Please Help Me, a NEWBIE (Nicotine Withdrawal-Induced Tinnitus), Will It Always Be This Bad?

[serine00]

I am 33 years old and I have had bouts of anxiety through life. My last bad bout was my early 20's in which I remember having noise in my ears mostly at night, but I cannot remember how long it lasted or if I just learned to ignore it. I quit smoking 2 months ago and almost instantly started to notice tinnitus that came the same day as a huge spike in anxiety from nicotine withdrawal. My anxiety has gone down signficinatly but unfortunately my tinnitus has become a part of my every day. I can forget about it with surround sound and when busy but if it quiets especially at night I FOCUS on it. I have a ring and buzz in my right ear, and a buzz in my left. I had a MRI, blood work, and physical exam all normal. I have not had a hearing test. I also believe I suffer from TMJ as every time I open my mouth I hear crackling in both ears. I need help because it is keeping my anxiety around as I keep telling myself crazy thoughts about what is causing it. What can I do? And will this always be this bad?

 

[hurtingdream]

I've had tinnitus for almost 15 yrs, I'm 29. I quit marijuana about 6 days ago after smoking it for 4 yrs everyday. The anxiety attacks at night spiked up my tinnitus so bad that I just want to scream. The only thing that helps me fall asleep is melatonin. It might take more than 2 months to get your body back to normal. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[serine00]

Thanks for sharing hurtingdream. My biggest problem is accepting that it is just tinnitus because my mind keeps making me think its something serious. Therefore I really cannot stop focusing on it. Any suggestions on how you get your mind to realize this is just an annoying condition?

 

[hurtingdream]

I take 5 mg of melatonin and holy basil extract. It helps put my mind to ease. My neighbor said when he quit nicotine and marijuana it took 6 months for his ringing to go away. I really hope it doesn't last that long for us. I'm trying to detox faster by eating soup and taking epsom salt baths.

 

[serine00]

Ugh 6 months is a long time! Did you get diagnosed? I wish I would stop thinking it is something deadly symptom. I keep thinking I should go to the doc even though I had a MRI for it. And he checked my ears.

 

[hurtingdream]

I'm going to the doc on Monday. I have these thoughts like I have brain cancer or a tumor but everyone keeps saying it's my anxiety playing tricks on me

 

[Ecip]

Ok, first (even as hard as it may be) do try to relax. Tinnitus is a fucked up thing. Do whatever you need to do to relax and get a good nights sleep, imo. Meditation, yoga, exercise, eat healthy.
If you can exhaust yourself physically by exercising then sleep should come quite naturally.