Post Viral Infection — Can This Get Better?

I developed an inner ear infection around the 18th of Jan. First symptoms were that I felt off, had sinus headaches, had some anxiety of unknown source, and my blood pressure was not being controlled by my medication (telmisartan). A few days later, the infection really became full-blown, and the tinnitus started. I came off the telmisartan because paradoxically, when I increased the dose, my symptoms including high blood pressure and tinnitus became worse.

My GP finally realized that I had an ear infection when I kept describing headaches, tinnitus, ear pain and hyperacusis. There was puss and my eustachian tubes were blocked. The tinnitus became full time - extremely loud and very high pitched. I was completely unable to sleep at all, and my pulse and blood pressure became permanently elevated. My cardiologist switched me to bisoprolol (a cardiac specific beta blocker) to control the stress symptoms, which were extreme (night sweats, tremors, etc. from adrenaline which would pour into my body when the tinnitus would spike).

This continued for a couple of weeks without much resolution. About a week ago, I started getting breaks in my tinnitus, including one day where I had none at all and a few scattered days where it was greatly reduced. During this time I also had some hyperacusis. This corresponded with my ear infection finally clearing up and me getting my ETs working again. However, tinnitus returned the next day with a vengeance, faded a bit over a couple of days. Finally, a little over 3 weeks into this, I had two consecutive nights of sleep - no wakings, no tinnitus, no night sweats, etc. and the entire next day was great - minimal tinnitus, and whatever there was had very low volume, and I felt like it had finally lifted.

Alas, last night, out of nowhere it came on louder than ever before, and I didn't sleep at all the entire night. That's where I am now - today it's whining away, more noticeable than it has been for the last few days.

I saw an ENT a few days ago - my ears were clear of fluid, and my hearing test was excellent. He didn't have much to offer.

I'll be honest and say and if this became permanent, I can't imagine that I would survive long - the sound is intensely loud and high-pitched (dentist drill-type), and the lack of sleep and non-stop stress response from my sympathetic nervous system is wrecking havoc on my body.

Assuming this was virally- induced, now that my ears are clear, and healing (hopefully), is there an expectation or hope that the T will eventually go away? Is the fact that over the last 7-9 days, I've had an increasing number of breaks from it a good sign? Any experience on how long this might take?

Any insights are welcome.

 

T often goes away after an ear infection clears up.

It took a few weeks for my wife's T to go away after her infection cleared. I'd take the increasing number of breaks as a good sign.

 

Time is a great healer and it should settle down.
Anxiety can trigger tinnitus so try to stay calm and keep relaxing music on around you.
Love glynis

 

Fluctuations of tinnitus can be a normal thing. I will say this much certain meds do bring on the tinnitus and can make it worst. You CAN survive with tinnitus, no matter how loud or gentle it is. At first this seems impossible, that's ok I was scared out of my mind and confused as well. I'd ask my mom if she heard what i was hearing. I did this for a good amount time. As @glynis has said, time is a healer and it is VERY important for us to let time do it's thing.

My tinnitus is full blown and super loud and I seem to sleep ok, most of the time. The key to all of this is to train your mind to be at peace. This is achievable even with tinnitus, no matter how loud or gentle it may be.

It takes discipline but it can be done. IF indeed tinnitus becomes a fixture in your life, deal with it in a positive way.

We have choices we can make. 1. Be negative and feel horrible and non of my posts care for negativity and limiting ourselves. 2. Be positive, accept that your ears ring, modify/adjust your life and simply live your life and don't be held back.

Number 2 is possible and you can do this and I hope you do this. Your tinnitus is new and you are scared, it's natural. All of us were scared and lost. Just hang in there, come here if you have to vent and we will support you!

 

As usual fishbone - thank you once again for your amazing positivity.
Sometimes I slip, and then I find another of your posts. xx

 

May i ask ?? Was it an inner ear viral infection? And what did she hear before it completely vanished for her ? Was there a specific fading stage to it ??

 

It was an otitis media: perhaps the inner ear was involved, but there is no way to know for sure.
It could have been viral, but antibiotics seemed to have helped a lot, so it was probably bacterial.

Some kind of tonal T. The common "eeeeeeeeee".

I don't think so. I think it just gradually went away after the infection cleared up, but it took a bit of time.

 

I’ve had mine since the start of August. And i was diagnosed with labyrinthitis. Hope i get to get rid of soon.

Glad its cleared up for her.