sensory overload

[sara1953]

I am in the middle of a horrible flare. I was just wondering if anyone else gets "sensory overload"? I have been trying to keep doing what I can everyday. My wonderful hubby has been sooooo patient and undrstanding but maybe only a fellow ms-er will get this. If I am in a grocery store, or any bright noisy place I get very dizzy, tunnel vision and the regular tremors get really bad. I have difficulty walking anyway but when this kicks in I'm like a drunken sailor. (no offense to drunken sailors intended) I list to one side, my legs are like cooked noodles. It takes all my concentration just to funtion It's exhausting. And so frustrating. Tonight we went to our local casino and if I hadn't been hanging on to a wheelchair I think I would have collapsed! One good thing. I've found some sort of inner strength that lets me ignore everyone's stares and whispers. Didn't know I had it in me. Anyway just wondering if too much stimuli can make an exacerbation worse. Sara

[Justsayyes]

I get this too, it is very common with many here. Some tips to minimize the stimuli......get some of those foam earplugs from the grocery or drug store, cut them in half and use to block some of the noise, but still be able to hear.

A cap or hat with brim can block those bright lights, or of course sunglasses. I have a runner's athletic hat that works well and looks nice too.

I have a hard time in all doctor's offices...such bright lights.

Thank goodness in the grocery that we can lean on the cart!

[Sdickerson1]

Yes! Noises, lights, disorganization, most of all Crowds!! I feel so out of control I just want to get out!! At grocery today--- mom trying to match sales to coupons, one child climbing in and out of the scooter thing, one throwing a tantrum about popcorn, and my hubby calling from the ship before he loses signal ( Navy). I was so exhausted and limp by the time we lost, I bought things I did not even want bc someone put it in my cart and I was so overwhelmed- I did not know what was what -- just utterly confused..... When I got home I hit the couch, the meds and then bed till I was over it

[isamadjul]

At Random Times

Not always in a flare but yes I understand. Its always a random act of kindness for me... I can feel fine and then walk into a store or farmers market or whatever...boom!!! I am overloaded! Overwhelmed! Over everything!!! I can then leave said place and after a hour or so start to "feel better" and move like I did before I walked into said place.

For me its not so much that it happens (although I do hate it) I just wish I knew when it would happen. There's nothing worse then starting to walk a store and then feel your legs go to rubber and the world close in...HATE THAT!

isamadjul
(allyson)

[Bob698]

(no offense to drunken sailors intended)

As a former drunken sailor, no offense was taken.

I went thru the same thing for a while. It lasted for a couple of years then kinda petered out on its own although loud noise still bugs me. I think you hit the nail on the head as its a form of sensory overload.
In the meantime, try shopping at Mom 'n Pop stores and avoid the malls and big box outlets.

[Sdickerson1]

I agree Allyson, warning would be nice, makes me weary of going for a nice afternoon out

[rdmc]

Hi Sara

You're not alone. I think someone on the board has "affectionately" dubbed this the Walmart Syndrome. My PT and my neurologist have explained to me why it happens (has to do with proprioception, auditory, and visual stimuli)....but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with.

I hardly go to a store. I can manage a small grocery (like Aldi), but most of the stores are mega groceries in our area, and it's just too overwhelming.

If I go to buy something like a gift, it's usually in a store that is smaller (easier for me to manage fatigue) and isn't all cluttered and crowded. We have a smaller department store, and also the smaller pharmacy chains (Walgreens, CVS) are much easier to manage. Even so, I will get a bit of the "woozies" if I try to just browse and shop. If I go in knowing what I want, and don't try to look around too much, I'm okay. I do alot of online shopping

I can go to Walmart...I found that out one morning when my husband and I hit the store at 4 AM because we were up and leaving for a trip. The lights were dimmed in the store, no crowds, and I navigated just fine, didn't get that "get me out of here" feeling. During regular business hours, forget it.

I've had the same thing happen at concerts (Moody Blues light show about sent me into full craziness mode), fairs, church (usually just the time before church when folks are coming in and getting settled), sporting events, crowded parties, crowded or noisy restaurants, trailers before a movie where it's loud and they bombard you with images, even had it recently while hospitalized but that was from constant noise, so I asked for earplugs.

My experience is the longer you tolerate the overstimulation, the jumpier, or more disoriented you become, almost to the point of feeling panicky. (in fact when this first happened I thought I might have started having panic attacks, but didn't have any of the ordinary symptoms, so doc said no.)

I have come up with some solutions for maintaining a modicum of social life. Like if I go to a party I find a corner and sit and let folks come to me, I don't try to "mingle." Or in a noisy crowded restaurant, I sit at a seat with my back to the majority of the restaurant, so I'm not distracted. We've thrown parties where 30-40 people are in our house, but I can manage that because I manage the stimuli, and sit where I know I'm not going to be subjected to constant movement and noise.

Sorry for the treatise...just wanted you to know, it's not unusual. Hopefully you'll find some coping mechanisms of your own so you can get done what you need to do.

[jcrain9663]

I have the same problem. I get disoriented, which makes me feel a bit panicky, in addition to the drunken walking and dizziness. Such a fun combo! You're right, it's so exhausting!

I have recently found that a cane helps tremendously. There's something about the third point of contact (in addition to my two numb legs) that is 'grounding'. It instantly stops the wavery walking, and makes walking less effort. I don't really "need" a cane to walk (or so I tell myself), but the grounding helps a lot with all my sensory symptoms.

I thought I'd be brave last time I went to Mohegan Sun with my DD, and not carry my cane. It was a big mistake. Another mistake was sitting in one of those swivel seats at a slot machine while listening to a Herman's Hermits concert. I could not seem to stop myself swiveling in that chair to the beat. I would suddenly realize I was making myself nauseous and stop, only to find myself at it again! By the time we left, I was miserable and declined staying to hear the second concert at 10 pm.

[sara1953]

senses

What I love about this site is it lets me know I'm not crazy. Thanks so much for sharing all of your experiences. I am trying out some meclazine to help with the dizziness today. I really hope it helps because right now i feel like my eyes are just rolling around in my head.

[billiejeane]

I am in the middle of a horrible flare. I was just wondering if anyone else gets "sensory overload"? I have been trying to keep doing what I can everyday. My wonderful hubby has been sooooo patient and undrstanding but maybe only a fellow ms-er will get this. If I am in a grocery store, or any bright noisy place I get very dizzy, tunnel vision and the regular tremors get really bad. I have difficulty walking anyway but when this kicks in I'm like a drunken sailor. (no offense to drunken sailors intended) I list to one side, my legs are like cooked noodles. It takes all my concentration just to funtion It's exhausting. And so frustrating. Tonight we went to our local casino and if I hadn't been hanging on to a wheelchair I think I would have collapsed! One good thing. I've found some sort of inner strength that lets me ignore everyone's stares and whispers. Didn't know I had it in me. Anyway just wondering if too much stimuli can make an exacerbation worse. Sara

I get sensory overload daily,and i know when i am in flare,i could not/would not handle to much stimuli,so,yes,i believe it would make your flare worse. rest,rest rest is the best for recovery. and hydrate,and when u can,get going again,but wow,you are tuff!

[hunterd]

being progressive, i don`t know what too much stiuli will do during a relapse, but overall (according to the dr) it makes your symptoms much worse. it is not something that affects 100% of msers. a previous coworker was not bothered by it at all. good luck.

[cosake]

I have the overload issue even when I'm not in a flare -- but not to the severity that many of have.

I get the overload when out at an event, etc. So many
people talking, and the constant hum/buzzing of voices, such as at a busy bar, drive me nuts. I can only handle it for a short period of time.

I also can't handle high-pitch noises such as from electronics and appliances, etc. and other sounds make me crazy. I sleep with a fan on to help block out background noise, but sometimes the fan starts "whining" and that drives me nuts.

Indoor lighting doesn't seem to bother me too much; but I have to wear sunglasses out almost every day - even if it's overcast or raining.

Flashing lights bother me alot!

When I say "bother me", I mean that I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin -- not that it is just annoying.

[candycane]

I get this too

I get this sensory overload too. I can't stand flashing lights, noises, etc. Some days are worse than others. I went to a few outdoor concerts this year & did great. I won't even attempt indoor concerts anymore (at least not while I'm feeling like I do)

[piper]

I'm so glad to know I'm not alone! I thought I was having some sort of social disorder.

It doesn't just happen during a flare, but it's a lot worse during a flare.

Sorry you all suffer from it too.

[Deer In Headlights]

Sara1953

You are crazy, we all are, but here we can feel normal, for whatever that may be. I get sensory overload all the

time, it's the high pitches and lights for me. I use to love going to Costco, my wife didn't like it because our bill was

always $300.00 more when I went with her. I can still go but I know that my time is limited, I can only stay for 30

minutes then I'm done, stick a fork in me. Church is another place that I have a tough time going to, vaulted

ceilings and high pitched lady singing, lights, trying to pay attention to the priest while hearing every conversation,

foot moving, can't stay focused. I've tried sunglasses and earplugs but that doesn't work and it looks kind of strange in church.

Sorry about the long rant.