Who Flipped the Switch? Scary Stuff

Hi all. I will get to the history of the tinnitus but I want to tell you why my heading is "who flipped the switch?" Two nights ago, as I'm lying in bed, listening to my buzzing like I have for years, and had the "zip zip electricity" feeling that goes across the back of my head a couple of times a week (or night if it's bad), I had a completely new experience that freaked the crap out of me. During the "zip zip" I twitched in a muscle spasm, but then it felt like someone flipped a switch and my brain went off for 1/2 second. I mean beyond nothing. No noise, no light (not even that dark red light behind the eyelids if someone in the room has their little light on reading a book), no feeling. It was beyond weird. It was scary as hell. I came out of that 1/2 second glad the switch flipped back on. HAS anyone every had this happen?
Ok - now for my tinnitus. I've no clue what type it is. I AM GOING TO THE DR. TOMORROW. I have been diagnosed with tinnitus since about 1995 and that was the last time I went to the Dr. for it.
At that time I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss in my right ear and minimal hearing loss in my left. And that is the last time I've seen a Dr. for it. I have put up with buzzing for years, off and on. Now it is always on. It gets loud sometimes. I always hear it over "stuff" but never has it been so loud it hurt and for the most part, I can hear outside noises OK. Although my kids and hubby say I'm getting worse.
I feel lots of pressure in my ears most times. Doc looked at it, said they looked fine. He didn't know or seem to care about the "zip zip." The first time that happened was a couple to three years ago. Really scared me at first because it sounds so electrical I wondered if it was a seizure or something.
Lately - I feel like I'm going a little nutty. I'll hear what I think is a small cell phone noise or bells in the distance. I'll ask my hubby or kids if they heard it and of course, they haven't.
I get little bouts of dizziness if I turn my head quickly. Once in awhile I see little silver things with the dizziness. Four years ago, I had two bouts of fall-down-wooshing-tidal-wave-vertigo. It was horrible! My poor ten-year old was told by me that "I'm OK, but you have to help me to the bed and if I pass out, call grandma." HORRIBLE! I never knew and never want to have a case of vertigo again! The doctors said "we don't know what causes it, but it may never happen again."
I dread going to the doctor. I've had weird issues for years and I get sooooo tired of hearing "we can't find anything." I'm afraid they are going to put me in a little white jacket when all I really want is a referral to an ENT.
So - I am writing this with a bit of hesistancy because I'm just drained trying to just live with it. I can't say it's "unlivable", but when I feel like someone "flipped the switch" on my brain... that is when I get really scared! Thanks for listening and any information you can give me.

 

Wow - that was really long.... sorry - but any help before my dr. appt tomorrow would be appreciated!!!!

 

Hi Graebird, Im not an expert, Im going 4 months with T myself, but 1995 was the last time you had your hearing test and check up? That is a long time without followup. It's good you're seeing your doctor tomorrow. Your bouts of dizziness may be from an underlying condition, also try to review your medications, what medications are you taking? How is your hearing?

Talk to your doctor about your 1/2 second syncopal (blackout) episode.
I hope you feel better soon, keep us posted.

 

Thanks! I take fish oil pills, atorvastitin (though not anymore due to a recall), b12, and Fluoxitin (generic for Prozac).
And yes - that is a very long time w/out follow up. Been to the Dr. many times, but never specifically for my tinnitus and it rarely comes up and if they do look in my ears all they say is "looks OK."

 

Hi Graebird, apart from anything else, I bet it felt good just to write that down. Are you able to talk about this stuff with anyone? You can always splurge here, either way. I found it therapeutic just to talk about what was worrying me. Good luck at the docs.
DD

 

Update: Went to the Dr. who is referring me to an ENT for treatment and evaluation. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

DD - Fortunately - I can talk about this folks, although I don't think they get it. It's been going on so long, that I don't even talk about it to people anymore. But this head thing is worrisome.

 

Of course it is. Do you have your appointment through for ENT yet?

 

Hi DD... thanks for asking. I did see him this morning. See Forum "support" entitled ENT visit - is this normal?

 

hey graebird !

i get the zip zip...usually, almost always in the morning soon after waking up

it is the weirdest sensation...almost like the sound of coins being tossed in an empty drawer or coins being bounced in a large wooden box...but it has a..... zzzzzzzzzzzziiiiip...... quality to it...i know this sounds nuts...hard to describe

but it may be we are experiencing a similar phenomenon

just wanted you to know you are not alone

best wishes
mock turtle