Glad I Found You Guys! Please Read! I Could REALLY Use Some Help and Advice!

Hi everyone my name is Kim. I have been living w tinnitus since April of 2013. It started with a loud concert. the next several days I couldn't hear out of my left ear and the ringing began. I live in a small town in Mountain Home Arkansas. There's not a lot of help out here for me. I've seen several Ent specialist in Little Rock and no one could give me answers on what was going on. They scheduled an MRI and did not see anything wrong. After a year of trying to work in a busy doctor's office I finally had to quit my job. I tried a hearing aid with masker and I think the amount of visits I had to have to adjust the aid began to be more distressing than helpful. I stopped using the hearing aid and started to become very depressed. I shut myself off to the world. That included my boyfriend, my family, my friends, the gym, and any kind of happiness I used to have. After several visits to the ER, they too said there was nothing that could be done. That point I became suicidal and wanted to just end this confusion of multiple noises that only I can hear. No one else could understand what I was going through because they couldn't see it. Trying to explain this to someone made me look like I was psychotic. They looked at me like I was hearing voices. For a while I started to think that maybe I was just hearing things and I was crazy. I finally one day sat at home and decided I wasn't giving up. I decided to see a female ent instead of a male in Harrison Arkansas. This doctor graciously approached me and finally told me that I was not crazy and this is what was going on. I have hearing loss as well as tinnitus in my left ear. The nerve had been severed and she ordered an additional MRI to rule out any tumor. MRI results came back normal except for some fluid that was in my ear. She put A tube in the ear and 1 month later the pressure had lessened. The tinnitus was still there along with my persistence to beat this. She wanted me to have some lab work done to make sure the cellular level is OK. I saw my PCP and asked him to do lab at her request. I guess he finally had enough of me because he said I don't have an order from her and it's time for you to just stop. You need to go to the SS office and file for disability and you should hire a lawyer. I told him I wasn't ready to give up! He said there's nothing anyone can do for you. You're going to have to live like this forever. He ran my labs and I signed a release form for my records. I have a new PCP starting this Monday. I also will be seeing a social worker and psychiatrist for the depression. I found out that my potassium was low and my ENT gave me lipoflavinoids to start. I'm now trying to find a support group that understands what I'm going through and I'm glad I found this one. I'm looking into healthy eating and ideas of how to get back to work before I lose my home. I'm 40 years old not ready for disability and am looking for suggestions what to eat, what all I can do as to what to put in my body and what not to. I've done a lot of reading and have stopped alcohol, stoped Diet Mountain Dew and caffeine, and quit smoking.

I would love some other suggestions and am looking forward to being a part of this group. Thank you again for reading my story and God bless each and everyone one of you. I will be praying for us all daily.

 

Hi Kim ... It's such a heart-rending story that you tell about your struggles with T over the past two and a half years ... thank you for that.

I'm not medically able to advise you in any way, but I do wish to say how brave and resilient you are at putting-up with your condition, especially at the start of your T troubles when it seemed like nobody understood what you were suffering.

Your optimism, together with all your determination and research shows that you will not be overcome by your T condition ... you will succeed, Kim!

Just one more thing ... I wish to thank you for keeping all of us in your prayers, because you are certainly on my prayer-list as of this moment!!

Stay with the TT Forum ... we are always ready to help at any time you need us!

Paul

 

Hi Paul! Thank you for reading my story and your support! I will be looking at your post frequently when I feel the desire to give up. Thanks again my friend!

 

Yes, ditto to all Paul has said to you Kim. Welcome to this forum. I am sorry we had to meet this way, but I know you will meet some lovely, supportive, long term t veterans on here, who will enlighten you with stories of hope and inspiration. Have a look at the back to silence thread. I personally have been helped so much by this technique. whilst I am having a little set back, I know I will get back to feeling better in myself in no time. Keep in touch with us. Would love to get to know you further Kim. X

 

Welcome to TT, Kim. Here you will find a supportive forum and you can rant, chat, ask questions and seek support. We have been where you are. So we understand your challenge. You are a brave and kind lady indeed. God loves you for your kindness to pray for all of us while you are still hurting. May His peace be with you amid your struggle with T. We don't know how to cure T yet, but if we stay positive and calm amid the storm of T, life will be easier.

The best thing is to read over as many success stories as you can and there are many inspiring ones. A big part of the T suffering is mental. So when we can reduce stress and anxiety, we can also reduce the sufferings. By reading the stories, you will come to know many people do recover and live a normal life. I used to suffer 'hell' with my ultra high pitch dog whistle T and severe hyperacusis. I also suffer anxiety and panic disorder with episodes of depression. So T & H just opened the flood gate of hell of anxiety and panic attakcs, depression and sleeplessness. I never thought I could recover. But today I live a normal and absolutely enjoyable life.

I wrote my success stories and listed some helpful points to turn around my T suffering. Hope you have time to read it. You may also want to read these other stories to help you. Make sure you have adequate masking to help if T is bothering you. If you don't know how, we can help you. Here is my story:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

The most read success story ‘Back to Silence’ with a simple effective strategy:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/back-to-silence.7172/

Jade’s success story with super loud T:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/6-months-tinnitus-still-going-strong-but-so-am-i.3226/

 

Hi Kim,

You're not alone, we're all in the same boat here. Acceptance is the key. Once you accept your T, the psychological pressure will disappear and slowly but steadily you'll be able to just forget about it more and more. But it takes time, in my case it took 3 years to get that far. You'll get there too, don't worry.

 

Kim, I'm just 24 with T. T started 2 days before my birthday and very high pitched that day. How I can't frustrated that moment? now I live with it, I still have a life to go with. I don't bother it anymore, my T now is mild and I accept it like a million people do today

 

Hi Kim ... it's an absolute pleasure!

That's the way it is with TT Forum ... you're already developing contacts who know just how you feel ... They will be your support whenever you need that extra lift and understanding ... but they will also be your companions whenever you wish to share any of your good times!

Each one of knows that it's not easy-going with T ... but T needs to understand that it won't be easy-going with us, either! ... we are going to overcome it, one day ... one day!

You're still in my prayers, Kim!

Take lots of care ... you're such a brave and optimistic woman!

............. Paul

 

Given the connection between the cause and onset of your tinnitus, I am not sure I see the need to pursue a diagnostic such as an MRI scan. MRI scans are usually considered when the cause is not known, or, if the clinician is overly cautious.

During the first few days after onset of tinnitus (due to acoustic trauma), there is a window of opportunity where a course of steroids may help. This is obviously too late now.

The worldwide tinnitus community has seen some significant setbacks recently, but, there are still pharma companies pursuing important clinical trials - although the exact patient profile for the future drug candidates remains uncertain at this point. The pharma companies to keep track of is Auris Medical, SciFluor Life Sciences, and future developments related to Otonomy. In addition, the existing medication, Trobalt, remains a drug of "interest" for off-label usage in relation to tinnitus.

By being a member of TinnitusTalk, you will automatically get information in relation to the above developments - and well beyond what your PCP, ENT, or neurologist would be aware of.

 

Mine going for 3 weeks so far due High Noise Exposure. I start to take prednisol since 2 days a go, my T was mild and seems because prednisol my T has something covering it while I'm at empty room. Is that sign going better? 3 weeks late also? thanks

 

I'm two weeks now with tinnitus, probably due to noise exposure also. Went back to the doc today because last night was hell.. Went to sleep, woke up a couple hrs later with my head ringing, feeling like it was going to crack in half.. Today I was prescribed prednisone. We'll see how that goes.

 

Mri was done to rule out any growths. Also the radiologist found that some of the fluid that was stuck could potentially be due to causes other than the ear. As suspected after labs were done, my potassium and calcium levels have dropped. I will know more in a couple weeks. Also health insurance companies will not cover certain things unless tests like MRI's are completed.

 

Hi Kim,
I am new to this. I have had mine for 5 months now, and it started like yours. I have picked up on some advice from this forum that keeps me going as mine seems to have not settled down yet. It has been getting louder and louder. At this point, I hear it on subways, on jets, in loud restaurants, etc. I don't like life either, and am giving up tremendous career opportunities as it is too distracting to me. But I know this will get better as many have said. Although mine is louder, it doesn't bother me as much as when it first started. The medical world has not done much for me either. I have gone to ENTs at the best hospitals in the world (around Washington, DC and Maryland), and my results were disappointingly the same as yours. So a small town may not be so bad after all. Be careful with too many negative stories on these forums, but take from them what helps. Some things that helped me; I live day to day, and know that things can get better. I'm careful with my health, and keep working out, even if I'm down. Working out will always make you feel better. I share my story with many of my friends, and I am amazed how many of them suffer from T as well. One of most most upbeat friends that I work with just shared with me that she has terrible T. She has had it for several years, but just puts up with it. If she can love life the way she does, so can we. Surround yourself with true friends. They are the ones that will not shut you down when you need someone to talk to and share what you are going through. I also realize that it is harder to find T success stories than negative stories. I think that many people that have learned to cope with it, habituate, or get better, etc, don't come back to share their stories. I have another friend with fairly bad T, and now barely notices it. But after talking to me about it, she started noticing it again, and it took a few days to get over it. The point is, when many get used to it, they don't always like talking about it. Kim, know that there are many of us going through the same thing. You are not alone. My prayers are with you and all T sufferers.
Mark

 

dont let T bother you while u going to sleep. My room always sounded by electronical sound from PC, TV, Etc.. lets see how it goes

 

I also had my first HBO treatment today... it went well but after I got home I found my left ear feeling a bit full, and whenever I hear a noise I get a bit of a tinnitus sound. Its the weirdest thing... Unable to sleep once more. Will try to go back to sleep again in a bit.

 

My T is pretty high frequency.. Like an old CRT television. I find it hard to drown it out.

 

Hi Kim,
I have had tinnitus since July of 2013 due to sudden hearing loss in one ear. I went to several doctors and I was told to learn to live with it. Every doctor says "I have ringing in my ears too". I wish I could trade with them because they just don't get it. I went to a therapist for a few months. She understood more than any audiologist or ENT about the difficulties I face (although she did say that she has ringing in her ears too). I just joined this chat group this week and here are the only people who really do understand. It is not pesky ringing. It is overwhelming and life changing.

 

Kim, I'm new to the forum today. Found it due to an Internet research on a T treatment my wife came across and wanted me to try; it's probably a SCAM. I don't call myself a T sufferer because I've learned to live with it. When I went to my PCP over 30 years ago and he told me I had T and there is no cure for it, I took him at his word. He informed me he also had the condition. When a genuine cure is found, I'm sure we will all hear of it through legitimate channels, not through Internet pop-ups or YouTube.

Sounds (no pun intended) like your T is caused by the same thing as mine, ear damaging noise trauma. The good news is that you do learn to live with it. At this moment and at most times the loudest sound I hear in any room is the ringing in my ears, both ears. The one thing I've found that has a real impact on the level of the noise in my head is sleep. If I pull an all-nighter for some project I'm working on, the noise gets louder. When I get a full 8 hours of rest, the noise seems softer. Also, if I pay attention to the noise or if it comes up as a topic of conversation, it seems more severe than if my attention is focused on other stuff.

Stay positive. In terms of medical conditions or disabilities that you could have this is way down the list of bad things. It's a bummer if you allow yourself to focus on it but it will not kill you and you can learn to live with it, very well. Focus on the positive and you will find the journey can even be enjoyable. Also, keep up the exercise, good diet, and avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, etc; I do too and feel it helps, certainly can't hurt to have a healthy body.