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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 33 to 57 of 87. Go back in thread:
Posted by she on September 8, 1999, at 16:42:23
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Ian (another one) on September 8, 1999, at 6:22:14
Thank you, Ian. I haven't tried this, but it does sound like something I should try. I like your reasoning.
Posted by Amy on September 10, 1999, at 12:38:26
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by lee on February 25, 1999, at 23:10:14
> Well, its clear that others experience music in 'mind.' too often. This has arisen as the tinnitus associated with Meniere's has become extreme, just over the last 2 weeks. I just want to offer that, indeed, those who 'hear songs' are not alone, 'cept we cannot com. in person, which is the best "therapy." Alot of the difficulties we seem to experience could be alleviated if we could live is a truly supportive community in which help is natural, no further away than an arm's reach, not defined by an institutional system that only offers occasional appointments, usually requiring horrendous traffic situations that are enuf to drive anyone who is awake, "bananas...." If one hurts alot, and has difficulty concentrating, as I do with ear-ringing, the appointment system is a drag.
> I offer, here, my respect and remaining energies to all so afflicted. Please contact me any time for support and mutual understanding often unavailable in the medical system. Keep faith....please dont be mad but i am writing on this page because i cant find the one i am looking for I am loking ofr the thread on celexa and ativan and anxiety and things. please help i dont know how to get from one thread to the other?
amy
Posted by she on September 10, 1999, at 14:17:11
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Amy on September 10, 1999, at 12:38:26
poor Amy, how long have you been locked up in here? I'll try to help. I'm guessing you're using a single window version of this site. If so, then go back up to the top of this message and click on Psycho-babble again.
If you're using a two-window version and the original window where you found this site is visible, then you just click back on that window. If that's not the case then look for the bars around the perimeter of your screen. Click on the one that says Psycho-babble.
If I misunderstood your question,stick around. Someone will be around shortly to let you out.
Posted by Amy on September 10, 1999, at 18:05:22
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by she on September 10, 1999, at 14:17:11
> poor Amy, how long have you been locked up in here? I'll try to help. I'm guessing you're using a single window version of this site. If so, then go back up to the top of this message and click on Psycho-babble again.
>
> If you're using a two-window version and the original window where you found this site is visible, then you just click back on that window. If that's not the case then look for the bars around the perimeter of your screen. Click on the one that says Psycho-babble.
>
> If I misunderstood your question,stick around. Someone will be around shortly to let you out.thanks for helping, i am new to this site and computers in general really. I know i have typed in alot of what has ben going on with me and i want to find the thread where i did it. You helped me out thanks much. \
Amy
Posted by Scott P. on September 12, 1999, at 1:47:09
In reply to can't stop the music, posted by Stuuvert on November 18, 1998, at 13:32:13
> The problem that has been disturbing my life since childhood is that there is always a song or music of some kind playing in my head. Sometimes I am tormented by the same tune or snip of song for days on end. Can you imagine listening to Connie Francis sing "Lipstick on your collar" for two weeks, 24 hrs. a day? Needless to say, I stay away from handguns.
I feel for you, brother. You're not alone. I have always had the same problem. Imagine occasionally being IMPOTENT because I sometimes just can't get a sad, mushy, erection-killing song OUT OF MY F***ING HEAD!!!!!!! I finally learned how to deal with it when I came across this article from "Project Galactic Guide", a funny website based on Douglas Adams' book _The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy_ (located at http://anubis.science.unitn.it/services/sf/DA/adams.html ) Here is the full article.
**********
Entry in The Project by Roel van der Meulen ([email protected])There is a phenomenon known to everyone which has never been exploited to its full use. You all know that sometimes, when you hear a song on the
radio in the morning, it keeps going round your head all day long. This is the Internal Walkman functioning, yet without direction or aim. It is too wonderful a treat of evolution not to make full use of it, so I will give some tips on how it works and what you should remember about it.How to make good use of it? Well, we know that only one or two tunes are in our heads at any one time, mostly silly tunes that have a high potential for settling in our memories. Unfortunately, the sillier the tune, the more
settling potential it has. This can not be avoided, so choose your tunes well. To record the songs you want to listen to, you have to play them on your CD or tape recorder several times in the morning. Be careful, though; your memory does not have a large capacity for readily available tunes, so don't try to store too much. The last song heard is often the one best
remembered.This storing process has some aspects to it that make it different from ordinary (hardware) ways of recording. The quality of the recording varies
from song to song, and from time to time. Bits of music get lost and only a rough idea of the song remains. Fortunately, that does not matter, because our brains make us believe that we *do* hear every detail of it, and mostly of the bits we like best! Parts of the song we don't like at all are easily filtered out [1]. In short, although we forget whole parts of the song, we
believe it is reproduced perfectly. That gives a feeling of satisfaction every time we use the Internal Walkman. When we get home again, however, and we listen to the original, we notice that we forgot lots of interesting details. Again we are happy, this time because we hear those parts again and appreciate them, because they make the song sound fuller. Twice
satisfied for the price of one!There are a few things you have to think of if you want the Internal Walkman to work according to your wishes. You have to take care that the song doesn't get polluted, or replaced altogether, by a song with much more
potential for settling and annoying you. Just make sure that you don't hear any other music anywhere, and especially no annoying whistling people. They are capable of whistling a nursery rhyme that will stick with you for weeks.Another thing you need to practise is to shut the Walkman off. It happens a lot that during exams a song gets stuck on a single word, which keeps
repeating over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, keeping you from your concentration and making you fail the test completely. Little does mankind realize that black-outs during
exams are *always* due to failing Internal Walkmans. I'm afraid I haven't found a cure for that yet, so guess you'll just have to practise.You may think that this Internal Walkman is far outperformed by a real Walkman, because with it you can listen to the original music, and so much
of it too! That may be so, but there are numerous situations where the fact that the Internal Walkman doesn't take up space, doesn't use batteries, is not annoying to everyone because they hear nothing (unless you sing along
with your thoughts), and can be used everywhere [2] make it a far superiour apparatus.So start using the Internal Walkman [3] sensibly from now on. It is far too wonderful not to.
[1] Unless, of course, the storage potential of the annoying bit is very high, which it usually is.
[2] Except of course where other music plays; in that case the original track is lost immediately, and can only be regained in complete silence.
[3] [Editors Note:]
It is of course noted that "Walkman" is a trademark of the Sony corporation. No breach of trademark is intended. Of course we don't mean to say that someone has actually built a miniature personal stereo and inserted it into your skull. If you think that then you just may
have missed the point.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Stuuvert on September 12, 1999, at 7:14:27
In reply to Re: Internal Walkman, posted by Scott P. on September 12, 1999, at 1:47:09
Thanks Scott. I'm a fan of Adams, and so appreciate that sense of humor. Unfortunately I've tried this and it didn't work well for me. Besides, I want the music gone for good. I want to choose when and if I want musical accompaniment in my life. I'll give acupunture another month or two, then check back in if I have found any relief. Thanks for the tip about the Hitchhiker site. What fun!
Stuuvert
Posted by Fred Davis on January 22, 2000, at 0:32:20
In reply to can't stop the music, posted by Stuuvert on November 18, 1998, at 13:32:13
> The problem that has been disturbing my life since childhood is that there is always a song or music of some kind playing in my head. Sometimes I am tormented by the same tune or snip of song for days on end. Can you imagine listening to Connie Francis sing "Lipstick on your collar" for two weeks, 24 hrs. a day? Needless to say, I stay away from handguns.
> Every doctor I see tells me something different. The neurologist said it's OCD. Eight psychiatrists had never heard of it. Eleven psychologists had never heard of it. I've been told it doesn't exist, it's really not as bad as I think it is. There's nothing they can do for me, etc. I have tried every SSRI. They help alleviate depression, but have no effect on the music. I have never had a day of quiet peace in my life. Has anyone ever heard of this?
> StuuvertOh my God, Stuuvert!!! I just read this, and it shocked the hell out of me. Not only have I heard of it, but "Lipstick on Your Collar" is *the song* I'd been hearing in the morning before a neurological consultation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in October of 1996. I reported the symptom to the neurologist there because it was *very* disturbing and was occurring during every waking moment. He then asked me what was the last song I heard, and I told him it was "Lipstick...". This is so *unreal*; I can hardly believe my eyes!! My songs started following lithium and valium discontinuation -- after taking them for over 20 years continuously. In fact, it was a different neurologist (who is listed in _Best Doctors in America_) who first suggested that I had OCD. II Also, it's the primary sym perssted after high-dose Prozac, thenZoloft took care of the others. I hear anything that happens to come into my head from the moment I awaken in the morning -- from nursery rhymes to disco to "big band", to the last commercial jingle I may have heard on the radio. Sometimes I change the station just to hear something less bothersome. If I were you, I'd see a psychiatrist who specializes in OCD or a neurologist who could possibly determine the area of the brain that is causing the songs (e.g., a PET scan). I empathize with what you're going through and wish you the best of luck. Feel free to e~mail me if you want to exchange ideas about possible treatments. Take care.... Fred
Posted by Stuuvert on January 23, 2000, at 19:18:12
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Fred Davis on January 22, 2000, at 0:32:20
Fred,
I'm glad to hear from you. I thought this thread was long dead. I have been having some small success with acupuncture. There are several points on the body that reduce what the Chinese call "over thinking." The only problem I have is that I have to be treated at least twice a week and my insurance doesn't cover the acupuncture treatments, so I can't afford to go as often as I should. Maybe this will help you. I'm tired of taking drugs for everything! Western medicine tries to treat the symptoms, while Eastern medicine attempts to treat the cause of the symptoms. I'm still hanging in there.
Posted by lou pilder on February 8, 2000, at 16:53:59
In reply to can't stop the music, posted by Stuuvert on November 18, 1998, at 13:32:13
I hear music 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is off key and lousy. It started after I was given Desipramine. I have tried anticonvulsants, clonazapam, I'm on Lithium. I have not had one moments peace since this started 21/2 years ago. Has anyone done anything to get just a moments relief? My song will change with any suggestion. For instance: If I see a sign that says "Mack Rd. Exit" then "Mack the Knife" will play. If you say,"South Pacific" I will hear "Some Enchanted Evening".
Posted by Cindy W on February 8, 2000, at 21:48:14
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by lou pilder on February 8, 2000, at 16:53:59
> I hear music 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is off key and lousy. It started after I was given Desipramine. I have tried anticonvulsants, clonazapam, I'm on Lithium. I have not had one moments peace since this started 21/2 years ago. Has anyone done anything to get just a moments relief? My song will change with any suggestion. For instance: If I see a sign that says "Mack Rd. Exit" then "Mack the Knife" will play. If you say,"South Pacific" I will hear "Some Enchanted Evening".
Lou, I hear music, but not as often fortunately, as part of OCD. Effexor-XR has helped with this. Also, I don't hear it when I listen to music (at least, I just hear what I'm supposed to be hearing!) so I've tried to spend more time listening to music (I didn't have a car radio or home radio or tv, so got a personal stereo like a Walkman and some cassettes). Have you asked your doctor about possible causes (OCD? seizures? ???). When it happens to me, I will hear the same song for three, four, or even six hours, and when I try to stop it, it stops, then I'll start hearing it again and kind of "hum" it in my head without realizing it. Good luck to you!--Cindy W
Posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 8:11:23
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Cindy W on February 8, 2000, at 21:48:14
> > I hear music 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is off key and lousy.
I happened upon this discussion by accident while doing a search for augmentation strategies. The song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" has been playing in my head for about a year now. I don't even like the song. I've tried everything...including a mental "big finish". But the big finish keeps repeating. Has anyone tried actually listening to the song to see if that breaks the pattern?
I sincerely hope some previous contributor to this thread is still around...it would really be helpful to talk about this.
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 8:29:06
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 8:11:23
> > > I hear music 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is off key and lousy.
>
> I happened upon this discussion by accident while doing a search for augmentation strategies. The song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" has been playing in my head for about a year now. I don't even like the song. I've tried everything...including a mental "big finish". But the big finish keeps repeating. Has anyone tried actually listening to the song to see if that breaks the pattern?
>
> I sincerely hope some previous contributor to this thread is still around...it would really be helpful to talk about this.jimwlms, the song going through my head was "Crystal Ship" by the Doors...and it is pretty much gone. I listen to the first Doors album (side one) over and over and over, now, and have found that the more I listen to real music (and take my meds, of course!) that when I listen to this and lots of other CD's (on the computer or on a tape, since I can't afford a stereo or whatever), my musical repertoire of songs in my head has diversified, I feel less depressed, and I'm not haunted by "The Crystal Ship." Hope this helps!--Cindy W
Posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 11:01:22
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 8:29:06
> jimwlms, the song going through my head was "Crystal Ship" by the Doors...and it is pretty much gone.
I've never had this problem before...like I said it began about a year ago. The song that won't quit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," came out in '62 when I was 9 years old. It wasn't exactly the kind of stuff I was listening to the radio to hear. So the significance of this particular song is baffling. Something off the first Doors album would make more sense since I literally wore it out when I was 14 or 15. I'm afraid if I actually listen to the Tony Bennett song I'll have some kind of emotional breakdown and they'll find me on the ledge of a 40th floor office window sucking my thumb. But then, maybe Tony Bennett has that effect on everyone.
Posted by PattyG on July 17, 2000, at 15:06:34
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 11:01:22
This may be WAY off the wall, but has anyone thought about some type of autism? A thought, anyway.
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 20:59:14
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 11:01:22
> > jimwlms, the song going through my head was "Crystal Ship" by the Doors...and it is pretty much gone.
>
> I've never had this problem before...like I said it began about a year ago. The song that won't quit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," came out in '62 when I was 9 years old. It wasn't exactly the kind of stuff I was listening to the radio to hear. So the significance of this particular song is baffling. Something off the first Doors album would make more sense since I literally wore it out when I was 14 or 15. I'm afraid if I actually listen to the Tony Bennett song I'll have some kind of emotional breakdown and they'll find me on the ledge of a 40th floor office window sucking my thumb. But then, maybe Tony Bennett has that effect on everyone.jimwlms, I'm LOL at your description of listening to Tony Bennett! Don't know if liking for a song determines whether the brain selects it for frequent "replay." I love the Doors too, and am glad it's "Crystal Ship." However, I'd recommend you try listening to various songs incl. "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and see what happens! (Stay away from windows and ledges when you do!). Have heard that hearing frequent music can be l) normal, 2) OCD, 3) neurological. The only thing I'm familiar with is OCD.
Posted by andrewb on July 18, 2000, at 7:44:49
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 8:11:23
Intrusive thoughts can be taken away by low doses of certain antipsychotics such as Zyprexa. Maybe the same would work for intrusive music. See GeorgeO's post earlier in this thread.
AndrewB
Posted by JudithC on July 18, 2000, at 9:21:58
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 8:11:23
> > > I hear music 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It is off key and lousy.
>
> I happened upon this discussion by accident while doing a search for augmentation strategies. The song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" has been playing in my head for about a year now. I don't even like the song. I've tried everything...including a mental "big finish". But the big finish keeps repeating. Has anyone tried actually listening to the song to see if that breaks the pattern?
>
> I sincerely hope some previous contributor to this thread is still around...it would really be helpful to talk about this.I posted here a few months ago about having tinnitus and a woman sent me an email stating that she has had a musical type tinnitus for several years. Hopefully,she will contact you as per your post so that y'all can discuss this as she shared that she hears certain songs/music 24 hours a day. Should I be able to find her email address,I will write to her and tell her to check this board again.
JudithC
Posted by paul on July 20, 2000, at 0:43:24
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by JudithC on July 18, 2000, at 9:21:58
as a musician i have the tunes "on" 24/7 but it's usually either my own music or some goddamn ad jingle i can't turn off. the latter hasn't happened in years, btw. i feel for those of you who suffer with unavoidable mental noise. although i suffer from a different kind, serzone+seroquel seems to help. i have tinnitus also-too many years at too high a volume-but i've pretty much gotten used to it-at its current level. when it increases-and certain meds have caused this-it's unbearable. i couldn't imagine a full-time version of those slogans that i can't get rid of. they're ALWAYS insufferably stupid. once, while training, the BRANE decided to enervate me with a tape loop of the latest taco-stench add. i literally pulled to the side of the road and yelled, "brain??OHHHH BRAINNNNNN???????? with ALL the killer music we've heard this is the best you can do? i swear when we get home i'm gonna find the RECIEPT for your worthless arse and we're going RIGHT BACK to wherever you came from for a REFUND!!! DO YOU HEAR ME BRAIN????????"
of course it didn't work but it sure gave some drivers a good laugh.
here's a totally off the wall suggestion. i have no idea if this will help at all. what about listening to something so wild and crazy that your mind wouldn't even know how to process/what to make of it? like some freely-improvised music? if anyone wants to try this i can lead you in the right direction. i hope you find relief somewhere. and i hope i made you laugh.
p(c(l))
Posted by Andre Allard on July 26, 2000, at 17:21:14
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by jimwlms on July 17, 2000, at 8:11:23
I have mild OCD and therefore have researched the illness.
Songs playing over and over is a symptom of obsessions found in people with OCD. I remember reading this (I cannot remember where) just last week.
A possibility is that you have OCD. If this is so, a trial of clomipromine or one of the SSRI's could releive your annoyance for you.
Good luck!
Posted by JayW on October 23, 2000, at 12:39:13
In reply to Re: can't stop the music-wondering how ya doin?, posted by Ian on September 8, 1999, at 5:55:09
I found this site by accident and although it doesn't appear to be used much I thought I'd give it a try. I have had tinnitus for 2 yrs now in the form of music. Mostly 50's & 60's rock & roll tunes but it could be show tunes or any other songs. I usually can change the melody by concentrating on another one. My research has revealed this to be merely another form of tinnitus, which can also be manifested in others by ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or any other sounds not caused by outside stimuli. I'm curious as to just how prevalent this phenomenon of music tinnitus is and what other's experiences have been with this affliction. Does anyone out there have any comments or whatever on this subject. Either post on this site or email me directly, please.
Posted by B Day on October 23, 2000, at 17:16:13
In reply to music tinnitus, posted by JayW on October 23, 2000, at 12:39:13
Are any of you who experience what appears to be music-related tinnitus heavily involved in some form of music endeavor such as composition, arrangement, instrumentation, critical listening / study or performance?
I ask this because for many years I was deeply involved in such ways with music as well as electronic synthesis, music concrete, natural sounds, etc. In those days music, or other aural phenomena played in my head much of the time. Some days it was nearly constant.
Particularly when I was involved with composition, I experienced the spontaneous composition and arrangements of music in my head complete with a fairly wide dynamic range. Although I didn't mind it so much and often enjoyed it, sometimes it was a bit maddening since I could never find the "OFF" switch easily.
I'm seldom so involved with music these days and haven't been for quite a few years. Over time those episodes of music and sounds have mostly disappeared although I do experience it occasionally. Most of the time now my head is full of other forms of racket.
I've recently started treatment for severe (reoccurring) depression. All indications so far seem to indicate that I'm most likely Bi Polar II or at least have some bipolar component with my depression.
I'm wondering if my hypomania during many of my periods of music involvement and creativity might have contributed to my experiencing a sort of internal Boom-Box. It seems to make sense to me.
B
Posted by Craig on October 24, 2000, at 1:36:01
In reply to music tinnitus, posted by JayW on October 23, 2000, at 12:39:13
A very long thread on this subject was begun by Stuuvert on 11/18/98. If it doesn't show up at the bottom of this page, begin at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/40797.html
> I found this site by accident and although it doesn't appear to be used much I thought I'd give it a try. I have had tinnitus for 2 yrs now in the form of music. Mostly 50's & 60's rock & roll tunes but it could be show tunes or any other songs. I usually can change the melody by concentrating on another one. My research has revealed this to be merely another form of tinnitus, which can also be manifested in others by ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or any other sounds not caused by outside stimuli. I'm curious as to just how prevalent this phenomenon of music tinnitus is and what other's experiences have been with this affliction. Does anyone out there have any comments or whatever on this subject. Either post on this site or email me directly, please.
Posted by stjames on October 24, 2000, at 2:19:22
In reply to Re: music tinnitus » JayW, posted by Craig on October 24, 2000, at 1:36:01
Just a thought, you might take this test "Indicators Suggestive of Subsyndromal Epilepsy"
On Dr. Bob's site at http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/isse.htmljames
Posted by B Day on October 24, 2000, at 12:38:34
In reply to Re: music tinnitus, posted by stjames on October 24, 2000, at 2:19:22
Well, I read this long, old thread in its entirety. I must say I was both touched and amazed by the experiences revealed there.
I was reminded of a recent conversation I had with a friend. He, a recovering alcoholic, having gotten his chemical dependency in hand, found himself faced with a new disorder. He shared with me how difficult it was for him to accept an additional diagnosis of Severe Depression Disorder. He thought...will it never end.
It seems that many on this board have also been faced with multiple disorders. I suspect many of you have wondered the same as my friend at times. I see a great deal of courage and solution-seeking here and I find it very moving. I am also beginning to relate with it.
I took the "Indicators Suggestive of Subsyndromal Epilepsy" quiz. I scored quite highly particularly in symptom classes one and three. I believe the possibility of such a condition is one that I need to bring up with my docs. I would seem that an EEG may well be in order.
For me, having gained understanding of my current and most debilitating condition (severe depression / hypomania) I think will help me to accept a second disorder more easily if need be.
I sense that many of you have developed (or are developing) a sort of "I just want to try to get to the bottom of things" determination. I'm getting something like too and I am grateful to be able to participate here with others facing challenges similar to my own. It looks like it is going to be a long journey.
This is a wonderful web site Dr. Bob.
B
Posted by steve on October 25, 2000, at 13:55:36
In reply to Re: can't stop the music, posted by Fred Davis on January 22, 2000, at 0:32:20
I have the same problem courtesy of mixing amitryptline with propoxyphene. It comes and goes, and naltrexone makes it much worse.
Go forward in thread:
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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