I've Never Met You ... But Thank You for Being My Friend!

I feel very humbled writing this introduction, because I know I'm in the company of giants ... people who have had to contend with their T in such a courageous way for much longer than I have. Please forgive me for not paying any thought as to what you were suffering, each day, whilst my hearing was fine. Now I'm experiencing the cruel reality of what T can do to people, and my heart goes out to you!

It was in March 2015 when I had a total hip-replacement ... I chose to have an epidural so that I could be conscious throughout the operation, and all went well. A truly fantastic operation ... (even when I heard the words: 'Circular saw and mallet, please.'). But it was that night when I started to realise that something was wrong ... it turned-out that I had caught an infection in the post-op room.

I was only in the hospital for 3 days, so it was my GP who gave me the antibiotics for my infection which was getting worse, each day. The first course had no effect, but when the next type of much stronger antibiotics was given to me, my T started within a few short hours and has never left me since. My GP says that it might just be a coincidence, which I'm ready to accept, because I was also very stressed-out with the effects of the infection.

But more importantly, what I want to say is that my heart goes out to you all ... every one of you, for what you are going through, and how I wish to thank you for your truly encouraging stories that are helping others ... especially me!

As a teenager, I wore an emboidered badge on my denim jacket which said: 'Even the longest journey begins with the very first step.' .... And many years later when I heard my GP's Nurse sound-out the words: 'most likely permanent; there's nothing we can do' ... it was just like an earthquake taking place inside my whole being ... a sense of inner panic ... a sense of just wanting to escape from my T ... an understanding that my life had changed completely. I knew that I was on the longest journey of my life ... but each small step, each breath, each moment would carry me through it ... for as long as it takes!

If you get the chance, please say a prayer for me ... because I truly promise you, that you are all so very much in my prayers!

 

Welcome PMC, and thank you for providing us with your kind and understanding introduction. Terribly sorry you have come down with this affliction. I myself have only been here a short time and have found there are few strangers here, we are very much in this together. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for your fellow suffers, I will keep you and the rest of the TTalk inhabitants in my prayers as well.

 

TexasT, ... so kind of you to reply .... thank you so much!
Yes, I agree totally ... there are no barriers between us all, because as you say, we are all in this together, with a big heart for one another. I do hope there are people around you who are willing to listen to your story, too, in whatever way you wish to share it, and that you're getting stronger along this journey of hard testing.
Do keep in touch ... I'm always ready to listen!
Best wishes, TexasT & my constant prayers for your healing!

 

Hi, not sure what happened but developed tinnitus almost yr ago, white noise all the time, ears feel fuzzy, never suffered with ear probs before apart from perforated eardrum yrs ago following a smack to affected side. My sister also suffers with it too. Usual stresses of everyday life inc stressful job -could this be exacerbating prob? Does not stop me sleeping but thought of this white noise becoming permanent is quite frightening. Also get feeling of pressure and tightness in that ear extending to underneath my jaw!!

 

Thank you, erik, for your kindness and support ... so glad I discovered TTalk!

 

Welcome PMc. For a teenager, you sure display great maturity from what you write. Keep it up and keep being positive. You will be just fine. I will remember my prayer for you. I still remember that dreaded verdict from my ENT. Besides saying it is permanent and live with it, he cruelly mused that the only way he could stop my ringing was to shoot me. Gosh!!!. The impact to us newbies of T by that dreaded verdict would be so immensely hard that our emotions would normally go into a tail spin, with anxiety, panic, depression, stress, sleeplessness and what you u to follow to haunt us even more. That was a horror story for me and many others, even T veterans. But don't lose heard and don't despair. If you read the success stories, this is almost the same for most members who have recovered, with initially suffering so hard that some can have suicidal ideations. But I have learned from my own struggle and others that we don't always have the same perception of T and its impact on our lives. The passage of time and the application of things we learn from the support forums will slowly help heal, mentally and may be even physically. In my success story I mentioned I thought my end was near, that I was surely doomed with so much suffering. I thought I never recover. But never say never. Today I live a normal and absolutely enjoyable life despite my ultra high pitch dog whistle T. It is possible to have good life again. Believe it. Here are some success stories as samples below. Take great care of yourself. God bless your recovery.

http://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/from-darkness-to-light-how-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/

Young people and their success stories:

from 17 years old Zach:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/fake-it-until-you-make-it.7590/

from Jari with T since 12 years old:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new.7670/

College age success story:
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/came-back-to-say-it-really-does-get-better.6166/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/i-finally-get-out-of-hell.7576/\

 

Massive big 'Thank You' to billie48 and Karen!
I've just read both your replies to my 1st Day of Introduction at TTalk ... & what an amazing day it has been.
There's a part of me that wishes I were the only person in the world suffering from T ... but knowing that you were there before me and have a deep longing to care for us is almost overwhelming!
I salute you and will always keep you in my prayers!
All my best wishes
PMc / Paul McLaughlin

 

You'll be ok mate. You're not alone. And things will get better.

 

Many thanks BobDigi ... & thank you for taking the time to send your encouragement ... it really does help!