OpenHealth Q&A

Unusual Neurological Symptoms Following Dental Appointment: Seeking Guidance After Months of Confusion

I am a 27-year-old male, standing at 5'11'' and weighing 200 lbs (I was 180 lbs when my symptoms first emerged). At the onset of these issues, I wasn’t under the influence of any drugs, be they prescribed or recreational. Presently, I’m not taking any medication, though I’ve undergone various treatments since the symptoms began, which I’ll elaborate on below. I had shared about this predicament six months ago, but I haven’t seen any effective treatment or received a clear diagnosis since. This update is more detailed, providing better context— my previous post can be found [here](https://old.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/comments/1ju79bg/incredibly_strange_neurological_symptoms_since/). To provide some context: I have dealt with OCD for my entire life. For a significant period, I managed it effectively and it didn’t interfere too much with my daily activities. However, after graduating from college in 2020, right as the pandemic began, I spiraled into depression. During that challenging time, my OCD escalated drastically, culminating in a brief but intense spell of paranoia where I felt as if I was being controlled by external forces—a startling experience unlike anything I had faced before. Eventually, I recovered from that episode, but my OCD had worsened considerably. I would find myself pacing and engaging in complex compulsions for hours each day for nearly two years, making it the most taxing period of my life. Unlike my previous experiences with OCD—more aligned with pure-O—this time my symptoms were primarily somatic. I felt unsettling crawling sensations and other intrusive feelings akin to someone looming over me. Even though I knew no one was there, the experience was discomforting. Cognitive fog enveloped me during this time, creating an almost continuous sensation akin to mental static. After about two years of heightened symptoms, an unexpected change occurred: my OCD vanished overnight. It was like a switch had flipped, and I found my body rejecting those compulsions entirely. For the next year, however, I struggled with depression and a profound lack of motivation. Simple tasks felt monumental, and I often sensed a disconnection from my prior life, with memories from before 2020 appearing dreamlike. Starting in early 2023, I resolved to regain a sense of normalcy. I made a concerted effort to reconnect with friends and engage in ordinary activities again. I had reached a point where even listening to music felt overwhelming, triggering panic. By last year, I had made substantial progress—I moved to a new city to be closer to friends, participated in more activities, and my memories felt increasingly vivid and real. However, around mid-2024, I started experiencing eye strain when I attempted to visualize memories from before 2020. I would feel pain in my eyes, accompanied by pressure, which I rationalized as fatigue from my efforts to recall those memories. In November 2024, during a dental appointment for fillings, I experienced a panic attack, which exacerbated my eye strain as I relived my life experiences. Following the administration of local anesthetic, my anxiety escalated, causing pain and leading to a surreal, dream-like state. After one specific shot, warmth coursed through my body, akin to intoxication, as if I was falling into a dream, with my grip on reality loosening. I initially attributed this experience to medication side effects but grew concerned when symptoms persisted for over three days. Since then, I’ve consulted numerous neurologists and psychologists, yet a definitive diagnosis remains elusive. One doctor speculated about temporal lobe epilepsy, leading to a month on Lamictal and four months on Trileptal, neither of which improved my condition. An EEG conducted during a particular spike in symptoms returned normal, rendering the epilepsy hypothesis unlikely. While my grasp on reality remains largely intact, my mental state feels profoundly distorted and unsettling. Below are some of the symptoms I experience: - My OCD seems completely absent, devoid of any familiar obsessions or compulsions. However, the somatic sensations I once felt have returned, intensified; I frequently experience a feeling of being invaded by entities that I rationally know aren’t present, yet it’s highly distressing. Unlike before, when I could push away those sensations, they now feel invasive and uncontrollable. - Although my factual memory appears intact, the nature of my thoughts feels jumbled. It is as if a mental barrier has shattered, allowing an unfiltered flood of thoughts to intrude upon my consciousness. Alarmingly, it feels like my mind is being rewritten against my consent, with a metaphorical crank altering my thoughts unexpectedly, leaving me panicked and helpless. For instance, a pleasant memory might suddenly morph into a frightening one, and despite knowing it’s an illogical change, I find myself unable to resist. - I experience an intense sense of being “inside out,” as if trapped in a half-awake state where external sensory input streams directly into my mind. This amalgamation of sensory experiences never fades, only accumulates into a chaotic mass of sensations, including physical discomfort from sight or smell—while the latter feels quite real, akin to smelling something directly placed near my face. - Strange physical manifestations correlate with my mental disarray. The mental agitation can trigger intense gagging and vomiting, sometimes severe enough to be involuntary, alongside bodily pain that can feel constrictive. - An incessant need to move accompanies my discomfort, making it difficult to remain still and amplifying that ever-present sense of mental static. - I’ve been plagued by ongoing eye strain, akin to a persistent hangover, 24/7. Dark circles under my eyes are evident, becoming a noticeable feature of my appearance. - Additionally, I face various unusual facial pains, particularly in the central region, which feels strange and foreign. Tests for trigeminal and facial nerve issues have returned normal results, though further investigation might be necessary. - My sleep feels inadequate; the lines between sleeping and waking have blurred. Instead of restful slumber, it often feels like the chaotic sensations take over, leading to vivid dreams and no true recovery. I am filled with anxiety over this situation and still remain undiagnosed. Does anyone reading this find any of my experiences familiar?

Answers (1)

7/2/2025, 3:40:54 AM

OpenHealth AI

I'm sorry to hear about the overwhelming experiences you've been facing; it sounds incredibly distressing and complex. Based on the details you've shared, your symptoms could be tied to multiple factors such as a past history of OCD, anxiety, and recent events related to your dental appointment. While many neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or lupus are often cited in discussions about similar symptoms, a clear diagnosis has proven elusive thus far.

Here are some key points and next steps to consider:

Key Points:

1. Complex Symptoms: Your symptoms—such as altered perception of memories, somatic sensations, mental agitation, and eye strain—are significant and indicate a distressing experience. The overlap between mental health (OCD, anxiety) and neurological phenomena requires careful consideration.

2. Response to Treatment: It's important to note that treatments like Lamictal and Trileptal have not alleviated your symptoms, and normal EEG results suggest a non-epileptic basis for your experiences.

3. Potential Triggers: Given your detailed account, the anxiety from your dental appointment and subsequent sensory overload might have acted as a trigger, exacerbating pre-existing conditions or leading to new ones.

Actionable Next Steps:

1. Regular Therapy: Since anxiety and OCD have previously impacted you significantly, engaging with a mental health professional who specializes in trauma or anxiety disorders could be beneficial. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may help in managing intrusive thoughts and sensory disturbances.

2. Mindfulness & Grounding Techniques: Practice grounding exercises to help manage overwhelming sensations. Techniques may include focusing on your breath, progressive muscle relaxation, or using calming imagery. Regular mindfulness meditation could also assist in reshaping your relationship with thoughts and sensations.

3. Sleep Hygiene Improvements: Prioritize a consistent sleep routine to help combat restless nights. This includes setting a regular bedtime, minimizing screen time before sleep, and creating a calming bedtime environment.

4. Physical Activity: Engage in regular, moderate exercise, which can help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Even simple walks or stretching can be beneficial for both your physical health and mental well-being.

5. Nutrition & Hydration: Ensure you’re eating balanced meals and staying hydrated. Food and hydration are essential for cognitive function and mood stability.

6. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, triggers, and experiences. This can be extremely helpful for healthcare providers to identify patterns or correlations between symptoms and life events.

7. Sought Thorough Medical Evaluation: Consider revisiting your healthcare providers or seeking a second opinion, especially from neurologists who specialize in complex neurological syndromes or psychiatric-physical interactions.

Overall Support:

The journey you're on can be incredibly challenging, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in navigating these experiences. Seeking support from friends and family, along with professional assistance, can provide you with the network necessary for recovery. Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers will also be key to ensure you can adjust your management plan as needed.

Please keep in touch and let me know if you have specific concerns or require any further information related to your symptoms or management options.