Tinnitus Driving Me Mad

Hi everyone, thought I'd introduce myself and have a go telling my tinnitus story...

2015 has been a pretty crappy year for me.
My job (I'm a gardener) went into overdrive after a new contract started in March - I threw myself into it as at the same time my partner and I split up after nearly 13 years.
This also coincided with finding out my mum had terminal cancer.

Jump ahead to November, work had calmed down a bit, I'm back living at my mums.
My mum is now in a hospice

During the intervening time I started taking some antidepressants (citaloptam) as I wasn't coping to well.
After a week or so I could hear a low level "wooshing" noise in my ears. There were other side effects like insomnia etc

I stopped taking them after a month as I really didn't like how I was feeling.

I think that was the start of my ear problems.
In late November everyone was getting colds etc, I think I got a cold but instead of going all snotty and manky I just got a really sore throat and a massive headache - that's when the tinnitus became really noticable.

I now get a feeling of fullness in my ears, high pitched electric sound all the time.
I don't know if its both ears but its definitely affecting my right ear.
I sometimes feel light headed in the morning too.
I feel off balance, I also get pain in my temples.

I've been to the doctors once and was told I might have fluid behind my eardrum - I should've pushed for more to be done but I wasn't having a good time that day.

I'll be making another appointment for the 4th January and won't leave the doctors until I am satisfied that I'll be getting some help on this.

I don't know if its trauma from work (petrol driven machinery) - even though I wear ear defenders??

Or maybe caused from an extreme amount of stress over an extended time

Maybe even from the cold/sore throat thingy I had

Either way, its driving me up the wall most of the time

I found this site and thought I'd sign up and try to get a bit more informed about tinnitus.
Rather than just taking the doctors word on everything I think its better to get a bit more informed on stuff.
Although I got a bit freaked out reading stories about people committing suicide due to suffering from tinnitus

Anyway, its great to be here and nice to meet you all


Regards

David.

 

Hello David,

It's hard to find the cause or onset of your T when you have various possible reasons that apply to you.
I just tried googling to find some extra information because i'm experiencing some aches to my ears
and a list of conditions and medications that could be responsible for Tinnitus or Hyperacusis.
To name a few: PTSD,anxiety,they even mentioned epilepsy and even people being autistic having
an increased chance of developing T sometime in their lives.

The best thing to do is not read too much about suicide stories but also not to think too lightly
about this condition.Whenever you're feeling really down ask for help,in the near vicinity when possible.

 

Hiya, this is all still very new to me and is getting me down quite a bit. Doesn't help that my mum passed away on new years eve.

Normally I'm quite chirpy and naturally a positive person but 2015 though... Jesus, that year can seriously just go do one...

Tonight I'm going go find some nice soothing sounds to listen to while trying to sleep

Thanks for replying

 

Hi, u have had a rough time, I have had T for just over 1 month, I also woke deaf in one ear, I tried to think of what could have caused it and can think of loads of stuff, I was Google mad and came across scary stories, went mad for a while then found this site, thank god.
You will meet some lovely people on here with good advice, it's helping me, xxxxx

 

I'm trying not to Google myself to death at the moment as I it really started getting me down. I mean, on top of everything else that's been going on in my life - I really don't need any more stress!!! Lol

I've read magnesium can help as can ginko biloba - which is probably down to increased blood flow or something
(I've already got the magnesium, I'm about to order some ginko + panax ginseng - which apparently is also good for stress too)

Other things I need to sort out are diet and exercise - I've been utterly crap with both over the last year.
Too much processed rubbish, too much salt, not enough fruit and veg.
No real exercise either to be honest. Cutting grass and trimming hedges isn't exactly going to keep me fit on their own...

I'm going to be having a bit of an overhaul soon but need to work up to it slowly.

I'm also a bit worried about when I start running again
(apart from the fact I feel off balance and will probably end running into a tree/mother pushing a pushchair/person on a bike/a car etc etc)
I like to listen to music when I run and am worried that my in ear headphone may cause more damage to my already knackered ears

Did you ever find out what caused the deafness in your ear? Did the hearing ever come back??
Have you been to the doctors or been referred to a specialist?
It must have been terrifying to wake up to something like that

 

@Mr Earfullasound You might find the post below helpful and the link at the bottom of the page.
All the best.

New to tinnitus what to do?

The onset of loud intrusive tinnitus can be very traumatic for most people. I use the words loud and intrusive, because tinnitus comes in many forms and intensities. When it is mild, moderate or occasionally heard in quiet surroundings it is usually not too bothersome and a person can go about their daily affairs quite happily and unperturbed by this anomaly. This type of tinnitus usually comes on gradually and in some cases it’s associated with hearing loss, as we get older and the usual treatment is the wearing of hearing aid/s.

Tinnitus can be caused by other things: an underlining medical problem, build up of ear wax (cerumen). Jaw problems. Some medications and even irregular blood flow through the body causing Pulsatile tinnitus. There are a plethora of other conditions that can be responsible. However, the most common cause is exposure to loud noise or music that has been played at high levels causing some damage to the cochlear in the inner ear.

This type of tinnitus can be loud, intrusive and very debilitating. Often leaving a person at a loss and not knowing which way to turn to escape the nightmare that has suddenly come upon them. Your Dr has probably told you, it’s tinnitus and nothing can be done, you’ll just have to learn to live with it. I remember those words as if it were yesterday resonating through my mind and thinking, live with this for the rest of my life, impossible. So I fully understand how difficult it can be for someone new to this condition to take this in and believe it to be factual.

If you are having difficulty sleeping you might have been advised to try a night time sedation or an ant-depressant to help cope with the stress and anxiety that often accompanies tinnitus. These medications can be helpful especially in the early stages and they don’t have to be taken long term, so it’s something to consider. They can act as a safety net so you don’t become too down.

A referral to ENT will usually be recommended. In the mean time try to keep occupied with something you like doing, as it helps to distract the brain from focusing on the tinnitus. Avoiding quiet rooms during the day by playing low level non intrusive music such as classical in the background can be helpful.

At night a sound machine placed by the bedside playing nature sounds or listening to favourite mp3 tracks or Cds are good. Keeping the volume just below the tinnitus is ideal and set to play throughout the night until morning. It takes time to get used to sound therapy so please stay with it. Whilst in a deep sleep it supplies the brain and auditory system with sound enrichment. Over time the tinnitus is pushed further into the background helping to make its perception less noticeable during waking hours.

In the early stages of tinnitus, if one chooses not to use sound enrichment sleeping can sometimes be difficult and there’s also the chance of the tinnitus becoming more intrusive as sleeping in a quiet room can allow the brain to increase it’s own background activity. In doing so it will also increase the tinnitus making it more intrusive during waking hours.

There is a tendency for newbies to try and cure their tinnitus which is quite understandable. There are many remedies, treatments and concoctions out there. Some affordable others quite expensive. I am not adverse to trying to help myself but want to say, there are charlatans and con artists eager to relieve someone in distress of their money so please be careful. Even tried and tested treatments I wouldn’t recommend a person try until they have been seen at ENT. Often a person after been seen at ENT is advised to wait a while.

The reason being. Many people habituate to tinnitus within six months sometimes a little longer and it has been known to go away. The ear is a very delicate organ and many Drs prefer to wait before investigating further and then suggesting a treatment. If other problems are experienced such as: pain in the ears, deafness, dizziness or balance problems this is of more concern and a person will usually been seen quicker.

It is best to have a word with your GP if you’re feeling stressed or depressed in any way, as previously mentioned there are treatments available. Leaving things alone until ENT advise you of the next step is the best thing to do in my opinion. Don’t try to fix anything or throw large sums of money at treatments that you have no way of knowing whether you’ll get any relief.

It is not advisable to listen to audio through headphones even at low volume and keep away from loud sounds. By all means go out but anywhere that plays loud music then wear noise reducing earplugs.
Take things slowly and one day at a time. Read some of the positivity threads and ask other members for advice. Many people eventually habituate to their tinnitus and go on to lead a happy and fulfilling life even though it may take a little time.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/search/member?user_id=3134&content=thread

 

Some of my hearing is back but the T remains, it has changed my life in the way of food I eat, taking health and life for granted, for me it has been life changing for the best.
It's only a few weeks in and I was worrying that I would never hike again, listen to music, drive or work, well I'm listening to music, I can drive and I'm back hiking, even today in non stop rain!
I'm eating healthier, not working yet as I still don't sleep well so my concerntration is not good but compared to a few weeks ago I'm very happy with my progress, it takes time, I'm not usually patient, I'm also a perfectionist but this is making me mend my ways!
Hope your supplements help, and you feel better soon! X

 

Oh and today I hik d over 10 miles in the rain! U will get your fitness back! Xxx

 

Yep, it is hell in the beginning. But you will pull through, believe me. Besides, T might be only temporary for you; as you said you've been going through all types of stress, and this is well known as being a core factor in onset T for regular folks who don't usually suffer from it.

But if not, here's some advice.

T is neurological and the mechanism behind it is complicated but the more you focus on it, the louder it gets. You must mask it as much as possible-- use background noises and put on a fan at night, or listen to the radio. To be honest, in my case I find using headphones at night doesn't damage my ears at all. People who say it's in the ears are full of it, my belief is that T is purely neurological- strongly related to whatever part of the brain causes depression. I've been listening to Howard Stern for 10 years through the earphones before sleep and never have I woke up feeling like my T had been affected. Anyway, keep it masked. Since T is new for you your mind is fighting it spiritedly like it's being invaded, but don't fight it, accept it, and once your brain recognises it's not a threat it siphon it out until you won't even remember that you have it. Focus on the background noises, not the T. I know it's ringing like crazy and eclipses every noise at this early period, but just remind yourself that it's based on your anxiety over it. It will get quieter as you relax, believe me. About 3-6 months in you'll be like 'You know what, I just can't be bothered panicking over this thing all the time I have a life to lead'- and that's when you'll start to notice the noise reduction, exactly when you stop dwelling on it.

Forget all the ginko biloba and the other wonder cures, been there, done that. The only cure (for now) is your anxiety reduction. The good news is this- what are chances of a genuine cure just being round the corner? Pretty high I'd say. Medical advances in the past 100 years have gone in leaps and bounds compared to the past. There are a huge amount of T sufferers, it's returning war vets no.1 complaint, and there is a lot of active research on it as we speak. So I'd say if you can stick it out for a couple more decades or less then the chance is a cure will come along is extremely high.

Ahh.. I feel sorry for you, I truly do. I wish I could mind-meld like Spock with every noob T sufferer to show them how it feels ten years down the line, so that they'd know it's not always going to be so bad.
It is horrific, and it is life changing, but not always in a negative manner. Look on the bright side- something to appreciate about T is it sure makes you realise life is only a temporary gift, and reminds you to make the best of it.

So if you have any dreams or things you want to accomplish then T will certainly provide you with the raw motivation to achieve them. Nothing kicks your ass out of bed more than the big T. So get busy and do what you have to do to survive.


As a last note, I wouldn't advice you to hang around these forums much, worst idea in the worst- you'll just remind yourself of your affliction. I'm only on here reading up about the latest treatments, and because my T has been aggravating me recently. I'll not be sticking around for more than a couple of days.

 

@Michael Leigh, Could you post the links for buying white noise generators? Thank you.