Might Be a Rant, Have a ?

This just might end up being a rant because my tinnitus kept me up most of the night so it's angry and screaming all morning. I had tinnitus for over 6 years and real bad for the last 2. I have seen
3 ENTs
1 specialist
2 psychologist- one was a nutbag
1 cranial sacral therapist
1 nutritionist
1 behavioral therapist- she was half my age and zero help

Used

Widex/Zen maskers
sound generators
checked indoor air quality and even checked possible EMP/Magnetic interference
Used to run a least a 5k every morning but gave it up because I feel so crappy in the morning plus the ringing is no fun either. I occasionally ride my mountain bike because I don't hear the ring at 15 mph.

The ringing comes back with a vengeance. Quite smoking, stopped drinking because its going to help. It didn't, I'm 48 don't go out much due to the ringing and cloudy thought. Haven't worked in over 2 years so I'm paying for my own insurance that doesn't have major medical so even if I could find a behavioral therapist or hearing therapist within 200 miles of me I'd have to pay out of pocket. That means I'll be running out of money in about 6 months.

I'm thinking like they say "it's better to burn out than fade away" If I burn out I don't go in debt and can pass what I have on.

My question is what keeps you going when your tinnitus isn't getting better and is sucking all the fun out of life and your getting burnt out? The only thing I can think of is usually when the brain does something to drive you crazy it compensates in other ways. So I'm hoping any day now I will be getting my superpower. Hope it comes soon because I'm running out of patience.

 

Interesting story.

You mentioned your tinnitus only got bad in the last 2 years despite having it for 6 years? What made it get a lot worse?

Have you looked into Tinnitus Retraining Therapy? Have you thought about taking any anti anxiety or anti depressant medications?

 

Mainly, a few people I have met recently who have made my life bearable. A few close, meaningful relationships.

Have you head of the book "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by Dr. David D. Burns? It may help, while it does not replace therapy, it is pretty close to CBT in book form.

 

My tinnitus has gotten way worst over the last 30 years. It happens and we can try to protect our ears and do everything, but it can possibly get worst. I'm not bar hopping or a wild soul like i use to be, but my life is still enjoyable and i still smile and love being alive

We are in control of our lives, we may have obstacles...but we can still live our lives and find joy in it.

 

Does it usually get worse, even without any medical reason?

 

Tinnitus or our health can get worst as we get older. Even if you live the perfect life, it can still happen. Medical reasons can possibly make tinnitus worst. Medicines can possibly do it. Stress/anxiety can do it. Loud music/places can do it.

I take life as it it and it's a day by day issue. Being in this game for almost 30 years, i know what triggers my tinnitus to feel worst. Eventually we learn, how our bodies act and react to things. It takes time, but you will learn it. It's good to try to protect our ears, but don't obsess over it.

I can make this comment about myself - I damaged my ears by being foolish and doing stuff that I pay for everyday. My hair cells in my ears are damaged, due to the loud noises/places I been to. if I only knew better and just was educated. You guys are VERY lucky here and are blessed that people who have royally screwed up their ears...come here and show compassion and MAKE sure that you don't end up like them

I would have given everything, to have been in your shoes and someone to have mentored me and showed me the way....

Even with my bad ears and nasty/torture ringing..I am always smiling and loving this life I have

 

But does it get worse without it being provoked? Without medical reason?

 

It can get worst with or without medical reasons. Stress/anxiety and other factors can contribute to higher tinnitus/spikes...

 

Im going to try to answer the questions but if I miss something Im sorry. Not sure why it got worse over the last few years. Lost my job but have enough cash to keep me going for a while. Not to mention I think my work is part of the reason why I have T. I tried taking anti depressants for a while and had no effect. I don't feel depressed and everyone one thinks Im the most easy going person they ever met. I really don't let things get to me. That's why I didn't think this would be a problem it is what it is I was good for a long time its just recently that the ringing has made my head all fuzzy. Before I could just deal with the ringing but now days it effects my mind. I feel like Im walking around in a daze. I hate that feeling. It worries me just doing errands my mind is so foggy. I would hate to hurt somebody while driving and having shitty concentration. That's why I stay home a lot. I have a wakeboarding boat and I used to pick up all by friends kids during the summer and taught them to board. Now I don't because Im afraid I will get one of them hurt when Im in the brain fog. I've been the crazy uncle for years and miss it. Been waiting for over 2 years for it to get better and it hasn't. I've been all around the world. Been running with the bulls drove to Belize to help a friend with a farm, been all thur south and central America, Africa, Europe. Sky dived, mountain biked down sky slopes I've done a lot so I've had a decent life. And much more. I used to say "if your not living on the edge your taking up too much room" Maybe I've done enough and now Im taking up too much room. Cant live years like this. Need a reason to keep going.

 

I think its getting worse because of age and my unemployment. I have more time on my hands to hear my T. But for all you people going to say get out there and get moving and you will get used to it. I used to work out in the am and now I just feel so crappy in the morning all I can think about when I wake up is I cant wait till bed time so I don't have to hear this for a while. Im just tired of fighting it every day. I tell you I can relate to people that are trying to stay clean from drugs. Its a mental struggle every day to go one

 

I haven't read "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by Dr. David D. Burns but Im reading rewiring tinnitus by Glenn Schweitzer. Also doing "back to the silence" The books a struggle because of the lack of concentration but working on it. Normally this book would take me a day but not anymore. About the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy I try the Zen aids but there is no one within 200 miles that has a clue on how to help. The last one I went too She meant well but was half my age and was talking to me like I was a high school senior with anxiety over taking my SATs. After 2 sessions we both decided that she was out of you league.