hypersensitivity (especially noise)?

[ignatz]

Last week I used my food processor maybe 15-20mins over the course of an hour. It's a cheap one that makes a loud shrill noise, not pleasant but I didn't think much of it. That night I slept only 5 hours and woke feeling terrible, kind of 'shattered' for lack of a better word. My head was ringing and I was hypersensitive to any harsh noise or light. The next 2 days were about the same and it was only a bit better by day 4.   

I've always been sensitive to noise and light but not like this. What's going on here? Is this fibro? Has anyone else had this experience?

My Dx over the last 3 years (and as many specialists) has been Sjogren's, then Lupus (SLE) with secondary Sjogrens, and recently MCTD. I asked my current Dr about the noise sensitivity and he says its not related to MCTD.

I have an appt with a ENT specialist next week but I'm pessimistic she'll find anything. It must be related to my auto-immune issues but how?

Any info would be welcome, I feel like I'm at the end of my tether here. The lack of energy and cognitive issues were bad enough and now this.

thanks, iggy

[jazzlover]

What is MCTD?

Lyme patients have sound and light sensitivity as do patients who have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.  Something to consider.

[Maria3667]

That would correlate with my own symptoms. Always been sensitive to light & sounds, but Sjogren's made it worse. I had Lyme's in the past too.

MCTD = mixed connective tissue disease.

[irish]

Just thought I would mention that lupus(and I bet other autoimmune diseases) patients are known to have auditory hallucinations. It could be that the sound triggered something in your brain that makes it hypersensitive to sound or maybe trying to mimic that loud sound of the blender.

If you are taking antidepressants it might be that a visit to your psychiatrist could give you more insight in this. It is also possible that there is a med that could block this strange symptom. I would make sure to see the doctor or some doctor and get referrals if needed. This sounds like something that could make your life really miserable and the sooner you get a handle on it the better.

Years ago when my autoimmune diseases were escalating I would go to bed at night and lay there thinking that someone left the radio on. I could hear what sounded like mumbling from a radio. I would get up and search the house trying to locate the sound. I was taking antidepressants and my psychiatrist told me about the auditory hallucinations. Thankfully that passed eventually.

Also, I don't know the medical description for tinnitus but I would ask about this also. I have had tinnitus for over 18 years and there are times it can drive you up a wall with weird sounds. The best is the sound of birds chirping and the worst for me was jets taking off. Good luck. Irish

[eye2dry]

Sounds like one of my migraines....light and sound sensitive

and I do not get the headache associated with migraines very often.

Or they are not very bad for a migraine.



sorry your experiencing this.

take care.

shelly

[jazzlover]

Another remote possibility. Foods containing salicylates give me tinnitus. Did you eat a lot of green foods in a smoothie? (with that blender)

[warmwaters]

Just another thought - I know when I'm tired, I get more "on edge" about a lot of things. I call it jangly.  I just jump more, startle more easily.

For me, Sjogrens and fatigue go together, and pain and fatigue go together. Don't know if the same is true for you?

On a practical note, I have inexpensive earplugs, which I use when sounds bother me. For example, when my partner has the TV on in the next room, and I can hear the booms from the action movie.  Maybe earplugs would help dull the blender noise?

[Kell]

This was the first symptom I noticed 2 years before the dry everything started. I used to use ear plugs when running my vitamin. When I started an anti-inflammatory diet, the ear pain left. So for me, it had to do with inflammation I believe.

[Linda196]

I have been hypersensitive to sound since I was a child. My only other "affliction" at the time was migraine, which, in later years , was more correctly diagnoses as probably cerebral vasculitis due to a most satisfactory response to steroids.

In my late teens, I was told it was either hyperaucusis or misophonia.  What it amounts to is that I have excessively acute hearing, with what is called a lowered sound pressure level.  The "normal" SPL  threshold of discomfort is 120, with pain at 130, while I start to experience pain at about 100, which is the normal level given for "disco at 1 meter". Normal conversation at 1 meter rates 60, and sometimes even that is uncomfortable to me. I got rid of all my carpets because the vacuum was killing me! There are also certain frequency or volume ranges to which I am more sensitive, even at lower SPL. In the more extreme reactions, I've experienced migraine, vertigo, nausea, tinnitus, facial twitching, and stabbing pain in the ear. My more everyday reaction is crankiness, so it's just the "Mom to teenager, TURN THAT DOWN" syndrome.

Bottom line is, although no one seems to know the actual cause, it's thought to be a result of the way  the brain's central auditory processing center perceives noise, so a pschyo-neurological issue. None of the neuros, psychologists, or audiologists I've spoken with seem to think it's related (in my case at least) to Autoimmune issues.

[MsKitty]

I have noticed that since onset of my Sjogrens my sensitivity to light and ESPECIALLY nose had increased considerably.  My hearing has become very sensitive over the years.  It seems to be more acute now than when I was a teenager. Not in a pleasant way.

[ignatz]

Thanks so much for the replies. I've learned a lot.

jazz and maria: I thought of Lymes also but I don't recall having the initial symptoms (flu, joint pain, rash, etc). Is it possible that the onset was mild enough that I didn't notice it? I was tested 2 years ago but maybe its time for another test. We have tons of deer ticks around here and it would explain a lot.

irish: I haven't had auditory hallucinations but tinnitus could be part of it. I've discovered that earplugs are useful to protect from short bursts of noise but don't help in the long term. After a while they seem to trap the white noise inside my head which then becomes louder. Sounds pretty nuts doesn't it?

eye: I had my first migraine in many years a year and a half ago. That could be the same time the sensitivity increased.

jazz: I haven't heard of salicylate allergies before, it's an interesting thought. I was making pesto that night btw but I didn't have any.

warm: when I'm stressed my symptoms are worse for sure but its been a week now and still no relief so I think something else is going on. I bought Bose Quietcomfort 20 earplugs last week when this started, they should be here today. It will be interesting to try them out.

Kell: What does your diet involve? Anything specific to stay away from?

Linda: The first thing I found when I looked into this was hyperacusis. I used to go to see loud bands all the time now I don't even dare go to crowded restaurants because of the noise. I've noticed the increased sensitivity for several months now but having loud noise cause a 'flare' (if that's the right term) is new.

MsKitty: Yes, me also. My Sjogren's diagnosis, Raynauds symptoms, etc, started around the same time as this increased noise/light sensitivity, that's why I think they're related. My rheumy disagrees though.

Thanks again for all the ideas. I'm ready to try anything. I was given tramadol for the constant ringing headache and it helps a little, but only a little. Ibuprofen wasn't doing anything. Changing my environment helps. It was a major victory for me when I discovered how to turn off the piercing 'BEEEEP' on the microwave. 



-Iggy

 

[eija]

Just thought I would mention that lupus(and I bet other autoimmune diseases) patients are known to have auditory hallucinations.

Oh, I never heard of that! But just last week or so one morning I got up because I specifically heard a dog banging the kitchen gate (they do that when they want to go out). However, when I was up I saw the pooches sound asleep in their places. No-one in the kitchen! And this isn't the only time I've heard something that didn't happen. Eery!

Oh, and yes. I'm increasingly sensitive to all possible sounds

[Carolina]

Yes, I have sensitivity to sounds, particularly the pitch of a noise.  Some noises are rather soothing, like an electric fan at night or the humidifier.

I also have hallucinatory sounds:  the radio, a machine running, someone talking in another room, etc.

I can't begin to describe the tinnitus....suffice it to say that I have three different sounds in my right ear, AT THE SAME TIME.

When I wear my hearing aids, the sound issues are less, I've found.  Tho' of course hubby, who has the IDENTICAL hearing loss with NO hearing aids, keeps the TV at ear shattering levels for me with my hearing aids

Oh well, it's always something.

Hugs,  Elaine.

[Deb 27]

 Yes, noises do bother me, not all noises but some noises, some days!

[eye2dry]

OH my goodness.


I have never ever mentioned to anyone, including my husband

that I hear conversations in another room.....can even tell difference

between male or female voices. I noticed it 2 years ago.

I live out in the county...no one was home....no radio or TV on.

I thought people would think I was going looney. I even got out of

bed... out of a chair to check that the answering machine wasn't on

and someone was speaking.


So.......that's normal?  auditory hallucinations?   

This news sorta makes me feel better/normal.

shelly