Running on Empty

So can anyone give me something positive to work with when your 48 years old, lost job in the oilfield since the downturn.

Been trying to deal with bad tinnitus for over 2 years with no success. Been to specialist that told me there's nothing they can do, just learn to deal with it, now pay me. My tinnitus is so loud it makes my head fuzzy like I have a concussion.

I don't go out because I feel like I'm half awake most of the time. I'm running out of money, time and patience waiting on my brain to get used to it. Tried the maskers and everything under the sun. I'll be damned if I go broke and lose everything because I can't concentrate and deal with it. I'll take anything you have.

 

All right, so I have no idea how it is like to be in that exact situation and I am sorry these bad things happened to you. It must be a real burden... I have been to the bottom - pretty much to the point where I didn't find any reason to be alive. So that perspective made me write a reply, as I know how lonely it can be when things go sour.

You're saying you have tried everything to cure your T and wishing your brain would get used to it. However, as long as T has strong negative emotional reaction to it, the brain cannot get used to it. If you're afraid, angry, sad etc. about T, your brain keeps up the alarm and fixates on the sound & sensations. It may sound frustrating, but our reaction and how we deal with T emotionally is the only thing we can change for sure. I really do hope we will eventually get rid of the T itself, but right now it's important to put focus into what you can change, instead of waiting or hunting for a cure.

Having support to get your life back together would be the thing I'd suggest. You feel half-awake, don't go out and can't concentrate or deal with the current troubles. For me, it means that it's all just too much - without help, that is. When I was isolated and depressed, getting a good therapist saved my life. One does not need to be "officially mentally ill" to benefit from therapy - it's a great way to change harmful thought patterns and have the strength to find solutions to situations that first seem impossible. If your main problem is T, then you might benefit from TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy). The thing is - when we are guided to change our thought patterns, reactions and given tools to handle negative emotions, it will change our brain. And that change may very well concretely make T milder. As T is in our brain and in our nervous system, re-programming the same system psychologically is the best antidote on long-term. This is what I believe - not sure if it makes sense to you?

Moreover, what keeps you going? Which are the things that give you joy & happiness? Who are the people who can make you feel better? What kind of hopes and dreams do you have? When there's so much bad, you gotta remind yourself of the good, as well. Even if they'd be small things, they're important to remember and focus on.

 

Ive pretty much come to terms with the T. It isn't going away. My bigger issue is how foggy it makes my head. Its like having a hangover every morning. Sometimes its so bad I don't even want to drive. Used to take my friends kids boating with me during the summer. Now Im scared with my lack of concentration might get someone hurt. Been using the Widex Zen maskers/aids for 2 years with zero results. Went to a therapist and she treated me like I was a high school student with anxiety over taking my SAT. I think I could handle the crazy ringing if my head was clear. Im all about mind over matter until its your mind giving you problems. Im just running out of options. I have a couple DR. apt at the end of the month to see if I can get something to clear my head and work from there. Basically last thing I can think of. I just hate how the T can suck all the fun out of life. Im just tired of hiding it and making up excuses why I just stay home. I try to explain what its like but theres no way. Ive never really posted anything on a forum and have to say its nice to just vent to people that understand Thanks

 

I sometimes tell my wife I feel like I've knocked my head or got concussion. My head gets so full of noise in the night and it feels like my brain is literally vibrating at times. I have no answer for this. It's more than a noise. It's like you can feel the noise. Not sure everyone gets this sensation. When my t was not so bad I didn't experience this.

 

Running on empty is where/when we truly can shine in life. Lots of doors can open, and lots of different possibilities can show, when they been hidden in life. NEVER give up!

 

I definitely feel impaired by the "brain fog" that I experience on days when my T is loud. My inability to focus and concentrate affects my decisions as to what I will attempt to do on any given day beyond those things that I must do.

I'm really glad that you found the forum. Here, you're definitely among people that understand and can empathize with how you feel and what you're going through. You're not alone any more. We're all in this together. There's a lot of useful information on the forum. Some of which will hopefully encourage you and help you to cope. You might want to begin reading some of the threads under: "Success Stories." Additionally, to keep up-to-date as to what is going on regarding research, tests and treatments, check out the threads under "Research News."

Good Luck and welcome to the forum!

 

Still haven't gotten an answer on how to clear the fog. Most of the time people with success stories talk about how they overcame. Im all about mind over matter until its the mind messing with you. Been in the military and worked underwater construction in the oilfield for 20 years so I pretty much work with a missing lung. Its the brain fog that gets me. I hate felling stupid when I know im not that bad, its the lack of concentration that drives me nuts. Im not the brightest guy by any means but you only have to show me once and im on it Not anymore

 

Do you have sleep issues or sleep apnea?

 

@nick-tko I was having serious brain fog or also called the cerebral fluid effect. This was one issue that I was able to control. This is one aspect of tinnitus where diet and vitamins do help.

Vitamins to consider: B12 and magnesium

Diet: The don't use - wheat, sugar msn- monosodium glutamate, artificial sweet, canola oil.

Diet: To take - salmon, eggs, avocados, coconut oil and olive oil.

Dehydration: - a major cause of brain fog - start drinking fluids one hour after getting up, but don't overload before going to bed

Sun Exposure and walking: This is needed

Odors and chemicals: avoid

Use a soft pillow and have it give support under neck

Amitriptyline - I took very low dose 5mg 2 hours before bed for 14 days until diet changes took place. Some use this longer term and use 10mg.

Keep us updated. I still get headaches, have very severe high pitch T, neck and TMJ problems, but seldom now get brain fog and my head lighting up like a firestorm during the night and during the morning hours.