# Help! Need analysis of medical symptoms quick **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 13, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559 "2023-12-13T17:30:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/1 "2023-12-13T17:30:14Z")
I just saw polka dots floating in front of my face. For a good minute. Maybe more. I’m at dialysis, it’s been a crampy morning. I slept poorly last night. Umm. Gas station biscuit for breakfast. Banana here. The PTB are on it. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/2 "2023-12-13T17:31:33Z")
IANAD, but it sounds like eye floaters: > **[Floaters | National Eye Institute](https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/floaters)** > > Floaters are small dark shapes or squiggly lines that float across your vision. Learn about what causes floaters, and their symptoms and treatment. ETA: in the presence of kidney disease, this can be a **[reason](https://www.medonthego.com/eye-problems-due-to-kidney-disease.html)** to be seen by an eye (or your primary care or Nephrologist) doctor. I’d phone yours as soon as you can. Hoping it’s nothing… ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/3 "2023-12-13T17:36:31Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > IANAD, but it sounds like eye floaters: Floaters wouldn’t disappear in a minute, not even in a bit more. Yes, see an eye doctor. Before Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/4 "2023-12-13T17:38:37Z")
My glucose is fine. The expert here told me so. But I knew that already, “Miss Expert” It’s why I have CGM on. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/5 "2023-12-13T17:40:12Z")
No kidneys. All done with those. So no kidney disease. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/6 "2023-12-13T17:44:24Z")
You reported this to the medical people, right? They’ll take it from here. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/7 "2023-12-13T17:44:53Z")
> [@Mikkel](#): > > Floaters wouldn’t disappear in a minute Mine do. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/8 "2023-12-13T17:51:46Z")
Yeah. The peeps and Ivy are allover it. Ugh! I’m counting down to come off the machine. No more pokey dots, yet. I have a head thing too.(older brain injury causes me distress) I’d bet it’s something to do with that. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/9 "2023-12-13T17:56:42Z")
If you see plaid, thats a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/10 "2023-12-13T18:00:08Z")
So sorry about the thread title. Thx for fixing it. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/11 "2023-12-13T18:05:02Z")
I occasionally get a bright zigzag line in my field of vision. Apparently typical of migrane, though there is usually no other symptom… do you ever get migraines? In my case it usually goes away within 5 minutes or so. Obviously, check with your doctor! ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/12 "2023-12-13T19:01:51Z")
I would guess [scintillating scotoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma), also called visual migraine. Apparently it’s often a prodrome to a migraine headache, but I’ve had the visual effect happen several times but have never had a migraine headache. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/13 "2023-12-13T19:12:38Z")
First, hope it turns out to be something transitory and harmless, along with best wishes for a better day. Second, glad that all the proper medical authorities are being engaged so that they can panic rather than us. Third… -looks around- No one else is going to do it? Flashing spots, colors, mentions of head thing? Here? On the Dope? Okay, I’ll do it. (about 1:30) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mk7VWcuVOf0/hqdefault.jpg "Spaceballs - They've gone into plaid") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk7VWcuVOf0) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/14 "2023-12-13T19:20:13Z")
This could be a sign of retinal detachment and should be considered a medical emergency. See an ophthalmologist ASAP. Hope all is ok. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/15 "2023-12-13T19:24:10Z")
Clearly you need to have your head examined… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/16 "2023-12-13T19:41:09Z")
My head has been examined, way too often. I’ve had eye issues earlier in the year. An appointment has been made. We’re on the way there now. No migraine. No more symptoms. But…in an abundance of caution Opthalmologist said come right over. Right over is an hour away. Crossed fingers, dotty eyes, a few ellipses…maybe a question ❓ or two. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/17 "2023-12-13T19:46:54Z")
Good move! The Mrs. has significant retinal disease, and ends up zipping off to the eye doctor for an urgent check once or twice a year. Last time it happened, it was retinal tears that needed (and got) same day laser repair. That’s a long and chaotic tale in itself but end result was vision preserving intervention in just a few hours. Plus eventual reimbursement of the thousands of dollars we had to fork over prior to laser tx in case insurance didn’t pay it. Gotta love our US medical system (damn, I’m glad I no longer have to work as a practitioner in that system anymore). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/18 "2023-12-13T19:55:18Z")
Oh god. The dreaded laser thingy. I’m hopeful this isn’t the case. We’ll see.(heh) Almost there. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/19 "2023-12-13T20:00:00Z")
I get these occasionally ([Floaters and Flashes](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-floaters-flashes)), and they are not serious in my case. I hope that’s the case here as well. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559/20 "2023-12-13T20:49:10Z")
I realize my health concerns are my problem. I have help and many doctors. As I’m waiting my turn to go back I wanted to thank you guys for the help in my immediate fear. I tend to wanna run from these things. Like seriously, take off running and hide somewhere. I know I can’t. Plus I was captive this morning to my other health issue. And good ol’ Ivy, bodily keeping me seated. As I decline I have more fear of these small things that may not mean much to a healthier person. So I freak the heck out. This is why I posted the thread. Thanks for helping you lot of goofs, kooks, thugs, ne’er-do-wells and one good Doctor. It really does help to have a place to mouth off and say my fears. I love you all♥️, b. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-need-analysis-of-medical-symptoms-quick/994559.md?page=2)