Noise, me and Fibromyalgia
In some ways this post is me trying to get my head around how much things change, things that are out of my control and I want to understand, but can’t quite get my head around.
I’ve always been someone who can’t stand silence, in my childhood I would wander from room to room switching on the TV or stereo. I openly admit as well, I work better with some sort of background noise.
In my teens I adored going to concerts, the noisier the better and yes I played my music louder than I should have in my bedroom, with no regard for my parents or those nearby.
As I got older I of course stopped with the over the top noise, though if I had my headphones in I was known to turn them up perhaps a bit too loud. Then I got Fibromyalgia and everything changed.
Part of Fibromyalgia is sensory overload, a lot of people who have this horrid illness, find they suffer heightened sensitivity to light, touch, noise, smells and temperature and these issues affect our pain levels, can cause headaches and leave us fatigued., as well as for myself setting of my anxiety.
In the past it is something that has played a part in my life on and off, I wouldn’t know how I would wake up from day to day. However, since Christmas it has been awful, every noise feels like it is resonating through my head, the TV has to be down low, even the normal sound of talking can make me flinch and the noise of someone walking on the floor above me feels like a loud boom with each step and I admit I can’t deal with it.
My head tells me this is silly – it’s not normal to be reacting like this, being unable to cope with these everyday sounds, while my body goes off almost into shock, unable to get away from the loud and abrasive noise it seems to think I am actually hearing.
Each day at the moment is a struggle, my pain levels are sky high, and my anxiety is off the charts and the want to just hide away from every little noise. It is strange to think once upon a time I wanted things louder.
All I want is to live a normal life, enjoy every day and wake up looking forward to what the day might hold, not dread what it will bring.
I am really sorry to know what you are going through, as I had no idea that Fibromyalgia could cause such troubles for the ones having it. It hurts when there is no cure yet for such worst symptoms that could affect one’s life.
I’m so sorry to hear the noises bother you. I know that can’t be easy at all.
Oh wow! I didn’t even know there was such a thing as fibromyalgia! Sounds awful and I wouldn’t wish anyone to be going through this. I’m so sorry to hear that you suffer from this. I actually can’t fall asleep if there is not a fan running. totally silence makes me ears feels weird. I can’t really explain it…
Sensory overload sucks. I hope you find a way to get the relief you need.
I can relate. I have an auto immune disorder , chronic migraines and other painful issues and sensitivity to noise and light has been a huge issue for me that gets worse over the years. While you will often feel like no one in your life really understands, always remember there are people out there who do.
@Chrystal | Nevermore Lane,
Thankyou so much that’s lovely, at times it feels people don’t get it, as a Christian you feel I should be well, why do I have a chronic illness. But we have fallen body, we still need doctors our faith may be stronger in it, but at times it affects our faith. So hard I have nequews, I love to see, but I can’t deal with noise to much, or being in a home a different home, having to stay there 9 hrs, while there may be noise, I like my own home. 3 hrs with people with kids is enough, I love seeing them, but are relieved to go home.
@Chrystal | Nevermore Lane, I love what you said yes there are others who get it, my ears pierce from noise, I need to go into a different room. Lights hurt, sound on TV I have to ask to be lowered, cafes make me tired, I zone out. I can do it, but not for long, need to escape noise alot. Adhd Autism I have to, which does create the problem with noise lights, sensory overload.
I hope you all can have peace I pray you all can be ok, supported, please go easy on yourself.
I was just like you as a teenager with the loud music. I could never imagine what you must be going through I have two toddlers and it is always loud here. Some days are really hard, but for you it would be much worse. I recently watched a documentary on juicing and one of the people had fibromyalgia. Maybe you could look into juicing and it would help. I hope you find something that makes you feel better soon.
Holy cow! I have this issue – it’s horrible. I know I’m being irrational and yet…
My mom had Fibromyalgia and when I started to have symptoms, I went to my doctor two months ago. He still won’t diagnosis me or even ask me about why I think I have it. So frustrating!
I may send him this.
It sometimes takes a long time to be diagnosed. You may want to switch doctors too or tell him there is more research on this disease now and maybe he should look into it.
The noises can really get you in a tail spin and I know exactly how you feel. There are days like this but we always make it through. I think the biggest fear we all have with this disease is the fear of the unknown each day. We all need to tell our self this to shell pass and believe me when I say I know it seems sometimes it will never end. Hope you feel better soon.
I had no idea that fibromyalgia was triggered when experiencing a sensory overload. What a terrible thing to have to experience.
I’m sorry to hear this. I don’t know a whole lot about fibromyalgia. I don’t know anyone personally that has it. I can understand how you could be struggling. I deal with migraines and they’re a huge struggle for me. Some days I just want to sleep til it goes away.
I have a chronic migraine so I understand the sensitivity to the noise. Loud and abruapt noise triggers my migraine right away.
I have a cousin suffering from fibromyalgia and I know how terrible this is. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from this.
I did not know that noise can effect a person with Fibromyalgia. It must be so hard for you. I hope you can find something that helps.
Fibromyalgia is a terrible thing to suffer from. My friend has been dealing with it for years and it can be so hard on her. It is difficult knowing there is nothing i can do to help.
I can totally relate, I was just released from the hospital after a week long stay and a heavy diagnosis. After 4 spinal taps and a ton of other tests, they say I have trigeminal neuralgia, I am still trying to accept it, it’s quite a game changer.
I know a few people with fibromyalgia and it’s not a good thing. So sorry to hear you are suffering like this.
I have fibromyalgia as well and have for years now, I know exactly what you mean.
I didn’t know about Fibromyalgia and i didn’t know how difficult it is.
I know very little about Fibromyalgia. Hope you feel better and get well the soonest time possible.
I can only imagine your struggle with this disease. I used to be the same way about noise and could not stand the silence, but as I get older I definitely cherish it much more now.
I am sorry that you are suffering like this. I also didn’t know that noise could cause discomfort. I learned a lot today. I hope you feel better soon.
I have never liked noise of any kind but I will tolerate it. When I am home by myself, I always have the TV off or turned way down. My husband on the other hand loves everything loud. Drives me nuts. I am so sorry that you are suffering through this disease. I hope you are able to find relief and comfort.
My cousin has this, but I never realized that noise could cause that much discomfort. I am sorry that you have been struggling with this lately!
What a very real struggle you are experiencing, you are bringing light to your illness and educating others and raising awareness. I never knew sensory overload was an effect of fibromyalgia.
I’m sorry you are going through this. I didn’t know that noise could be a problem for those with this disease.