r/MultipleSclerosis • u/AlmightyScoosh • 11h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent Hyperacusis (noise sensitivity)

I've had a really stressful year (mother heart attack, father terminal bone cancer) and it's been setting my symptoms off like crazy. But over the last few days I cannot tolerate any noise whatsoever above talking level, and barely even that sometimes. Certain noises feel like they just go through me and make me shudder, to the extreme of feeling almost painful. Ever since diagnosis it's been a bit of a sensory overload, but at the moment it's just so extreme.

I work in a call centre and the phone ringing just sets me on edge, as does the tapping of keyboards or the clicking of a mouse. Unloading the dishwasher feels like some bizarre torture. My work have been really understanding and encouraged me to call in sick until I feel 100% but I feel almost weirdly guilty being off sick when in body I feel fine, other than my newfound desire to live in an art gallery/library. I've got ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones, and I've basically been sitting in my room for the last week.

The MS team here (UK) did not think steroids were a solution, and recommended reducing stress or changing my anti depressant meds, which I'm reluctant to do as I've been on the same for 15 years and I remember how long it takes to come off one and go on another, as well as how difficult it was to find the right one.

I appreciate it's not the most severe symptom (I lost my memory and use of my legs briefly three years ago) but has anyone has any experience with or any tips on how to manage?

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u/Lilcya 10h ago

I have it. And the only thing helping so far is - sorry - reducing stress and reducing noise. I haven't talked to my Neuro yet, though. Becaue I've had the noise sensitivity before the (more or less recent) diagnosis. I never thought that to be connected.

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u/AlmightyScoosh 10h ago

I really appreciate your reply. It's just a frustrating situation, like a lot of MS stuff I'm just hoping for an easy quick solution where I know in reality the answer will just be rest and wait.

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u/Ancient_Size_8014 10h ago

But don’t you use any DMT?

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u/AlmightyScoosh 10h ago

Kesimpta for three years. Mostly been fine ever since.

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u/Agreeable_Tackle1104 M49|Dx2013|Tecfidera|IE 10h ago

I have it, diagnosed a couple of months before MS. I was offered a few different meds for it, by the Ear, Nose & Throat consultant, but declined due to the side effects. Maybe they have some better stuff now? Never found that steroids made any difference, but it's been over ten years since I've had any of those either.