Hello!
I am a 40 year old mom and wife. I had 2.5 years of constant ear and nose fullness. I went to my GP multiple times, 4 ENTs, an allergist, rheumatologist, and neurologist. I have had scopes, x-rays, CT scans, an MRI, tons of bloodwork, and allergy testing (including food). I have been told nothing at all is wrong with my ears and nose?! I tried antibiotics, medrol packs, nasal sprays and rinses, and MANY other things with no relief. The medrol packs sometimes provided a little relief for a short time, but few docs are willing to give them long term due to the side effects, and they pretty much stopped working anyway after awhile.
Riding or driving in the car actually makes it worse, but I don't have any issues on planes. I have never had ear infections or swimmer's ear. I have dental issues from a fall, so I checked for TMJ, which was also not an issue. I have a history of immune issues, so I have been checked by a rheumatologist as well. I also have low B12 (a get monthly shots). I really don't feel dizzy or nauseous, though the doctors also tried meclizine, semprex d, singulair, and zofran. They even tried protonix in case there were reflux issues and migraine meds, even though I don't have headaches. Nothing helped at all!!!!
In March, my son got the flu and I ended up with the flu (both A and B strands). I was given tamiflu and a medrol pack (definitely not my first). During this time, I was worse than ever. My ears and nose were debilitating, plus I had massive fatigue. Literally, out of nowhere, a ringing/buzzing started in both ears. It has not stopped since. Not for even a second. It is very high pitched and sounds like a siren and crickets. I can hear it over everything. I cannot find any relief at all. Music, white noise, TV. Nothing helps. In fact, in some ways it makes it worse. I feel it in my entire head not just my ears and just don't feel "right."
I take ambien to help me sleep (but I had that issue already). I have also been given more meds since, including Xanax, Valium, vistaril, and neurontin. I have had no relief and it seems to be worsening. I am sure all the meds haven't helped matters, as some probably made things worse, but I was literally willing to try anything to get my life back.
I'm losing everything as I cannot take my son out as much as I did before and I feel I'm losing him a little more each day. I rarely go in the car anymore. I feel lost and scared. I feel alone. Frustrated. Angry. I am seeing a neuro-otologist next week but am losing hope as everyone keeps saying there is "no cure" and none of the doctors seem overly concerned except to try to help my mental health. I am obviously depressed and anxious, but I was not before this started. I just don't know how to keep up with my family feeling this badly. Resting does not even help. I don't listen to loud music. I don't drink. I eat well and drink lots of water. I'm just at a total loss.
I am also still having the underlying ear and nose fullness that nobody seems to be able to diagnose. I fear that not addressing that may have led to the tinnitus and now I'm scared it will never go away. I now have mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but need to be re checked as it has been awhile since I was tested and I suspect it may be worse. The tinnitus has gotten increasingly worse in the past few weeks and I feel myself withdrawing and getting very impatient with my family. I am disconnected from my life. I try to re-join it but quickly realize I can't anymore. Even a short trip to the arcade makes me feel like I was going crazy. All the noises - I could still hear the tinnitus the whole time but the noises seemed to irritate it even more. The blow dryer even hurts. My ears actually kind of hurt - not an ache but more of a burn like you want to stick your fingers in them. Yet the docs say my ears are perfect.
I was so distressed one night, I went to the ER and they were very rude. They turned off all the monitoring equipment and refused to treat me, except to ask if I wanted to talk to a mental health professional. I have already seen a psychiatrist. I just want my life back!!!! I want a few minutes of peace. I am truly losing my mind from this sound!
Sorry for the lengthy intro. I am just not even sure what to do next. Every day is such a struggle and nobody around me seems to get it. They just go on, and seem to forget anything is wrong with me because I look fine. I believe in my heart that something caused this and that something is wrong with my ears and nose as they are STILL blocked. The tinnitus has made life truly unbearable though and I sadly have not found anything that calms it. Lately it seems worse on the left but I'm not sure. The sound is just intense in every way and no sound masks it.
Thank you to anyone who might be listening. I feel so very alone and scared. I can't go on like this!
I am a 40 year old mom and wife. I had 2.5 years of constant ear and nose fullness. I went to my GP multiple times, 4 ENTs, an allergist, rheumatologist, and neurologist. I have had scopes, x-rays, CT scans, an MRI, tons of bloodwork, and allergy testing (including food). I have been told nothing at all is wrong with my ears and nose?! I tried antibiotics, medrol packs, nasal sprays and rinses, and MANY other things with no relief. The medrol packs sometimes provided a little relief for a short time, but few docs are willing to give them long term due to the side effects, and they pretty much stopped working anyway after awhile.
Riding or driving in the car actually makes it worse, but I don't have any issues on planes. I have never had ear infections or swimmer's ear. I have dental issues from a fall, so I checked for TMJ, which was also not an issue. I have a history of immune issues, so I have been checked by a rheumatologist as well. I also have low B12 (a get monthly shots). I really don't feel dizzy or nauseous, though the doctors also tried meclizine, semprex d, singulair, and zofran. They even tried protonix in case there were reflux issues and migraine meds, even though I don't have headaches. Nothing helped at all!!!!
In March, my son got the flu and I ended up with the flu (both A and B strands). I was given tamiflu and a medrol pack (definitely not my first). During this time, I was worse than ever. My ears and nose were debilitating, plus I had massive fatigue. Literally, out of nowhere, a ringing/buzzing started in both ears. It has not stopped since. Not for even a second. It is very high pitched and sounds like a siren and crickets. I can hear it over everything. I cannot find any relief at all. Music, white noise, TV. Nothing helps. In fact, in some ways it makes it worse. I feel it in my entire head not just my ears and just don't feel "right."
I take ambien to help me sleep (but I had that issue already). I have also been given more meds since, including Xanax, Valium, vistaril, and neurontin. I have had no relief and it seems to be worsening. I am sure all the meds haven't helped matters, as some probably made things worse, but I was literally willing to try anything to get my life back.
I'm losing everything as I cannot take my son out as much as I did before and I feel I'm losing him a little more each day. I rarely go in the car anymore. I feel lost and scared. I feel alone. Frustrated. Angry. I am seeing a neuro-otologist next week but am losing hope as everyone keeps saying there is "no cure" and none of the doctors seem overly concerned except to try to help my mental health. I am obviously depressed and anxious, but I was not before this started. I just don't know how to keep up with my family feeling this badly. Resting does not even help. I don't listen to loud music. I don't drink. I eat well and drink lots of water. I'm just at a total loss.
I am also still having the underlying ear and nose fullness that nobody seems to be able to diagnose. I fear that not addressing that may have led to the tinnitus and now I'm scared it will never go away. I now have mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but need to be re checked as it has been awhile since I was tested and I suspect it may be worse. The tinnitus has gotten increasingly worse in the past few weeks and I feel myself withdrawing and getting very impatient with my family. I am disconnected from my life. I try to re-join it but quickly realize I can't anymore. Even a short trip to the arcade makes me feel like I was going crazy. All the noises - I could still hear the tinnitus the whole time but the noises seemed to irritate it even more. The blow dryer even hurts. My ears actually kind of hurt - not an ache but more of a burn like you want to stick your fingers in them. Yet the docs say my ears are perfect.
I was so distressed one night, I went to the ER and they were very rude. They turned off all the monitoring equipment and refused to treat me, except to ask if I wanted to talk to a mental health professional. I have already seen a psychiatrist. I just want my life back!!!! I want a few minutes of peace. I am truly losing my mind from this sound!
Sorry for the lengthy intro. I am just not even sure what to do next. Every day is such a struggle and nobody around me seems to get it. They just go on, and seem to forget anything is wrong with me because I look fine. I believe in my heart that something caused this and that something is wrong with my ears and nose as they are STILL blocked. The tinnitus has made life truly unbearable though and I sadly have not found anything that calms it. Lately it seems worse on the left but I'm not sure. The sound is just intense in every way and no sound masks it.
Thank you to anyone who might be listening. I feel so very alone and scared. I can't go on like this!
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