Hello,
Let me start by thanking you for reading. I'll explain my story from the beginning, as maybe it can help others. In the end, I'm looking for opinions.
My tinnitus started 6 years ago when I was cutting down a large tree on my property with a chainsaw. The earplugs I wore weren't enough to protect my hearing. Afterward, both ears rang. I didn't think much of it at first since I'd had the same after loud concerts. A month later, my right ear improved, but the ringing in my left ear never stopped.
After months of sleepless nights from the high-pitched ringing, I sought help from the medical system. Unfortunately, what I found was a waste of time. Most of what was offered had no real treatment plan, and it led me down a very dark path where I felt all hope was lost.
Once I realized I was essentially on my own, I turned to the Internet. Like many of you, I found countless miracle cure claims that only required money. I don't want to discourage others if they've found success with them, but for me, they made my tinnitus worse.
I tried Lipo-Flavonoid for two months and my symptoms worsened. I took Amitriptyline, prescribed by my doctor for depression and ear symptoms, also for two months, with no benefit. I went through a wide range of supplements at different doses, but nothing worked.
Like many of you, I was desperate and willing to try almost anything, only to realize it isn't as simple as taking a pill.
What I've noticed about my tinnitus over time: certain foods like milk, alcohol, high salt, and red meat triggered spikes, so I cut them out or reduced them. My ears also became extremely sensitive to loud sounds, so I now wear earplugs whenever there's a risk of exposure. Naps or waking up from sleep always triggered flare-ups. Cold weather and changes in pressure, especially rain, made it worse. Exercise also made the ringing more noticeable.
Over the years, I eventually habituated and reached a somewhat tolerable level.
Still, there were occasional flare-ups that threw me into a spiral, especially when I couldn't avoid them:
On top of this, while taking many photos with my friend, I realized my once sporty physique had turned into a "dad bod." I decided this had to change.
Three months ago, I began working out, eating properly, and drinking a protein shake (Vega Protein and Greens) blended with two dark chocolate squares, strawberries, bananas, and two teaspoons of a magnesium supplement. I lost 25 pounds and felt great physically, though not mentally. I also noticed that my tinnitus dulled somewhat. This felt like a small victory in the middle of larger mental struggles. I could even eat some ice cream or pizza occasionally without flares. I tolerated louder sounds without spikes, and waking up no longer triggered tinnitus as it used to.
That brings me to the most recent setback. Two weeks ago, my wife and I hosted a 50th anniversary party for my in-laws at our home. About 30 people were crammed inside, having a good time. I'd had a couple sips of wine, which is something I occasionally drink, and was only slightly tipsy. My in-laws asked me to give a speech.
I gave a lighthearted, comedic speech. My wife followed with a sentimental one, and my father-in-law said a few words. Everyone applauded.
Afterward, one of their friends came up to me and mumbled something. I turned my head slightly, trying to hear him with my left ear. Suddenly, he shouted directly into my ear, "YOU'RE F***ED." I jumped back in anger, knowing instantly it was too much for my ear. And honestly, what was the point of that cruel comment? I wasn't drunk, nor had I said anything that could justify it.
The next morning, I woke up to find my tinnitus had exploded, back to the same level as when it first started six years ago. Sleep made it worse, nothing muffled it, and even watching a movie quietly on my phone at night no longer worked. The shower or a fan couldn't overpower the sound. I was enraged and began to loathe that man. My wife reassured me it would improve, like the other spikes in the past.
But it has now been two weeks, and these questions weigh on my mind:
Let me start by thanking you for reading. I'll explain my story from the beginning, as maybe it can help others. In the end, I'm looking for opinions.
My tinnitus started 6 years ago when I was cutting down a large tree on my property with a chainsaw. The earplugs I wore weren't enough to protect my hearing. Afterward, both ears rang. I didn't think much of it at first since I'd had the same after loud concerts. A month later, my right ear improved, but the ringing in my left ear never stopped.
After months of sleepless nights from the high-pitched ringing, I sought help from the medical system. Unfortunately, what I found was a waste of time. Most of what was offered had no real treatment plan, and it led me down a very dark path where I felt all hope was lost.
Once I realized I was essentially on my own, I turned to the Internet. Like many of you, I found countless miracle cure claims that only required money. I don't want to discourage others if they've found success with them, but for me, they made my tinnitus worse.
I tried Lipo-Flavonoid for two months and my symptoms worsened. I took Amitriptyline, prescribed by my doctor for depression and ear symptoms, also for two months, with no benefit. I went through a wide range of supplements at different doses, but nothing worked.
Like many of you, I was desperate and willing to try almost anything, only to realize it isn't as simple as taking a pill.
What I've noticed about my tinnitus over time: certain foods like milk, alcohol, high salt, and red meat triggered spikes, so I cut them out or reduced them. My ears also became extremely sensitive to loud sounds, so I now wear earplugs whenever there's a risk of exposure. Naps or waking up from sleep always triggered flare-ups. Cold weather and changes in pressure, especially rain, made it worse. Exercise also made the ringing more noticeable.
Over the years, I eventually habituated and reached a somewhat tolerable level.
Still, there were occasional flare-ups that threw me into a spiral, especially when I couldn't avoid them:
- A man wolf-whistled right into my ear: spike lasted 5 days, then settled.
- Someone shouted near my ear during an improv show: spike lasted 2 days, then settled.
- A slammed door: spike lasted 1 day.
On top of this, while taking many photos with my friend, I realized my once sporty physique had turned into a "dad bod." I decided this had to change.
Three months ago, I began working out, eating properly, and drinking a protein shake (Vega Protein and Greens) blended with two dark chocolate squares, strawberries, bananas, and two teaspoons of a magnesium supplement. I lost 25 pounds and felt great physically, though not mentally. I also noticed that my tinnitus dulled somewhat. This felt like a small victory in the middle of larger mental struggles. I could even eat some ice cream or pizza occasionally without flares. I tolerated louder sounds without spikes, and waking up no longer triggered tinnitus as it used to.
That brings me to the most recent setback. Two weeks ago, my wife and I hosted a 50th anniversary party for my in-laws at our home. About 30 people were crammed inside, having a good time. I'd had a couple sips of wine, which is something I occasionally drink, and was only slightly tipsy. My in-laws asked me to give a speech.
I gave a lighthearted, comedic speech. My wife followed with a sentimental one, and my father-in-law said a few words. Everyone applauded.
Afterward, one of their friends came up to me and mumbled something. I turned my head slightly, trying to hear him with my left ear. Suddenly, he shouted directly into my ear, "YOU'RE F***ED." I jumped back in anger, knowing instantly it was too much for my ear. And honestly, what was the point of that cruel comment? I wasn't drunk, nor had I said anything that could justify it.
The next morning, I woke up to find my tinnitus had exploded, back to the same level as when it first started six years ago. Sleep made it worse, nothing muffled it, and even watching a movie quietly on my phone at night no longer worked. The shower or a fan couldn't overpower the sound. I was enraged and began to loathe that man. My wife reassured me it would improve, like the other spikes in the past.
But it has now been two weeks, and these questions weigh on my mind:
- Will this be permanent?
- Could the protein shake ingredients (protein, strawberries, bananas, dark chocolate) be the cause instead of the loud trigger?
- Is it simply the seasonal change, as "winter is coming"?
- My doctor thinks my tinnitus in the left ear is from anxiety and wants me to start Mirtazapine and Quetiapine (for panic attacks). Should I take them?
