Hi All,
I'm going through a very difficult period right now and blaming myself for my current state, even though I truly feel I did everything I could to minimise symptoms while still trying to enjoy life.
I've had tinnitus since I was twenty two, back in 2009 after a rock concert. I developed reactive tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other issues that took about six months to settle.
Since then, I've had spikes and was diagnosed with Meniere's, but I always managed to come out the other side, even though the tinnitus never disappeared. Unfortunately, back in May, after living with all of this for so long, I went to a concert and removed my earplugs for half the event. I was left with quite loud tinnitus, and the anxiety made everything worse. It took months to improve, and I ended up in hospital after overdosing because I didn't think I could handle it.
I had one last concert planned for last week, after feeling much better for the past couple of months. I wore Loops Experience 2 earplugs for the entire show. It was loud, but never uncomfortable. My iPhone measured the average at 103 decibels, so with the seventeen decibels of reduction these plugs provide, I thought the 2.6 hours would be manageable. I didn't take them out once.
When the concert ended, I didn't have any increase in tinnitus, although I felt a little fullness in my left ear. I started panicking and went straight onto a high dose of Prednisone two days later, and then I began taking 40 mg of Propranolol to calm the rise in my heart rate. Now I think that by reacting this way, and by being so anxious, I've caused the spike myself. My tinnitus is now louder than ever, even a week later.
Would I be right to think that the best step is to taper off the Prednisone and Propranolol and focus on managing my stress? I'm blaming myself for going to the concert at all, even though I know I took sensible precautions. I'm starting to think the medication and anxiety made things worse than the noise exposure itself.
The ringing is so shrill and high pitched at night that I had to use Ozlo Sleepbuds just to fall asleep. Does anyone have any tips?
Thanks in advance.
I'm going through a very difficult period right now and blaming myself for my current state, even though I truly feel I did everything I could to minimise symptoms while still trying to enjoy life.
I've had tinnitus since I was twenty two, back in 2009 after a rock concert. I developed reactive tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other issues that took about six months to settle.
Since then, I've had spikes and was diagnosed with Meniere's, but I always managed to come out the other side, even though the tinnitus never disappeared. Unfortunately, back in May, after living with all of this for so long, I went to a concert and removed my earplugs for half the event. I was left with quite loud tinnitus, and the anxiety made everything worse. It took months to improve, and I ended up in hospital after overdosing because I didn't think I could handle it.
I had one last concert planned for last week, after feeling much better for the past couple of months. I wore Loops Experience 2 earplugs for the entire show. It was loud, but never uncomfortable. My iPhone measured the average at 103 decibels, so with the seventeen decibels of reduction these plugs provide, I thought the 2.6 hours would be manageable. I didn't take them out once.
When the concert ended, I didn't have any increase in tinnitus, although I felt a little fullness in my left ear. I started panicking and went straight onto a high dose of Prednisone two days later, and then I began taking 40 mg of Propranolol to calm the rise in my heart rate. Now I think that by reacting this way, and by being so anxious, I've caused the spike myself. My tinnitus is now louder than ever, even a week later.
Would I be right to think that the best step is to taper off the Prednisone and Propranolol and focus on managing my stress? I'm blaming myself for going to the concert at all, even though I know I took sensible precautions. I'm starting to think the medication and anxiety made things worse than the noise exposure itself.
The ringing is so shrill and high pitched at night that I had to use Ozlo Sleepbuds just to fall asleep. Does anyone have any tips?
Thanks in advance.
