new tinnitus sufferer... need support. - Hearing Disorders Message Board

ancdc · 09-29-2008, 03:30 PM

Hi. I started having tinnitus about 6 weeks ago. I've had some ups and downs, but think I've done okay handling it. However, for the past 8 days the tinnitus has changed. It started as just a hissing/crackling in both ears - but now I have a high-pitched ringing in my right ear and it is growing louder and louder. I think I'm finally having a break down and I have no idea what to do about it.

I've already seen my GP and an ENT each twice about this and I have an appt w/ a neurologist in a couple weeks. But I'm honestly losing my mind now.

I'm too scared to read other people's posts because what I do not need right now is horror stories because I am scared to death. I want some home and some reason to keep fighting because I am afraid that this will keep getting worse and I will lose my enjoyment of life.

I am already much crankier and less social than I used to be - in just 6 weeks. I can't imagine a lifetime of this.

I am only 30 years old. The audiologist found no hearing loss. I am hypothyroid, but my thyroid is being treated. There doesn't seem to be any explanation for it, though my GP suspects it is related to my migraines, but I no longer believe in this hypothesis after the past 8 days of horror, but no migraine.

The only loud noise I can think of that may relate is that I went to an IMAX movie right before the onset and it was very loud. And, 2 days before this bad ringing started I went to a Broadway musical and I had to plug my ears several times because the speakers were so loud..... so, I'm not sure if this could have contributed to the problem, though, because my hearing is nearly pristine...

Please tell me some hopeful stories so I know there is a reason to try and fight.

kitchener12 · 09-29-2008, 04:22 PM

Hi ancdc

Firstly please know that you are not alone

there are many tinnitus sufferers on this board who can offer words of support. (Although we try not to think bout it too much

)

I first suffered with tinnitus when I was 5 months pregnant, I had hearing loss in one ear and in that ear I began to hear a heartbeat, I truly thought I would go nuts...my GP prescribed Ativan ( even though I was pregnant he felt my health was at a significant risk to precribe this narcotic) I had'nt slept for 4 nights prior to this...I ended up going on Mat leave early due to the tinnitus...

Firstly and this is the hardest thing, try to ignore it, I know that sounds impossible but worry and stress only make it worse, do some things you really enjoy with friends and family who make you feel good. Take some long walks and do things that relax you. It may take time to find the cause of the tinnitus and your ear may settle down if they have experienced some loudness over the past few weeks.

I just had a surgery in that ear and my tinnitus seems less noticable.

I will check back later and see how things are going

Best wishes

ancdc · 09-29-2008, 11:48 PM

Hi. I just woke up and my tinnitus is at an all time worse. It sounds just like when TV stations used to go off the air at night and would just play a high-pitched tone over color bars before going to fuzz.

I'm only 30. I really can't go through the rest of my life like this. My job involves audio and video and I think it will be difficult to take my mind off of it.

I thought I was getting a migraine a few hours ago, so I took my normal migraine pill and it seems to have made everything worse somehow (and I still have a headache).

I'm probably having an MRI soon to rule out any kind of tumor or whatever. I really think there is no good explanation for this for me - just one of those lucky people who get it w/o cause.

I feel like my life just changed from when I fell asleep a few hours ago until now. It went from a nagging and frustrating problem to what may now be a disability of sorts.

I have a sort of anxious personality and my anxiety has gotten worse over the recent years and so it is just a viscious cycle. I'm now very paranoid that presciption drugs I've taken this year (cortisone shots and NSAIDs and migraine pills) may somehow be related to causing this since they are all ototoxic drugs.

My husband wants me to stay off of the interest and not to be wrapped up about it, but I told him this is like having someone chop off your arm and then try to ignore it while the blood gushes out.

ANY advice is appreciated and yes, knowing that I am not alone helps too. I'm afraid that my whole life and my whole future has changed now.

I'm sorry that you went through this while you were pregnant kitchener12. What kind of surgery did you have? Please let me know how it goes and thanks for the words of support.

kitchener12 · 09-30-2008, 07:04 AM

Hi ancdc

I am sorry you had a bad night

I know it is at its worst when you are trying to sleep, everyone else in th house is snoring peacefully and you are desperate for sleep but can't, gggrrr thats when it can really get to you I know....

You mentioned you have been on a lot of meds this year for migranes I have heard that migriane sufferers can get tinnitus but that theres no really positive connection....

My tinnitus came on first while I was pregnant but also having a hard time at work, my boss was not being very helpful I had major accounts and lots of deadlines and there fore lots of stress plus being pregnant!!!!
Stress and anxiety are major contributors to this awful noise and therefore you must really try and keep them to a minimum, I know you probably don;t want to take any more meds but I did find that a sleeping tablet once in a while helped me sleep a little and stop me from obbsessing about the noise...believe me it will get better...you will be able to carry on it is just worse now because its probably all you can think about...I hate to say it but your hubby is kinda right

Make sure you are checked out fully with your dr, regarding bloodflow, ear pressure, meds and see what happens.

In the mean time keep busy and noisy (!) and try to relax and not worry it will ease off

I will check again soon, take care

I had a stapedectomy (prosetic stapes) so I just had 2 weeks of vertigo too..mmmm (PS I would preffer tinnitus to vertigo anyday !)

ancdc · 10-03-2008, 07:18 AM

I saw a neurologist on Wednesday, and he feels that the tinnitus is related to my migraines, which have become much more severe this year. In fact, the doctor himself suffers from migraines and tinnitus. I am not sure this is the final answer, but it is helping me to cope with and understand what's happening to me.

He prescribed to me a beta blocker, which he feels may prevent most of my migraines and also may lessen the tinnitus.

I am going to the Univ of Maryland's tinnitus center in a couple weeks and will eventually discuss some treatments with them, such as hearing retraining therapy.

I am generally a strong person emotionally and handle pain well, but this ringing has really broken me down. Luckily, it has decreased significantly over the past 2 days, but I am still anxious about it coming back. And from what the doctor said, it will definitely come back.

Anyway, thanks for the support and I will stay in touch - I have a feeling there are still rough days ahead, but for now, making it through the day much better.