Hi, I'm Carlie and I'm New

[Carlie1]

Well to be honest, not that new. I've had t for just over 6months now at a very distressing level to the point that I couldn't concentrate or focus on anything. I have 3young kids and a v demanding job.I actually think my job tipped me over the edge since I cannot think why else I had all this stress .I have not been able to go back to work so far and am unsure if I ever will. This has detrimentally affected all my relationships and has led me to be come a shadow of my former self confident, happy myself assured self. I actually mourn for the woman that I used to be as this came completely out of the blue.

The first few months were utterly horrendous, only you guys know the horror and the completely negative affect this has on a person with no mercy spared. I would be sitting in a room with my kids and husband and would not be able to utter a word as my whole being was nothing. This started over the Christmas period to make matters worse. My GP was very understanding and so was my private ENT but I really don't think they know what to do although my GP was v supporting where work was concerned. Ive felt like half a person for so long with such uncertainty for the future
please tell me this gets better?

 

[billie48]

Welcome Carlie to the forum. What possibly causes your T and can you describe your T? It is hard to tell and predict T but generally it takes normal cases 6 months to 18 months to stabilize. There are the speedy ones and there are the longer ones, mine taking over 2 years to feel better and by the 3rd year I wrote my success story.

Stay positive. You will get better like many members here. Learn from them via the support forum and from the success stories. Try to copy success by applying what you have learned. T is not an end game. It is annoying and depressing at first, but it tends to get better with time, especially if you have adopted some proven success strategies, like CBT, mindfullness meditation, masking, TRT etc.

If you haven't tried yet, try masking to give you some break from the oppressive T sound. Here are some suggestions. God bless:

1) Mask at bed time so you can sleep better. Find whatever sounds/music that are soothing to you. You can use a sound machine or sound pillow for this, or a computer with speakers.

2) If you need masking on the go, try load an ipod with nature sounds or music using itune. If you have a smart phone, you can download free APPs for soothing or T-masking sounds.

3) If you have computer and speakers, you can try these excellent masking sounds too:

TT's audio player: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/audioplayer/

or this online sound library, particularly the self-mix nature sounds: http://mynoise.net/

or download free sound generator 'aire freshener': http://www.peterhirschberg.com/mysoftware.html

or search youtube with words like 'tinnitus masking sounds', 'white noise', 'rain sound' etc

 

[Carlie1]

Hi Billie
Thanks for replying!
I Have slight high frequency hearing loss which is probably the reason however the stress has more than likely exacerbated it. It sounds like a high pitched tone with high pitched hissing. I have tried the meditation and have taken up yoga. I contacted Action on hearing loss (I live in Northern Ireland) and met with a lady who gave me a sound oasis to listen to ambient sounds like white noise at night.
I have been prescribed mirtrazapine for the anxiety and depression which followed. I am a naturally happy positive person so this has devastated me beyond belief but I am trying to stay positive.Thank you so much for your encouraging words, god bless you.

 

[Carlie1]

I must admit I have been lurking around these forums and have resolved only to read the success stories. I think they have helped me more than anything and have given me great strength which I am so thankful for I'm only now feeling brave enough to come on here. I see myself and my struggle in all of you good people and god only knows how hard it has been for us all. I was at my local hospital last week waiting to see a tinnitus specialist when I saw some really humbling sights. I guess it could be worse? I know this won't actually kill me but does anyone actually talk about how feeling this way can make you want to not be in this world anymore? Is there a difference? This messes with your mental health big time and makes me realise how fragile we all are at the end of the day.We are only human, not robots.

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Carlie1, and welcome to Tinnitus Talk!

Yes, tinnitus definitely can create terrible anxiety and depression, and I'm not sure all doctors realize how devastating it can be. Some people have had success with taking anti-depressants or other drugs for their tinnitus, but as for me, natural calming supplements seem to work best. I take magnesium every night before bedtime, and it has really helped me. So have other supplements such as holy basil.

I wish you peace, and hope your tinnitus gradually calms down to a level that you can live with.

Best wishes,
Karen