New to Tinnitus, Scared and Anxious

[BobDigi]

Hi. My name's Bob and I live in the UK. I've had constant tinnitus in one ear for a week now. I'm trying my best to get on with life but finding it pretty hard. I've seen a nurse who confirmed no ear wax or perforated eardrum.
So Now I'm waiting to see the doctor.
I'm holding on to the fact that it may be fluid in the ear, and there's a possibility it may be treated and i'll lose the tinnitus. But reading online that seems unlikely.
It's a really loud high pitch, constant screech. I've tried explaining it to a few people including my best friend, mum and girlfriend. They don't seem to understand just how bad it is. And they just assume it will go. I'm currently not feeling as optimistic.

I just wish I could speak to a specialist who may be able to at least give me some real answers. At the moment it's a really lonely experience. I can't get any solid answers, I just have to keep wondering weather it's here for life, fluid in middle ear, ear infection, auditory neuroma, brain tumour, a lot to worry about, nothing to worry about, will get worse, will get better.
I've got loads of questions and no one to give me a real answer.

Anyway I was meant to be introducing myself, not having a moan.

Bob, 34 years old, first week of tinnitus, live in the UK, like riding my bike or motorbike, playing x box, listening to Howard Stern, not usually a moaner I promise.

 

[Enrique]

Hey Bob, I know exactly how you feel. I'm only 25 and just acquired tinnitus as well about 3 weeks ago. The first week was the worst only because all I could do is wish for it to be gone so it seemed like the worst thing ever and it was. The second week I saw a specialist and he said that it might go away so I had to continue with life. Even though it was a battle, I tried to continueing my old routine and tried to stop focusing so much on the tinnitus and it seemed to have decreased and my hyperacusis went away. It has been tough but a great deal better than my first week. I achieved all this just by changing my mindset. Take it day by day, do your research on the causes of tinnitus and see if one my correlate to your cause. The worst thing that negatively impacts me is reading into the future. Don't assume it will ruin your and that you won't be able to do much or enjoy life because you will. You do need strength and patience but you can do this. Who knows, maybe one day you will wake up and it will be gone. Eat very healthy, perform moderate exercise, take vitamins and ginko biloba. If you take caffine and/or aspirin stop. Protect your ears while riding your bike and lower the volume when playing games. I truly hope it goes away. Goodluck!

If you need to talk I just message me.

 

[BobDigi]

Hey Bob, I know exactly how you feel. I'm only 25 and just acquired tinnitus as well about 3 weeks ago. The first week was the worst only because all I could do is wish for it to be gone so it seemed like the worst thing ever and it was. The second week I saw a specialist and he said that it might go away so I had to continue with life. Even though it was a battle, I tried to continueing my old routine and tried to stop focusing so much on the tinnitus and it seemed to have decreased and my hyperacusis went away. It has been tough but a great deal better than my first week. I achieved all this just by changing my mindset. Take it day by day, do your research on the causes of tinnitus and see if one my correlate to your cause. The worst thing that negatively impacts me is reading into the future. Don't assume it will ruin your and that you won't be able to do much or enjoy life because you will. You do need strength and patience but you can do this. Who knows, maybe one day you will wake up and it will be gone. Eat very healthy, perform moderate exercise, take vitamins and ginko biloba. If you take caffine and/or aspirin stop. Protect your ears while riding your bike and lower the volume when playing games. I truly hope it goes away. Goodluck!

If you need to talk I just message me.

Hey sorry I never realized your reply till today. Thanks for your message.
What you said has been so true. I'm now entering week two and I am a little better than last week. I no longer listen to headphones, and I haven't played xbox since t started. I will try this weekend, but right now, although I'm getting a bit better. I'm not at the point where I can enjoy all the things I used too. But i'll get there.
Thanks for your message and I'm going to follow you. Thanks, Bob.

 

[BobDigi]

Oh and how are you getting on this week? Still going in the right direction.

 

[Enrique]

No worries. Yeah everything is ok. I actually went to the movies yesterday to see how it would be like. I took two sets of ear plugs to see which would work best. I feel as though my T is reactive to very loud noises still but only slightly compared to when I first started. I actually broke down in tears for like 30 seconds for the first time yesterday since my T started at the movie theater. I think it was a combination of not sleeping the night before, stress. and very poor choice of foods that day and just being tired overall. I have my bad moments and my good moments. Try not to let moments turn into days unless it is a good moment. I found out that sleep is very important though. I slept well last night woke up MUCH better today and much more optimistic again. Started exercising again (40min jog with push-ups, pull-ups and abs). Exercise is the best medication for depression. I have been eating a lot healthier (less salts, no caffine, fruits and sandwhiches mostly). Everyday seems to get better though. My hearing is coming back and I can hear to about 18khz-19khz at a low volume which isn't great but good for the moment considering the acoustic trauma and that I am still recovering. I actually hear better from the ear that has moderate tinnitus than with my ear very mild tinnitus. I'm just tsking this day by day and trying to stay busy even though it can be hard. I feel the improvement though. Today has been a normal day for me. I hear the tinnitus but I am not so bothered by it. I'm just glad that I still have the ability to hear and that I am healthy.

How is your day going?

 

[Enrique]

Oh and btw, I don't think you should stop playing video games if that helps you unfocus from the T. I have been playing almost everyday with my gf and I use to never play since I was always really busy but it has helped my relax. I just keep the level really low or turn it off and turn on the fan to mask the sound.