Dark Flickering at the Periphery of Vision
Today, I (18 male) awakened to find that I had a fever of 102 degrees. After spending most of the day resting, I began to notice a peculiar issue: when I turned my gaze to the left, I saw a dark, flickering sensation at the outer edge of my left eye's field of vision. It's difficult to articulate exactly what it looks like. I have nearsightedness with a vision correction of -5.5. Should I be worried about this? The flickering is subtle and only becomes apparent when I focus on it.
Answers (1)

9/13/2025, 10:20:30 AM
OpenHealth AI
The combination of your fever and the dark flickering sensation in your peripheral vision warrants careful attention. It's good to be aware of potential indicators of health issues, especially when they involve vision changes.
Explanation: The flickering you describe at the periphery of your vision, particularly with your recent fever, may suggest a few possibilities. It could be related to a temporary phenomenon like a visual migraine, especially if you haven’t experienced similar symptoms before. However, it's also possible that this could signal something more serious, like retinal issues or increased intracranial pressure, especially given your pre-existing nearsightedness.
Next Steps:
-
Keep track of symptoms: Monitor the flickering alongside any other symptoms. Note if it worsens or if you experience other issues, such as headaches or loss of vision.
-
Rest and hydrate: Since you have a fever, ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids and resting as much as possible to help your body recover.
-
Limit visual strain: Reduce activities that require intense focus, such as screen time, to avoid aggravating your symptoms.
-
Seek further evaluation: Given that your symptoms could suggest a more serious condition, if the flickering persists for more than a day, worsens, or if you develop additional symptoms (headaches, changes in vision), it’s important to get a thorough eye examination.
Stay observant and prioritize your health. If you're uncertain, reaching out for a professional opinion can provide peace of mind.
Related Questions
Discontinuation of Spironolactone
77-year-old female, 5'5", weighing 170 lbs Medical history: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and previous smoker. Current Medications: - Spironolactone 25 mg - Furosemide 20 mg - Simvastatin 20 mg - Metoprolol 25 mg - Clopidogrel 75 mg - Metformin 1000 mg twice daily - Glimepiride 4 mg Recently, about a week ago, her doctor prescribed Spironolactone as an additional treatment for her CHF. However, it seems to have led to fluid retention, accompanied by some coughing and slight shortness of breath. As a result, she has chosen to discontinue the medication today and is reluctant to visit the hospital for further evaluation. Upon initiating the Spironolactone therapy, she was instructed to stop taking potassium 20 mEq. How long should she wait before reinstating her potassium supplements again? It’s worth noting that her renal function remains stable. Thank you for your assistance.
Protruding Bone at the Base of My Skull
Greetings, yesterday evening (Friday), I, a 19-year-old female, noticed an unusual bone jutting out at the back of my skull. It's uncertain whether this has always been a part of my anatomy or if it just became noticeable to me at that moment. This area is quite sensitive, has a round shape, and applying pressure results in a shooting pain. Along with this, I experience a persistent, dull ache that resembles a headache. After some research, it seems this bone might be known as the "external occipital protuberance," yet I remain perplexed by the pain it’s causing. Additionally, the upper part of my neck, where it meets my skull, feels slightly tight. Thankfully, I’m not facing any alarming neurological symptoms; there’s no weakness, I’ve had conversations with family and there are no speech issues, I have no problems with comprehension (as evidenced by reading a book), and my movements and coordination remain normal (I managed cooking and cleaning without difficulty). The only potential explanation I can think of refers to a Pilates session I had on Thursday night, where I was lying on my head (it’s currently Saturday afternoon in my country). However, I have engaged in similar routines before without any adverse effects. Should I be worried about this?
Persistent Lump and Unexplained Symptoms: Seeking Answers After Two Months
For the past six weeks, I have been dealing with a lump in my groin that is rigid and immobile. Alongside this, I’ve experienced ongoing pelvic discomfort and consistent swelling in the knee of the same leg since the beginning of August. It feels like something might be obstructing proper function, particularly since other areas on the right side of my body, including my breast and armpit, have started to flare up. I lead an active lifestyle, with a low heart rate during cardio workouts since I live at altitude, and this swollen knee is unusual for me. I didn’t suffer any injury, and this issue arose simultaneously with my other symptoms six weeks ago. Before diving into this situation, it's worth mentioning that my previous emergency room visit occurred back in the fall of 2015—nearly ten years ago! In the last week, I developed urinary incontinence, but I have neither a urinary tract infection nor am I pregnant. My pelvic pain returned in full force today, accompanied by back pain. I’ve found myself needing to change my underwear 5-6 times due to leakage, and pads have only made me self-conscious about odors. I went to the emergency room again but left without any answers. A CT scan didn’t reveal anything from late July, such as fatty liver deposits or an enlarged lymph node, where the lump has been persistent. Going back to July 31, I sought emergency help due to severe pelvic pain and malaise on my way to the airport. Initially, I considered it to be related to PMS, but the car ride intensified my discomfort, leading me to suspect a possible cyst or ectopic pregnancy. My white blood cell and red blood cell counts were low, likely indicative of a viral infection. The following day, I experienced flu-like symptoms and a facial rash, which were eventually diagnosed as parvovirus and coxsackie virus—such a surprise to me, as I hadn’t been around anyone with these conditions, nor had I been in contact with children for months. Shortly thereafter, I experienced severe joint pain, fevers, night sweats, and a new lump appeared on my neck near the parotid gland. I have documentation of these developments. The neck lump remains, now smaller, but I'm experiencing ongoing night sweats (which I initially dismissed as PMS) and my body makes noises reminiscent of an older person’s joints. Three weeks after the appearance of the lump, I consulted an ENT who was concerned enough to request a biopsy rather than a fine needle aspiration, emphasizing the need for a core sample to rule out lymphoma given my fluctuating weight and other symptoms. He noticed another cyst on the opposite side of my neck that I had not been aware of. Although he ordered a CT scan, it returned normal results, showing no enlargement. However, when I arrived for the biopsy, I was disappointed to find that it was an FNA, not the core sample he had specified. I chose not to proceed with that procedure since it didn’t align with the original request and would cost $4,000 between personal expenses and insurance. Since then, I have yet to hear from the practice about subsequent steps, but he had suggested I follow up on my enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit and groin. On July 18, just eleven days prior to my ER visit on July 31, I was in good health, apart from common premenstrual symptoms. That’s when I discovered a hard, round lump in my armpit; it was noticeable during exercise. Though it felt tender when prodded, it wasn’t painful. My primary care physician speculated it might be an infection after asking about any recent vaccinations. Blood tests returned normal results, and an ultrasound showed an enlarged lymph node that appeared benign. Afterward, just days later, I experienced severe chest pain that felt as though someone was continuously stabbing me near my right breast, and my pulse dropped into the low 40s—a concerning change for me. My husband insisted on taking me to the ER, but once again, no underlying issue was found. At that point, I was simply relaxing and felt no particular stress. Looking back over the next eight weeks, it all spiraled into chaos with three canceled trips and overwhelming medical expenses. Now, I’ve been to the ER three times over these past two months, with the last visit being a decade after my previous one. There seems to be a prevailing belief that I might be exaggerating my symptoms due to their systemic nature. Interestingly, a nurse practitioner at the ER referred to my urinary incontinence as “supposed” when I inquired about the decision to conduct only a lumbar MRI rather than an abdominal or pelvic scan. To clarify, in 2024, I only attended my annual check-up with lab tests—everything had been normal and I felt healthy aside from typical life fatigue and PMS. Earlier this year, I complained of severe breast pain on the right side and underwent imaging in March; aside from this recent six to eight-week ordeal, I had no further issues. In 2022, I noticed a lump while on my honeymoon, which was stable on ultrasound for a year until it grew larger in September 2023. I had been frustrated by the lack of a biopsy at the outset but calmed my concerns upon seeing its stability. This year, I had my first mammogram, revealing dense breast tissue, which led to another ultrasound. I then learned, through discussions with a physician in my family, that the original area at 9:00/2cm never received thorough examination—it was only investigated at 9:00/4cm. Around the time of the parotid biopsy this past August, shortly after my menstrual cycle ended, my right breast became swollen and expressed significant pain. It remains swollen and intermittently painful even now. After a recent visit to a walk-in clinic, they conducted a breast examination and discovered a lump under my nipple around 10:00. The clinician even inquired whether my skin had always appeared as it does now; unsure, I suggested it might be remnants from the recent viral illnesses. I'm currently scheduling further imaging and specialist consultations. Interestingly, it’s notable that most of these issues are concentrated on the right side of my body, whether they involve lymph nodes, pain, or swelling. This has been an overwhelming journey, and I'm truly at my wits' end. If necessary, I'm ready to resort to wearing adult diapers and managing discomfort with pain relievers like Tylenol and ibuprofen, as I have been doing. Given my family's medical background and their examination of my symptoms so far—along with the inconsistencies in testing results—it's leading to feelings of anxiety, particularly as we reflect on a family friend who tragically passed from triple-negative breast cancer at 28. It’s difficult being separated from family during this time. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! The incontinence is incredibly distressing and heightens my uncertainty about everything else happening to my body.
Identifying Seriousness in Prolonged Abdominal Discomfort
Age: 24, Gender: Female, Height: 5'2", Weight: 121 lbs. Diagnosed with PCOS, but no significant medical history and no surgical interventions to date. Chronology of Symptoms: - **Sept 4-6**: I experienced the beginning of sharp pain in the upper right section of my abdomen. The discomfort felt like stabbing or creeping sensations, typically lasting only a few seconds but consistently located in the same area. - **Sept 7**: The pain became less localized, leading to more generalized discomfort in the upper abdomen. - **Sept 8**: I noticed a peculiar pulsing feeling akin to a heartbeat in my abdominal area. Additionally, my bowel habits changed, with softer stools occurring more frequently than normal. My stomach began making loud gurgling sounds. - **Sept 9-13**: Ongoing discomfort persisted in the upper abdomen. A new development was an urgent urge to relieve myself shortly after I eat, which became a daily occurrence. My stools remained soft. I have scheduled an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound for Monday and have been directed to a gastroenterologist. However, I haven't received any guidance regarding what these symptoms might indicate or what steps I should take while awaiting these scans, with the specialist's visit potentially several weeks away. I'm looking for insights on what these symptoms might suggest.
Distinguishing Between Typical Discomfort and Alarming Pain After Tibial Stress Reaction
At 20 years old, I received a diagnosis of a tibial stress reaction which led to a six-week hiatus from running, occurring 11 weeks ago. Although I rested for the initial six weeks, I continued to experience discomfort in my leg, prompting me to extend my break from physical activity. Recently, my orthopedic specialist has given me the go-ahead to gradually resume running, on the condition that I am free from pain. Walking no longer causes any pain, so I attempted to jog. While jogging, I didn't experience pain, though I could feel pressure and a sense of my bone. However, shortly after my jog and the following day, I did feel some pain when walking. I've been diligently taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements, ensuring I rest adequately. Given my youth, I wonder if my concerns are unfounded. I doubt that I've sustained another injury, yet I realize I need to navigate through discomfort to return to my routine. Unfortunately, I struggle to discern between pain that is simply a part of recovery and pain that signals something more serious. - I experience irregular menstrual cycles, likely due to excessive training. - The stress reaction arose from my intense workout regimen. - As an athlete, I push my limits often.