Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Seeing Spots--Brief Flashes Of Light

collins146

By collins146
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

collins146 Apprentice
collins146
Posted

does anyone on here see spots for just an instant? I've heard this can be due to malnutrition--possibly poor nutrient absorbtion. I've experienced this for a while and it seems to come and go. It went away when I was on st johns wort and also seemed to go away when I first went gluten free. Maybe serotonin?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


DownWithGluten Explorer
DownWithGluten
Posted

does anyone on here see spots for just an instant? I've heard this can be due to malnutrition--possibly poor nutrient absorbtion. I've experienced this for a while and it seems to come and go. It went away when I was on st johns wort and also seemed to go away when I first went gluten free. Maybe serotonin?

Uh, maybe. I mean I don't know exactly what you're seeing. But definitely those times right before I've passed out...things get blotchy and spotty then all turns black :lol:

But there've been a few times in my life, if I'm lying down and get up suddenly or...something. I might see some splotches. A few times I've seen little sparking things. not really a light but...dunno what that is...look like little dull shooting stars or something that are there if I close my eyes too, lasting only a few seconds. And that's been only a few times in my entire life, and again I think it might have to do with blood flow to my head or something. Not sure if it's a gluten thing.

But I don't want to minimize what you're seeing because yours could be something different. Do you feel light-headed at the same time? That could be lack of food/blood flow thing going on. But I'd say if it happens often and intrusively you might want to get it checked out.

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

Seeing flashes of light and stars can mean a torn retina which is something you should see an eye doc about ASAP.

Black specs in your vision is usually usually caused by "floaters", small pieces of things like blood in the eyes. That's normal and nearly everyone has some.

opus88 Newbie
opus88
Posted

I have a huge issue with floaters - my eye doctor often comments that I have more than my share of them! Many times, as the tiny glob of vitreous fluid detaches, it can cause that little flash of light. It definitely warrants an eye exam just to be sure, but it likely is nothing more serious than that. If that is what's going on with you, other than it being annoying when floaters make it a little harder to see clearly, there is no real harm from it.

luvs2eat Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

I've had several episodes in my life of flashing lights... sort of in a circle. The first time I had it I was in a grocery store and I kept blinking my eyes to see if it would go away. I wondered if it might be an "aura" and I was going to have a seizure or something!! About 20 min. later, the circle of flashing had reduced to maybe 1/4 of a circle. I ended up going to my ophthalmologist, who asked me if I'd experienced a wicked headache afterward? I hadn't. He told me it was an ophthalmic migraine... w/ no headache. I've had it maybe twice since that first time... in about 15 years.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

I have had some brief slashes on rare occasions. More when I was little than later. Maybe just one "spark", and I could tell it wasn't actually emitting from any objects around me. There was one or two times when multiple flashes occurred within a second or two. Seems to me I read something about it someplace over the last year or two, but don't recall the details. Just that it happens to many people with Celiac. I'd guess malnutrition could possibly cause it.

irish daveyboy Community Regular
irish daveyboy
Posted

I have had some brief slashes on rare occasions. More when I was little than later. Maybe just one "spark", and I could tell it wasn't actually emitting from any objects around me. There was one or two times when multiple flashes occurred within a second or two. Seems to me I read something about it someplace over the last year or two, but don't recall the details. Just that it happens to many people with Celiac. I'd guess malnutrition could possibly cause it.

I've experienced flashes or darting light in conjunction with Migraine.

I know when an attack is coming on because I see zig-zag lines around the periphery of my vision.

As it progresses the zig zag line close into the centre of my vision. When I was young I was told that it was a sign of an upset stomach ??

As the Migraine progresses, bolts of pain can be felt along the eyebrows like someone shoving a 6" nail into your skull.

The pain then travels over the top of my head and manifests itself in the 2 tendons at the base of the skull.

After which I see darts of light, shooting stars.

I've read it's your brain visualizing neurons travelling along nerves towards your brain.

Anyway as soon as I notice the zig zag lines, I take a soluble pain killer (acts faster) and all is well.

I had these pre-Celiac and occasionally since, I believe they are 'stress' related.

Best Regards,

David

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

does anyone on here see spots for just an instant? I've heard this can be due to malnutrition--possibly poor nutrient absorbtion. I've experienced this for a while and it seems to come and go. It went away when I was on st johns wort and also seemed to go away when I first went gluten free. Maybe serotonin?

It could be lots of things but: When I was extremely anemic from this Celiacs, This sort of thing would happen more often. That was because my blood couldn't carry oxygen like it should. My Hub has this when he gets dehydrated.

Rondar2001 Apprentice
Rondar2001
Posted

I have this occassionaly lasting up to 2 hours. After a clean MRI, my doctor said it is probably a migrane, I just don't get the pain that most people do. Still I would check it out just in case.

bluebonnet Explorer
bluebonnet
Posted

i sometimes have these really quick specs or dots of a bright spot that go as fast as it came. i have several floaters. i also have had those ocular migranes where my eyes get really freaky vision and blackness going on. i have the "sparkly vision" sometimes too when i look at a bright sky or a white piece of paper... almost like fizzling fireworks. i go to the eye doc yearly to be safe. i always thought it to be from my insomnia, stress or now i'm paying for years of being a kid outside not wearing sunglasses.

bottom line, go to the eye doc to be sure it isn't anything harmful to your vision. B)

4berrys Newbie
4berrys
Posted

Yes! This happens really badly when I have been getting trace gluten that creeps up on me! This last summer the floaters were so bad I had trouble concentrating on what I was reading :unsure: When I figured out what the mystery gluten was coming from and removed it, the floaters took months to go away still. I used to also get the 'lighted' floaters that looked like they were glowing from the corner of my eyes. My 17yo daughter also has visual disturbances when she gets gluten----floaters, flashes and dark 'clouds' out of the corners of her eyes. I just figure that since gluten causes neurological problems in us----this is just part of the toxic neurological response.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.