Fibromyalgia Sensory Overload

I sure have this problem, and I didn't know it was as common among us as it is. Here's a good article talking about Fibro Sensory Overload and how to deal with it. It looks as though it's based on the fireworks and noise and partying that USA's July 4th often brings, but these tips will help for any event that you expect will be overwhelming.

Do any of you have other tricks you use? I sometimes use foamy earplugs. They just lower the decibal level, but you can still hear people talking to you. I wear soft cotton or rayon clothing that is not too tight or binding, and I rarely wear high heels, but they are very small heels when I do wear them. Comfortable shoes and even good insoles help you survive the stresses a bit longer

How to Prepare and Protect Against Fibromyalgia Sensory Overload

Fibromyalgia symptoms are notoriously widespread and difficult to predict. One minute you’re doing fine, and the next you’re fighting a wave of pain or a throbbing ache. In some cases, a host of sensory discomforts can come along with the pain, and that can pose a problem during big events.

Instead of dreading the bright lights and loud sounds of Independence Day festivities, get in on the action without getting overwhelmed by fibro discomfort. Once you understand how and why your senses are affected, you can take steps to minimize the sensory overload.

How Fibromyalgia Affects your Senses

Fibromyalgia affects your whole body, so it makes sense that a variety of stimuli can spark discomfort. Some experts suspect that fibromyalgia causes changes not only in the pain center of the brain, but also in the way your mind processes general, everyday sensory experiences. All of your senses can suffer, and it’s not uncommon to experience sensations like:

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Sensitivity to smells and tastes
  • Dry itchy eyes
  • Burning sensation
  • Sensitivity to bright lights
  • Discomfort with loud sounds

Not surprisingly, the chances of sensory discomfort increases with big, celebratory events – especially when they involve fireworks. And since the intensity of your sensory discomforts will also determine the intensity of yourfibro pain, it’s vital that you learn to control your physical reactions if you can’t control your environment.

Stay Comfortable Throughout the Day

When it comes to preventing sensory overload, your first line of attack will be a medication that depresses the signals in the nervous system. Unfortunately, local creams or other topical therapy for individual discomforts won’t have the thorough and lasting effects that you need. Instead, consider a medication to alter the spinal cord’s pain inhibitory system (like Cymbalta) or a drug that can limit the number of sensory signals that reach the nervous system (like Lyrica or Neurotonin).

Big events can mean long days, and that can bring fatigue and aching pain along with the sensory overload. Prepare for a lengthy outing with some helpful accessories and approaches:

  • NSAIDs and gentle muscle relaxants. Pack some pain medication to take care of any acute pains that may strike, but check with your doctor to ensure they will be safe and effective alongside the meds you are taking to stifle your overactive nervous system.
  • Take time to stretch and relax. It’s pretty easy to get wrapped up in the celebration, but stiff or exhausted muscles mean more aches and pains. Gentle stretches will help, so remind yourself to do some range of motion exercises here and there. Stand up and walk around a few times each hour, too.
  • Practice good posture. A physical therapist can show you techniques to strengthen the muscles around your spine and keep your body aligned, so you don’t put undue pressure on certain areas. Be aware of your posture, wherever you are and whatever you happen to be doing. Many patients and therapists find that better posture reduces the frequency of flare-ups.

You’ll get more relief when you tailor your treatment to your own body and symptoms and that means you’ll need to determine what situations are particularly uncomfortable for you. Before the big bash, consider going out to a busy park, restaurant or other busy event to see how your body handles the sensory stress. If you can figure out what triggers and tames the discomfort now, you’ll be better prepared for Independence Day.

copied from http://fibromyalgia.newlifeoutlook.com/preparing-for-fireworks/#/vanilla/discussion/embed/?vanilla_discussion_id=0

Thanks for posting this.

Hey Sheila

This was a great article. We will be having a family BBQ and some fireworks at home.

Great article, thank you for sharing. Any tips we can get to be proactive to lessen the risk of a flare is always welcome. Hugs!!!

Sheila I borrowed parts of this article to share with another group. Thank you again for posting it.

Great article. I am sharing this with my family and friends. I'm not crazy. Four years ago I started nagging my husband and kids to turn down the volume or dim the lights. I also started wearing ear plugs when we go out. Especially restaurants or any large gatherings. Thank you so much for posting this.

I'm glad it helped you ladies. I sure have the problem, much worse on some days than others.

II want to look at this when I can get back on the computer. It looks like a great, under-covered topic. Thanks, Sheila! And how are you doing, btw? Seems like you, and SK, and Robin, and Dee and all of the old members and moderators are no longer here. I wish you all were, since it's a voyage we all experience for many years.

Hugs,

Petunia

Yeah. Where is dear SK anyhow? I sure miss her.
Laurie

Hi everyone!

My friend Petunia Girl called me and insisted I show up! I'm still on BF, just moderating other groups, smaller ones that were faltering!

I can surely relate to all of this, Sheila! I know I want to rip that flourescent light out of my kitchen, but have yet to find a replacement that will give me such a strong single fixture light source. Our ceilings are only 7 feet, most of the light fixtures are for high ceilings, so I'm at a disadvantage.

We just had to remodel the entire upstairs and replace a good deal of the roof, so tearing down the kitchen ceiling to reconfigure lighting is NOT an option! I'm hoping to find a solution to this very soon!

Wishing you all well,

SK

Nice to hear from you SK. I was told that as long as there's a plastic clear-ish shield over the UV light, that will protect you. Don't know if it's accurate but I know I react less under fluorescents with a cover than bare fluorescents. Are you still caring for your Mom in y our home?

Petunia Girl, my mom has not been out of the hospital for more than a couple weeks since December. This latest stoke left her unable to talk or swallow, so I spend some time figuring out what she needs, communicating for her, telling the doctors and nurses, then just come home and collapse until the next day when I have to do it again.It is so very tough for me to go out and walk that far, so it seems I never really recover from it, so I just get weaker. I fear that when I am at my weakest, that's when they will send her home, where I'll have to be a 24 hour nurse and feed her through the feeding tube. I can't really be a full time nurse either. So that's why I am not here as much, but thanks for remembering me.

Hey girlfriend!

It doesn't have any shield, so maybe I need to hunt one down, and see if it will help, it's the circular kind! I prefer the under the counter lights to the overhead one, but there's just not enough light.

My mom is doing pretty well. She still has to use a cane and hobbles, but hey she is still walking, and that's the important thing! There are days that she does MUCH BETTER than I, and I am glad that she can be 82 and this well! She takes NO MEDS! Isn't that amazing?

So sorry to hear that your mom is struggling so, she is very fortunate to have you. I know you do all you can for her!

Wishing you both well,

SK

WOW! I was so happy to read this article. I knew I had become more sensitive to sounds, smells, and touch (on my skin etc), but I didn't know what the cause might be. I cope by bringing my own sheets to hotel rooms while traveling, I only wear cotton and sometimes rayon. I use candles at times decompress, but they have to be a specific scent. There are times when my husband can't even touch me because it just hurts. I am just glad to hear I am not the only one.

Great article and so true! One of the worse things for me is when they start the DJ at a wedding reception and on goes the disco ball and strobe lights. I have to immediately leave the room or I suffer for many days. Unfortunately, most of the weddings I have been to lately all think this is a great feature. Ahhh, not for us.

Fireworks get me into overload - it feels like every nerve ending is vibrating and I can smell the burning from miles away. I feel like I need one of those Thundershirts that I have for my dog to keep him calm. But, I think they would be too constricting for those of us who can't stand any tight clothing. A vicious cycle :(

Hey Sister Susan,
That's amazing about your mom being on no meds, and you redoing your whole house. Does your Mom live with you? I have seen some lights that look like pot lights that are only a few inches deep. You don't need a low hanging pendant. There are also battery run light fixtures for under your counters that would give you more light. I love your new pic! I think of you often.

Thanks Lovett! You're so kind.