Don't Know Why Yet... But Hello

Hello everyone. I've had constant tinnitus for the last two months. I'm not sure what is causing it. I suffer from debilitating headaches (clusters) and the tinnitus seemed to come on after an increase in frequency of attacks. I get strange nerve pains from time to time that have caused me to suspect neuropathy or possibly MS but no diagnosis or conclusive symptoms yet.

I notice I have to ask people to the repeat themselves much more now. The ringing is in both ears but much louder in the left so I can barely hear the right.

I will see my doctor for the first time since onset on Monday.

In conjunction with tinnitus I'm also getting dry itchy skin. Increased headaches. Pain in the mid-side of my back. (that is the scariest part). I also get numbness in my hands and arms, especially when sleeping but can happen when driving or pushing a trolley, etc. Blurry vision. Vertigo. Nausea. Lethargy.

In my personal life I am married with two young boys. I love science, computer programming, etc.

 

Hello @Major Tinnitus, and welcome.

Ahh, cluster headaches, yea, they are miserable. I am sorry that you suffer from those. Debilitating is an understatement.

That, unfortunately, is fairly common with tinnitus. I am usually embarrassed to ask people to repeat themselves, but you have to or you will start to miss out on life itself and become more isolated, and that is a downward spiral you do not want to start.

And a fellow techie. It is good to meet you.

So, there is some potential good news for you. @Bill Bauer wrote the following post discussing studies that show a fairly high recovery rate from tinnitus ( https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/spontaneous-recovery-stats-over-70-recover-3-studies.21441/ ). The main gist of this is that a large percentage of tinnitus sufferers have their symptoms go away in a relatively short period of time (it will not feel short while you are suffering with it, but they can go away).

You will also want to read some posts by @Michael Leigh. He has a wealth of knowledge on tinnitus and a talent for sharing it in an easy to read and understand way. Here are a couple to get you started.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/headphones-and-tinnitus.12062/

(the second one is about the potential danger of headphones, since you are a programmer I am guessing that you often listen to music during marathon coding sessions)

You may also want to red the success stories, just so you can see that many people do recover or learn to habituate. This will, hopefully, help you stay positive. There is hope, but I am sure you do not feel like there is right now.

Also, a bit of a warning, many of our members have retuned from the doctor a bit defeated. Many doctors do not understand tinnitus, so if yours tells you there is nothing that can be done and does not offer to send you to some sort of specialist (and ENT, a neurologist, etc..) I would strongly recommend seeking a second opinion from another doctor. There is hope, and for many there is something that can be done. Do not give up. It will get better.

Please keep us updated on your progress and let us know what your doctor says.

 

Welcome

I'm sorry that you are also suffering. Hopefully you can find peace with your illness. Cluster headaches are rare, but the way to treat them are... unconventional. Perhaps it is something else like MS. I'm no doctor, but I sincerly believe the best for you.

 

Sorry about your condition (we in here understand you), but I have to ask: with all those nasty symptoms, why wait for a couple of months before seeing your doctor?

I hope you get some clarity and manage to resolve your symptoms. Keep us posted after your doc consultation.

Good luck.

 

I understand how you feel. Many different things can cause the issues, you are facing. I been down this road before as well and it can be frustrating. Seeing a Dr can possibly give some answers , as to why you are feeling, the way you are. I have experienced everything you have mentioned in your post.

It took some time, for me to get back to my normal life. It takes time, it's a day by day thing. Every day for me is a small victory, that's how I look at things. The headaches can be from many different things as well....

Take care

 

There are many causes which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug reaction or side-effects from ototoxic drugs, ear wax build-up, ear or Eustachian tube infection or ETD, ear drum injury, fluid build-up in ears feeling pressured or fullness, sinus infection & congestion especially with a bad cold, TMJ, TTTS, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma/shock, head trauma & injury, neck injury or muscle problems, hearing loss, Meniere's Decease, barotrauma from sudden change of air pressure such as during landing & taking off on flights especially with blocked nose causing failure to balance the pressure changes, slapping of the ears, deep grief for the loss of loved ones, untreated sleep apnea, extreme, extended stress, anxiety & panic disorder, etc., etc. If a cause if fixable medically, then it is easier to treat T. Even if T remains, it is quite common for people to habituate to it over time. Take care. God bless.

 

Could you be experiencing sudden deafness?
http://www.masseyeandear.org/for-pa...ation/diseases-and-conditions/sudden-deafness

 

@Major Tinnitus There are many thing that can cause tinnitus such as billie48 pointed listed. The problems could be head trauma, but I would consider x-rays of neck and spine. Muscle spasm form anyplace can cause your problems. Numbness in hands, wrists and arms are often related to your spine and cervical spine. Nerve pain and back pain would also relate to your spine or neck and possible joint hypertrophy and everything that you mentioned.