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Posted 11/7/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Do you find that your fog gets worse if there is a lot of noise around? I've always been sensitive to noise, but since fibro it is so much worse. I can usually tolerate some level of noise and chaos, I have to with the kids, but there are days that I just can't tolerate any at all. Those days, just the kids all talking together makes me so on edge, feeling like I am goign to snap, and very anxious. I can't think or ignore it, the noise becomes all I can process, and it seems to amplify.

My fog had been pretty good lately. And I've had a few bouts of the noise sensitivity, but it didn't seem to affect my fog too much. Then last night I was at work, adn all of a sudden I got dizzy. The room spun aroudn a couple times, then the fog set in so thick I could barely function. I could hardly hear the guests at my tables b/c of the background noise in the restaurant. Even when I did hear what they were saying, I could not seem to process it properly. Sometimes I was talking adn I seemed to have lost control of what I was saying. I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth. The staff seemed to be especially rambunctious last night, and very loud. At one point I was at the expo line where 3 different orders were up. I had the chits in front of me, trying to sort them, adn I coudl not make any sense of the orders at all, it was liek I had forgotten how to read. The noise that the staff were making seemed to get louder and louder until that is all I coudl process. I finally broke down in tears, the stress took me over the edge. I was able to pull myslef together to finish my shift, but it was hard. I had to keep goign back to the computer b/c I coudl not remember at what point my tables were at, who ordered what, who had eaten even! It did get better at the end of the night, but I know it was only b/c the restaurant was clearing out and there was less noise.

This morning seemed to be more of the same. I was gettign the older kids ready for school, helping with jackets, giving bags, saying goodbye. They were all talking to me at once, the baby was shrieking, and I just about lost it again. I coudl not process anything other than noise, I coudln't make sense of anythign. I was supposed to go on a field trip with them. They are going to a nature reserve adn hiking, adn I was goign to bring the baby. Well, she's been sick since yesterday, so I cancelled. It's a good thing too, b/c I don't think I coudl handle it today. Even now, I can hardly wait until dd is sleepign so I can have the house completely quiet! (btw, sorry about all the typos, writing is harder than usual today too.)

I started trainign on the treadmill yesterday, do you think it sent me into a flare? Is it possible to have a cognitive flare rather than more pain or fatigue?

And dh jsut doesn't get this at all. He is starting to understand that sometimes I can hurt for no reason. He gets that I need to rest now, not to panic if I lay down for 5 minutes. He understands the fatigue when I just can't move anymore. But this seems to be beyond him. He was asking if I had a sugar low, if I was stressing about being dizzy and it was affecting me, if I was just tired. He kept saying, "what do you mean you coudln't read?" "what do you mean you couldn't understand what they were saying?"
How can I explain this to him? He has even read an article on fibro fog, but it didn't seem to help.

Sorry about such a long post, I can never seem to keep it short rolleyes
BTW, does anyone know how the get the colour options back when writing a post? It says on the side that mCode is disabled. This is probably it, but how do I change it?
Thanks for your help, and I wish for you a wonderful day filled with littel blessings. tongue
Posted 11/7/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what could be wrong with your color I haven't had that problem.

 

I can not take noise like I use to but I thought it was cause I'm not use to a lot of noise in the house now. I hate getting up to the TV on in the family room but the weird thing is I can't sleep without the TV on in our bedroom, I know very strange.

 

A couple of weeks ago my youngest son and fiance brought all four children to see the new puppy. They were all sitting in the floor calling her name at the same time, squeaking dog toys and being very loud. I thought I was going to go crazy, it was like fingernails on blackboards amplified a million times. I noticed it affected my thinking ability. I'm sorry to say that I was happy when they left and I didn't use to be like that. Another thing that drives me up a wall that I didn't use to notice is silver ware on plates. My DH usually eats a bowel of cereal in here in the mornings while he is watching the darn TV and the two together about drive me over the edge and he scrapes the bowel til every drop of milk is gone. If he only knew what that does to me first thing in the morning. I'm sorry to say this but I love mornings when I get up after he has left for work.

 

I really can't imagine working in a busy restaurant with all the noise I think that would over power me too.

 

luv and hugs and have a quiet day

Marlee

 

 

Posted 11/7/2008 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I can not stand to be around a lot of people, It drives me nuts. The other night all 4 of us were in the kithcen and everyone was talking my son tends to be very loud and obnoixus at times he is 15. I literally yelled shut up. I have always hated that saying. will not allow my kids to say it. I thought I was gonna lose it right then and there, We went to a kids birthday party a couple weeks ago I found my self walking out side alot I told everyone I was going to have a smoke.I almost have a panick attak if there is a large crowd, I use to love having a large group around me, We use to have happy hour every friday night, In the summer we would throw huge parties. guess what not any more I just cant stand to be around alot of people I hate going to crowded loud restraunts, I prefer to get take out instead of eating out.
Funny how fibro changes your life so drastically. LOL
Lee Ann
Posted 11/7/2008 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LeeAnn

 

Yes I do know what you are talking about on the noise but i also get migraines and sometimes this is a warning that one is starting, when someone is talking to me or others are talking it is like they are yelling, i also get dizzyspells with it and i find that i have problems with balance as the fog seems to take over.  I do feel that you need to see your Dr. about this, not all migraines do you get the pain,

Posted 11/7/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
The noise sensitivity is specific to fibro and just about makes me nuts! If my husband is playing the radio and speaking to me at the same time I can't understand him. Trying to differentiate between the two inputs is more than I can handle. What cracks me up is this is the same girl who used to be able to study, talk on the phone and carry on a conversation all while Iron Butterfly was at full volume in my dorm room! Things sure do change!
Posted 11/7/2008 8:43 PM (GMT 0)

my noise sensitivity was diagnosed with my panic disorder. this may sound stupid, but i cant bear to wash the cutlery when i do the dishes because of the noise it makes. i am ultra sensitive to noise- and yet i can go to a concert with 50,000 people and not be bothered. specific noises really set me off.

you are not alone in this. my noise probs increased as i was diagnosed with fibro.

Maz XX

Posted 11/7/2008 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I hadn't ever thought that I had a sound sensitivity.... until i was diagnosed with Fibro and went over the symptoms. I can think back to numerous examples of when noise had gotten to the point where I couldn't think straight... or even function. Once was at work before everything got really bad, I was helping members and there was a line out the door (I work at a Credit Union) and for some reason (I now recognize this was because I'm sensitive to sound) I had an attack where I couldn't speak... couldn't understand what was going on and felt like I was going to pass out.

And if there is music on and the TV on at the same time... I get really agitated and often have to leave the room.
Posted 11/7/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)

Noise is a huge problem for me!  The more noise there is the worse I am and it's like my sensory system just gets over stimulated and shuts down, that's after it peaks and I've snapped at someone.  I have learned to leave a room when the kids are getting rambunctious? or the tv is blaring (at least it seems to).  My husband makes me leave the kitchen if he is cleaning up the dishes because he knows what it does to me.  I think the worst part is when one of my kids is talking to me and I just want them to stop because I can't handle the noise. 

When I can feel the tension building from the noise I go and put cotton in my ears to soften the noise, it helps a lot.  I have even done that at family parties, if I didn't I would have to leave.  I'm not sure what to tell you about your husband, it's hard to explain.  I'm not even sure my husband gets it, I think he may just be tired of my crankiness.  Does your husband work with or know anyone who just doesn't stop talking and gets annoying?  You could relate it to that but explain that unfortunately it happens even when you really want to listen and be a part of things.  I would love to enjoy parties again but I know what happens and I never volunteer for events with my kids because I never know how I will feel.

The fog is hard to get through also, I get it bad just like you.  Fortunately my job is not noisy or stressful so on my bad days I can usually get through or just go home.  My kids have learned to write things down for me, especially when I'm in a fog and that makes me sad because they are my kids, I should be remembering for them.  That's not the way it is so I just try to move forward. 

I guess I got carried away but I wanted you to know that you are not alone and it sounds like we are in good company too!

Wishing you the best!

Meggie

Posted 11/7/2008 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Noise is a big problem for me too.
I live out in the country, and all the noise (grain bins, traffic, neighbor riding his motocross cycle) drive me crazy. I stay in alot now, because it drives me nuts. What's weird is, I say to all my family "that noise is horrible!!" and they say "What noise?"
I thought it was my ADD.
The longer I live with fibro, the more I realize that I see/hear/smell/perceive/sense/experience everything with a magnifying glass. It drives me nuts!
Posted 11/7/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I love music, always have my radio on, but on a low level. I can't stand loud noises or a lot of noise and confusion, I get overwhelmed. I come from a family of TALKERS, except for my brother and me. We are rather quiet. I married into a family of LOUD talkers. When we have had family gatherings, whoa, look out!! I was very anxious about what our future children would be like when we got engaged. LOL. Mercifully, my children are rather low key, but every once in awhile, Oh Boy. I have a prob w/ my hearing, the motor of my fridge wipes out someone's voice if they are in other room. I have to turn the radio off if the phone rings. My left ear is better than my right, so I only use my left for the phone. I also get pressure in my ears, so it makes it hard to hear and it does distort my voice. This doesn't happen all the time, but it is so annoying when it happens. I will have the radio on when I read, unless I'm too stressed, then I need complete quiet.

Although, I love music, I can't stand to listen to certain types of music (very few types, actually). I would rather complete quiet than listen to heavy metal. My older son and I like some music in common, as do my daughter and I, but my younger son, not so much. I have never tried to change their taste in music, just the level of sound. Man, that sounded like my mother there. Hope you all have a peaceful night. God bless. Alice.
Posted 11/8/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much everyone for your replies! It made me feel so much better. I've dealt with severe fog when i first got my FM symptoms, adn I've always been sensitive to noise, though not to this extent, but never the 2 together like this! And usually, if I can get away from the noise for a bit, I can calm down and face it again. Or at work, I can usually ignore it. It's the kids I can't ignore, lol. But nothgin was workign this time. I was still very on edge tonight. I hoep this passes a bit. How will I work if it stays liek this? I suppose no sense worrying about it now. It will probably pass liek so many other of my symptoms.

Meggie, I put cotton in my ears for super tonight, adn it helped so much! lol, thanks for the suggestion.

Alice, my IL's are very loud talkers too. It took about 10 years for dh to tone down his voice enough for me. I'm dreading Christmas this year a bit. We are goign to my IL's who has a small house, and my SIL will be there too, with her dh and dd, AND a huge dog. I'll be takign lots of walks I think.
Posted 11/8/2008 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to resond to this topic, because this was one of the worst symptoms I had (except the pain and fatigue of course). It was almost like the crowds and noise were too much for my brain to handle. I could not stand the TV being too loud or the dog barking at something outside. It drove me crazy to be at a busy shopping mall and I did have a couple of panic attacks. I thought I was going crazy until I was diagnosed and started doing some reading. I have a IPOD that I have loaded some beautiful, soothing music that I put on when things are a little loud around the house. My teenage daughters have friends over or they play music (not much that I like) and I have been taking yoga which has taught me some great breathing excercises. I have also taken lot of walks. Things have gotten better since meds have been started, but I still have days that I can't stand too much of anything! Gentle Hugs to all! Sheri
Posted 11/8/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)

I have used the cotton trick for years.  Long before my diagnosis, I worked with an audiologist that made me a professional set of ear plugs.  They are amazing when the noise is way too much.  I use the cotton for everyday things (family events, work, stores etc.)  As one said, their husband sends them out of the kitchen when cleaning dishes.  My husband and children remind me to get my earplugs, because I'm craby or when we are off to a family event (his family all yells/talks at the top of their lungs).  At loud events, my husband winks at me when I rummage franticlly through my purse for my earplugs.  It calms me down instantly, until it quiets down or we leave. LOL.

It feels like sort of an outter body experience.  I feel like I'm doing my job on auto pilot (busy Doctors office Receptionist), but it's such torcher at times.  I make it through, but not very well.

This is a very troublesome symptom of Fibro.

Take care,
Tricia

Posted 11/8/2008 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
I never realized that my sensitivity to noise was fibro-related--thanks, all, for enlightening me! I annoy my husband and friends when I have the television on because I set the volume really low. I've slept with earplugs in for about the last 20yrs! I always have them with me when I travel, too. I do find that using my Ipod is great for tuning out other noise and I do raise the volume on some songs, so I guess it depends on what KIND of noise it is.

I, too, enjoy my mornings AFTER my hubby leaves for work! Ahhhh, peace and quiet...:)
Posted 11/8/2008 6:59 AM (GMT 0)

Noise drives me crazy too.  It never used to before Fibromyalgia.  I used to love load music and now I can't take it.  It grates on my nerves!  My husband loves sports and so the TV is on in numerous rooms so he can see the score wherever he goes :)  I, on the other hand, turn the TV off as I enter a room (unless it is the room where he is actually watching the game)...kind of an ongoing battle, but he understands.  My husband's hearing is not the greatest, so he is on the other end of the extreme...just wait until we are retired some day.  He'll be yelling and cranking the TV/Stereo and I'll be going crazy :) Should be interesting..  We are looking into purchasing headphones for the TV so he can hear his show as loud as he wants and I can relax - food for thought!

It's weird, but people breathing heavy can even get annoying - never noticed this stuff in the past.  Glad to hear it is not just me that is this sensitive to noise.

It seems like my senses are like a super hero, so to speak.  I can hear faint noises and smell things that most ignore.

Posted 11/8/2008 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
blush  Everyone Hi,

You mean that i have to think this whole thing over on my noise bit?  I never put it with my fibro as i thought it had to do with my migraines, i also have used cotton in my ears many times to block out the noise,

I guess we learn something new everyday, this may be the reason why i like being alone with nothing on, no TV or no radio etc. i like just the quite, and when i do have something on it is low also.

This fibro crap is starting to be a pain LOL.

Have a good day

Posted 11/9/2008 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
I wish the cotton thing would work for me but believe it or not the sound of the cotton is like finger nails on a chalk board. When I was little I had a lot of ear infections and Mom and dad would put cotton in my ears and I would rip it out right away. My dad would understand My mom would scream at me to put the cotton back in my ears.
Posted 11/9/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I also like to listen to music.. but on the lowest setting... and the TV low if I'm going to watch it - lol wow the world makes a lot more sense now :)
Posted 11/9/2008 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder if your situation with the noise has anything to do with anxiety too. You sound like you are having a panic attack. I would talk to the doctor about it and maybe you can take something for anxiety and the noise wont bother you so much. We are all super sensitive to everything it seems.

Try to relax, you are already worrying about Christmas. Hopefully you will have a way to deal with the situation by then. I really think anxiety medication could help you.

Best wishes for soft soothing sounds. I like the sound my speakers make when I come off of sleep mode. it is a buff sound, for some reason it makes me feel good.

wierd, I know.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/10/2008 12:25 AM (GMT 0)

Leemadd,

Have you tried ear muffs?  It probably sounds crazy but it might help cut down on some of the noise.

Mamakitty, I can understand why you would assume it was from the migraines.  I thought the same thing.  If I don't control my sensitivity to the noise or light, then I can bring on a migraine.  I need to stuff my ears and stay away from the light and I found this has helped reduce the number of migraines I have.  It's just a matter of me noticing the warning signs and controlling the situation if I can.

Oregon mom, I think your husband must be related to mine.  I don't think there is a tv in the house he doesn't turn on during a game.  He is watching them right now but he is being thoughtful and keeping the noise down.  I have been sick with a headache all weekend.  We thought about the headset idea to but my husband paces to much, it didn't work out for him. He needs to be able to pace from room to room (his pacing stresses me out but I think he would explode if he didn't).

I hope everyone has a quiet and restful night wink .

Meggie

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