Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

Along the way, after another 5 months, you will most likely see at least a certain pattern of what works with you and not. What you've done so far seems reasonable. What takes a lot of time, imo, is accepting the situation (for now), and move on from that point. Thats a difficult one...because there is so much grief involved. A temporary feeling of "a lost life". I feel certain you will get your life back eventually.

I get how you feel Erika, had the same feeling of making several mistakes that I shouldn't have gone through with in hindsight (like going to the ENT and allowing him to do microsuction)

People here all try different meds (or none), and they either get better or worse from it, there are just too many things we don't know about T and H to make the best possible decisions, so try not to beat yourself up over it okay?

Thanks guys

I am working with an audiologist right now, and doing TRT. the generators helped me so much with my spike, I was able to get my mind off of it at least (even if it doesn't "help") well it helped me and I know I would've lost my mind if I didn't have some what of a crutch. Go with what you feel is right. I think if I listened to some people on here I wouldn't have been able to get through my spike a couple months back

Do what's best for you. If you want to try TRT, you have nothing to lose. It's been helping me.

@Sydney13 thank you so much for your feedback. With this spike, did you experience tinnitus that reacted to sounds, whether it got louder, changed pitched, different quality, or more intrusive?

@ErikaS certain sounds make it reactive but I have no idea what because it all seems so random mostly! I have my generators on for most of the day so now even if it is reactive I can't tell which saves me from a lot of anxiety. I do find that after showers/baths it is a bit louder but it settles down after 10-15 minutes

@ErikaS the spike that I had in October was just one tone, and it lasted a little bit over two weeks. It was one of the hardest two weeks of my life bc I didn't think it was going away. The one thing that bothers me the most is my noise sensitivity, that has been such a kind fuck it makes me not even care about my tinnitus. It's pretty mild to begin with

Just like you, I'm a young woman who was so busy and loved life. Have a wonderful home, amazing job, great family, two Doggos and now I'm stuck with this. It's been depressing to say the least. But I will try anything and that's why I'm trying TRT along w counselling. I just want my life back :'(

@ErikaS coming on this forum helps at times but it can also be depressing. I try to distract myself with other things but there's only so much you can do when you're dealing with this sort of stuff. I hope you're doing okay.

I did that at the beginning and that's how my habitation started. I even sit down in total silence for weeks to be friends with my T and then my brain start putting in the background

@Sydney13 thank you for sharing all of that! And I am right with you, I will try anything where I can find relief that will let me function more. Once my reactivity is decreased, I feel like I will be a new woman because my T, although multi tone, isn't loud at baseline.

@Sydney13 do you just have 1 tone? Do you feel the spud generators have "aggravated" your T in any way?

@ErikaS i feel you 110%! My T is mostly static in both ears, but my right has a bit of a dull high pitch ring from bubble wrap that popped right next to my ear lol pretty annoying but I can only notice my T when I go to bed. Also I'm recovering from Covid and have noticed my T is a bit louder than usual but nothing crazy!

@ErikaS i have not noticed the generators have increased my T whatsoever also

@ErikaS - I too feel like I need to take a break from here. It's just all too 99% depressing sprinkled with 1% of hope. The odds are way too counter-balanced based on 750 million sufferers worldwide. I wish I never have found this forum in some ways

I will say this though, in terms of TRT treatment you are probably the best person to know whether you're ready. Unfortunately my baseline is loud now due to a one in a billion chance incident (struggle to hear sometimes) - and back to being reactive, so I know it wouldn't be right for me

If you feel you can manage low volume whitenoise, and any reactiveness returns to baseline later or next day, it may be worth at least trying. I was picking up new tones two or three times a week, if you're not that susceptible then your ears may be stronger than you realise. Your baseline is low, so you have a little wiggle room. For me, my body is telling me to live a reclusive life, of what's left of it.

If your body and ears feel strong enough, it may be worth starting. My only advice would be not to push through if things rapidly worsen - it would be expected your reactivity will be hit, but it should return to baseline. It's at a time it doesn't then you need to tread very cautiously. Wishing you all the best.

I 100% agree with @DeanD. You definitely will know if you are ready for TRT treatment. I also agree, that if your ears can tolerate white noise and return back to baseline this is a good rule of thumb. this place is packed with knowledge but also can become addicting if you need time please give your brain a rest from TT. Better days are ahead my friend