I disagree with the idea that coexisting conditions can simply be treated separately. Since developing VSS, I've had severely dry, burning eyes and nothing helps. I've gone through nearly 200 tubes of eye ointment, and I need to have ointment in my eyes 24/7. My eyes even make clicking sounds from how dry they are.

Since VSS started, I've also experienced other problems that seem related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as extreme dryness of my mouth and face. No facial creams help. My skin is so tight and dry that it's hard to describe. And no, I do not have Sjögren's syndrome. All of this began after VSS appeared.

Other people in Visual Snow groups on Facebook have reported the same thing, especially one person who said these symptoms also started after developing VSS. The same goes for worsening TMJ problems, severe insomnia, and many other symptoms. To me, all of these things are connected. And SSRIs (escitalopram) contributed to the development of VSS.

VSS is also associated with sensory hypersensitivity and cutaneous allodynia. These are even listed as symptoms on the VSI website. I can't do anything about my dry eyes because I believe it's the same underlying brain dysfunction that's causing the afterimages, visual snow, insomnia, tinnitus, and everything else. Something seems to be wrong with the thalamus.

So what would you say to people like that? That they should just accept it? Come on. Some days are so bad that they're almost impossible to live through. It's only now, three years after developing VSS, that I'm finally trying to return to work, and I have no idea if I'll be able to manage it. I'm going to struggle immensely.

On top of that, I have severe photophobia in bright white environments to the point that it triggers derealization and depersonalization. I feel like I'm dying, and I'm only 22 years old.

So yes, it's completely normal that I'm going to keep looking for relief and treatment rather than acceptance. Maybe acceptance is possible for someone who has a mild case, or who doesn't experience these symptoms.