VisualDude

Well, half of this stuff is typical for teenagers, which at 17 you obviously are. That isn't said to put you down or dismiss your HPPD problems. Its just the natural course of life. For example, 'existential' issues are common - the whole gambit of: who-am-I ... am-I-real ... what-is-the-purpose-of-life ... etc. Getting 'centered' and regaining self-confidence helps everyone. It gets anxiety under control ... and many with HPPD begin getting better once anxiety is resolved. You are young with a whole great future ahead of you. Each of us can focus on negatives or work on pursuing positives. With practice one gains experience, and with experience one learns to start controlling their future ... to achieve goals and feel successes. The 'curse' of the young is lack of experience. The 'curse' of the old is lack of physical strength. As for HPPD, just stay away from recreational drugs. Eat and live 'healthy'. Life offers you plenty of reason to live. Wish you well ...

Yes, movement of stationary things. It has to do with coordination problems between the brains two visual processing systems: Ambient Visual Processing (movement, 'feel', peripheral) and Focal Visual Processing (detail, thought, central). Note that "Movement of print on the page" is listed as part of Post Trauma Vision Syndrome, https://nora.cc/images/documents/brain-injury-and-hidden-visual-problems-patient-section.pdf For homework (aauugghh) Google: Ambient Visual Processing Focal Visual Processing Post Trauma Vision Syndrome It really isn't moving. But by providing inconsistent contrast grading the cues are not natural, so the brain keeps trying to resolve the unresolvable. So one goes round and around ... Too bad we can't find a set of images that would hypnotize one back to 'normal'.

Here is one postulate: http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/page-2#entry32082 - "disorder in the nervous system that needs medical attention"

Doubt that neurons are actually destroyed, although ampetamine abuse, cocaine, and meth can down-regulate receptors (neurons can selectively add and remove receptors). Its more likely a complicated change in neuronal system communication and regulation. HPPD is tricky. I find significant help with dopamine agonists, including a particular D2 agonist. [ Note about Abilify, this one is bad news for me but some like it. It is a partial agonist for D2 - this means that it partially stimulates D2 but prevents full stimulation. That is may be good for some but negative for others. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partial_agonist ] Recently started thiamine cocarboxylase, a harmless vitamin with surprising results. While too early for everyone to celebrate (only 6 have tried so far but 5 report benefit), its worth a try ... cheap and doesn't need a script. More info here http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/ Its helpful to not think/feel in terms of 'Destroyed' because it just increases fear, anxiety and depression. These detract from finding solutions and even more important, learning to appreciate what you DO have and CAN do. Also, know that neurons readily grow and remove receptors - that is the basis of plasticity (learning). Well, enough positive before one starts talking about group hugs, that can be hard for some of us guys

Here is a STILL picture (jpeg) that MOVES for everyone, not just HPPDers. But the reason behind it is the same

I find Keppra too sedating as well. But 250-400mg before bed can help sleeping. Anything above 750mg trashes memory. Then there is a negative 'rebound' when discontinuing, particularly muscle spasms. Hope you are still feeling improved. Your 4-hour, 16 hour, and 4-week reports are great, how about 4 years now ... still helping? Something else you might wish to try is discussed here: http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/

Improved T is an 'irritant' kind of like dopamine. Both these are motivators - and at the heart of motivation is desire to do something or change something, which contrasts with laying around, 'chilling' and/or apathy. If the SSRI lowered you T, then you are likely a candidate for responding to a dopamine increasing med. At also depends on your age. If you are young (or at least not old), 300 is low. Low dopamine will contribute to low T. What is your 'free T' percentage? And cholesterols? What meds have you tried and how did they affect you? Also, if you can get thiamine cocarboxylase where you live, its worth a try. It may be that dopamine responders are particularly helped ... hard to know at this time. But at least its easy to try.

Here is someone to was HPPD free briefly - orgasm or cigarette? http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/807-15-minutes-of-freedom/ A pattern emerges ... sex, orgasm, visual disturbances, then smoking afterwards. The visuals are worse if its less than 5 minutes due to being punched in the eye. "Tell me, why do so many men smoke afterwards? No wonder tobacco companies get rich." - Maria Gambrelli

Thanks for the clarity ... thought you did better with them 55. So Sinemet actually helps you ... how much do you take? Haven't tried topamax. Unusual antiseizure med. Maybe sleep with eyes open? This is the one thought you were taking http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1314 Can you post a like to your actual product?

Interesting. I have a fleshly brother who told me that cocaine has zero effect on him - like drinking water. He is happy, retired (73) and loves weed, or more specifically some sort of 'resin' which he says chills him and helps to be sharper. Sexually active (or at least self-active) without ED or the like. His hobbies include mining (yup) and writing books. Definitely does not need dopamine supplementation. In hindsight, got the thiamine weakness from mom and dopamine weakness from dad. Also have (had) a brother who probably suffered both like self. Wish I could get DNA samples but 2 have been cremated and spread, and moms been in the ground for 40 years. Time will find a solution for you. You seem to completely resolve with Klonopin or barbituates whereas these have no visual effects on me. Also, you have CEVs and I don't though can generate mild ones by taking plenty anticholinergics. If we can ever get comprehensive symptoms lists along with med responses from members, it would go a long way to isolate the various forms of HPPD.

Thank you for the compliment. Am working hard on the problem. Or they are wonderfully healthy along with good thiamine metabolism. But thank you for trying this test. How is your overall energy? So far it is 4 out of 5 who express benefit from TC. That is far higher than expected - was targeting the 10-20% range. But it is still quite early. At least it is an affordable test with a harmless (actually nutritionally helpful) substance. Will put up a poll soon so we can collect feedback - a tally of 'helpful' with whatever comments members choose to make. This can be significant info for researchers and grants to study HPPD. Unfortunately, studying HPPD has been too 'open', making it difficulty to even know where to start. Seeing that mitochondrial disorders may be involved can direct researchers in mitochondiral DNA. And seeing the thiamine disorders may be involved directs researchers to solute transporters (such as SLC19A1, SLC19A2 and SLC19A3) ... See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiamine_transporter

Do not be afraid to take 3 pills per day, which is the 'normal' adult dose according to the mfg. Note that Merkan is trying a much higher dose. I've been working in the range of 2 to 10 pills per day with 3 being most typical now that a few weeks have gone by. [ Please don't feel this is pressure to take more, it is just reassurance ] Unlike the product I've been using, the Source Natural product you are taking does not contain any B vitamins other than thiamine. Ingredients: Thiamin (from 25 mg cocarboxylase [Coenzymated]) - 16 mg Other Ingredients: glucitol, mannose (reduced), sodium citrate, natural peppermint flavor, and magnesium stearate. So this is a good confirmation that that product can be used instead of the Bio-3B-G ... and that thiamine cocarboxylase is indeed the 'med' involved. [ I still favor Bio-3B-G because of lower dose and mix with the other Bs to maintain 'balance' (and the inclusion of Biotin which is implicated in some thiamine disorders). But it is very good news so that people outside the USA can still find TC if they can't get Bio-3B-G ] Merkan's comment may answer this. I too feel benefit though have been cautious to say so since I've discontinued a med that specifically helps that ... and am missing not taking it, though with only half the problems from its absence when not taking thiamine cocarboxylase. (sorry for the run-on sentence) Amazing that such a simple nutrient can be like a med when it has been missing or otherwise genetically compromised! In addition to helping DR/DP, your vision should be sharper with better depth perception and 'connection' with the world around you. Also, lighting not so dim (without Sinemet) or not so bright (with Sinemet). Just as connection to the world improved, some connection to your inside world may increase. You will probably find that you need to adjust your meds. Perhaps decreasing Sinemet and Keppra. But proceed carefully as you are particularly sensitive to meds among HPPDers There are 3 areas known to be affected by thiamine deficiency that directly relate to HPPD: 1 ... Dopamine processing (as discussed earlier in the thread) 2 ... Acetylcholine metabolism (alluded to as early as 1929 but here is a more recent text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06919.x/epdf See Fig 6) 3 ... GABA synthesis (See: http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FCJN%2FCJN20_S3%2FS0317167100048630a.pdf&code=33de6c0ce6281afcbcc11dafcdd37ae9 ) On #2, while one cannot be dogmatic, there seems to be connection with both DR and VS to acetylcholine. Keppra has been popular on the forum and works with acetylcholine (being a Racetam - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racetam ) On #3, while not a cure, many have used benzodiazepines to manage their HPPD (particularly Klonopin). Benzodiazepines target a particular class of GABA receptors. Whether GABA function is specifically altered by HPPD or GABA meds simply help compensate for dysregulations from HPPD simply isn't known at this time. But with thiamine deficiency, GABA levels are lower. As a 4th point - and an absolute major one - thiamine is critical for glucose processing. Not the eating of sugar, but the energy production the fuels life in all cells. When you read about ATP, whether weight lifting or otherwise, this is where thiamine comes in. HPPD may, at least partly, be from mitochondrial problems - essentially a mitochondrial disorder at the core. MDs are discussed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other 'energy' disorders. Mitochondria are the 'energy powerhouse' in cells. And thiamine metabolism problems are a class of MDs. Many HPPDers report problems with fatigue even after 'conquering' anxiety, depression and other things that are known to cause fatigue. Another factor is that mitochondrial membranes are particularly sensitive to chemical damage, and when the membrane becomes 'leaky', efficiency drops (energy production drops). Lastly (will it ever end), mitochondrial energy problems could explain the diverse symptoms reported by HPPDers. HPPD is a list of symptoms with most reporting a subset from this list and others reporting additional, non-HPPD symptoms - often involving pain, peripheral nerves and/or autonomic nervous system regulation. So we go circle and circle over possible clues implicating thiamine metabolism being related to HPPD susceptibility and/or symptomology.

Welcome to the forum ... and such an interesting topic, lol. Afterall, who doesn't like sex? ... yet it is a topic few speak truly honest about Several members have expressed changes with their HPPD based on pre verses post orgasm. It is hard to know the reason since the hormone/neurotransmitter interactions are very complex. However, it is know that upon orgasm, dopamine signals to the pituitary are reduce in order to increase prolactin secretion. Prolactin along with Oxytocin are 'emotional bonding' hormones. The relevance to HPPD is that often dopamine levels are involved. Dopamine, Oxytocin and Opiod receptors are also intimately close (pun intended) How long have you had HPPD and what are your main symptoms?

Great! Sincerely hope you (and others) benefit. Had been using a specific combination of 3 dopamine agonists to maintain cognitive and emotional (depression/anxiety/agitation) issues. The 2nd day on TC, dropped one med. While there are some specific cognitive issues without that med, am more emotionally stable and actually feel a 'happiness/peace' that haven't felt in 10 years with the TC. Will eventually reintroduce the 3rd med at a lower dose but am giving the thiamine deficiency time to get better - its been 6 weeks now and each week is a little better. At some point it should plateau, but for now its gradual and subtle improvement. Currently taking 6 mg / day (4 pills of that product).

What you post and ask is common. In the end there is a reason, it just isn't known yet. But here is an idea ... post #25 in the TC thread http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/page-2#entry32082

Rational for Trying Thiamine Cocarboxylase 1 ... One common but peculiar thing about HPPD is its progression for weeks or even months after drug use. 2 ... Perhaps even worse is its return/flareup years later after a person had already got it managed or even been symptom free. 3 ... Lastly there are those who develop it without hallucinogens or other recreational drug use at all. On point #3, Dr Abraham comments: "Developing HPPD without ever tripping on acid can also happen, but in my experience this is quite rare, and suggestive of another disorder in the nervous system that needs medical attention." http://amrglobal.powweb.com/hallucinogen-persisting-perception-disorder While there are numerous ideas about the roots of HPPD ranging from plasticity (learned brain 'behavior') to frank neurological damage, and an individual's particular circumstances/conditions are unique, there has to be an underlying genetic 'weakness' and one's general health as factors in this disorder. Again refering the Dr Abraham's (and others) work in this article: http://dana.org/News/Details.aspx?id=43275 Quote: A pre-existing condition? According to John Halpern and Harrison Pope of the Biological Psychiatry Laboratory at Harvard Medical School, writing in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, “there is probably something different in the visual cortex of these individuals that pre-dates use of an hallucinogen.” Abraham agrees, noting that his group “confirmed that there was a peak at around 10 trips, and then there was another peak at around 50 trips, and then sort of a flat plateau afterwards. This trimodal distribution is possibly explained by the distribution of an autosomal recessive gene governing sensitivity to the effects of hallucinogens.” :EndQuote [ As a side note about genetics, while they defined how you developed (male/female, height, skin color, etc...), they don't make you 'doomed' but rather 'disposed' to be a certain way. So don't be afraid of your genes or worried about reading about genetics ] Going back to part of the previous quote: "suggestive of another disorder in the nervous system that needs medical attention", malnutrition can be a cause. It may seem far fetched but in context, if a person is missing a needed 'ingredient' or cannot absorb enough of it, then the parts of the body (brain) that need it are vulnerable to dysfunction. Its really no different than asking, can you run a 4 minute mile if you have not eaten for a week? Thiamine PyroPhosphate (what Cocarboxylase becomes) is vital for glucose metabolism such that any weakness will result in not enough energy for a cell (neuron) to function correctly - see https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Structural_Biochemistry/Krebs_Cycle_(Citric_Acid_cycle) Given the citations from medical researchers earlier in this thread indicate thiamine 'malnutrition' is common (>10%) even among the well-fed, and that this causes neurological problems, it is reasonable to give Thiamine Cocarboxylase a try. Maybe a long-shot, maybe not. But cheap, safe, and doesn't require a doctor's script. As of this date, March 1, 2016, three individuals report that this specific product has helped them significantly http://www.bioticsresearch.com/sites/default/files/productlabels/1137-web.pdf Not bad for an idea thats only 6 weeks old ... but do not yet know how many others have actually tried it for HPPD.

This is great that it is helping. Thank you for trying ... although the REAL thanks is that it is working. I see that you got the specific product that I use - that helps to verify the test a little better. Please post more info in the TC thread http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/ (I don't have VS so its exciting to see that it helps people with that symptom too!)

It is hard to know, just have to try things. If you decide to reduce Keppra (or anything), just go slow ... like reduce your morning pill to 1/2. Besides VS, what other symptoms do you have? Can you think of ANYTHING that happened 2 months ago that might have triggered this flareup? Check out your thread on Visual Snow http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5094-visual-snow/ Also the TC thread http://hppdonline.com/index.php?/topic/5027-thiamine-cocarboxylase/ It might be worth your trying the product listed.

Took 75mg Wellbutrin CR and started feeling effects in 3 hours - but have a significant dopamine shortage problem compared to other HPPDers. When trying 150mg/day, it was too strong - not for visuals (which improved a lot) but anxiety/agitation.

Imipramine in an anticholinergic as well as antidepressant. Asked doc for Benzatropine since that fixes DR for a guy (dpselfhelp.com) who is taking OCD meds. Doc thought it might be too strong and prescribed Imipramine first. It helped depression for about 1 day, lol. TCAs work fast, unlike SSRIs, but usually have more side effects because they are 'dirty' (affect many neurotransmitters). In the end got Benzatropine which was helpful but only for a few days - kind of the same way antihistamines are effective for a few days then you have to cycle off. The anticholinergic effect might be helpful for visual snow as well as non-visual things like muscle spasms. Keppra is mentioned a lot on this sight, and while not an anticholinergic, it does affect acetylcholine. The Imipramine made vision less sharp (which all serotonin increasing med do for me). But it is not likely to be harmful. Take a lot of an anticholinergic and it starts to mess with memory and concentration, but it can also be sedative/calming. They are used for low dopamine (PD) to balance the two. If you have low dopamine and then take something to increase acetylcholine, not only will you have muscle spasms, but you will be delirious with anxiety. I find all of these help DR a little but not worth the side effects. But use a little Keppra at bedtime to help sleep.

Prolactin affects T production inversely (somehow through GnRH) although most action involves FSH/LH. That is why TRT and Anabolic steroids (weight-lifters) 'shrink' testicles - the hypothalamus sees 'extra' T and tells the body to slow down. Prolactin is controlled inversely by dopamine via D2 receptors. So ... if a man's dopamine is low, prolactin will elevate which tells testicles to produce less T. Hence, if a person has high Prolactin and low T, low dopamine function might be implicated. Have posted a lot about dopamine because of own health. And for many HPPDers, dopaminergic function is involved (as seen in Dr Abraham's drug trial). However, only a few HPPDers respond really well to just levodopa (Sinemet) supplementation. In the end, am trying to learn why a person responds to a med or not. To better understand the underpinnings of HPPD and like disorders. And to see if we can identify a pattern in advance as to who might be more likely to respond to dopamine stimulation.

Was wondering why you were trying Comid? Thought it increases sperm production? http://txfertility.com/fertility-treatments/clomid-for-men/ Do you have low T and high prolactin (prior to Comid/TRT)?

Biotics Research is actually only supposed to be sold by 'professionals'. But some internet retailers are out there. It is kind of a pain but it ends up making a better quality product available ... so much stuff is dumped cheap online and at big-box-stores ... but there isn't much truth in labeling. Then people look at a bottle and say, 'why should I pay $20 when I can pay 10'? ... but many times it isn't the same. Seen people buy CoQ10 cheap that didn't work ... the real stuff costs a lot. Recreational drugs aren't the only things cut with junk. Interesting how coffee affects you differently later in the day. Is it lighting? (brighter in the afternoon?) If you look at the label closely, you'll see that 'a serving' is 3 pill, lol. A lot of their products are like that for pediatric/elderly use. But it also means that 180 pills is 2 months, not 6 months supply. http://www.bioticsresearch.com/sites/default/files/productlabels/1137-web.pdf Can't imagine any interaction such low doses would have with meds. If your talking about the Source Natural product, 25mg would be more than enough. What meds are you currently on?

People don't understand. There are many reasons people try drugs. Peer pressure. Curiosity. It was fun at one time. Take mind away from concerns. One of the big reasons often ignored is that people are trying to self-medicate, whether for a psychological need or biological need. Some doctors have said this about alcohol. Are you currently on any med right now?