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Yes.

I find visual or audio stimulus can wear me out! I was trying to talk to this nice 93 year old man at the church bean supper, and between the heat, the noise, and the people buzzing, I was losing it. Poor thing looked at me and said "am I spitting on you dear?" and I realized that EVERY word that came out of his mouth was making me flinch! I was so embarrassed. I told him I was in sensory stimulus overload, and apologized. He wanted to help me to a chair. How sweet is that?

I wish I could sit back and relax. Enjoy being able to watch everyone spinning by me like "Taz". I still get angry that I can't be the Supermom I once was, or the person who worked 16 hours a day and could still multitask.

My body is not on hyper mode, but by brain still thinks it should be. I miss those days of reaching the end of the day, after the kids did.

I guess I have slowed down too Dejibo, and hate to admit it. Funny how we all are so different, yet the same.

That was so sweet of the very, elderly gentleman to offer to assist you. There are many good people in this world.

There are numerous times when I just have to stop, take a breath, think and weedle out the crap that doesn't matter. I just get overload if I'm thinking too much, hearing too much, seeing too much, have something on my mind and need to go do something, all at the same time. I feel my head fill and slowly seep down my throat causing great anxiety.
It's not a panic attack- it doesn't get that far. But I know I have to reduce the number of incoming stimuli before I pop.
And I used to pride myself at being a great multi tasker.

I'm now that irritating lady driving the speed limit and muttering to herself at all the people tailgating her....."you should have left on time then you wouldn't have to rush.". I never noticed till I slowed down how rushed people are to get to the same red light as me!

I HATE folks being up my butt at a red light. As a professionally trained driver, you are supposed to see the wheels on the car in front of you TOUCH THE GROUND. If you can not see their tires touching the ground, then you are too close! If my car stalls, or I cant move, then, you are STUCK behind me! Plus you make me as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers.

I too dont reach panic attack mode, but I reach that weird cartoonish level of presence. its like I am here, but not here, and my body simply cannot/willnot absorb any more information. I am flinching when folks talk, I am squinting at the lights, and I am just shy of the "im gonna pass out" level. I can still function, but my body makes it really clear to me that its NOT happy. Crowded places, hot places, busy places, or too many folks talking to me at once throw me right off the cliff.

Plus, you give yourself no room to ESCAPE should you need to! With all the whackos running around out there you never know. I leave enough room to be able to swerve around and get in the other lane.

I've noticed over time since being dx'd how S-L-O-W everything has become as well. It took me two days to just dust the living room and kitchen .

The days of completely cleaning the whole house and doing laundry in one day are gone which is unexceptable in my eyes . It is difficult to adjust and except these changes - I so hate this disease.

I know.....it takes a while to get used to not being able to be Super-Mom anymore. I used to be able to work all day, come home and cook dinner, clean most of the house and do several loads of laundry. Just thinking about it wears me out!

Since I'm no longer working I can do a little bit at a time even though I'd much rather get it all done at once. One thing I found helpful was my kitchen timer. I'd set it for twenty minutes and then start doing whatever it was I wanted to get done. When it went off I sat down and rested.....read a magazine or had a glass of tea. I made myself take breaks. I found I lasted longer and at the end of the day I wasn't exhausted or in so much pain I couldn't get comfortable.

It's not easy to get used to and I admit I still overdo it sometimes.

A couple nights ago I watched the Anne of Green Gables trilogy and when reading here, I can sense we're all "kindred spirits". We all seem to wish we were like we used to be, but realize we aren't and try to enjoy and make the best of things. Huh???? You guys probably know what I mean!!!!

Glad to know I'm not the only one that gets completely frazzled with too much noise, commotion, heat, etc. Most people would say today has been a beautiful day, sunny, in the upper 70's, not much humidity, but all I could do was sit here in the house and hurt!! I still hate this disease and what it's done to my life -- what's left of it! The rain must be coming tomorrow or else was in the vicinity today.....hence the pain.

Does anyone have any suggestions in this "department"??? I find it soooo difficult to make myself sit down and pay bills. It's not even a question of money, I just can't seem to concentrate for so long. My CPA has filed an extension for my income taxes.....still haven't gotten the info together. It all seems overwhelming and I used to be the organized, get it done today, kind of person. My adult kids don't live very close plus I really don't want them knowing all my business....is there any organization or something that helps people in this area??

It must be this non-stop pain today, I'm ready to pull my hair out!!!! Being a Christian, I know God is in control, but on a day like today, it sure is hard to understand WHY???? Does He really want us to live like this? Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

That elderly gentleman sounds like a real sweetie, Dej. With a good sense of humor too!

Here's to "kindred spirits"!!!