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  1. Mark McDill

    The world is suffering enough; don’t add to it. Die to self, do His bidding, and experience a...

    The world is suffering enough; don’t add to it. Die to self, do His bidding, and experience a bit of heaven (now) and a hope filled future.
  2. Mark McDill

    Retigabine (Trobalt, Potiga) — General Discussion

    Ruben Retigabine (like Trobalt) is an anti-seizure drug that works as a potassium channel inhibitor (I'm not a pharmacist or chemist, that's just what I've been told and what I've learned with a little research). Since your inner ear hairs cells transform the audio energy into neuro-electrical...
  3. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    @svintegrity Even though this went a little off topic, I think you generated a lot of healthy, interesting discussion and have publicized a very interesting procedure/option (Microvascular Compression Syndrome). I, personally, think what you have been through (up to and including your surgery...
  4. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    SV SWEET!! That is very good news to hear (this is normal -- normal like a killer workout :LOL:). It's very encouraging to know the neurosurgeons are not 'alarmed' and that your T continues to dissipate. Awesome! Thanx for the update; after all you have struggled through in your life I'm...
  5. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    SV So sorry to hear about the set back(s); I'm so sorry you are going through this. Hopefully it is swelling (because that will subside, eventually) Agreed; ENT's and most audiologists are impotent and elusive when presented with this topic. It's too easy for them to pass the buck (ENT says...
  6. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    SV Great news! It sounds like it went well; I'm with you, I would take half-volume any day of the week. The vertigo doesn't sound fun; but it also sounds temporary (whew!). I hope the VRT goes well; what did they say about the nerves healing? So glad to hear from you; thanx for keeping me...
  7. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    Good ole' Monday morning research; found a little info about microvascular compression syndrome (neat stuff) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793889/ http://american-hearing.org/disorders/microvascular-compression-syndrome/ Very interesting... Mark
  8. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    @svintegrity you need to write a book titled 'Human Suffering; A Tale of Conquering'; I'll buy the first copy. ICU = not fun; I hope the surgery works out -- I'll pray that it does. I hope you won't be in ICU too long (yikes). You sound very resilient; I think it will go well (my hope)...
  9. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    SV Good night almighty, you have had a real go of it! Yeah, I would guess habituating to that would be a far different matter than most (to say the least). I couldn't imagine having tried all those techniques and still no results; thank God you found some neuro-surgeons that have diagnosed and...
  10. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    svintegrity I went through stages of settling down; overall it took a little over a year to get to that 'workable' point -- and by workable, I mean that T didn't push me around so much. T was still a big deal in my life (and to some degree and in some dimension it will always be a big deal to...
  11. Mark McDill

    How to Get Over Tinnitus in One Sentence

    Sometimes you just have to say 'what the flip!'
  12. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    NiNyu Totally agree; it's a loose analogy, but it was only intended to convey the basic auditory pathology and perhaps highlight the difference between a regular sound and one that is tagged as dangerous. There is no doubt that continual, raging T (with H) is far different than a singular event...
  13. Mark McDill

    Medical (Neurological) Explanation of Habituation

    Lisa I'm the same way; it really helps (me) when I know, to some order of precision, what is going on. I don't think I can give you the 'neuro-scientific' answer you may be looking for but I can share the basics that I have learned (as I understand them). Please forgive me if you already know...
  14. Mark McDill

    Fed Up... Anybody Else Thinking About Ending It All?

    Thanx @svintegrity ; that's very encouraging (made my day!)
  15. Mark McDill

    Torture Method Using Sound

    @LadyDi I claim ignorance about the suicide thread; but you may be right. I just posted on the 'face value' of this thread; by no means did I want to make comment about suicide thread. Mark
  16. Mark McDill

    Torture Method Using Sound

    Telis Good to see you on the site; interesting post. Yes, the military has experimented with directed energy weapons (intense, focused sound being one of them). It's kind of a 'yes to all' answer to your question with one critical factor left out. Yes, the loudness and intensity most...
  17. Mark McDill

    Struggling

    Alex Yes, I can relate. When I got T (2 yrs ago) it took me to my knees and I couldn't imagine living the rest of my life (much less one more day) with the ringing in my ears. Take heart! Worst case scenario is that you have permanent T; even so, it is very livable (even though that seems...
  18. Mark McDill

    Feels Like a Bug Is Crawling Out of My Ear

    @canyonero I read all these posts (and they may be on the right track) but have you looked into eustachian tube issues? I'm sure your ENT could address all these issues quite well; I'd start there. Mark
  19. Mark McDill

    Short Whistle in Left Ear

    This is another dimension of your T that you have to learn to live with (and take measures). Some sounds/freqs can send it into a whirl. It's nothing to be afraid of; and it sounds like you have done very well with your T thus far. Just press on and learn a new aspect of your T. For example...
  20. Mark McDill

    Background Sounds in the Forefront

    I've noticed a similar phenomenon; but haven't really given it much thought. Like you imply, I just chalked it up to poor hearing (even though my hearing isn't terrible).
  21. Mark McDill

    Anyone Have Ringing Only When Lying Down?

    Thongly Funny you mention that; I've had lower back issues since my late thirties. Recently (since my ankle surgery) my lower back has been giving me grief and my T has responded in kind (much worse). I'm thinking the lower back can/does have an affect. Mark
  22. Mark McDill

    Anyone Have Ringing Only When Lying Down?

    MrT You are spot-on; and I can totally relate. I've found that (in my case) I've normalized a high stress so much that I don't 'feel' stressed at all -- but if I start looking at the signs (pain in the neck/back) it is irrefutable -- I'm stressed. So, a big part of my journey with T has been...
  23. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus... Did You All Get Panic/Anxiety When It First Hit?

    jeffreyjames Glad you found TT and didn't get 'scroogled' looking for quick fixes. Good on you not getting anxious about T. I had extreme anxiety when mine hit; I don't have a history of anxiety / panic disorder; but T brought me to my knees. It didn't need to be that way, though; had I found...
  24. Mark McDill

    Anyone Have Ringing Only When Lying Down?

    MrT T ringing louder when laying down is very typical -- I have no answer as to why the prone position causes this; however, it might be related to neck posture/strain. The grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a sign of anxiety and stress (even if you don't feel anxious or stressed); both of...
  25. Mark McDill

    Is It Possible to Figure Out How Loud Your Tinnitus Is at Home?

    Geoffman My audiologist estimated mine. Doing it at home might not be very accurate (for many reasons) but none less than the fact you will need to concentrate on your T while turning up some type of white noise; concentrating on it will surely make make your perception (of it) louder. I think...
  26. Mark McDill

    Good Hearing and TInnitus

    Wow! T is a mystery indeed; I hope they find (and define) all the causes.
  27. Mark McDill

    What Kind of Role Does the Pharmaceutical Industry Have in the Cure of Tinnitus?

    I agree with @Luca, I haven't seen a single 'functional' definition of T detailing all the etiologies, pathways, including all the dynamics and interactions of each the bio-mechanisms in the auditory system. Until they have something like that I don't think anyone can come up with a solution...
  28. Mark McDill

    What Kind of Role Does the Pharmaceutical Industry Have in the Cure of Tinnitus?

    I claim no team (except maybe my hometown San Diego Chargers); but I'm glad the patriots won
  29. Mark McDill

    What Kind of Role Does the Pharmaceutical Industry Have in the Cure of Tinnitus?

    Yes, there are millions (maybe even billions) of suffers, but T has a very wide range of suffering. Most of us on this site just happen to be in the severe range -- that number is comparatively small. Add to that the fact that T is not life threatening and then include it is unseen and quite...
  30. Mark McDill

    Would You Pay $2800 for a Chance at Clearing Your Tinnitus?

    I wouldn't expect him to fix your T; only your jaw. I would consider it a bonus if it took care of your T; but I wouldn't spend $2800 on a 'chance' to fix your T; just your jaw. Mark
  31. Mark McDill

    What Kind of Role Does the Pharmaceutical Industry Have in the Cure of Tinnitus?

    Sorry if I sound like a die-hard cynic; but big pharma has zero interest in finding cures. I don't think the T market is big enough to motivate them.
  32. Mark McDill

    Good Hearing and TInnitus

    Most hearing audiograms only test up to 8k (normal hearing range); maybe your T is in a higher range.
  33. Mark McDill

    Can Wi-Fi Worsen Existing Tinnitus?

    Noise can make your T worse (perhaps the wifi device or another device in close proximity is making a noise that is getting your T. Giving constant attention to your T, or attention things you think are related to or affecting your T, will most certainly affect your T.
  34. Mark McDill

    The Ups and Downs of Tinnitus. Am I Dealing With It Okay?

    @AlecP Great answers, very honest and articulate. I think you are doing quite well; if you aren't totally habituated now, you will be in the near future. I agree, it's the idea that bugs me more than the sound. Mark
  35. Mark McDill

    The Ups and Downs of Tinnitus. Am I Dealing With It Okay?

    Alec From what I read it sounds like you are habituating quite well. If you are getting 10 good days in a row that is exceptional. Here, I slammed together some questions (you didn't know this was a survey :LOL:); if you can honestly answer NO to all of them, I think it very safe to say you...
  36. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Reduced By Busyness

    A cobra (LOL); you haven't lost your sense of humor (awesome). It's all about focus; the more you try, the more you focus (around and around it goes). So all your efforts only cause you to focus on it even more (especially when the efforts do not give you desired results). Getting to a point...
  37. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Reduced By Busyness

    Wow! Exercise made it go up? That sounds like a physical/somatic cause (sorry if I'm stating the obvious). I know what you mean about the providers; I was terribly disappointed (except for my audiologist, he was great). When do you get seen next? I had many setbacks my first year; oh how I...
  38. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Reduced By Busyness

    Blair I'm sorry for your struggles, I know what it's like; I will keep you in my prayers. I know that may not sound like much right now, but we are thinking of you and 'pulling' for you. At one time I thought you were doing better (I may be mistaken); did your T change (go up)? Until...
  39. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Reduced By Busyness

    Hey Blair Hope you are doing well. I know what you mean, my T goes up no matter what. In fact, mine started out really low today (barely audible) and now it's screaming (and I haven't had an ounce of stress or anxiety, quite the opposite). Busyness only serves to keep my mind off it; never to...
  40. Mark McDill

    Got Tinnitus at a Young Age :(

    This is a great sign (hardly hear it now). You are young; there is a very good chance this will just pass. A buddy of mine (a lot older than you) had T for five months; it finely went away (it does happen). Whatever happened to give you T; that, you should avoid. Mark
  41. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Is Worse Today. Was It the Beer? Stress? I Don't Know But I Need a Hug :(

    I'd say it's the break-up with g/f (sorry dude). I have years of experience as a guy and I know we tend to process emotions later than sooner (or oft times not at all); but it hits us all the same. High emotions and stress = limbic system running at 100% = T goes up (ugh). I've proven (and...
  42. Mark McDill

    For All You Habituated Tinnitus Veterans

    Sailboardman Good questions. I can hear my tinnitus over everything almost all the time; but that doesn't mean I pay attention to it. In fact, when I'm busy doing just about anything my tinnitus doesn't really register with me. When in a quiet room I can easily make the common error of paying...
  43. Mark McDill

    Does Your Tinnitus Worsen If You Have Neck Pain?

    I know that chiropractic helps my neck and that can calm my T down a bit.
  44. Mark McDill

    How Long Have You Gone Not Thinking About Your Tinnitus?

    If I'm at work I routinely go about 4-6 hours without it on my mind
  45. Mark McDill

    Tell Me to Harden Up!

    Amelia I just had surgery on my ankle (7 Jan 15) and I talked with the anesthesiologist about it too; they said not to worry and they were right (didn't do a darn thing to my T -- good or bad). If it did anything at all, my T was lower afterwards (but really, it didn't do much of anything). Mark
  46. Mark McDill

    TMJD and Tinnitus: Are They Always Related?

    I fall into category #2; I don't think I have TMJ but when I yawn or clench my T gets louder. Glad you got a good diagnosis; what's the fix? Mark
  47. Mark McDill

    Could I Have Meniere's?

    @derpytia Sorry to hear you are having these moments (ugh!). I would echo @Jesse Pinkman , Meniere's is a disease; but I would also add it's very difficult to diagnose. Some moments of dizziness can be explained by many things (depression and anxiety included); there is no reason to conclude...
  48. Mark McDill

    Sudden Noise Exposure (Solid Wooden Door Slammed Shut) — Should I Be Concerned?

    Hi Deb If your nerves calm down you will more than likely be fine. Best to you Mark
  49. Mark McDill

    Great — Now I Have TMJ

    I just read this whole thread (very interesting); I've often wondered if I have TMJ (my regular dentist said no). Do you have T in both ears or one? I hope your condition improves (with new treatment)! Mark
  50. Mark McDill

    Faucet Test

    Dan For the first year the only thing that could mask my T were my hearing aids with white noise generators (set at full blast); I could hear my T over everything all the time. However, the shower came closest to some kind of relief. Mark
  51. Mark McDill

    How Loud Is Your White Noise?

    David I have hearing aids with white noise generators too. My audiologist said the same thing (except he said safe @ 60 db over days of use). I never actually measured the db coming out of them, I just took his word for it. I used to wear mine for days on the highest setting and it did no...
  52. Mark McDill

    Does It Matter How Loud It Is?

    David You hit the nail on the head! It's all about your reaction to it (not so much your awareness of it). However, the less you react to it (especially negatively) the less you are aware of it. So, what once spiraled up can now spiral down. Mark
  53. Mark McDill

    How Is Your Hearing After a Year of Tinnitus? Could My Brain Be "Thinking" My Hearing Is Worse?

    Actually my audiogram improved a little bit this year (I thought that quite odd). Maybe your brain is still blocking out what it thought to be painful/stressful at one time; but I think that's a stretch. Trauma can do odd things to the brain (T and H is trauma). But really, I have no idea. Mark
  54. Mark McDill

    Clonazepam: To Take or Not to Take, That Is the Question.

    @billie48 We all have a lot to learn from you; thanx for sharing! I broached a little bit of what you are talking about (techniques and methods to combat anxiety, et al) during my dark days in the PIT; but nothing like you have endured (and overcome!) Awesome!! Mark
  55. Mark McDill

    Results From ENT, Feeling Really Down

    @amandine I agree; they go with the 'fake it til you make it' routine hoping you will just buy off on it. I was really upset with my GP when he told me I had menierse disease (I don't have menierse disease -- and no one can make that diagnosis in ten minutes).
  56. Mark McDill

    Results From ENT, Feeling Really Down

    menierse is an extremely difficult diagnosis; it is suspect that it could be made so quickly
  57. Mark McDill

    Do You Always Check If Tinnitus Is There When You Wake Up?

    Unfortunately, I have to admit I check it first thing in the morning (can't help it); but since I'm habituated I just don't react to it (I just don't care).
  58. Mark McDill

    Tinnitus Spike from Car Stereo?

    @jellyrajah @Mike82 My first summer vacation with T I made the brilliant decision to rent a van and drive the family 800+ miles on an overnight trip to Cedar Point; totally wired on coffee and mad as heck at the traffic on I-80 (and no sleep). I had no idea what was happening to my T (the van...
  59. Mark McDill

    Clonazepam: To Take or Not to Take, That Is the Question.

    Wow Billie; what a testimony! Thanx for sharing (and I agree with you 100%) Mark
  60. Mark McDill

    Medical Terms Names in English

    @jazz you are a rock-star!