OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

An Unusual Experience During My Run

6/21/2025, 2:40:23 PMMale25-34

Approximately two weeks ago, I decided to go for a run after a period of training. This would be my longest distance yet. I began with a brief warm-up, and just a few steps into my walk, I removed my glasses (left lens: -0.50, right lens: -0.75) for a quick cleaning. When I looked up to check for traffic, I experienced a peculiar sensation; the world appeared to contract around me. It felt as if I had grown significantly larger in comparison to my surroundings, which seemed minuscule. I paused for a moment to gather myself, and gradually, the environment returned to normal size, leaving me feeling small again. Even after putting my glasses back on, the odd feeling persisted for several more minutes until it finally dissipated. Fortunately, I managed to complete my run for around twenty minutes, setting a personal best in the heat of the day, which had reached about 26 degrees Celsius—quite warm for my region. I'm curious if this is a common occurrence for those who wear glasses, as I had never experienced anything like it before. Additionally, I should mention that I had recently stopped taking doxycycline; I wonder if that has any relevance to the situation.

ExerciseAgingLifestyle Changes

Answers (1)

Cony

6/21/2025, 2:40:36 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about unusual sensations during physical activity, especially when they seem out of the ordinary. The experience you described—feeling as if your surroundings were contracting while you removed your glasses—may relate to a temporary visual distortion or a mild episode of altered perception.

Explanation:

  1. Visual Distortion: When you removed your glasses, your eyes were likely momentarily adjusting to the peripheral blurriness. This can create strange visual sensations, especially if you are used to clear vision with correction.
  2. Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Physical exertion, especially in warm conditions, can lead to dehydration or fluctuations in blood pressure, which might also contribute to transient sensations of size distortion or lightheadedness.
  3. Medications: Doxycycline can sometimes cause side effects such as dizziness, although it is typically not linked to visual distortions. If you stopped taking it recently, it's worth considering any residual effects or changes in hydration and nutrition.

Next Steps:

  1. Stay Hydrated: Ensure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your runs, particularly in warm weather. Dehydration can exacerbate feelings of dizziness and confusion.
  2. Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of any similar feelings if they occur again, including the context—like when you're exercising or after removing your glasses. This will help understand if it's a pattern.
  3. Gradual Adjustments: When transitioning between glasses on and off, give your eyes a moment to adjust before looking up or engaging with your surroundings.
  4. Cool Down After Exercise: Consider cooling down with some stretches or walking after intense runs, which can help stabilize your body and prevent unusual sensations.

If you experience this sensation again, or if it becomes more frequent or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms (like persistent dizziness, visual changes, or disorientation), it would be advisable to seek further evaluation.

Related Questions

Intense Pain in Left Thumb

Greetings, I’ve been experiencing a piercing pain at the tip of my left thumb intermittently. This discomfort is situated within the thumb rather than on the outer skin. It primarily affects the underside of the thumb and surrounds the base of the nail. The pain seems to extend only to the first skin fold, specifically around the distal phalanx. When applying pressure, I’ve noticed some red streaks appearing beneath the surface, alongside the white area. I trust this explanation is clear. This issue has persisted for over a year, occurring sporadically but intensifying as time has passed. Could this be a cause for concern? A bit about myself: I am a 25-year-old female with no significant medical issues in my background. I previously smoked cigarettes for three years, transitioned to vaping, and have been vaping for six years now. I maintain an active lifestyle, frequently going to the gym and participating in various sports such as indoor football and pickleball. I don’t have any known allergies.

AgingLifestyle ChangesPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Persistent Need to Stretch Legs While Seated

I experience a significant discomfort when seated, particularly when my knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. This sensation compels me to stretch my legs straight, and if too much time passes without doing so—typically around every five to six minutes—the urge intensifies to an uncomfortable level that’s hard to manage. It’s more than just a desire to fidget; fully extending my legs tends to offer the greatest relief. Adjusting my position provides some comfort, but it doesn’t alleviate the feeling nearly as effectively as a full stretch does. This issue predominantly arises when I remain stationary in a chair. Occasionally, I notice a similar feeling when I’m lying down, but these instances are relatively rare compared to the frequent occurrences while sitting. I consulted a relative who is a medical professional about this discomfort, and they suggested that it doesn’t appear to align with Restless Leg Syndrome. However, since this isn't their specialization, I acknowledge that there may be a chance of error. * What could potentially be causing these sensations? * Does anyone else relate to this experience? * Are there methods available to help manage or diminish this feeling? I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights.

WellnessSupplementsLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Resources for Safe Mouse Cleanup

While it may not be a typical inquiry for a healthcare professional, I find myself in need of guidance. Recently, we had an uninvited mouse visitor in our home, and unfortunately, it left droppings in my children's toy storage and on the changing table. I am seeking advice on how to effectively disinfect all affected items or determine if disposal is necessary to prevent any health risks. My children are quite young, at 2.5 years and just 4 months old. If they’ve potentially been exposed to mouse droppings, should I reach out to their pediatrician? For reference, I’m a 32-year-old female, standing at 5'6" and weighing 140 pounds, not currently on any medications.

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Excessive Electrical Shocks Encountered

Hello everyone! This is my inaugural post here since I don't frequently use Reddit. I'm a 15-year-old male, and I've recently been experiencing an unusual frequency of electrical shocks. Whenever I come into contact with anything that is either highly charged or conductive, I receive a sharp, irritating jolt. This situation has become increasingly bothersome. For instance, I can only grasp my Mac charger by the cord and not the plug itself. I'm curious if anyone has insights into why this is happening. Please let me know; I hope it's nothing serious! 💕

Lifestyle ChangesFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Combining Ketorolac with Alcohol: Is It Safe?

Recently, I unknowingly mixed a 10mg dose of ketorolac with half a bottle of 4.5% beer. At that moment, I wasn't aware of the potential risks involved in this combination. It wasn't until I was partway through my drink that I thought to look it up. Now, I’m wondering if it’ll be fine for me to have a drink tomorrow night after stopping all ketorolac use, especially since this medication hasn’t been effective for my pain relief. To give you an idea of the timeline, I took ketorolac around 2 PM and didn’t start drinking until 11 PM.

WellnessSupplementsLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
4 hours ago