OMG FINALLY I Can Write My Success Story

For newbies I know what you are thinking, ANOTHER damn success story about how the tinnitus DID NOT get better. Maybe you are sick of hearing these habituation stories but it's real.

It took a LONG time for me to get here. I got tinnitus 2/2016 from an ear infection. The ear infection got better, the ringing stayed. I went to every doctor I could find and went to GOOD doctors that specialized in tinnitus. There really isn't treatment (if things have changed recently I am open to hearing about it). I have and have always had major anxiety so I know this has attributed to my tinnitus greatly.

For me under doctors recommendations I took Xanax as needed in the beginning. This was NOT a large amount. Probably like .5 mg per day. At that time I was getting to sleep drinking wine so I wouldn't mix with any pills.

Time went on and I didn't need the Xanax at all during the day. I tapered back on drinking the wine to get to sleep and (under doctors orders). I still take Xanax to get to sleep. I take 1-2 nights a week off (recommended by doctors) so I do not get used to it. I also use headphones on a noise app with crickets with a timer to go off in an hour when I do go to sleep.

I know this sounds like a major pain but realize, I have had severe anxiety before tinnitus. My story won't be like everyone else.

I hear from so many people that they have tinnitus and they aren't bothered at all. My mom, my husband (who I didn't even know had LOUD TINNITUS until I told him I had tinnitus). To be honest the majority of people that I speak to have some sort of tinnitus in silence.

I do like to have a masker on during the day when I am working from home. My tinnitus is super high pitched but thankfully not super loud so I do need to have specific maskers.

The hardest part for me was worrying what meds affect it. I still have that worry. I won't touch ibuprofen (that did not give me tinnitus) and really try to stay away from any meds. I have been to Harvard educated ENT's one of which has tinnitus and is trying to create a cure and he says I am way too worried about the meds part. He said the main things to worry about are life saving IV antibiotics etc. He said he will even take aspirin.

But for me I do try to stick to non ototoxic. DO NOT obsess like I did and google every medicine and ailment related to tinnitus because you will find SOMEONE that posted somewhere they got tinnitus from anything.

I have gotten through the flu, strep with antibiotics, cavities, colds, a wisdom tooth pulled and even a couple minor ear infections all of which did not affect my tinnitus. No I don't get sick a lot. I just was super hyper aware of everything and how it could affect tinnitus. The fear gets better. I have a cold right now and I am not super freaked about the tinnitus.

It gets better. For me habituation is not that I never hear it. It just mean that it doesn't give me that horrific fear that it used to. Life is probably 90% back to normal and I think now how waaaay to freaked out I was.

Advice: don't read too many horror stories, don't sit in silent rooms and listen for your tinnitus and listen to your dr if you need to help you get through with meds. I think my recovery was worse because I did not want to take any meds.

 

@Marie79,
It is lovely to hear you are coping a lot better now as I remember you had a real difficult time .
Love glynis x

 

Great post and very inspirational!!!!

 

Great post, Marie! I'm so glad to hear you are doing better. Thanks for taking the time to post your success story.

 

Great post Marie. In fact, I was only just thinking about you the other day, wondering how you were doing. It’s brilliant to hear you’re doing so well.

 

I would have had a hard time habituating to more severe tinnitus. I know that for sure

 

It all depends on what kind of tinnitus that you have for habituation. I was finally able to habituate with severe tinnitus caused from loud noise.

Now on top of that with severe degenerative and painful physical tinnitus per many conditions it won't be easy. I have posted links from professional pub med studies where ENTs and neuro doctors this and that support this. When one also has serious facial conditions the pain can be unreal.

 

Deep down inside we all know that habituation is the answer. Thank you for sharing your story!

 

Hi Marie
Were you drinking wine in the evening to sleep at first and took xanax in the day time or have iIgot it wrong?Because if it works I 'd rather use the wine to sleep.Whch one is more effective?

 

As your hearing on the audiogram, it is not hurt?

Yes, very much depends on the noise level.

Do you have spikes from loud things / stress?

Or does the tinnitus not react to such stimuli and is always stable on the same level?
Thank you.

 

It is wonderful to hear that you are getting better enough to write a success story, Marie. Like Glynis posted above, you were having a hard time a while back. This proves once again that firstly things will improve over time for many members and secondly that our perception of tinnitus can change over time. What used to haunt us into mental blackhole may not cause the same response after a while when we get more used to it. Congrats to your success. God bless.

 

You make a good point here, People who Habituation, the noise stll there , but your emotions reactions to the noise is less.Then you don’t notice it anymore.Also depends on how loud it it. Yes we need treatment and cure because everyone deserves silence.

 

I am so glad to hear from you! In my freak-out phase I was constantly checking your profile, see how you were doing. You give me a glimpse of hope in things.

 

Yes, that is exactly what habituation is.

I find that masking, keeping busy, eating healthy (low salt) and exercise help keep me in habituation although I still get frustrated from time to time.

Congrats Marie!

 

Not to be a downer here I am very happy that someone habituated, I have tinnitus since 2013 habituation happened and un-happened a couple of times for me. Maybe thats not even bad news but still there will be a point were tinnitus will make you desperate again, and then you will get over it again. Thats just the nature of the tinnitus beast.

I could have written succes stories here and months/years later can be desperate again and be in the support section thats why I dont do both...
I do apreciate the succes stories part of this forum very much so I am in no way trying to be negative here and I am happy for anyone having relief

 

My sentiments exactly. -- It's been a roller coaster ride for almost 3 years for me.

Lately, it seems to be louder and will hopefully subside soon.

Keep the success stories coming! -- They really do help those of us who read them regularly!

 

Very nice to hear that about your T.If i remember well you also recovered from Hyperacusis some time ago well done

 

Thanks for posting this. I am new here and on day 8 of this new loud sound in both ears . So as you might guess im in freak out mode. I believe mine is from tobramycin eye drops. My Dr (GP) thinks it may calm down after a few weeks but he is guessing and I think he is trying to give me hope (i dont have much now). I had no idea what this was until it happened. Thanks for sharing that habituation is possible even with anxiety. (Im panicked) I keep getting told to calm down or i wont be able to habituate but I cant seem to do it... yet.

 

I just started with the ringing in my ears and because I have panic disorder it’s been horrible. I’m on Celexa to help with the panic and anxiety. Are antidepressants ok or a specific one I don’t know how else to control the panic attacks. Please help.

 

@Tamara G Hi I am new here too (almost 3 weeks) and I also have a history of panic disorder too. I think you should try to speak with your dr about a different antidepressant. I was researching and came across celexa as one with a connection to tinnitus. I am not a dr but you might speak to your dr about it. Also, clonazapam is supposed to lower the ringing. I have some but it doesnt seem to lower it for me. Also, in addition to searching this site for info re- post your question as a new post in the in the "support" section. You will get lots of info and support. I know how scary this is because im new too.

 

Please talk to your doc about a diff anti-depressant. Celexa gave me T when I was only on 10mg for 7 weeks. It hasn't gone away, been a really tough ride these past 8 months. Please tell your doctor Celexa can take a hike. But do NOT stop or taper off without consulting your doctor. And just because it caused T for me, doesn't mean it will for you. Truth is, most meds have T as a side effect. I think Celexa just has a bit of a higher track record of causing it, but I'm not a doctor. Try CBT therapy. I had panic disorder and it went away after 2 years with proper CBT therapy and working out.