but how many of you out there are sort of "hyper sensitive" to outside distractions? I'm just wondering if this is an RA-related thing or what? Let me give you some examples: loud commericals, I have to hit the mute button. Shopping w/my teenage daughter in those stores w/the ear-pounding music - I have to wait outside. Another example: My sister's husband and my husband are away this week. She wanted to come over w/her daughter Friday night after her work and have dinner w/me and my kids and they'd sleepover. I had to tell her no. I mean, if she could sort of quietly come into my house and talk quietly, then I'd be ok but I know she'll come in all hyped because it's the end of her work-week and she'll be all giddy and giggly and loud and I just don't think I can take it. It's like I have to "psych" myself up for her visit. And it's not just her, I just shut off when things get too loud, distracting, grab too much of my attention. I'm ok when my husbandn is around because whoever is distracting me can talk to him if I want to zone out.
Anyway, on top of this craziness, my sister in law has been wreaking havoc on me and my RA. My rd told me the other day that my pain is most likely due to stress causing a flare and I should stay as stress free as possible. I was only too happy to call hubby and tell him his sister has to stay away from here! She filed for divorce and is being so horrible. I'm a compassionate person but she had to see this coming for at least the last 10 years.
Oh Lordy I'm starting to sound crazy! Its an ordeal for me to go to places like Costco because my senses just feel so insulted with all the load people and bright lights. My hubby says I am going to wear the mute button out on the remote! LOL! I am always turning down even the regular tv shows as any loud sound bothers me. I hate LOUD talkers, I just cringe. Even going out to restaurants can be difficult, I have to be in the mood or its just too much!
Well Honey, I'm crazy too then. I never thought my sensitivity was RA/AI or anything health related but you bring up a good question. Yes, noise makes me so irritable and I have to get away from it. Since I'm also deaf in one ear, I'm especially worried about loud noise and keep ear plugs with me at all times. I thought that was the reason for my excessive sensitivity, but who knows? There are so many facets to this disease process that it makes my hair hurt trying to figure it all out.
I am hyper-sensitive to distractions, light, sound, temperature, humidity, vibration, and touch. I think hubby would like to stick me in a bubble.
I always attributed it to the fibro as I've had it before the RA, but who knows. You may be interested to check out the work of Elaine Aron who has a website at http://www.hsperson.com/ and has written extensively about highly sensitive people.
[QUOTE=Honey]but how many of you out there are sort of "hyper sensitive" to outside distractions? I...Oh Lordy I'm starting to sound crazy!I don't know if it has to do with RA or any of the auto-immune diseases but I do know that it's getting worse. I'm now making an effort to stay away from crowds and noise; maybe it has to do with aging. Don't know. Lindy
Welcome to my world!! I hate noise! I have to avoid certain people too and they just don't understand even though I try to explain to them what being around them does to me without blaming them. Obnoxious poerfume really bothers me too, I just thought I was sensitive or something but from the look of the responses to your post... maybe it DOES have soemthing to do with RA.
Keep on doing what you have to do to make yourself feel better!! :)
Wow! As I typed the original post I was like "I sound like a loon! Maybe I shouldn't post it!" but I'm glad I did. I forgot to mention stores like Home Depot or (horrors) Best Buy. I inevitably end up running out telling my husband that the atmosphere is a total assault on my senses. I find myself choosing quiet, small restaurants when I go out with my husband or friends, if I have to go to the mall I go at opening time so it's empty and I can get in and out in a hurry. I would much rather prefer to be outside, walking, alone or with one friend that I can focus on - not outside at say a street fair or farmer's market with tons of people. I'm just wondering if the RA makes our other senses more sensitive, not just our nerve endings and pain sensors.....the mystery deepens.......I have been closterphobic( not sure on spelling) with crowds. I freeze up when being in a store or airport any where there are too many people. I use to love being in those crowds . I never even thought it was because of Ra. I also go shopping early mornings and when we fly some where we take real early flights before the airport is too crowded. Your right Honey , The mystery deepens..Oh my gosh....... this all sounds too familiar!!! I cannot stand going into American Eagle like stores, music blarring and no room to turn around in. I can't stand hearing the phone ring... happy to be in the loony category with you all Oh My Goodness, I have finally found my niche. I have been running to the doc with high blood pressure and he told me that it was probably caused from stress. I can certainly relate to all of you, but now what can we do about it? He gave me Celexa and told me that it would take a while to be effective. And the wait goes on.....
Obnoxious poerfume really bothers me too, I just thought I was
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AMEN! Some people just bathe in it and obviously have no idea (or don't care) how nauseating it is to some people. Why do I have to be forced to smell your personal taste in perfume until it makes me ill? Just a dab will do ya people!
Same here. I have turned into a regular hermit...although I mostly always have been a home body/hermit. I cnanot stand the loud noises and screaming and such anymore. I think my nervous system is shot.
SInce the anxiety attack I can barely stand lights on and anything can be overwhelming to me. I just wanna go home but can't.I am constantly sad, or in mourning or something. I am practically best friends with my ex husband nowadays...just friends, nothing more....we can talk about anything now and not argue, close friends. Now THAT feels odd after all the years of arguing.
Maybe the RA has finally attacked my nervous system. I ache constatnly and would go back to the Dr. but am waiting to see if I can get insured.
You are not the only one it seems. I have changed so much these past .......several years....maybe more..I barely recognize myself anymore, behaviorally and as I look in the mirror. I have slowed down so much, my priorities have changed and now I am super sensitive...
I can barely watch a movie anymore without getting super duper hot and a horrible headache. THat is really sort of a scary strange. I have only known one other person that has ever had that happen to them.
I just read back over the thread and had to chuckle that we all felt alone in our response to over stimulation.....and nowhere we are all huddled together trying to find out why we feel like this. I'm not anti-social but sometimes even smells bother me to the point that I've had to hurry and leave a restaurant or walk in and walk right back out again. Don't even get me started on perfume! Someone earlier said it might have to do with RA stimulating the nerves and pain and I think I would agree with that theory. Our whole body even our brains (look at the brain fog) are stimulated by RA. Something has to give somewhere along the line. Now that my meds are working and pain is controlled or minimal I wonder if this over sensitivity will disapppear? Think I'll start being more aware of it. LindyDefinately smells...cologne or anything cooked. I have Febreeze and Oust for everything!
I've definitely noticed that loud things tend to bother me more often. The tv, hubby talking, baby screaming while he's playing - it just makes my head hurt and I cringe. I figured it was probably an side effect of MTX or something.
Strong perfume bothers me, it'll give me a headace. Just walking by a candle shop at the mall is too much.
My RD has signs in his office asking people to not wear any perfumes or strong scents for prople with sensitivies.
Don't mind crowds though.
I feel like a bitch after reading this thread.....
All that stuff bothers me, but I'm usually obnoxious enough to "fix" it somehow. For example, Spencers in the mall LOVES to burn insense when their boss is away. (Not allowed, fire hazard) I always make a point to comment to Justin how incredibly nasty the smell in that store is.
They always blow it out.
Oh, and I ain't subtle about it. It's usually something like "EW! It smells like RANK ASS IN HERE..."
I hate loud noises, loud TV, loud music, loud voices, even loud laughter.
Everything has a smell and most things stink. (esp true when I'm not smoking - my nose becomes so sharp - it is a good excuse to start again.)
BO and foul breath make me feel faint. I abhor elevators at work - trapped with lots of foreighners. Despise stinking fish cooked in micro at work or stored in fridge - acckkk how can any body get near enough to eat it? I want a shovel to throw it in the trash! I know it is intolerance, but I can't help it.
Hate crowds. Sometimes I can tolerate bright lights but less light is better.
I'm clueless if it is due to RA
I know being hyper-sensitive is a common characteristic of fibro---which I have along with JRA. I am so hyper-sensitive to EVERYTHING!!! But I only got that way after the fibro--it never affected me when I just had arthritis.
How many of you have fibro also??Mine started when the fibro started, before RA, so that applies to me.
I can't stand my nieces and nephews. I love them, but i never could take loud people. My sister in law (she is married to my husband's step brother) is so extremely loud that we don't invite them over. She is also so hyper and talks so much that i get sick.
I flair, get nervous and sick to my stomach.
I also can't shop the malls at holiday time due to too many people, too loud and usually it is too bright with the lights, i just go nuts.
I think you people are all crazy, I mean real crazy.I AM SANE AFTER ALL
We have an extract fan in the bathroom and it runs for a minute after the light goes out, if the door isnt closed it drives me nuts.
When we went to New York we went to century 21 ( a large department store) and there was a lovely young girl stood by the esculators giving out candy canes, she was shouting out "Happy Holidays" in her loudest voice every couple of seconds. After 10 mins I wanted to stick the candy canes up her nose
As much I loved New York, I did wear ear muffs to drown out the hooting ( and for the cold).
Its only certain repetitive noises though as we saw the Lion King show in the West End in London and the noise from that was wonderful
I don't like people (err, women) walking right behind me with clacky shoes! Similarly, I get wound up by people walking right behind me in the street having a loud conversation - shut the **** up! If my fellas with me I'll make an equally loud comment about them, if I'm on my own I stop, turn round and glare at them.
I've feared crowds since a tragedy in my home town, I wasn't there but it shocked the town.
I do however, attribute my nervousness when shopping in a busy street to RA. It isn't always the case, but if I'm feeling a bit sensitive I fear someone bumping into and either not being able to keep my balance and the bump actually hurting me. You'll all know how sometimes just leaning on something can be painful huh?