MemberHi Guys,
Guess I'll start with the basics. I'm a 29 year old female who has been suffering from ongoing and sporadic joint/nerve pain for the past 2 years. Apart from this, I would consider myself heathy, within the normal weight range and enjoy physical activity when my body allows.
I have had a relatively quiet 5 years since becoming a mum. However, I have been under quite a bit of stress the past few years. To explain a little, I lost my mother in law to brain cancer after being her primary carer for almost a year when my partner was working in a different city. My brother then suffered a brain haemorrhage in December 2020. I have also been studying at university, raising my daughter, running my own business, and dealing with this ongoing (and annoyingly still undiagnosed) chronic pain.
My tinnitus began almost 6 weeks ago. At the time I was on Doxycycline for suspected Lyme disease although I only took 4 tablets before onset and then ceased the treatment and opted to have a test done and wait for results. I also developed a shingles rash a week after the tinnitus began which was later treated with antivirals.
I don't know if these are just coincidences as I think my tinnitus was caused by hammering nails to make a raised bed (outside), as I first noticed it about 30 minutes after this. Does anyone have any opinions on what they think is the most likely cause? Maybe a mixture of all 3?
I also drive a van which using my dB meter measures between 80 - 90 dB at times :O! I say this is used in 30 minute stints for about 3-7 hours per week. Although the weeks before my onset I did not use it at all as the weather was good (cycling). I have also never had ringing, ear fullness, etc after driving.
Initially my tinnitus started in my right ear, it was reactive to the sound of water. High pitched pure tone. The reactivity calmed down then about a week later a new tone higher in pitch came into my left ear. Currently, during the day I only hear noise in my right ear (although the left plays up an night) I would say it has improved, can be masked more easily and sounds more like computer fan, although I'm not sure if I'm just getting used to it? When I put ear plugs in it still seems pretty loud. Particularly bad when trying to sleep hence my post at 2:30am. Both ears feel full/clogged/irritated.
I do not use headphones and hardly listened to music now. However, before my daughter I was a regular at clubs (weekly for 3 years) and of course the after party's which lasted days after. I don't 'remember' any ringing after/during this time.
I would appreciate any advice particularly on when to wear ear plugs. I live on a Main Street in Glasgow. It's noisy - sirens, cars beeping, lost of events, people singing etc. Should I use them every time I go outside?
I am thankful that it's not as bad as some peoples, and am also grateful to have such a wonderful daughter who has not raised her voice once and been so loving. The only respite I get from this horrible thing is my time spent one on one with her. In fact, the other night we were playing, I was putting on a brave face, when she just turned to me and said - "don't worry mum your ears will get better, they just need to rest". I am so proud of her. I suppose having knowledge of this condition will at least allow me to take the necessary steps to protect her in the future.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Any advice would be appreciated.
Guess I'll start with the basics. I'm a 29 year old female who has been suffering from ongoing and sporadic joint/nerve pain for the past 2 years. Apart from this, I would consider myself heathy, within the normal weight range and enjoy physical activity when my body allows.
I have had a relatively quiet 5 years since becoming a mum. However, I have been under quite a bit of stress the past few years. To explain a little, I lost my mother in law to brain cancer after being her primary carer for almost a year when my partner was working in a different city. My brother then suffered a brain haemorrhage in December 2020. I have also been studying at university, raising my daughter, running my own business, and dealing with this ongoing (and annoyingly still undiagnosed) chronic pain.
My tinnitus began almost 6 weeks ago. At the time I was on Doxycycline for suspected Lyme disease although I only took 4 tablets before onset and then ceased the treatment and opted to have a test done and wait for results. I also developed a shingles rash a week after the tinnitus began which was later treated with antivirals.
I don't know if these are just coincidences as I think my tinnitus was caused by hammering nails to make a raised bed (outside), as I first noticed it about 30 minutes after this. Does anyone have any opinions on what they think is the most likely cause? Maybe a mixture of all 3?
I also drive a van which using my dB meter measures between 80 - 90 dB at times :O! I say this is used in 30 minute stints for about 3-7 hours per week. Although the weeks before my onset I did not use it at all as the weather was good (cycling). I have also never had ringing, ear fullness, etc after driving.
Initially my tinnitus started in my right ear, it was reactive to the sound of water. High pitched pure tone. The reactivity calmed down then about a week later a new tone higher in pitch came into my left ear. Currently, during the day I only hear noise in my right ear (although the left plays up an night) I would say it has improved, can be masked more easily and sounds more like computer fan, although I'm not sure if I'm just getting used to it? When I put ear plugs in it still seems pretty loud. Particularly bad when trying to sleep hence my post at 2:30am. Both ears feel full/clogged/irritated.
I do not use headphones and hardly listened to music now. However, before my daughter I was a regular at clubs (weekly for 3 years) and of course the after party's which lasted days after. I don't 'remember' any ringing after/during this time.
I would appreciate any advice particularly on when to wear ear plugs. I live on a Main Street in Glasgow. It's noisy - sirens, cars beeping, lost of events, people singing etc. Should I use them every time I go outside?
I am thankful that it's not as bad as some peoples, and am also grateful to have such a wonderful daughter who has not raised her voice once and been so loving. The only respite I get from this horrible thing is my time spent one on one with her. In fact, the other night we were playing, I was putting on a brave face, when she just turned to me and said - "don't worry mum your ears will get better, they just need to rest". I am so proud of her. I suppose having knowledge of this condition will at least allow me to take the necessary steps to protect her in the future.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Any advice would be appreciated.
