So Yea Freaking Out Here

I'm so scared right now I'm shaking I feel nauseous. It's 5 am and I can't sleep. I have anxiety already before this so it's bad. I just keep thinking suicide is the only way out if I have to live with this forever. I have a wonderfully supportive husband but I keep reading how there is no cure.

I went to a support group today and there was a very kind and wonderful doctor and I felt better but tonight the ringing got worse and now I'm totally freaked out.

 

Hello @Marie79

While it might be correct that there currently is no cure your t is still in the early stages and there is a good chance it might just fade away, and even if it does not there is alot of room for improvement, the initial anxiety and feeling of despair and panick will get less less and you will notice that your t will go to the background.

Try to read through all the succes stories here in the forum and you will see things will improve over time, it is wonderfull to hear that you have a very caring and supportive husband to help you through this challenge.

The support group , this forum and the understanding and caring doctor will also be great support, you are in good hands.

Hang in there and take care, things can and will get better.

 

Good advice from Bart.
Also, sleep is important. Try to calm down and start looking for some natural ways to lose some of that anxiety.
Chamomile tea before bed is a good start, maybe a warm cup of milk. Try to get some exercise during the day and find ways to keep yourself occupied.
If those don't work, look for some over the counter herbs such as Valerian and passionflower.
If you still can't get restful sleep, maybe it's time to visit the old doc and get some nice sleepy dope for a couple of weeks.

 

Consider enrollment with the AM-101 study. Seems like you would qualify given your onset, location, and etiology.

What have you got to lose?

 

@Marie79,

Way to soon to be freaking out. Have you had an audiogram done, to see if you have hearing loss? Have you been to an ENT specialist, to see if there's any wax buildup? Are you taking any medications, that maybe causing temporary Tinnitus? Etc.

There are many ways, in which to get Tinnitus. You need to gather more information, to help evaluate what steps to take next.

Try to get your anxiety under control and maybe some short term meds would help you out? I'm not a big proponent of drugs, but in a pinch, they may help you get over the hump, until you find out the cause of your Tinnitus?

 

This. If you are going to enroll you probably have to do it this month as they are closing enrollment soon.
It's worth a shot, be honest with them and they will carefully assess your eligibility. If you go to the screening and don't feel comfortable with it, you can still change your mind at that point.

 

How long have you had your tinnitus? I felt the same way initially as many of us also have felt this way but it DOES get better in time! I've been dealing with this for over 4 months now and I have felt all the same things as you have and now I'm doing much better. My anxiety about it is so much better and I'm able to function again.. Time is your biggest alley in this battle.

 

@Marie79

Marie you're not alone. Many, many, many of us on this site have gone through exactly what you are experiencing now. This is the panic phase of tinnitus that comes with horrible anxiety and depression. Your amygdala is stuck in the "fight or flight" response and is making you freak out. It feels like it won't stop but the important thing to keep telling yourself right now is that this phase will pass. I know this is cold comfort because you are going through hell right now, but regardless it's true.

Suffice to say you need to seek out professional help; both medical and behavioral. Like many people I'm not a big fan of anxiety medication but it can be a HUGE help in moments like this. It can help you to calm down and also sleep. This is important at this time. And after you get a handle on your panic you should explore relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. This is pretty much the only way I know to calm down the amygdala (sympathetic nervous system) and engage the para-sympathetic nervous system (the system that calms us down and returns us to equalibrium).

Lean on us for advice any time you feel the need. Hang in there.

 

Thank you all! I got some sleep but still of course very upset. I need to ask a doctor about anti anxiety meds. I did call to see if I qualify for am 101 already and I am waiting to hear back. I have a hearing test this week. The only thing that helps me sleep is the ear buds with rain showers. I just hope that isn't making it worse. I am in total silence now and for brief moments at a time I don't notice it but I know it's not good to be listening for it.

 

If you take anti anxiety meds they will not let you participate. Not to say you shouldn't take them, but something to consider.

 

Was just gonna say the same thing..One poster here enrolled and got worse and thus so did her anxiety. Not saying it isn't something to consider but you should here both sides. Personally I wouldn't enroll.

 

Sometimes magnesium glycinate can help calm people down. Part of what is going on is you are in a flight or fight mode. Can you hear it if you go outside? The doctor may give you some anti anxiety medication, just be informed about the medication. If you have hearing loss, that isn't necessarily a bad thing because it may be you can get hearing aids that will correct the loss and sometimes after correction, the ambient noise will take away the ringing. (Have the guy take off noise reduction, and use other tailored programming for tinnitus).

 

I do not hear it outside. Thank goodness. I'm sitting in the silence now in my living room and it doesn't seem as bad but who knows. I will ask all about the hearing aides this week. Thank you all again!