At the ER Waiting on a Psych Consultation — My Tinnitus Is So Loud I Can't Sleep

Hi all.

I have lived with tinnitus for over 30 years now. When I was 17 one of my science teacher brought in a tone generator to show us the limits of our hearing. He had us close our eyes raise a hand and lower when the pitch got too high for you to hear. I kept my hand up the entire time. Turns out my ears ring in the 6500 - 7500 Hz range.

Over the years I would bring it up to doctors, they would start me on the specialist circle (ENT, Neurologist, etc) and as a young man I would get bored with how long everything took and then I would be told I have to learn to live with it.

Hell, in 2020 I was told by an audiologist that it really isn't that bad.

For over 10 years now the noise in my head is so loud I can't sleep. I can always get myself to sleep, but then after 3-5 hours depending on how tired I am.

For the last 4 years I have been back on the specialist circle. It took a while, but my GP finally believes me when I tell her my anxiety is a result of the tinnitus.

I have lost track of all the different antidepressants I have tried. A week before x-mas I started anewed and within 4 days my tinnitus was put of control. I stop taking those pills.

Now I am on Duloxetine, I don't think it's working she tells me to give it more time. Along with that I am on Clonazepam for sleep, but that dosage was doubles last week and is already becoming ineffective as a sleep aid.

The month of January was the darkest place I have ever been.

I had a small window of sleep while the Clonazepam was still working and I had forgotten that life doesn't always suck.

Now my sleep has been piss pour again for about a week and I am right back where I was in January.

So I woke up this morning and came to the Emergency Room.

Something has to change.

 

Hi @Dobin.

Jissis I have no words!

Except you’re tough as hell!

And I’m grateful you went to the ER and also that you decided to sign up here!

Welcome!

 

Oh my, you have endured so much for so long. I sincerely hope that something will change for you.

Welcome to the forum, and like @Exit said, I am glad that you signed up.

 

I hope you got help at the ER. My wife eventually convinced me to go last week for similar reasons (average of 90 minutes of sleep a night for five weeks combined with constant pain leading to a mental breakdown). I was basically told, but nicely, that the ER is more for medical emergencies like strokes and heart attacks. I was given Ativan and sent on my way. At least the Ativan gave me around four hours of deep sleep - it was the only time in the last month I didn’t feel terrible, so I can relate to what you said about Clonazepam.

I hope they were able to do something substantial for you.

 

Like you my tinnitus never gives up. It’s constant, consistent and at times has me so depressed. I even envy those who have a break every so often. My sleep last night was awful, panicky feelings of knowing I’ll never hear silence again, is it getting worse and how much worse will it get. I’ve mentioned to a doctor once but said I was coping so he left it. The one thing that keeps me on a level is the knowledge that I am not alone. This in turn makes me feel guilty that I feel relief that other people have it . There’s no real let up, just distraction to avoid having it front of mind, for me anyway. How are you today?

 

@Dobin, wishing you well. I hope you find something to help you rest and relax and get back on the road to hopeful recovery. Do keep us informed (if you wish).

 

It was a long wait.

Up side, turns out services are shared among the group of hospitals.

The doctor was straightforward, he told me, that he was not terribly familiar with tinnitus. Then he worked with me to find something to help me sleep.

Methoprazine, it knocked me out. My sleep wasn't very deep (I use a sleep tracking device).

I was able to stay in light sleep long enough to feel much better today.

Thank you all for support. I hope to start using this outlet more often.

Cheers!

 

@Stroopy, thank you. Yes, distraction is my only relief, besides sleep, I love podcasts.
I know this is unsolicited, but it took me years to figure it out. Find something with a constant volume to measure against your tinnitus. I use the shower, but you do you.

Thank you for the kind words.

You as well @Uklawyer, thank you for the kind words.