Hey all. First post on here. I’ve been struggling with visual snow syndrome which appeared out of no where in October last year. All the symptoms. It basically looks like I’m always looking through a heat wave, and the static on patterns makes them look like they’re vibrating. This has driven SO much anxiety, specifically health anxiety and now a big dark hole of depression. I haven’t gone back to my job since this started, which is accounting, because I can’t bear the computer screens all day long and the overhead fluorescent lighting and patterned carpets etc.

I take 0.5mg of clonazepam 2-3 days a week, usually Friday - Sunday so that I can give my brain a rest from this relentless suffering. It doesn’t change my visual symptoms but it helps me to not be so obsessive and panicky about them. My doctor keeps pressuring me to take Lexapro so that I have something to calm my anxiety and try and get me back to work. My fear is that I’ve read a lot of stories about Lexapro causing visual snow syndrome in some people, and worsening it in those who already have it. I just don’t think this is a risk I can take. I’m really nervous to try it.

I wish I could take clonazepam daily, but I’m scared of developing a tolerance to it and it not having the same calming effects if I take it every day. Does anyone here take it daily and has anyone tapered off eventually with no withdrawal problems?

I think maybe if my visual snow was caused by anxiety that if I can somehow calm down my brain for an extended period (not just 2-3 days a week), that maybe my vision will return to normal. I am tired of suffering. On the days I don’t take clonazepam I can’t stop thinking about just ending it all. I’m really struggling. Any advice around these two topics (visual snow or clonazepam &amp; Lexapro) would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you 🙏🏻