Music - does anyone else *avoid* it?
 

Does anyone else on these boards avoid listening to music? Do you avoid it all the time or just occasionally? Are there types of music you are able to listen to more than others? What instruments (including voice) do you like or avoid?

I ask this because I have gradually stopped listening to any and all music. I had musical training, sang and played in groups, and used to love being awash in a musical environment.

I am wondering if anyone else here with epilepsy has a similar aversion.

*Very* seldom I have gotten a craving for music (really, it is like a craving!) which has included Renaissance choral music, techno, and harmonic overtones singing. Once the craving subsides, then I must have my silence back.

Hi Oraina,
What you are describing is also known as an audio sz. where different sounds can trigger sz. Just like you I love music and I enjoy listening to it but it's never triggered sz. for me. If certain sounds like music are triggering sz. for you this tells me that the RTL (right temporal lobe) of you brain may be causing the sz. because it's the RTL that controls a persons music and emotions. When you see your neuro you might want to have them check your RTL to see if that's the area where the sz. are starting. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Thanks again Sue! You're great at replying.

I wouldn't say music causes me to have seizures; it does cause me general discomfort so I avoid it. Your comment about the right temporal lobe as the seat of both emotions and music is quite interesting though. I certainly have a mood disorder besides the epilepsy, so that whole connection fits quite well.

Thanks again Sue! You're great at replying.

Your comment about the right temporal lobe as the seat of both emotions and music is quite interesting. I certainly have a mood disorder as well as the epilepsy, so that whole connection fits quite well.

Note: A web search turned up an interesting and appropriate article, "Sigmund Freud's Dislike of Music: A Study in Epileptology."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...00053-0057.pdf

Hi Oriana,
Thanks for sharing the web page I greatly appreciate it. Correct me if I'm wrong but I have a feeling that you may like to write or possibly read poetry or short stories. I found out through my Epileptologist that people who like music and have Right temporal lobe epilepsy enjoy music as well as reading and writing poems and short stories. I enjoy both and I got into writing poetry when I was about 12 yrs. old. A few yrs. ago I found out that Elton John, Beethoven and Bach all have or had epilepsy sometime in their life. I find this very interesting since I love music and love to write. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

My Friend
 

My friend I hate to do it but our friendship just can't last, the times we've shared together have faded to the past. I told you it would happen our friendship was bound to end, although I know you care I don't consider you a friend.
Please don't try to argue but try and understand that time can change two
people as the tide changes the sand. Yes, our friendship has been lovely but you see it had to end. For I look at you in a different way, I've fallen in love with you...
My Friend


I wrote this back in 1978 when I was in 9th grade. I have a bundle of poems. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue P.S. That's the RTL at work!

Sue, that's extremely mature and expressive language for a 12 year old. You have a gift. *smile* Beyond that, I admire your positive spirit here.

I did truly love reading, writing, music, painting - in fact, all the expressive arts. I used to write poetry and made the coffee house circuit giving poetry readings back in the day. By now, bad brain chemistry has diminished or destroyed most of those pleasures, except for writing, and, on occasion, reading. I cringe at most music nowadays.

I have yet to discover from my neurologist where my epilepsy resides, i.e. which lobe and which section. So far, no professional has caught and recorded any seizure activity. Although I realize now that I've had seizures for years, those were infrequent and over time I came to think of them as normal. It's only since November 2009 that they escalated to blackouts and turned frequent and alarming.

I understand that many famous, creative individuals have had brain damage of one type or another, including Albert Einstein. It's fascinating to learn from you that Elton John, Bach and Beethoven belong in that category.

Oriana-
I too avoid certain types of music because for me not only does it cause discomfort (physically) but after surgery it now causes my cp's. The music I have found to be the most irritating seems to be high pitched, squealing, guitars, etc. I listen to a lot of heavy metal, pop, hip hop and even classical. For me almost all have musical ranges that can induces seizures if in the right range and volume category.
I have a profound love for music and still listen to it daily, I just find myself monitoring it closely and when it gets to a problematic area, I simply turn the volume way down till its over.
Unfortunately I can no longer attend concerts or night clubs both for the music and the lighting.

I've been avoiding music to a degree for some time now. I had hyperacusis starting when I was eight till a few months ago(i'm 16 now), and when I finally started to get rid of it, I started getting symptoms for musicogenic epilepsy >.<

Unfortunately many of my favorite songs are the ones to trigger my seizures, but I don't avoid music at large. I just try to avoid the ones that triggers my seizures, unless I feel like having one. I'm kind of scared of my sz's, but that doesn'tmean they're unpleasant, so when I need a stress reliever, thet's what I turn to. It is literally like a drug; I never tried it, but I'm fairly sure it's what getting high feels like. Unfortunately, there's also the abstinence... If I get a seizure, I almost lose my grip of reality some time after unless I get my daily dose of epileptic attacks. But, no. I don't avoid it. I listen to music all the time. Just... not the kind that gives me seizures xD

There is information for you
 

I stopped listening to music ages ago. It was only that someone on here told me about the Auditory Szs after I described what was happening to me that I found out what it was. It's really bad here in Oz though because there's less than a fraction the work done on researching epilepsy as in the US. My doctor thought I was making my seizures up and he didn't believe me. I stopped going to him. I just really don't think I need any help in feeling bad for being epileptic and mentally ill

Rhia

It's nice to see you Rhiannon :hug:

that's right you don't need to be sick, and then get kicked around for it by a doctor to boot. i also do not live in the US and it is hard to find understanding docs here. try another one, and then another if need be. there has *got* to be a good doctor who is willing to listen to you and help you! don't give up! you deserve proper medical care, but also respect and kindness. :hug:

~ waves ~

Waves! :hug:

So good to see you around! I think some doctors just can't see outside the square and outside what they are taught. And are even scared to write down sypmtoms and show them to a neurologist for fear of being ridiculed themselves...seems some educating is in order...I may get involved with the epilepsy association here & see if I can do anything...

Cheers

:hug:

Rhiannon

sounds like a wonderful idea! they may even be able to recommend some more 'enlightened' docs to you! ;)

i know that doctors here are also resistant to change and do not seem to grow with the field. which is scary.

makes ya wonder if any are out there still trying to cure blood disorders with leeches... :eek::rolleyes:

:hug:

~ waves ~

I am from a very musical background and have always loved all kinds of music. My family history is part of the Smithsonian Instute, I will listen to music when someone else is playing it butt when I am alone I want no part of it! This is very unusual for me as it's alwyas been a part of my life. I don't understand why I can't listen to it when I'm alone? If I drive 5 or 9 hours in my truck I play conthing and want nothing but silence. Wonder why this is?

HAHAH! They told me the leeches were NEW!

I think we can get change if we can get Neuros and NeuroPsychs to frequent this board and the forums or even get their research staff to research information on epilepsy and other illnesses.

I've been doing some researching looking and documenting who is on how many forums and what range of symptoms they have (no names or other identifying information is used); it's just a graph of the range of symptoms.

The amount of information on these boards for those doing their Degree/s is so vast and so helpful. I love it because it gives so many options on treatment by looking at what affects people and how it affects them; it maintains their privacy but allows for an information highway on epilepsy and many other ilnesses.

Anyhoo really great to see you Waves...I mean that :hug:

Rhian

Hey SusieQz

I think you will find it is because when there is someone else there you are distracted and don't fall into the hypnotic beat which most music has (except rap which isn't music it's trash talk to dhuff dhuff sounds).

If there is someone there you are more likely to be in conversation than drawn into the music. There are so many accidents involving 17-24 yr old males because of their very loud dhuff dhuff music in their toy cars and they are unable to pay attention to anything but batting their heads up and down to the noise in their cars.

There were some here on the weekend at the surf club the noise was intolerable and when my partner went out on Monday there was a dead Wallaby (small kangaroo), on the road; that has never happened here before ever and it shows the fact that they can't focus on anything but their music.

Poor Wallaby hope it didn't have a joey in the pouch

Rhian

Oh that is so sad... about the wallaby. :(

SuzieQz

I bet Rhian is right on about ending up focused on the music when you are alone vs. distracted by conversation - or even other noises - when others are around. i am sorry you can't appreciate music ... i am also in difficulty with it sometimes due to migraines. :( it sucks.

Rhian

yes the forums are an immense resource. although one does have to be careful with anecdotal reports on how a med affects someone - folks don't always interpret things correctly and and may make assumptions. for instance when people report weight gain... well golly who's to know if they're eating more or what else could be going on... but yes in general i agree. i am so glad you are around again too. :) :hug:

~ waves ~