Hello All... Tinnitus After Skull Fracture w/ Meningitis

[Givens54]

Hello everyone, here's my story.

Earlier this month I was out with some friends at a bar. After a couple of drinks and getting ready to leave we stood in the parking lot. Last thing I remember is talking to a friend and passing out. After that all I remember is just waking up in the hospital the next morning.

Later to find out that my skull bounced on the parking lot pavement twice and fractured my skull on the back side of my head by my left ear. My wife who was also with us that night told me that I was bleeding out of my left ear after the incident. They took a CT and I was only given ear drop and was free to go home after two days. The doctors told me it was due to low blood pressure and dehydration.

About two more days go by and when I woke up I couldn't open my left eye. Rushed back to the hospital and they did a MRI scan. MRI showed swelling of the brain with blood in my skull. I was told I have meningitis. I was then put on steroids and had to get a PICC line put in my arm to give me antibiotics.

After a week I was able to go home and was cleared to go back to work.I attempted to go back to work but i couldnt concentrate which then led to anxiety and hyperventilating. Sensitivity to light also sucks.

I was put on divalproex and every day I have to go get antibiotics at a local infusion center. I recently had a MRI and they told me the swelling has gone down and the blood in my skull is diminishing. I have two more weeks of antibiotics.

Today I went to a ear doctor get try to get some answers for the buzzing sound that I have since that dreadful night this entire nightmare began.

After doing a hearing test I was told the buzzing sound would never stop. I was told surgery would be a hit and miss. Also that a hearing aid would help lower the buzzing sound.

This has truly been a nightmare. I have lost a lot of confidence and am not sure how my life will play out. I had a job that I liked and im not even sure of my capability's when it comes to even that any more. I wish the buzzing would stop also. Anyone that would like to weigh in please do.

Thank you for reading.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to the forum. You suffer a head injury which has been known to cause tinnitus. I have first read about head injury causing T from reading the posts of a member Aaron (not sure if he is still active here). After much suffering of the new T in which he even lost his girl friend, Aaron did manage to go back to live his life fully and he even wrote a picture-filled success story. I don't know if the sound would never stop, but life seems to go on merrily after the initial suffering for Aaron. So hang in there. Try to mask the T if you can. Be prepared for the initial struggle. That seems to be the common theme for most people, including those who wrote their success stories (including myself). But after some time and following some helpful strategies, such as CBT, Mindfulness, TRT, etc., people get back to live life happily. I provide the link to Aaron's story and mine. Hope you find some help in reading them. Don't lose heart and don't panic. Things can improve and good days can return. Believe it. Take good care. God bless.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/who-said-our-life-is-all-about-tinnitus-i-share-with-you-some-pictures-i-took-after.3268/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/from-darkness-to-light-how-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Givens,

Welcome to the site!

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation.

Since you went to the ENT specialist, did he or she offer to put you on Prednisone (steroid)? Also, how do they know the buzzing sound will never stop? Stay positive and hopefully it will!

What do you do for a living?

Overall, do not let the buzzing in the ears alter your life! Did you know that there are millions upon millions of people with tinnitus in the US alone? The bulk of them are living productive lives (raising families, working, and enjoying life).

Right now, you are dealing with an intruder and you are trying to fight it head-on with fists. That is what we all try to do, but unfortunately you cannot defeat it. The best thing to do is to let it win, unclench your fists, and gradually you will acclimate to it (the term is "habituation"). All that means is that your nervous system will not not be impacted and you will not get anxiety attacks. Believe me, I know exactly what you are talking about because I went through the same thing! It will get easier to deal with over time. But again, hopefully it will vanish for you. Good luck!

 

[Givens54]

@billie48 @MikeL1972 Thank you both for the support. This entire month has been crazy dealing with the PICC line and the antibiotics. And all the issues that come with a concussion. Just finding out about T today has become another hurdle in the way of getting back to a normal life. But after reading your comments I feel at ease with it all. I will definitely read the success stories.

@MikeL1972 the ENT didn't mention anything about Prednisone but after the incident I was put on Prednisone for the brain swelling and have been weaned off it since by my neurologist orders. I don't know how she could say the buzzing wouldn't stop. When I first heard that I was very upset to be honest. For a living I work for a steel fabrication shop doing drawings in a office using CAD for customers. The first day back was just way to much for me. I haven't been back yet. Dealing with everything im going through. The concussion has also taken a toll on me mentally. The doctors have put me on other medications for the depression. I've felt depression over the last month due to all this.

Some days are better than others but I will keep pushing. I have a 5 year old son that keeps me going also. Probably the wrong way to look at it but I keep telling myself I can't wait for all this to be over. Another bad thing about all this is that I dont have health insurance as I had left the company only to return because they wanted me back.

They told me I would have to wait three months to get my insurance back and then this happens after a month back. Ive been trying to apply for help with the bills and all but we will see how that goes. Due to all this im not making anything right now.

Im in the process of applying to Unemployment because the Dr said I cant go back just yet. Well see what happens. But thank you both again. I will try to stay positive.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Givens,

You may want to find out if your company provides short and long term disability to employees. Speak with an HR representative. If you do not get the answers you need, you may also want to seek out an employment lawyer. Many of them offer a free initial consultation.