Strange fears and hyper alert - is this part of CFS?

Brain and nerves
1

I've noticed I am always in hyper alert mode and often very jumpy.I jumped out of my ski recently in a supermarket at the sound of someone coming up behind me with one of those large cages- the noise was unbearable. I also have irrational fears- for example I was woken by my neighbour coming home in thier car at 3am, but in half awake half asleep mode I thought the people in the car were coming to get me - (I had been following the reporting of the horrendous Paris attacks a lot on the internet) Anyhows, just wondering if this is due to the effects on the nervous system being on overdrive? Does anyone else get these strange fears?  

2

Not normally, but feeling exhausted could play a role in making you feel over-wrought. There was talk of CFS being related to 'sustained arrousal', but the research on this didn't pan out. Maybe it could be something of relevence to you?

3

hmmm yes to being more jumpy, yes to being a bit paranoid and i guess yes to living on my nerves more... which is also tiring and becomes a self fulfilling tiredness thingy. But on good days only a bit more jumpy. i tend to over compensate too by being over confident.... which also creates its own fun... not... and so can be a bit snappier. tending not to see the funny side as much as i think i used to. I think it comes from the illness being too tired and also being depressed fed up each adds a bit into the other.

4

Hi there what you describe is hypersensitivity ! I can't stand noise , smells & even food sensitivities !! It's a part of cfs / fibromyalgia  I've lived with this for 14 yrs & it seems to have gotten worse ( I have to go to bed when my husband wants a curry the smell is too much for me to stand !?!? I then burn candells all day to get rid of the smell ! Interestly the nice smelly candel I'm ok with ?) 

im more sensitive. To. Foods such as onions ,garlic & I've developed an allergy to chillies !! 

The strange dreams you. Mention may be a reaction to medication check the side affects of your meds ? I also get restless leg syndrome & muscle twitches that make me jump out of my skin usually when I'm dropping off to sleep 

so don't worry you are not alone & your not going mad !!! 

Take care dawn x

5

Thank you so much for that Dawn - I honestly thought I was losing it! lol! Interesting about the meds too - I have woken up with really bad muscle spasms/twitching recently. I would so love to come off all the meds...one day hopefully xx

6

Thank you Fidd x

7

Thank you Andrew, its such a strange 'illness' hey x

8

That would be great if you could , I'm afraid I'm on them for life as I've tried over the tears but the pain made my life hell so it's the better of two evils !!! 

My meds help me have some normality ( as apposed to being on the sofa always !!) 

so I'm content to keep at them !! But you must find your own way through this maze what's good for one dosnt work for someone else !!!!

as long as you are not worrying yourself stupid & forums like this help enormously 

Take care dawn x

9

Thanks Dawn, yes its wonderful to be able to chat with others going through similar experiences xx

10

Yes I'm in hyper alert mode a lot! Even things like remembering that I have to do something, such as make a phone call brings on panic. I experience my HPA, Hypothalamic, Pituitary Adrenal axis sending fight or flight hormones all around my body, utterly out of proportion to the triggers.

11

I feel like I'm in this state of fight or flight most of the time Fidd! And they didn't ask me to answer their questionaires in their research. 

12

Hi yes, thanks for this I thought it was the pregablin medication I am taking for pain with CFS/ME.  I have been very jumpy, nervous, almost paranoid for quite a while now.  My husband and daughter don't know what to do or say to me it has become that bad.  I live in fear of one of us being hurt or injured someway, especially as my daughter is now at Uni.  I thought it may because in the last 6 months, I have lost my job, my mum passed away, and my daughter left for Uni.  I am at home mostly all day on my own and limited capability on most days.  Maybe there is something in it if there are more of you feeling somewhat nervous etc.  I was always such a happy go lucky sort of person. 

Best wishes

Tinax

13

Your paranoia sounds more elevated than mine so perhaps the meds are exasperating it.

14

I go to a therapy group discussion at my local hospital and they say that increased sensitivity to noise is often associated with cfs. Although I have not experienced this.

June

15

 Dear Flowerpotlady,

You do not say how young you are. Your name suggests about as young as me. At my age and with my deafness it is easy to make me jump out of my skin. That is not CFS just age.(in my case at least)

16

Hi I've only just started taking pregablin yet I've had hypersensitivity getting worse year on year since I've been ill 14 yrs ! So I don't think it's the meds I think its  the illness !!! 

17

Wow, thats interesting to know why this is happening i.e the HPA. As if we didnt have enough to cope with hey xx

18

Hi Tina, I sympathise with you, its so scary to have these thoughts and feelings hey. I thought I was going bananas! Sending you a big hug - you've been through a very tough year hey. Possibly these very sad events havent helped with the heightened feelings too.You're  a proper warrior to be able to cope with all of that and M.E. too xx    

19

Thank you June xx

20

Hi George, I like your style :-) (how young you are) I'm in my late forties. Its definitely hyperaccusis -  I didnt use to jump or hear things so loudly before - even certain poeples voices sounds like someone scraping chalk down a blackboard...cars beeping their horns make me jump lout of my skiin etc etc. I also have heightened smell, and sensitovity to light. Its part of M.E. sadly xx