I've already posted a thread about three weeks ago in "Hearing Disorder"s under "Sudden Hearing Loss and I'm Scared" which explains the whole problem, although I never got a response and now I'm crawling the walls in PANIC and ANXIETY attacks!! The problem started a little over four weeks ago when shortly after waking up, I was at my computer and after simply swallowing, my right ear plugged completly up and I could'nt hear anything.
I've always had sinus problems but this particular morning I felt fine,, it just happened for NO appearant reason! After not being able to clear it up and starting to panic, a day and a half later I went to the emergency room where the doctor saw Nothing in my ear. He said it was "Probably" a swollen eustachian tube and gave me a heavy decongestant to keep it from getting more irritated.
Well,, it was on a Saturday that I went to the E.R. and by Monday I checked out an ENT guy that my sister uses. He looked in and also saw nothing. The following day (Tuesday) I was scheduled for a complete hearing test and was labled as Sudden Hearing Loss! The test showed that I had lost 85db of hearing which was SEVERE so I was immediately put on Prednisone for ten days.
Well, when this thing problem first occured I tried putting the phone receiver to my right ear to see if I could hear the dial tone. I'd have to press the receiver tight to my head and could only hear a very low Hum. I could'nt hear anything such as keys jingling, or I'd try tapping certain objects by my ear and would barely hear certain noises as a very low and DULL thump
(barely)! I have to note I also had a constant high pitch LOUD squealing (tinnitis) in my right ear all the time!
I would keep cotton in that ear just to keep outside noises from irritating the situation (which they seemed to do). Then after five days into the Prednisone, I took the cotton out and clicked my finger nails in front of my ear and I could faintly hear it!! So,, I picked up the phone and found I could hear the dial tone (although softly and kind of dull)! I continued trying different noises by my ear and low and behold I could hear something!
My doctor said it was a good sign that I started getting some hearing back that soon.
Anyhow,, within the following week I did'nt notice much more improvement. Although, a few days after this started, I would get occasionaly tinny, distorted echoes from my voice and outside voices (if they were a little loud) and that progressively became more frequent as the hearing started coming back and has continued getting worse up till the current time.
It seemed about two weeks after the day I noticed some hearing returning, that even more hearing has returned. Now when I listen to the phone dial tone,, it seems almost as loud in my right ear as my good ear. However, it's a bit dull. I still walk around with cotton in my ear all the time since outside noises get a bit irritating since they're dull and kind of muffled and if someone talks a bit loud, I get that horrible distorted tinny sound! If I don't press my right ear tightly shut when I talk my voice sounds like it's coming out of a "cheap" radio speaker or mechanical. I'm constantly pulling the cotton out of my ear and holding my good ear shut to see how much I can hear and it sounds muffled. If there's background noise, I can't make out words on the TV.
Since the beginning I've been having daily and nightly panic attacks. I'm currently on Xanax. I'm supposed to take .5mg to get me to sleep. I had'nt slept for the first week and a half except maybe two hours a night. Then I'd wake up to realize the situation is the same and would jump out of bed in hysteria!! It's taken it's toll on my wife, as now she's P.O'd at my constantly complaining and non-stop Panic/anxiety attacks. The Xanax get's me to sleep within 45minutes or less after I take it, but I'm up within four hours later and can't get back to sleep. So, I wind up taking half a pill (.25mg) and fall asleep another hour or so and wake up to Anxiety attacks all day and night!!
I tried "Valerian" (natural herb known for it's calming effect) and it really took the edge off for the first few days, but now a week or so later,, it does NOTHING!!! I don't want to start taking Xanax or other drugs all day and getting into that routine, but it's gotten to the point that Four weeks and two days after the onset of this thing,,and after it seemed to start getting a little better,, it's still unbearably annoying and my panic and anxiety is growing!! I'm afraid it's gotten to this point and now won't get any better!!! Although alot of people keep telling me it will just take some more time! My wife is at's wit's end with me (we've been married over thirty years, we're both 53) and now I'm climbing the walls not knowing if this will ever get better or what to do now!!!!
I was supposed to get an MRI shortly after this started, but I get VERY CLAUSTOPHOBIC even in Open MRI's and for this one to have a "cage" put on my head,, I don't know how I'll ever get through that for an HOUR! But I have resorted to call this week for an appt. I'll just have to take a double dose of my Xanax!
If you've made it this far down my "thread",, then all I can say is THANKS SO MUCH for the interest! Does anyone have any feelings or experience with any of this? Any Help would be GRATIOUSLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!! Thank you all!!

Hello there,

I feel for you, I really do. I don't have hearing loss, although I do have a vestibular disorder which has, over a long period of time, caused intermittent distortions in hearing and weird ear noises and sensations, which, like you, panicked me desperately. If you don't get many replies, it's not because people don't care, it's because when it comes to hearing loss, it's often very hard to know what's going on.

I don't have answers, I simply have suggestions based on my experience of living with an unpredictable and difficult to diagnose dizziness condition. First off, the doc did exactly the right thing, thank goodness. A prescription of prednisone is often the only way to save someone's hearing if it rapidly diminishes. It seems to me your panic stems from a number of things. Has your doctor suggested why this might have happened? It's difficult to relax about something if you don't know what caused it. There may be no definitive answers but I do think a patient deserves a discussion of the possible causes. Obviously the MRI is an important part of looking for a diagnosis. You are absolutely doing the right thing having one, and ruling things out that way. After that, when you go in to discuss the results it's very important to engage the doc in a discussion of causes, to at least give you some ideas of what you might be dealing with. The unknown causes panic.

By the way, when you go for the MRI, purchase some ear plugs and ask if you can wear ear phones over them. My hearing is sensitive and the MRI is loud. They were very understanding about this. They are generally also well versed at dealing with claustrophobia. I am highly claustrophic and thought I'd never manage it. I took valium, a friend accompanied me, and fortunately I could see out of the end of the closed MRI. I just focused on my feet and the 'outside' of the tunnel and I got through it absolutely fine. The staff were fantastic. A lot of people dread MRI's for the same reason, I think they tend to pick nurses who can deal with people who are nervous.

The other reasons for panic are quite simply, the shock of this having happened so suddenly, the grief at the possiblity that you might not fully regain your hearing, and the difficulty of adjusting to the new situation. All of these things are a big deal and hard to struggle with alone. If the situation doesn't resolve itself, you need to make contact with people who have gone through the same thing. I'm in England, I presume you're in the States. I am unfamiliar with what organisations exist there for people who have experienced sudden hearing loss, but I am absolutely sure they will exist. Seek these organisations out, get talking to people who understand what you're going through. There are also organisatons for people with hyperacusis and tinnitus, both on the net and elsewhere - often deafness and these conditions overlap. They will undoubtedly be able to offer you practical advice and emotional support. They may also be able to point you in the direction of a therapist/counsellor well versed at dealing with the impact of illness. Even if you don't find a counsellor who specialises in this area, any good therapist worth their salt should be able to help you deal with what is in effect, a grief of sorts - the loss of part of yourself, and the panic that accompanies that. Maybe your ENT can point you in the right direction with regard to support.

I agree that xanax should ideally be a short term measure. There are new SSRI type drugs that do not carry the same addicitive properties, which in your shoes I would consider swapping to, if this panic continues. Some people on this board take drugs like citalopram, which are known for their anti anxiety qualities. This is something I would also discuss with the doctor.

At the moment you simply cannot imagine having to live with this forever. Obviously I have absolutely no idea if you will or you won't. I hope you regain your full hearing. What I learnt from living with a very difficult condition, where I had and have no idea whether I will ever regain my full health, is that panic is your enemy. It serves only one useful function - it propels you in to the doctor's office to get the care and tests you need - beyond that one good thing - it is only a hindrance. Worry and anxiety have never, ever helped any medical condition - they only ever make you feel worse. They can actually hinder recovery - constant surges of adrenalin, lack of sleep, the toll stress puts on the body, are all counter productive. I got to a point (eventually, it took a long while and is difficult) where I thought, ok, either this will go, or it won't, but at the moment I am going to accept that this is who I am and carry on as best I can regardless. Obviously this hasn't always gone smoothly, there are still moments of panic and distress and depression, but it certainly helped. The self monitoring you're doing is very typical of anyone with a distressing new condition, but it won't make the condition go away. Constantly 'checking' your hearing won't help it recover - you can't control it like this - you can only make yourself unhappy. Recovery is a bit like love, it tends to happen when you're not looking for it.

As I said, all of the above will be easier once you've had all the requisite tests and got what answers you can. I hope this advice doesn't sound patronising - believe me - I've been where you are now, unable to sleep, out of my mind with anxiety etc... I am trying to help because I know exactly what that's like, and how utterly wearing it is. If you do contact organisations that deal with sudden hearing loss, they may provide information for family members, which explains what it is like to go through this. I think sometimes family members can have a hard time understanding who hard this is. I do think, if you haven't been through it, it can be very hard to grasp how utterly life altering something like this is, and how hard it is to come to terms with.

I hope this helps,

best,

Hi hbep,
You definately make a lot of sense,, I wish I could have your sense of "rational" in this situation I'm in. Well, the ENT said it's probably a viral infection that attacked the auditory nerve. Even though I was'nt previously sick, he said it could happen that fast! Again,, since my fear of the MRI (claustiphobia BIG TIME) it's kept me from getting the test so he could have a look inside! I have to bite the bullet and make an appointment this week. Hopefully if I time it right, a Xanax should get me through it! Although I could take the pill a bit before leaving home and by time I get into the exam room and preped,, it could wear off,, then there's a big chance I'll back off! Other then that, there's NO WAY to be sure of what's going on or NOT going on behind the scenes.
I know the more I play with it and do CONSTANT checks, the more discouraged and anxious I get since, the body does'nt cure itself overnight. However, my anxiousness gets the best of me and I can't help myself. It's just that since it happened so fast and only a month ago,, the fear has deeply impacted my whole being and I find it really hard to coupe most of the time! I have an appointment with my G.P. this Wednesday. Hopefully he has some kind of suggestion or answer! Otherwise, I REALLY APPRECIATE your taking the time to read my problem and offer your help in this! I WILL take into consideration what you say and try my best to deal with this! I wish you the BEST Also with your health!! Thanks!

I felt the need to talk to you. I can't say that I've been in your shoes regarding the hearing loss, but as far as panic attacks go, I feel like I am THE authority. A title I'd rather NoT have.

I know that you went to the ER, and have seen an ENT. Who exactly put you on the xanax? I'm assuming it was your gp since I can't see an ENT prescribing that. I was on xanax for many years. (bad thing). It helped me quite a bit when first put on it, somewhere back in the mid to late 90's.
Anyway, I'd rather you not be on that. It's terribly habit forming, not as in YOU having the problem, but rather your body becoming very addicted, and this happens so quick. As soon as you start taking it, this happens. That comes straight from a dr's mouth. One I highly regard.

This xanax backfired on me. This was after yrs of taking it, and having it increased when I had the most horrific panic attacks of my life. It made them worse. I know this is just MY experience, but whenever I hear of someone being on that stuff, I am compelled to offer some caution and advice. (everyone's experience is different, I do not claim to know all regarding meds, am merely sharing what may happen)

Another question, who told you to try Valerian? Also, please be careful with herbs. AnythinG we put into our bodies is foreign, and you can have just as bad a reaction to herbal remedies as with prescriptions. Also, there are so many herbals that you CannoT take while on xanax because of interactions.

Please see about getting on something else if at all possible. There are so many other "helpers" to take, and obviously this one isn't helping. I can only imagine your panic due to your hearing loss. What has happened to you would be scary to anybody. Your panic is quite normal and very valid. Most important thing to note if you are having the hellish one, be very aware of your breathing. None of that shallow stuff. Breathe from your stomach. This will prevent hyperventilating, which leads to full blown, heart attack like panic attacks. I know all too well about the panic. I wish I knew then about the breathing.

I feel for you so much. Don't ever think yourself a big baby. This would be alarming to anyone. Do try and get on another pill for the panic/anxiety. Please? And DO have that MRI, I too am extremely clautrophobic, an open MRI will be fine. Feel empowered and strong by doing what you need to do to get this hearing loss problem fixed. Reward yourself when you've made it through the test. You'll feel proud, and of course greatly relieved. :)

Remember, What the mind believes, the body believes.

Things are going to get better. I wish you a calm mind and body and much love. I'm here. Post as often as you need. We all NEED. That's why we're here.

SL :angel:

Hi Sharalee,
Your sentiments and concern for me and what I'm going through are REALLY, REALLY Appreciated, Thanks! I will be seeing a new G.P. this Wednesday for a general check up and the basic tests, (bloodwork, etc.). I did finally schedule the MRI but they don't have an opening before next Tuesday, so,,, I'll be working on mentally being prepared to just do it. No one actually mentioned the Valerian to me. I was just surfing the web for alternative and natural relaxants in an attempt to avoid any more "addicting" drugs. It really did help for the first few days, but I guess the stress, and anxiety levels are so FULLY BLOWN out of Proportion in me, that it was'nt enough to keep me level!
Bedtime is now a new experience in anxiety for me since I can't seem to fall asleep without the Xanax and then, only for a few hours before it wears off and I'm up again! This whole thing is still so new that I can remember how good I used to feel prior to this Hellish NIGHTMARE and how easily I would fall asleep and just get through a day without Anxiety and Panic! I MISS BEING AND FEELING NORMAL, which in itself brings added anxiety!!!
We'll have to see what the doc says this Wednesday. Although without the results of the MRI, nobody will no much of what's what I'm sure! I just wish I was better at dealing with stuff like this, but this is without a doubt,,, my weak point! I really appreciate knowing you're there for support, REALLY! I'll let you know what transpires after the doctor's appt.
You also have my Best thoughts and wishes with you! THANKS!

MMS1,

You are very welcome!

By the way, I'm having an MRI tomorrow, for my right knee. It is also my first. I'm a bit apprehensive, but they say my head will be out, so I think I'll survive. :)

Please do do doooooo, let me know how it goes with the doc. Please don't fret the MRI, if you are as bad as me with anxiety and panic, and I'm sensing you are, you know that sometimesssssss, we get ourselves in a TIZZY for nothing. So don't do that. I command you !!! LOL.

Sorry, I'm having what I call an OK day, and that's with my ears and my fibromyalgia. So I can joke right?

You behave now, and don't get your feathers ruffled up. I'm here!!!

Love

SL :wave:

Hi Guys,

Just thought I'd mention that MRIs are really safe and nothing to be afraid of. Yes, the space they put you into can make you feel a little freaky but if you close your eyes and imagine yourself on an open beach you can really escape the bad feeling. Also remember that both ends of the tunnel are wide open. I was running these scans in a clinical trial a few years ago. All of the subjects did the same and were really OK. There is no radiation involved either - just a giant magnet. Leave the credit cards out of the room though or it's instant erase.

Best...Scott :cool:

Thanks so much Sharalee,
Yea, the last MRI I had was for a kidney stone so altough my head was'nt inside, it was very, VERY close to the enclosure and that about freaked me out even though it was only a ten minute test! Having my head enclosed in a cage like helmet and then having it under the machine for and HOUR, is something I'm DREADING! But as I say,, hopefully I can time my Xanax so it about knocks me out through the most of it,, HOPEFULLY!!
I just want to get to the bottom of this whole thing already and get my life back (I know WE ALL do)! Knowing you're around for support is a BIG help and I really can't thank you enough!! I'll Really try honoring your "command" on this mission LOL! Hopefully, I'll be able to laugh again soon,,,,, I REALLY MISS that! BEST OF LUCK on your test for the knee!

Luv,
MMS1

Hey Scott,
Thanks for the tip! With any luck with my "drug",, I hope to be faaaaar, faaaar away on that beach sipping Pina Colada's long before they get me preped! If I could have it my way, they'd be carrying me in the room fast asleep and waking me when it's all over! Thanks so much for your good thoughts, it's appreciated!!

Good luck and best to you!
MMS1

Hey MMS1,

I've had a few MRI's for my head symptoms, and for me, I really worked myself up because I am unable to lie flat because I start to "spin". Plus, having to lie still for that amount of time while I was awake made me nervous because I am more comfortable when I am in motion.

I've had both the "closed" and "open" MRI. Obviously, the open-ended MRI feels better because you are only surrounded by machinery on the top and bottom, and the sides of the machine are very open so you can see.

But for me, each time I had an MRI, I was given the option to wear headphones (they provided) and select radio channels to listen to music, and I was allowed to bring one family member in the room with me. This was nice because they were allowed to touch my leg or rub my leg, or just hang out in the room and read, while I was having the MRI.

The helmet portion isn't bad at all. It's not a solid helmet, but rather a plastic helmet that is open all over (cross-crossed with thin strips of plastic and a chin strap). It doesn't fit snugly on your head, but rather you simply lie your head in it. This helps to keep your head in position, and assists in how the MRI scans your head.

For me, I closed my eyes and listened to the music. When I was really nervous (when they first slid me into the center of the machine), I practiced deep breathing and prayed (prayer calms me immensely). The scan is loud (a series of knocks), and they scan your head in stages. The technician will talk you through each part of the scan to tell you when one is done and the next one will start - you can hear her/him through the headphones. In between each scan section you cannot get up.

After I was used to lying there, and I realized that that was a scary as it was going to be for me, I got used to it and things went fine.

My advice is simply don't give into the anxiety when you first lie down, because that's where a lot of people feel they can't go through with it.

At least try it. If you can't wait it out, they will have to stop and if you chose to get another MRI, they will start again.

I'm sure all will go fine for you. I know you really want to feel better.

Hugs. xo

Thanks for the words of encouagement Wowwwweeee. Yea, I saw the helmet when I went to check out the machine and that's what kind of got me hesitant! Just to lay there with that thing on my head is, to me, very enclosed. Then to have the machine over my head with the noise just adds to that (I am very claustophobic, which is why having limited "Muffled" hearing with some distortion and the Tinnitus in my right ear feels suffocating). However, my doctor said I can take an additional Xanax since it'll be just for the test, in order to additionally take the edge off, or even half knock me out (which would be GREAT)! I realize I HAVE TO get through it just to rule out any other problems. Then I can move on to hopefully find an answer to this problem and hopefully a recovery!! I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks Soooo much for your input,, I wish you THE BEST!

to mms1.... gosh read your version of troubles, and even though I havent posted my concerns for my troubles (new to this board) I must respond to yours. I am just a few yrs younger than you. but at age 46 I had a sudden onset of something I havent gotten over yet altogether. OUR bodies change and sometimes it can be all of a sudden and for no reason. You are doing the right thing.. YOU really need the MRI to help rule out what it isnt.. sometimes it wont be for what it is.. a sedative would be good you need to ask either the mri techs to suggest ways to get thru it or if you dont think your xanax will work, discuss it with your md.. a one time sedative will NOT hurt you.... as for the path you have gone down - good start.. my only suggestion is u must be your own advocate, and continue to seek out answers.. it might seem like the docs wont be proactive enough.. dont panic, just keep at it. I have many not fun symptoms ie tinnitis, pressure, blurredvision, drainage, etc but not signif hearing loss, so your new friends on here may have varied responses acc to their experiences . HANG IN THERE

Hi Longtime,
Thanks for the input and suggestions! I saw my Doctor today (G.P.) and he said even if I have to take two or even three of the Xanax for the test, in order to thouroughly relax me, then do it since it's only a one time thing. As far as the Xanax not keeping me asleep for more then an hour and a half or so at a time, I asked for something that would be more effective and as "non-addictive" as possible. He gave me a prescription for Trazodone which is "supposedly" a non_addictive sedative used for many purposes including Depression, anxiety and insomnia. However, as I always do with an unknown drug, I reasearched it and as usual, the "POSSIBLE" side effects are enough to keep me quite concerned about using it, especially since the Doc. said it works ok with Xanax and told me to take decreasing doses of the Xanax while I'm using this to hopefully get off the Xanax for sleep and rely more on the Trazodone alone! It's just when you read possible side effects like "coma", "difficulty breathing", "erection lasting more then four hours, (strange but it says get emergency help for that, because it could be a SERIOUS problem which needs an operation)"! GREAT!!!! I think reading the side effects and usage problems is enough to keep you on ADDITIONAL MEDS or have you walking around in a panic without ANY meds! It's all really kind of nuts when you think about it. I guess I won't give up researching till I get better, heaven knows I can't continue like this!
However, I really appreciate your taking the time to respond and I hope the best for you and wish you the strength to overcome it! I'm trying.

MM1S,

I have developed some low level claustro since dealing with my head symptoms.

One thing you may want to do before your actual MRI is to PRACTICE being in this environment. The more you de-sensitize and practice, the less anxiety will be stimulated for you during the actual MRI.

Obviously, it won't be the same experience in practicing, but you may want to try lying in a small space and making it feel claustrophobic for you - like a small closet in the dark. Again, and MRI does not feel like you are in a closet, and there's certainly enough light to see everything at all times, but my point being that you should start provoking these uncomfortable sensations NOW so you are psychologically more ready for it.

As far as the helmet, it's very loose and if you needed to, there is space to wiggle your head around. You may want to find something comparable, and put it on while you're home and simply practice getting used to the feeling of a helmet on your head.

You get the idea. It may sound silly to some people, but if you know you're going to have a rough time due to anxiety issues, a little pre-planning won't hurt.

As for medicating, I went through a period of time where I was dealing with severe full blown panic attacks from my symptoms. My anxiety was debilitating and for a time, left me unable to do much independent of always having a "safe" person with me. I am not sure how limited you are with your anxiety - I was left being extremely limited for an uncomfortable length of time.

It was explained to me that medication only masks the anxiety symptoms and worry thoughts, but it does not cure a person of having anxiety. It was suggested to me at one point that I might want to try a medication to help calm me down, as I was out of control with my anxiety issues. But since I was told that the true key to coping with anxiety issues is learning to handle things that came my way in a better, more non-reactive manner, I opted instead for counseling with an accredited therapist who treated anxiety issues and disorders.

It was a slow process and a very challenging time for me, but with some professional guidance, loving encouragement, and re-learning to trust in myself, I was able to overcome the paralyzing anxiety that was keeping from pursuing even routine activities.

My point being, that at some point you may want to look into additional help for your anxieties, especially if you are relying on a medication to help you through the anxious moments.

You know I wish you the best. xo

Hi MMS1,
When I had my MRI I decided that it was probably best I not keep my eyes open while I was being slid into the tube. I actually ended up keeping my eyes closed the whole time, because that way I was able to picture that I was in a large open space, and I never really knew what the inside of the machine looked like. I talked to the tech for a little while afterwards and she said she often asks patients to keep their eyes closed during the entry into the tube because that's when people tend to feel the worst... going from the big space into a little one.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine!
- Cori

Just to let everyone who offered their support that I did do the MRI on Tuesday and it went well! I took an additional dose of Xanax and it helped sedate me enough to where I was able to lie there and get it done. Admitedly I had to keep my eyes closed and put my mind elsewhere, but all and all it seemed to go a lot quicker then I thought, I was surprised when the tech moved me out of the machine to give me an injection of some dye and told me I only have a little longer since I was already in there almost an hour.
I get the results back tomorrow (Thursday) from my ENT Dr.. Of course I don't want anything bad to show, but I'm already worried about the next step and maybe never getting to the bottom of this ever growing FRUSTRATION!! Sorry to all that have tried so Hard to help me through this, but I'm just not taking this well at all.
Thanks to ALL for your help, and concern!!! I'll let you know what transpires with the results.
Love and best to all of you!

MMS1:

Great to hear that you went through the MRI without a hitch.

I know how frustrating things can be when trying to figure out a reason for your symptoms. But it sounds like you're holding your own, and that's a good place to start.

xo

Well, the results of my MRI came back all clear, everything looks normal. That was great to hear, however now I'm just back to square one. Nobody knows what this is for sure, when and if it will get better! My ENT dr. still believes it was a viral infection that affected the auditory nerve and it may or "may not" get better in time. It's already been seven weeks and is still sensitive to noise, the ringing changes and varies day to day in severity and degree and I still have this ANNOYING, doubled, scratchy distortion in peoples voices (and my own) above anything over a low volume level! The hearing loss that had improved a little the first three weeks has'nt gotten any better since then and is still low and muted.
The ENT set me up for another hearing test next week to see how much it's come up since the onset of this thing. I asked if there's any additional treatment to maybe bring it up more. He said the one other thing is Steroid injection which has it's risks! I know, since I've read enough about it on this board. Some get a little hearing back, some get no better results, there's pretty bad side effects from it and the chance it'll cause PERMANANT hearing loss! So, the anxiety, panic and depression continues. Any other suggestions?
I REALLY DO appreciate everyones help here! My best goes out to all of you!!

Hi everyone,
I hope everyone is feeling better as of this post! Just wanted to give a little update on my situation which had it's definate UPS and "DOWNS"! It's been over seven weeks since the onset of this problem and this last Sunday I had a revelation which turned out to be nothing but FRUSTRATION! Sunday afternoon when I came home from an early "gig" with my band, I was watching TV and felt that my hearing was a bit better for the first time since I noticed anything over three weeks ago! If I held my left (good) ear shut, I could hear the TV at a noticably higher level. The voices were still low and muffled, but I could make out words without looking at the TV set. I did'nt want to get all excited since as much as it was a noticable increase in hearing it still was a long way from NORMAL!
Also, the distortion (tinny, doubling that I've been getting when people talk around me or from my own voice) seemed less severe. So, with a prayer and lots of hope for progessing recovery,, I went to sleep (at least tried,, have'nt slept for SEVEN WEEKS without help of Xanax)! When I woke up,, I noticed no difference in my progress from before Sunday!! What a Downer!! In fact, as Monday progressed, the distortion seemed back to it's regular annoying level and the increase in hearing I noticed on Sunday was no longer as it was! Move forward one step and back one and a half steps!!!
Does anybody have any experience with their problem getting better then worse? Do you think this could still be a sign of possible recovery? I'm so fed up, frustrated and depressed (not to mention the constant Anxiety attacks) that I can't say. I only take a .5mg of Xanax to get me to sleep (have been for almost two months) along with a couple Valerian/Passionflower mix tablets. However, as most of you know, that only keeps you asleep for two or three hours at a time. During the day I'm a wreck, having anxiety attacks and fits of depression throughout the day and night! My doctor prescribed "Lexapro" but I've read tooooo many band threads here to want to get worse before I "POSSIBLY" get better from it!!!! Then, I'm stuck on more crappy meds that cause addiction, cause you to never get off them without a "touchy" weaning program and so many say they feel like ZOMBIES while on the stuff!!! It's bad enough that I'm on Xanax (although a relatively small dose). I fight the anxiety attacks but usually give in by taking a quarter tab twice a day to barely keep the edge off!
He also prescribed Trazadone for sleep. I tried 10mg. tab for a couple nights in a row along with the .5mg Xanax (as he prescribed) and still was up in two to three hours, except groggy and with a headache. He said, I may have to take a higher dose!!!(?) All these doctors are so full of it,, it makes me SICK (LITERALLY)!!! They use us as guiniea pigs and we suffer for there "trial and error" programs,, mostly!! I just don't want to be in this drug regime as so many are, with the outlook that, "hey, it's better then it was without it"!!! I don't want to be living a SYNTHETICALLY induced LIFE!
Meditation, hot baths, excercise,, those things work for people who are'nt in that BAD of a mental state,, I've tried a little and IT DOES'NT WORK,, at least not for me (I've got it bad)!!! Sorry to be such a DOWNER today,, but I REALLY,, REALLY,, REALLY am totally FED UP with it all!!

Hope your ALL doing MUCH BETTER then me!! Best goes out to all of you!

MMS1,

I think if you were able to get a better handle on your anxiety attacks, you would be able to cope better or easier with your physical symptoms.

I understand that you are hesitant to trial any other anti-anxiety medications.

With that said, have you tried initiating an exercise routine? I have found the "moving my muscles" is a natural way to help alleviate stress and takes the edge sometimes off my head symptoms. Along with this, exercising helps me sleep better. I am limited in what I can do exercise-wise sometimes, depending on how my symptoms vary.

I think many posters on here deal with the "ups and downs" of symptoms and recovery. My symptoms fluctuate in intensity, and that can be frustrating when I have a really good day, or when I "forget" and start to do something that will provoke my symptoms.

Sometimes I am a wreck from the symptoms themselves, and sometimes I am a wreck from anxiety. I have found that the less stress in my life, the better able I can deal with what I have to.

Don't recall if you've ever given counseling a try. Counseling helped guide me to looking at my stressors more objectively, which helped me alleviate stress by becoming less reactive to the things that were bothering me. It took some work on my part to change my thoughts and behaviors to a lower level of intolerance, but it has helped me.

It might also help pinpoint your anxiety triggers. Once I was able to narrow down exactly WHAT was causing me so much anxiety, I was able to focus on learning to cope with those immediate issues.

For example, although I was distressed about having head symptoms, I was more distressed with the fear that when with having them - those "what if" worries.

You may want to look into a support group for anxiety and stress that you can attend on a weekly basis. A good support group, known world wide, is called Recovery, Inc. You can do a search on it and see if there are groups in your area.

You may want to do some self-help reading on anxiety, to see if something sparks your interest in terms of something you can relate to that helps alleviate some of your internal anxiety.

I have found that what may work for one person, may not help someone else. So it's important to seek out a method of working on your anxiety issues that work for you personally, and that might take a few tries before you find something that gives you the encouragement and comfort you feel you need to work on your issues.

Just a few thoughts to help you along naturally, without medications.

xo

Thanks Wowwwweeee,
I'm going to HAVE TO look into some of those areas. Can't keep on like I've been going. I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. THANKS and take care!

MMS1

I am going through the same anxiety issues as a result of inner ear problems that I have had for seven years off and on so I can sympathize with your franticness. It
changes your life forever, and you can only hope to keep it stabilized for a while. That is the hardest thing to do is accept that. My inner ear problems stem from positional vertigo. But now it has developed into a unilateral vestibular imbalance. I just started therapy sessions for it, but frankly the exercises cause more dizziness and I am having a hard time coping with it all. I have been taking a low dose of Ativan to sleep at night for the last eight weeks and want to stop. Does anyone know of any
anti-anxiety meds that are non-addictive that I can substitute for the Ativan? I really need something else.

Does anyone know of any
anti-anxiety meds that are non-addictive that I can substitute for the Ativan? I really need something else.Hi Leogirl,

Your best bet is probably an antidepressant. It will stop the anxiety and they are technically not addictive. However, coming off of them after being on them for a length of time can cause "discontinuation" symptoms. Still probably not as rough as weaning off a bonzodiazapene.

Cheers...Scott