Tinnitus Ruining My Life and Making Me Crazy/Suicidal

[Charles_T]

Hi,

Looking for help or hope for a cure/treatment...I am 32 and 2 months ago I had sudden onset hearing loss for high frequency and raging Tinnitus in my left ear.

I have used Xanax for the last few years and my doctor said to keep using it to help with the tinnitus.

I have read online from the Dr. Ashton Manual from the UK that says Benzo's can cause Tinnitus so I am in process of quitting Xanax and will be done by the end of the week if I continue my taper schedule. The Tinnitus has me feeling like I want to commit suicide and my job consists solely of talking on the phone so I feel like this is costing me my whole life. Right now I am on temporary disability because right before the Tinnitus started I had a seizure and was in the hospital for 3 days...The only relief i get is a few hours here and there where I am on the xanax but I don't want to be a slave to the benzos and am worried this is what caused it in the first place.

I wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience or if you know of any treatment that i should try such as Prednisone or completely quitting the benzo's although I am fearful of the pain being nonstop when i do quite. Any information about any upcoming research for cures or treatments that might be released would be great as I really am thinking about ending my life. I have been to several ENT's and they all just say they have no idea why I have it and theres no cure and I need to just live with it and go to therapist because I am taking it too tough.

The ENT's have the empathy of DMV employees and seem to almost be laughing at me or making it seem like I am being dramatic when its a consist pain of loud ringing in my ear. I would have already ended my life but I still have hope that something can be done or help me get to a point where I can enjoy my life again. Before this I was happy person and now I think about ending my life everyday.

Any help or advice on treatment or upcoming potential cures would be very appreciated.

 

[Alue]

Prednisone can potentially help for SSNHL, but at 2 month it's unlikely to help. You mentioned you had a seizure, do you think they could be related?

Certain epilepsy drugs can temporarily reduce the ringing in some people.

 

[Frank JOnes]

I have tinnitus too , a high pitched sound in my left ear,but I dont feel suicidal ,and never have,but I have done Tai Chi for 10 years and in particular a form of physical meditation I would recommend it as it really helps cope with the awful condition, one learns to keep mind and body in a good place. PS anything that keeps the eustacian tubes clear helps and definitely do not smoke.(I klnow I smoke now and again and every time I do it gets worse )

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Charles_ T Xanax probably has no relation to your tinnitus, unless you bounced the usage around by quite a bit from day to day and/or went days without using it on several different occasions. By having read Dr. Ashton Manuel you would know the taper schedule and side effects of tapering. Seizures could be a side effect, so a slow taper is needed. Some experts say that a taper should be longer if one has tinnitus than use of a benzo for many other reasons. In time from days to weeks, your emotions should adjust to withdrawal, but some experts recommend to stay at the low end of your taper for awhile with having tinnitus.

You could hire a specialist, not a lawyer per say, in helping you get full federal disability if you live in the USA. One mistake that is often made in trying to get disability is not proving by medical documentation that you are unable to work. Included would be written statements from your doctors. This would include medications and devices such as noise blocking head phones from loud situations that your employer would not approve of. Most governments have requirements on noise levels and a doctor can note in a written statement that your limitations to noise is lower than federal guidelines. Many employers don't allow the use of certain medications when needed, so if your doctor/s feel that you need medications, than that would be another plus with getting full disability. Just don't talk about the use of medications at your work place.

After having been on Xanax one should have blood work done. Stress deductions such as physical therapy and sound therapies may be helpful. Therapies of all sorts may be key for you. If your neck, jaw, teeth and/or head hurts, then place those words into a search online. There's many discussions here. Use the search at the top of this page.

 

[John Gaarsoe]

Charles_T, I know this is an older post, but I am curious what they told you about the seizure. This is how mine started 20 years ago, and I didn't go to the doctor, so I don't know how they are related. I have always speculated that I had a mini stroke, or something like that, but I really don't know.