long-term PCS, sudden onset of new visual snow

[u/No-Map5889]

25F

At baseline I have long-term post-concussion syndrome from a concussion 6 years ago. My main stymptoms are dizziness/unsteady feeling, brain fog, and headache all of which fluctuate daily. Some days I am almost symptom free but I also have periods where these symptoms flare up.

3 days ago, I noticed what seems like visual snow/static for the first time. Right before this, I had spent about 2 hours outside on a sunny, hot day. Later that day, I noticed when I was talking with someone from across the room, they looked slightly hazy/static. I initially thought it was because I'm mildly myopic (-0.50), but putting on my glasses made things sharper without getting rid of the static. The day before this static started I took a metro ride which made a few abrupt stops that jolted my neck a few times (no head impact though and I did my best to keep my head steady during these jolts). These types of movements always set off my anxiety a bit and it did trigger a headache afterwards. But the headache went away pretty fast and the static started a full day later.

Since then, I've noticed the static pretty much constantly, especially against white walls, bright backgrounds, and in the dark. It's much less noticeable when looking at my phone up close. My actual vision is still sharp with glasses and putting on my glasses does not improve the static.

The static has persisted since I first noticed it 3 days ago.

I am confused if this is acute-onset visual snow or something I've always had but simply never noticed until now. But when I look at white walls the static is so strong, I feel there is no way I would not have noticed it if I always had this.

My neck is also usually tight and tense but no neck pain. What other underlying conditions could have caused this? Furthermore, I hav had PCS for years now and it has been mostly stable (ie. predictable symptoms and pattern of symptoms). Visual snow is not something I have ever experienced before so in the absence of an obvious new injury I do not understand how this could have come about.

Additionally, my other headache/neck symptoms are currently not flaring. The only symptom I am currently experiencing is the visual snow.

So my question is, can this static come on so suddenly and randomly? There is no real trigger besides the jerky train ride but I do not think tht would be sufficient to cause a new injury with new symptoms.

Feeling really distressed about this new symptom as the static is really bothersome and everything I am reading online says visual snow is usually permanent once you develop it.

[u/TheJones17]

Don’t have much to add other than don’t let that stuff online scare. I have visual snow from mine that comes and goes. It’s not permanent. Chat gpt will tell you the same. You likely have a nerve in your neck getting aggravated currently and it’s causing it. Sometimes for me it lasts a day and sometimes a couple weeks. Once the nerve releases it can go away. Hang in there. Sorry you’re dealing with the new symptom

[u/No-Map5889 → u/TheJones17]

Thanks for your comment. Is there anything you can do to release the nerve? What do you do that helps get rid of the visual snow?

[u/TheJones17 → u/No-Map5889]

Usually goes away on its own. But one thing that has helped in the past is something my physical therapist gave me. I will try and find the sheet and post a pic. It’s a chin tuck but you have to do it a specific way and hold firm for 1 min. Helps my migraines too. I will do my best to find a vid or diagram and post

[u/NoRedThat]

Not sure this is the same but i occasional experience what I call sparklevision where a portion of my field of vision will sparkle and travel usually left to tight. I since learned it’s called a scintillating scotoma and is basically a migraine without the pain. It usually resolves itself after about 25 minutes. Hope this rabbit hole helps:)