Hi Everyone! New Member Here.

I'm a new member to TT. It's been great to read about everyone and find support in the struggle that is T. I woke up from a nap on Sept 21st with loud T in my left ear. Went to the ENT the next morning, prednisone for 2 weeks after that. Audiogram shows hearing loss in the 4-5kz range in just the left ear. I work in an office and have only ever been to 3 concerts in my life. I'm struggling to understand this and come to grips with how it is and will continue to affect my life. I'm 32 and my wife and I have 4 children under the age of 8. It's been really difficult staying positive and being present when I'm home. Work is a struggle too with the T constantly there. I have had a few spikes, randomly. Those make me appreciate the other lower level days for sure. I have tried to take Gabapentin on those spike days, since my Mom already has some for another issue, and it has seemed to help bring the spike down. Not sure what could have caused this. I have had bad popping (TMJ) in the left jaw for several years. I went to the dentist and he adjusted my bite by slightly grinding some teeth so that my molars would sit flush. He also gave me a night guard to wear. I don't know if the popping stopped before the T, but it for sure hasn't popped since the T started. Both ENT's that I went to for opinions said that anything like that is probably unrelated. That is the only change though to anything that I have. I also notice that the eustachian tube on my left side is super sensitive and gets plugged easily as well as crackles when I try to yawn or move my jaw. The T doesn't change, but the eustachian tube makes noise. Any ideas? Could be genetic though. What do you guys think? My uncle got T at age 23 and habituated after about 6 months to a year. My Grandma also got T later in life, about age 55, and had it until she died. The second ENT that I went to was totally willing to prescribe me anything off-label, as long as I had something to show him. I gave him the UofPitt study about Potiga/Trobalt and he gave me a scrip for it right on the spot. I haven't filled it yet since it would run me about $800 to get enough for a 2 month trial. I've read just about every page for the top 10 treatments on this forum in the last several weeks, trying to get some ideas. I started taking NAC yesterday. Not sure if I have noticed anything different, probably need to keep it up for a while to give it a real change at trial. I appreciate everyone that posts on this forum. The experience and knowledge is unmatched. Keep it up!

 

Hello @SethL
Welcome to the T forum. Sorry to see you have this Tinnitus. Seems like the initial stage is very annoying to put it mildly. Sleep good and keep that energy level up for your full life. Being 32 with 4 young children and a wife,,,and a job, that will keep you busy. I mean your life is more important than T, and I think your life will win out in the end. Oh and I hope we all find some medicine or anything that works for each one of us.

 

Hi Seth. I'm 36 and got t about 6 months ago. When i first got it i was so scared i was going to go deaf. Atleast deaf in one ear. I was convinced i had an aquostic neuroma. I've had an MRI which was normal. And it seems i'm not going deaf. My point is that at first, it's natural to think the worst. But given some time everything seems brighter.
I remember the first few weeks i was devastated. Then the next few months were crappy. Then things got better as i got more used to this noise. I still have a long way to go. But i'm seeing progress. And although i have the odd set back, i'm generally doing very well.
Time wise you're where i was at when i still felt pretty crappy. And we're both going to habituate at our own pace. But i guarantee you'll feel better in two months than you do now.
Keep doing things you enjoy. In fact although you're busy, try and do more of them. Stay positive and let time do its thing.
Good luck mate. Bob.

 

Thanks to each of you for your replies. I have been taking between 1200-1800mg of NAC for a little more than a week now and I notice a difference. I am taking the time-released tablet and notice a pick up in volume and annoyance if I wait too long to take the next dose. I still haven't filled the Potiga prescription. Maybe that will have to be my Christmas present to myself this year.

I have noticed that the over the last couple of weeks the T is already becoming less annoying throughout the day. I have also slept better as well. I hope that the habituation process continues. I am still considering giving the Potiga a try, considering the new onset of my T and the positive feedback from some users.

Thanks @BobDigi @James and @Karen