not a doctor or anything). Are you sure you explained all the details and everything clearly to your doctor?