Tinnitus from Caffeine Withdrawal?

I stopped drinking caffeine from the moment I developed my hearing loss and tinnitus. I used to drink A LOT of coffee. It occurred to me today that my tinnitus might be worse because of caffeine withdrawal. I am too nervous to start drinking coffee again to test this. So I am interested to know if anyone as seen a REDUCTION in their tinnitus from reintroducing caffeine?

 

@brownbear

Food, Drink and Tinnitus

Many years ago when I first got tinnitus, I wanted to learn as much as possible about it. I believed acquiring the right knowledge and being proactive was the best way forward in finding a cure. Like many people new to the condition I was desperate and going through a very difficult time. My appointment to be seen at ENT for the first time was six months away and it couldn’t come soon enough. Whenever I could manage it, I read books on tinnitus and it wasn’t long before I learnt certain foods and drinks could make it worse.

The advice given was to keep a food diary and over a period of time, slowly omit certain foods and drink from one’s diet to see if there was a reduction of the tinnitus, and if there wasn’t reintroduce them. One of the main concerns was to avoid excessive salt and where possible reduce its intake. Cut down on red meat and avoid dairy products. Limit the use of sugar and refrain from drinking anything containing caffeine. It would mean missing my regular cup of coffee first thing in the morning but it would be worth it since I was on a mission and determined to succeed.

Alcohol was best avoided. I wasn’t a regular drinker but enjoyed a glass of wine or brandy occasionally. Surprisingly, with the onset of my tinnitus I found a glass of wine during the evening helped to relax me. Everywhere that I went I had my notebook and pen writing down everything I eat or drank. At first there was a lot of enthusiasm but as the days and weeks passed this began to wane.

Constantly reading the ingredience of every food item bought at the weekly shop can get tedious after a while, especially when there was no noticeable reduction in my tinnitus. I began to feel miserable and at times felt life wasn’t worth living. Having to cope with raging tinnitus and hyperacusis on one hand and monitoring every morsel of food and drink that passed my lips on the other. It just wasn’t a pleasant experience.

I missed my regular cup of coffee because the caffeine free substitutes weren’t doing it for me. After enduring this for five weeks I decided enough was enough. I put my notebook and pen away and returned to my normal eating and drinking. I now looked forward to having a sirloin or ribeye steak without thinking is this going to increase my tinnitus, or eating a sugar coated jam doughnut or having yoghurt. One can easily be drawn into a world of paranoia over such issues if they aren’t careful. I became less stressed and I was no longer plagued with headaches, which can be a symptom of caffeine withdrawal.

The result was no difference in my tinnitus or hyperacusis. Although they were still intrusive I felt life was more tolerable and I wasn’t constantly monitoring them to see if there was any reduction or increase as a result of what I eat or drank.

There are many books on food, drink and tinnitus and the Internet is awash with this information. My advice to anyone that is new to this condition and wants to pursue this route then please do so with caution. In the early stages tinnitus can be very stressful and emotionally draining. Do you really want to put more pressure on yourself considering what I’ve mentioned above?

It is true that some people are allergic to certain foods and drink and the addictives present withing them. Therefore, it’s important they be aware of what they consume. I had taken no such precautions before the onset of my tinnitus other than to eat and drink in moderation.

Michael

 

Great post Michael. Completely agree.
And if even considering removing caffeine from your diet by cutting out coffee. Do so S l o w ly.
Precipitous withdrawl from coffee can create some real mental and physiological issues.

 

@stophiss Thank you for your kind words.

 

I wouldn't call it a reduction, but I tried cutting caffeine and other stuff when I first got Tinnitus. Found out it only made me more sleepy, still had the Tinnitus and missed my old coffee habit in the morning. So screw it. I drink coffee, eat chocolate, whatever. I don't think any food has any effect, apart from making me feel better or worse. Alcohol makes me a little worse in the day after, but I think it's mostly because I think Tinnitus will exarcebate any problem that makes my mind a little worse. A Common cold also makes my T a little worse, Stress, etc.

A while ago a survey was made on TinnitusTalk users, some of them said Caffeine made their T worse, but if that's not your case, I Agree with Michael, bring the joy of coffee back into your life.

 

Thanks guys. Think I might gently restart - double espresso!

 

@brownbear That's the spirit brownbear, don't let tinnitus hold you back!

 

I wonder if your brain neurotransmitters compensated for the continuous caffeine and then once you withdrew it sent some out of balance. Not sure but at any rate, you need to withdrawal very slowly off caffeine if that is what you want to do.