Loui

@Damocles good to hear. I’m happy for you. Seems like you're successful with both managing tinnitus and finishing your course. So are you proceeding with University after the course?

The ibex wasn't close so no worries. It's not much in life that scares me after getting tinnitus.

Due to start the course this September, @Loui. And yes, I still believe it is possible to get (some of) the things we want (albeit via alternate routes we hadn't considered before).

Also, good point about the Ibex. 2 days ago @tpj asked me to post an image of something "scary". Closest thing I could think of was: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/420njJWfdnM/maxresdefault.jpg

One can hope Shore's device will be successful and reduces the volume for real. I would be forever grateful to get tinnitus heard in quiet only. I’m kind of traumatized by this experience though and would still be bothered by noise. Unfortunately, we still have ears that are sensitive to loud sounds. But there’s always hope.

@Loui They have these home workout machines called Tonal I want one but I think they are kind of loud. Yeah I agree I would be forever grateful if I could only hear this torture when I go to bed. But after this traumatic experience I would still live like a hermit staying away from noise exposure. Would still be nice to be able to drink coffee outside listening to the birds in quiet.

@Loui How has life been on the other side of the world? How has the weather been? Down here in South United States the temperature has been around 40 degrees Celsius everyday lol.

Yo @Loui. Studying again now and being productive.

Hope things are continuing to go well for you too.

Sounds great @Damocles. What are you studying?

Sometimes life is almost good and sometimes not. I suppose I still mourn the me before tinnitus and miss my old life. Sometimes life smiles back at me but it's usually for a short while. It's a cruel ailment to live with as you certainly are well aware of.

I'm studying Computer Science, @Loui, so I can follow in the footsteps of my Swedish mate, @Stacken77. Also, just so I can work from home a lot.

Totally understand the grieving for the carefree person you once were, btw. It took me a very long time to stop beating myself up over the damage I had done, and going over the different steps I could have taken to avoid that damage.

I'm not sure @Stacken77. For all we know, it was @Loui who taught YOUR classmate how to boil an entire meal in a pan.

Beats a microwave dinner, undoubtedly.

@Damocles I don't cook Swedish meatballs normally, but if I would then I suppose I’d fry them in a pan. When I do Italian meatballs I fry them and then let them boil in homemade tomato sauce.

Is the right answer.

@Stacken77, you need some cooking lessons from @Loui.

( ͠° ͟ʖ ͠°)

It wasn’t lyme and all test results came back clear. All my symptoms are gone and I feel better again. If I’m lucky it was just a pinched nerve. I suppose the future will tell. How are you?

Yes I was bitten by one in late august, when running in the forest. I still have some nerve pain that comes and goes. A few weeks ago I was in real pain. Could barely drive because my arms hurt badly.

Ticks make me scared of going in grass and trees @Loui; I don't want them to get me.

⊃゜Д゜）⊃

Hold me? ヽ(◕‸◕)ﾉ

I have none. Currently, I'm waiting for some test results. The doctor think it's Lyme disease. If not they’ll probably say it's post covid.

I have a good job currently but of course I want to advance. It's the only way to early retirement

I’m a real estate manager. I was planning to advance in my career but have put it on hold for now. I’m too distracted with health issues and do not feel like myself.

Sounds like a rough year for you. I suppose T/H affects us all differently. I try to have a positive outlook in life but It gets harder with every health issue that comes in my way. I hope you can do the surgery for H too and that it's successful.

Are you able to get disability for tinnitus and hyperacusis? My job is very meaningful for me so I would never quit. My hyperacusis is very mild as in I’m bothered by sirens and screaming kids. As long as it stays this way I wouldn’t consider surgery. If I could know that my tinnitus would stay the samt I wouldn’t be bothered by that either. It’s the fact that it can get worse that are the stress factor for me.

I have my hopes in Thanos pill. I think he’ll be the one that solves the tinnitus and hyperacusis mystery.

It's not fibromyalgia since my symptoms aren't constant. Lucky me but something is of with my nervous system. I do to think we tinnitus/hyperacusis people have of over active nervous system. Also I’m super scared of afflictions since being traumatized with these shit conditions so I get worried as soon as something goes wrong.

Definitely need to buy meself some Skagenröra.

@Stacken77 var i Sverige bor du?

@Stacken77 själv är man Skåning

It’s reasonable to try to live your life to its fullest with the limitations we have to face as tinnitus sufferers. I mean don't put your life on hold and wait for a cure. We all want to get rid of this affliction but we need to push through the struggle.

Maybe you can find an alternative career that doesn't require better sound tolerance? My job is normally quiet and in noisier situations, I wear earplugs. I would love to function normally but I try to do my best with the situation. Most people struggle with something. We have crappy ears and a malfunctioning brain.

I thought my bad years were behind me but I suppose not. I’ve had nerve pains in my body and got shit scared. I’m waiting for test results. Hopefully, it's not something significant but with anxiety issues, it's not a fun wait. I hope to be back in a good spirit soon again ☺️ Health issues are the worst. Health is wealth. I hope you’ll have a good recovery

That's great that you can function without earplugs. I think it's reasonable to protect your hearing in loud environments. I do use earplugs at work sometimes too. It's better to be safe than sorry. Maybe we’ll have a better hearing when aging compared to normal people because we are so careful.

@DooDooBrain sorry to hear about your bothersome tinnitus and hyperacusis. Have you tried to function without earplugs? I got better when I just tried to live normal. I do use earplugs when I’m in environments I find bothersome like restaurants and bars. I think the anxiety makes the whole situation worse in a lot of cases.

I manage my problems if I keep the anxiety under control. Unfortunately, my anxiety is bad right now due to other health problems and I find the tinnitus and hyperacusis more bothersome at the moment. I sincerely hope things will be back to the new normal again.

I hope your noise tolerance will get better in time and that you’ll be able to pursue your dreams. I don't want to be a downer but I think we have more sensitive ears and that we always have to be careful with load sounds. I don't count on being able to live a fully normal life. I will never be around some sounds that would be considered normal. For my part, I’m happy as long as I can pursue my career goals.

Well, benzos do help, as do antidepressants (have taken both). Which one do you take if you don't mind? Perhaps myself or another would benefit? Cymbalta helped for a while, then pooped out on me.

I hear ya about the "old life" and I hope to get some of that back via the Silverstein Hyperacusis Surgery in Florida and the Susan Shore device (hopefully coming out 2022).

@DooDooBrain I’m on Sertraline 50mg for now. I consider to taper next year.

I don't think I ever will go back to my old life. I miss the time I didn't think about sound, it just existed. I’m 32 years old, clubbing and concerts aren't that important anymore.

I have very mild hyperacusis and the tinnitus is also quite low but unfortunately, I can hear it almost everywhere. I’m not that bothered by it anymore.

@DooDooBrain where are you on your tinnitus journey?

Remember this too shall pass

Also, loving that Swedish guys. Wish I could hear it being spoken in front of me. :(

Maybe one day. <3

@Damocles Hah, what I wrote was a Swedish proverb. I find it hard to translate, but it kinda means "you're always the creator of your own fun". We're just fooling around about alpacas with alcohol and tinnitus; we're kinda the creators of our own fun you know, how silly it may be. lol

Perfect translation, in my opinion.

Thank you for explaining, I love it!

Hey☺️

I only like people after I’ve had alcohol, well, or phenibut.

Cute photo:)
Not taken in Sweden I presume?
Hej from Norway

@Exit hej hej, the photo is from a alpaca farm nearby the city I live in ☺️