UPDATE: Perceptions of Sounds and Laughter
Age: 30, Height: 6'2", Weight: 301 lbs Currently prescribed spironolactone 50mg and furosemide 20mg for heart failure, along with tirzepatide 5mg aimed at weight management, and modafinil 400mg to combat daytime drowsiness. I'm not on any medication for major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but attend therapy once a week. I report regular use of marijuana in both smoking and edible forms, though I haven’t consumed any in over 48 hours. Additionally, I am a combat veteran. Hello, everyone. Lately, I've been experiencing some strange auditory sensations. I’m hearing what can best be described as abrupt, loud noises reminiscent of a piano, where it feels like multiple keys are struck randomly. The sound is both dissonant and somewhat artificial, almost as if it's echoing within my mind. Moreover, there’s also a faint sound of giggling, akin to a mischievous goblin's laughter; it seems to be coming from a distance, perhaps from another room, but I live alone in a compact single-story abode. Aside from anxiety and depression stemming from a difficult past and the associated traumas, I’ve never encountered troubling psychological symptoms before. This curious phenomenon has persisted throughout Sunday and escalated in intensity, now reaching a peak at 4 AM on Monday. Could it simply be that I need to sleep? However, it’s proving to be quite disruptive. I feel like I'm managing my life reasonably well at the moment. UPDATE: I managed to rest from around 6 AM until 10:30 AM. Initially, the sounds had subsided, but they have returned. A new sound has emerged—one resembling the bubbling of boiling water, similar to what you might hear from a hot tub, minus the motor sounds. Working from home today has been manageable up to this point. I participated in two meetings during which the sounds were hardly noticeable, but when I’m alone and trying to concentrate, it’s becoming quite irritating. I find that listening to music helps, but since I often read and type at work, any noise or lyrics can be distracting. Apologies for the repost; I'm just trying to determine what my next steps should be. Should I schedule an appointment with my primary care physician or consider visiting urgent care?
Answers (1)
3/24/2025, 8:01:21 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing some unusual auditory sensations, which can be quite concerning and disruptive. Given your medical history and current medications, it’s important to approach this calmly and methodically. Let's break down the situation and identify some actionable next steps.
Main Points:
- You are experiencing dissonant sounds and laughter, which may relate to medication effects, stress, or other factors.
- It's important to monitor these symptoms and consider a healthcare follow-up if they persist or worsen.
Explanation:
Auditory sensations, especially those that feel abrupt or dissonant, can occur for several reasons, including:
- Medication Side Effects: Both spironolactone and furosemide primarily affect fluid levels in the body, but individual responses vary. Modafinil can cause side effects, including sensory changes in some people.
- Anxiety and Stress: Given your background and current therapy sessions, underlying anxiety or stress could contribute to perceptual changes.
- Sleep Deprivation: You mentioned disruption in sleep, which can also amplify sensory experiences, leading to unusual sounds or feelings.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of when the sounds occur, their intensity, and any changes. Note your sleep patterns, stress levels, and any new medications or substance use, including marijuana.
-
Implement Relaxation Techniques: Utilize stress management strategies such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness. Reducing anxiety may help minimize these auditory sensations.
-
Sleep Hygiene: Prioritize good sleep practices. Ensure a comfortable sleep environment, limit screen time before bed, and consider setting a regular sleep schedule.
-
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Given the persistent nature of these symptoms, scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician is a priority. Discuss the sensations and any potential links to your medications, sleep patterns, or mental health. If symptoms worsen significantly, or if you experience additional distress (like panic or feeling overwhelmed), seeking more immediate care may be necessary.
-
Adjust Work Environment: As you mentioned that music helps, consider using instrumental or calming nature sounds during work hours, which might be less distracting while still providing some relief from the abrupt noises.
It's important to take this seriously while also addressing it with a calm approach. You’re doing well by reaching out and seeking advice. Please continue to keep track of your symptoms, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider soon. Let me know if you need more specific guidance on any of these steps.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!