I don't even know where to begin...

[LonelyTraveler]

This post is about my "rabies scare" approximately 2-1/2 months ago when a bat flew about 25 feet over my head. My hands were in my pockets, I was not bitten and the bat was simply feeding and appeared perfectly strong and healthy. I've been a lot closer to bats than this one and did'nt have all the fear I've had these past few months.

Anyway, shortly after that incident, a movie was on TV and it was (of all things) about a man who was infected with rabies. In the end, this guy had double vision, hyperventilation and was really acting like a mad man. At first I thought this was just a lot of drama but then I read that double vision was indeed a symptom of rabies.

So this played on my mind for the next month and I began doing this little test where I would cross my eyes to simulate a double-vision affect and then un-cross them again. Then I'd "compare" the difference between the two in an attempt to convince myself that I did'nt have double vision. Sort of like "ok, this is double vision and this is not...see?...your normal!".

This really did'nt help at all and I continued to worry. One day my room mate came to the door while I was sitting at my desk and as I turned around in my chair to look at him, it looked like he was "drop-shadowed". In other words, I saw two of him - one image sort of overlapping the other. When I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, the "double vision" became even more pronounced. However, when I turned all the way around in my chair and looked at him head-on, both eyes focused on the samer "target" and he looked normal again.

Was this because the bridge of my nose was separating my eyes so that I was projecting two separate images or was it because I have rabies or something?. I felt the panic welling up inside of me as I contemplated this. I've either never experienced this before or did but just never payed that much attention to it. Is any of this normal?.

I sit at the computer a LOT, just came off of Benzos in the last week and am currently taking Vistaril. I've only been taking the vistaril for about 3 days for the insomnia caused by what I *think* might be benzo withdrawal. Or could it be rabies?. I also took 30 days of Cipro XR (1,000mg). The horror stories surrounding this drug abound everywhere.

Do this. Look at someone head-on and focus on them for a few seconds. Then slowly move your head to either the left or right while continuing to keep your eyes on them. Do you begin to see a double image of them as you slowly turn your head?. I know this might seem silly but please do it. It will only take a few minutes of your time but will save me a LOT of continued worrying. I've been through absolute hell with this and I really need this favor...please!!.

- Thank you!

[kitkat77]

Boy oh boy, someone is LOADED with anxiety!

Have no fear, what you mention is not double vision. You are right in suspecting the bridge of your nose as the reason for 2 images.

Our eyes do not work together as some would believe, as they each have their own separate field of vision. It's the brain's job to sort it all out and show one image, and it does that by using the dominant eye. You can tell which is your dominant eye by doing a simple test.

With both eyes open, stare and point to something small that is at least 10 feet away. Make sure you are staring at the object and not your hand. (You will notice right away that you have "double vision" -- This is actually your true sight and what your brain has to sort.) While you are pointing, close each eye separately. With only one of your eyes will you actually be pointing at the object, and this is your dominant eye. The best way to do this test is quickly -- stare, point and close.

When there is something in the way, such as your nose, your brain cannot meld the images together to allow the dominant eye to take over!