Microscope Motion Sickness!

[natalieises]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I've noticed since I started learning to check fecals and other things under the microscope that I've been having some extreme side effects. I start sweating profusely even though I'm sitting still and it's not hot at all, I feel nauseous, and dizzy. I would say this is a good case of motion sickness, but I am terrified of this being an issue if I get into vet school! Has anyone else had this problem, have any suggestions, etc? Please help!

 

[psjlg2]

Is there for any reason a centrifuge going while your looking at fecal samples? Every time I look under the microscope and there is a centrifuge going I have problems focusing because it vibrates the table and it makes me sick.

Other than that, I had a hard time focusing for a while but it went away. I really don't have any good suggestions other than try to keep your eye on one thing and not look in the peripheral too much.

 

[OnceBitten]

I don't personally experience this, but I have a handful of friends who do during our microanatomy labs. No one has run out of the room ready to hurl yet, but they do take a little break from the microscope when it starts to become overwhelming. Some people will take the day off if it's bad enough and come back the next night to finish looking at the slides, as well. The teachers are generally understanding about this, although I'm not sure they'd be able to do much for you in an exam. Perhaps look into some of the motion sickness patches (I forget what they're called, but you should be able to find them at convenience stores and Wal-Mart and the like) and bring them to work/school with you in the event that you need some extra stabilization.

Good luck with it! That must be so frustrating.

 

[natalieises]

It is extremely frustrating because I can't even get through one fecal without stopping several times so I won't get to the point of throwing up. I was hoping it would get better, but it hasn't seemed to change much yet. I've been looking up the different drugs I could use, but haven't decided what would be best yet so hopefully some more of you have more suggestions for me.

 

[eventualeventer]

Have you been shown how to adjust the eyepieces so that the focus is correct for both of your eyes? If one of your eyes is out of focus, it can be disconcerting.

ETA: Wow, that sounds pretty extreme. I hope you find an answer soon -- being nauseous sucks!

 

[twelvetigers]

Try to only go up and down, going to the side only at the top or bottom of the slide. Side-to-side makes me get sick faster than up-and-down.

Also, it's a matter of getting used to it, little bit by little bit. This is coming from someone who's interested in clinical pathology... lol.

 

[ckgilabert]

our advisor said to look through the eyepeice with relaxed eyes. so you sorta look down into it. i dont know if it helps....but i get sick too. i try to move slowly and i'll take frequent breaks.

 

[twelvetigers]

Also, I hate to see people pressing their eyes into the eyepieces. Your eyes should be an inch or so away, and you should be able to see clearly that way - just adjust the two "circles" until they merge (by moving the eyepieces closer together or further apart).

 

[david594]

I'd second the others that the microscope probably isnt adjusted properly for your face. Eye piece width and the focus for both eyes being your biggest concern. Beyond that you want to learn to adjust your light source.

 

[VAgirl]

Also could be at least in part the quality of the microscope. I used to get headaches and feel yucky from using a microscope at work and in labs, but since coming to vet school and having seriously some of the best microscopes ever, I rarely feel anything at all when using them. Only times I feel a little sick when using them are when I skipped lunch or something (so basically never! 😀)

I agree with everyone else...have someone show you how to really adjust the focus, they eye pieces, the light..basically everything on the microscope. And then don't despair...not all microscopes are created equal!

 

[DVMorBust]

Make sure you're sitting at the right height, as slouching or reaching to see can make your head go closer and further to the eyepieces, leading to more focusing issues. Also, make sure the light source isn't too high - that can be painful on the eyes!

Most people in our class that have issues have them more when they're not 'driving' so to speak (we've got double-headed scopes). Is anyone around you bumping the table or causing the scope to be unsteady (or the centrifuge)? That could be an issue as well.

Most motion sickness comes from your body and mind not synching up in expectations - how often have you used a scope before? Are you having issues with the directions (e.g. expecting the slide to move one way when you're adjusting it, but it moves the reverse)? That could be contributing...hmm.

 

[StealthDog]

I get motion sick, both in cars and while using a scope. It definitely gets better the more often I use a microscope, but I still need to take frequent breaks. I find that once I start feeling ill, it really doesn't go away until I get off the scope for a good hour or more, so I try to prevent it by avoiding going longer than a few minutes without taking a break from the eyepieces.

If it makes you feel any better, one of our clinical pathology residents said that she spent the first year or so of her residency feeling ill before she got over the motion sickness!

 

[katryn]

Don't know if you do or not, but if you wear glasses, try taking them off. I have trouble with "hot flashes" when I use scopes, but for whatever reason they go away when I take my glasses off. *shrug*

Good luck.

 

[critterfixer]

You may have the same problem I do--convergence insufficiency as well as fixation disparity:
http://www.convergenceinsufficiency.org/

Basically, one eye is particularly dominant and both eyes have a tendency to drift, making tracking properly next to impossible. I often have to cover one eye in movie theaters so I can watch without double vision. My tested vision is 20/15 but I still have to wear glasses for reading and close work because I need a prism in my lens to help refract light on one side and trick my brain into thinking my eyes are working as a team instead of a couple of rogue individualists.

My ophthalmologist told me I will never, ever be able to see "hidden pictures" so I should quit trying. I also find that when I use a microscope, I CANNOT, no matter how well the eye pieces are adjusted, resolve the image from both eye pieces into one image. I have to close one eye and just use monocular vision. I tend to get sick to my stomach even doing this and so I avoid the microscope most of the time.

I am lucky in that UTK used the Virtual Microscope, so our images are on a computer screen. The only way this will affect my career as a veterinarian is it limits me from becoming a clinical pathologist. But I am almost half way through 3rd year, and other than feeling sick and getting a headache in parasitology when I have to use a real microscope, I have not been bothered by it.

You need to ask your eye doctor to test you specifically for a convergence deficiency or tracking problem, because it is not part of a standard eye exam.

 

[twelvetigers]

I have never, ever, ever been able to see those hidden pictures either. I hope that doesn't mean I have eye problems!

 

[Medic_9]

When you start to feel nauseous, wiggle your toes. It distracts your mind and might make the nausea pass quicker.

Hope you get over it!

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[theunraveler]

I feel abit dizzy after looking at slides, I find turning down the iris or adjusting the light to low makes me feel better....

But thank God for virtual microscopy, which is slowly taking over the histology class...