Alive and Kicking!

Hi folks, the last time I wrote on this site was in June. Here is the thread I posted...

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/major-new-problem-for-a-15-year-sufferer.1623/#post-13579


I was in the middle of a terrible time. I think my last post was actually in the MIDDLE of a panic attack where I didn't know what was happening!
I've just gone back and read what I wrote. The horrendous noise that was driving me mad lasted 14 days! Then one morning I woke and it was gone. I can't tell u how happy I was! To find out it wasn't permanent was soooo good.
However it was not the last of my problems. I was to be fitted with masking devices to help with the 50-60 decibel T I'd been putting up with. They were to be fitted in a city 3 hrs away. It was firstly delayed 2 weeks because of my virus, then the next time 2 wks later my ear specialist was sick! By this stage I was on sleeping pills (zoplicone - heavy shit) . Finally two weeks after that we were snowed in. By this time I was addicted to the pills and was trying to get off them. My sleep totally disappeared again and I was in a bad way mentally.
I finally rang the specialists in desperation demanding an appt. The day before I'd had 3 or 4 anxiety attacks and basic had a breakdown at my Mums.
They cleared their appointment slate and fitted me with Unitron masking devices. It was so empowering. After 15 years I had a weapon! Over the next 2 weeks I dropped the T by 8-10 decibels. In the months since it is down at least another 8. I wear them all the time now and I feel they have helped me get my life enjoyment back. I dunno what the volume is exactly now but it's mid to high 30's.
As for sleep. It took me a while to sort that but with the help of a v mild sedative, cherry tart pills and lavendar balm, I now sleep better than a koala bear! My life has changed for the good. I rarely drink and now look after myself a lot better. It has taken months to recover.

Habituation was completely lost because of my experience and it probably took till November to feel like I was habituating ok. From time to time I still think about the T too much but I feel it is still tapering off.
Looking back at this experience I guess I have a lot to offer people. I also owed the people who wrote on my last thread an update!!

In brief, if there's anyone here who would like to ask about TRT, masking devices, sleep habits, habituation, dealing with anxiety attacks, meditation, seeing a shrink! - I've done it all the last 6 months but I'm out the other side and far better for it. So ask away....

Cheers Al

 

How odd - A tinnitus recovery success story - 66 views and not one comment.

 

Love hearing stories like this!! The beginning of tinnitus is so difficult, success stories make a world of difference for me!

 

Oh sorry - missed that section. Thanks guys.
Edna - wasn't a beginning - but a virus that sent my world tumbling...
Have already started helping where I can.

 

Any success story is a good one. Newer sufferers need to read these to be reassured that there is hope ahead. Your story reassures that one can never give up the hope. If treatment like TRT helps, then pursue it. Masking is a good way to reduce the anxiety level. If TRT and the maskers can actually reduce the loudness, all the better. Thanks for sharing your success story.

 

This is so wonderful for you. Congratulations! I love reading all of these success stories. It makes me feel that better times are ahead for all of us. Cherry tart pills-what are they? Also, I am considering TRT and was wondering what your experience was like.

 

Pills that contain a natural melatoin extract. They seem to help me stay asleep or get back to sleep if I wake in the night...they don't help me get to sleep but I'm ok with that at the moment anyway.

TRT in my experience was basically talking to an expert about your fears regarding Tinnitus. I was put onto a shrink who was knowledgeable about the subject. My ear specialist was happy that she knew her stuff. I had 6 sessi9ns with her and it all helped. It was no magic wand but it helped to spend an hour a fortnight talking about how things were going. It also helped see the progress you were making.

The masking devices were the big one for me. When u can actually hear your T getting quieter it is the best thing....

 

I am inspired by your effort and willingness to connect with us, your wife, friends, cat. I can relate. I've had panic attacks, starting with age 10 or so. My adult ones motivated me to get to a ER, where I got a paper bag, Xanax, oxygen, lemon-lime Gatorade and education about how the hyperventilation part occurs. I did not even have tinnitus then!

Since I got tinnitus, I have gotten close to have a panic attack, but did not. Reading sites like this help me. One audiologist advised against it. He also has tinnitus. I did not take his advice, and I appreciate everyone's communication. We have this problem because of the lack of communication between ear and hearing specialists and those who write laws and textbooks.

What humans cannot see, takes more centuries to understand at a common knowledge scale than that which is visible. Example: Cosmetology courses provide lots of textbook images and information about infection and injury that must be prevented and looked for in clients. In contrast, DJs and sound engineers know nothing about how the decibel level threshold for damage within the time frame of a song (5-15 minutes) and concert (2 hours).

 

...impacts the anatomy of the ear, evidently.

 

So glad to hear you got some relief. Just to be sure, you got masking devices and the T reduced it's volume even when you are not using them? I'm considering TRT again now, done it before and worked wonders for me, but now I'm going through an increase in volume and going nuts

 

Just realised this is a very old post haha