This happens to me when I am in an attack or whenever I am fatigued. It's like overstimulation or information overload.

I think I can only cope with so much input, then I short-circuit! For years that used to only be a problem for me when I was in, or recovering from, attacks . . . but it's a problem any time I am fatigued now too.

I do not attempt any social situations (even watching a ball game or shopping) unless I am fully rested.

Cherie

Yep, sensory overload. Get this sometimes too. Definitely not alone with this.

I really experienced this back in 2003 when I had a long attack. My Border Collie and I both started shutting down at a family picnic at the same time--too much noise and too much motion. We both had to leave the area.

It still happens now, but it's more that I can't focus on things when there's noise. I don't get so overloaded as I did before. But sometimes I still have to get away from noise because it is overwhelming. I used to like reading with music in the background, but I can't do it unless it's the music that I used to study to in school. Otherwise it distracts me way too much and I lose my place, have to read things over again because it interferes with my concentration, and in general drives me up a wall. Ugh...

Hope you find a way to deal with it. It's not a fun symptom.

This has been a problem for me for many years.

I've noticed that my hearing is very sensitive. I hear things others can't hear, and what's normal volume to others, is way too loud for me. Any sudden noises like a door slamming or similar, cause really nasty pain to my eardrum!

I've read that many other MSers describe similar symptoms.

Yes, I've had this from the beginning. I contribute most of it to my anxiety problems. My AD helps a lot.

I notice much sensory overload, when my rugsrat grands are here...I hate it, but, I also love it..

Foam earplugs are my friends!

I wear them on planes and in restaurants.

I don't like to work (at my job) with music in the background. I'll listen to music at home, though.

I can only focus on ONE THING AT A TIME!!! If you want me to listen to what you have to say, then you'd better mute that TV or radio!

Yes, yes, yes!!! It makes me crazy, and has for years. I didn't know it might be an MS thing until I was dx'd in '07. I guess its aural overload or something, but I cannot have a coherent conversation if the TV/radio is on and people are talking to me. It's like I don't know what to listen to. I always had this to a lesser degree, but the couple of years prior to my dx til now has gotten so severe, I will leave the room and if someone wants to talk to me, they've got to follow me, or turn off the damn tv.

amen.

DH likes to play audiobooks while we prep bulk food, or fruit for the dehydrator, or have plucking parties.

that's great, but... if he starts talking to me, we have to hit REWIND.

because... when two things are coming at me at once, I am no longer able to screen out tone, to concentrate on the other.

so, I hear NEITHER, just cacophony.

it's not so much aa sensitivity to noise, because, like others have said above, I LIKE to crank up the tunes, especially piano concertos, and classic rock (like Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Depeche Mode)

my personal theory is that I'm already on "overload" from screening out so much with my body (zings, buzzes, zaps, spazzes, aches, tingles, blah blah blah) so one more thing is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back.

I think both my parents are going deaf, because they have to BLAST the tv volume. I'm constantly asking them to turn it down because it causes me physical pain to be in the same room with it so loud.

My dad seems to be fairly sympathetic at times, but does say that he cant hear it unless it's up that loud. My mom has no sympathy and gets very very very very ticked off everytime I ask her to turn it down a notch or two.

It's weird tho, because I can listen to loud music in my room. (I've got my iPod in the fancy radio I got for it, and the music is up loud right now...I'm listening to swing music and American Indian music right now.)

I have noticed when I'm in a store and it's really crowded and loud (like shopping two days before Christmas in a popular store when there's a big sale on) I cant handle all the noise and people. I start feeling like my skin is crawling and really anxious. I get a little bit of shopping cart rage if people crowd me too much too. I try not to shop when it's busy like that. Freaks me out.

Me, too. I get panicky if I feel like I can't get to the exit fast enough! I've gotten to where I rarely ever go into the grocery store or any other type of store for that matter on the weekend or in the evenings. Too many people there during those times. I go during the day (preferably mornings) throughout the week.

One thing I have never understood is the desire to bring the entire family (spouse and kids) along to grocery shop. Even when my kids were young I went alone. I enjoyed the time by myself and didn't have to battle with them over things I wasn't going to buy. I understand some people can't do this and I sympathize with them....it's tough to shop with kids.....but these families of five and six who try to shop together on a weekend....I just don't get it. Maybe that's the only time they get to be together.....so that I understand. I just know I personally couldn't do it.

I don't shop at Kroger anymore due to the loud music they insist on playing. It's so loud that I can't concentrate on what I've come to buy. Publix is much quieter and they don't blast the music....in fact, I don't even recall there being any music. I'll have to pay attention next time I'm there.