Can’t Study or Enjoy Anything at All

[MaryB123]

Hey guys. Just joined this site today after mulling it over for quite some time. I'm 21 years old and have had tinnitus for quite some time but it's only been truly noticeable and unpleasant since January 2017. I'm a student and it's worth noting I've worked in bars and restaurants for the past 3 years. It's got to the point where I literally cannot concentrate on anything, I only sleep a few hours every couple of days when I manage to pass out from exhaustion.

I'm on AD (although not for tinnitus, different issue) but I feel like this is holding me back so much. I'm waiting to see the ENT but they said my ear health and everything is fine.

My mum wants me to quit my job at the bar I work at (I do wear noise filtering earplugs) but no where else will hire me and I need the money obviously... just completely at my wits end.

Thought I could ignore it but music / white noise doesn't help and all I want to do is cry. I have a constant headache, I'm so irritable and stressed and I feel like I'll never get any better

 

[glynis]

@MaryB123 ,
Welcome to Tinnitus Talk.
Sorry to hear you have tinnitus and I think the first thing would be getting enough sleep.
Do you know if the AD your taking helps sleep ?
love glynis

 

[MaryB123]

@MaryB123 ,
Welcome to Tinnitus Talk.
Sorry to hear you have tinnitus and I think the first thing would be getting enough sleep.
Do you know if the AD your taking helps sleep ?
love glynis

Hi Glynis, thanks for your reply. Yeah it's supposed to help sleep! Worth nothing I'm exhausted all the time I feel like I could sleep but anytime I feel like I'm drifting off im woken up by the noise. I've tried everything!! Don't go on any screen devices before bed, drink camomile tea, do yoga, listen to white noise, spray my pillow with lavender haha nothing is working!

 

[glynis]

Have you been see your doctor as melatonin can help or maybe your AD could be increased ?
It is hard when you carn't sleep and that alone can make you low and poor concentration.
Are you still at college?
love glynis

 

[pathworker2017]

@MaryB123 often T does not show physical correlates in the structure of the ear. hopefully the ENT specialist will be in a better position to determine the likely cause and treatment. like yourself( I am significantly older than yourself) I am also awaiting referral to an ENT specialist , by the way have you had a comprehensive hearing test? often tinnitus is associated with a degree of hearing loss. a cursory glance through your post does suggest to me that you are experiencing a fairly significant amount of stress in your life which could also be a contributing factor. stay strong and do reach out to the forum, sometimes just sharing your experiences can be helpful in finding a solution as each of us responds to the onset of tinnitus in many different ways, its a long journey but stick with it and please DON'T fall for the quick fix solutions that are floating about on the internet, they are often based on dubious "science" so, if you see something that offers a "miracle " cure, or a "revolutionary new method" take a step back and if you do feel inclined to follow up on something .. feel free to run it through the forum there are countless people here who will be able to draw on their various areas of expertise and give you good. solid guidance.

 

[MaryB123]

Have you been see your doctor as melatonin can help or maybe your AD could be increased ?
It is hard when you carn't sleep and that alone can make you low and poor concentration.
Are you still at college?
love glynis

Yeah I have been to see my doctor but they don't really seem to be taking me seriously. Last time I went they seemed to think I was exaggerating the whole thing and it was only when I preceded to burst into tears that they even agreed to look at my ears !!
I'm finished uni for the year but I'm back in September and would love to not feel as bad as I do now by then.

Thanks so much, Mary

 

[MaryB123]

@MaryB123 often T does not show physical correlates in the structure of the ear. hopefully the ENT specialist will be in a better position to determine the likely cause and treatment. like yourself( I am significantly older than yourself) I am also awaiting referral to an ENT specialist , by the way have you had a comprehensive hearing test? often tinnitus is associated with a degree of hearing loss. a cursory glance through your post does suggest to me that you are experiencing a fairly significant amount of stress in your life which could also be a contributing factor. stay strong and do reach out to the forum, sometimes just sharing your experiences can be helpful in finding a solution as each of us responds to the onset of tinnitus in many different ways, its a long journey but stick with it and please DON'T fall for the quick fix solutions that are floating about on the internet, they are often based on dubious "science" so, if you see something that offers a "miracle " cure, or a "revolutionary new method" take a step back and if you do feel inclined to follow up on something .. feel free to run it through the forum there are countless people here who will be able to draw on their various areas of expertise and give you good. solid guidance.

Tbh like I said to Glynis the doctor isn't really taking me seriously. I've been a number of times and they got a nurse to inspect my ears before referring me but they said the ENT would deal with any hearing loss too which is a pity because I know it takes a while to get referred.
I haven't been that stressed until recently when I think the lack of sleep I've been getting from the T has caught up to me and I feel completely run down.
Aw thank you!! Seems like this place is good for support which is all I really need right now !!

Thanks, Mary

 

[glynis]

MaryB123,
I would see your doctor regarding sleep also do you have allergies like pollen as that can spike tinnitus also.
Another could be if you grind your teeth and cause pressure on your jaw joint.
love glynis

 

[MaryB123]

MaryB123,
I would see your doctor regarding sleep also do you have allergies like pollen as that can spike tinnitus also.
Another could be if you grind your teeth and cause pressure on your jaw joint.
love glynis

Yeah I'm going to go back again and see if that's makes him realise I'm being serious !! I don't have any allergies and I don't grind my teeth either but I have had sleep problems since I was younger, the tinnitus has just increased those problems. It's annoying because ive tried literally every 'sleep hack' there is so I don't know what else's I can do unless the doctor gives me sleeping pills !

Thanks, Mary

 

[Rajin]

Sorry to hear that , but I think you should try look for another job. Try get a filter earplugs to lower the noise input to ears. No money is worth risking your ears . Worse part it not that you can be deaf but the T is the killer. Deafness I can handle, but the ringing it not worth the risk. Brain is too damm smart for filling the gap to hearing loss.

 

[BobDigi]

Hi. Have you considered mirtazapine? It's an antidepressant, but it's great to help you sleep. I'm taking it at the moment for anxiety (not related to tinnitus)
It really helps me sleep although that's the only benefit I seem to get at the moment.
It's worth speaking to your doctor. I'm not advocating antidepressants, but sometimes they have their place.
And I would take your mum's advise and look for another job without doubt.

 

[MaryB123]

Sorry to hear that , but I think you should try look for another job. Try get a filter earplugs to lower the noise input to ears. No money is worth risking your ears . Worse part it not that you can be deaf but the T is the killer. Deafness I can handle, but the ringing it not worth the risk. Brain is too damm smart for filling the gap to hearing loss.

Trust me !! I am trying !! Is almost impossible to find another job with only experience in bars and restaurants. I have been searching for ages and I don't think anyone quite understands the frustration that for the past year I have been rejected from every job I've applied for under the pretence of not having enough experience. Yes I don't want tinnitus to get any worse but I also don't want to starve to death lol. Not sure why literally no one understands that.

 

[MaryB123]

Hi. Have you considered mirtazapine? It's an antidepressant, but it's great to help you sleep. I'm taking it at the moment for anxiety (not related to tinnitus)
It really helps me sleep although that's the only benefit I seem to get at the moment.
It's worth speaking to your doctor. I'm not advocating antidepressants, but sometimes they have their place.
And I would take your mum's advise and look for another job without doubt.

Yeah I have. I'm not on AD for tinnitus and the side effects of it for my actual issues were awful and then when they wore off it just didn't work. I'm on citalopram now and it works for me for my problems just doesn't help with tinnitus.

As I said above ^^ have been trying for almost a year lol

 

[MBH]

This is what I do for sleep take a shower at night, I take OTC Tylenol pm, I use a fan and a sound machine, I would not spray pillow with nothing it's adds to your headaches. Find a good eye mask. No tv, radio. Maybe a small store would work better for your ears. Sleep is most important. Also, Look into doing small puzzles, fine motor skills helps with concention.

 

[MaryB123]

This is what I do for sleep take a shower at night, I take OTC Tylenol pm, I use a fan and a sound machine, I would not spray pillow with nothing it's adds to your headaches. Find a good eye mask. No tv, radio. Maybe a small store would work better for your ears. Sleep is most important. Also, Look into doing small puzzles, fine motor skills helps with concention.

Hi MBH, thanks for your reply!
I'll definitely try to start having my showers at night and maybe look into some form of drowsy pills. Was taking Nytol for a while but it didn't help but I'll give your recommendation a go! Listening to background noise doesn't really seem to help but I'll also try stick out sound machines !
Yeah I don't spray my pillow anymore!! Was just illustrated the length I've gone over the past so many years to try improve me sleep! Has always been an issue for me, tinnitus has just made it worse !
What's a small store?
I play a lot of puzzles already before bed since I avoid my phone and tv and computer. I do a lot of crosswords and I play a lot of board games !
Thanks for your suggestions. I'll give the things you've suggested that I haven't already tried a go !! -Mary

 

[dingaling]

Hi @MaryB123 and welcome

I think the first thing to investigate is why you are not sleeping. Lack of sleep stresses the body in many ways and makes it difficult to focus/function on even the most basic of tasks at times.

If you are working late every night and having to get up for uni the next day or do assignment/research work etc then you are definately not getting enough sleep. This leads to all other health issues (including tinnitus) including keeping the body in a constant state of stress.

I think your mum is right. Cut down your hours at minimum. Your health and wellbeing are worth far more than a bit of pocket money. And you need to be well and refreshed for exams etc

 

[MaryB123]

Hi @MaryB123 and welcome

I think the first thing to investigate is why you are not sleeping. Lack of sleep stresses the body in many ways and makes it difficult to focus/function on even the most basic of tasks at times.

If you are working late every night and having to get up for uni the next day or do assignment/research work etc then you are definately not getting enough sleep. This leads to all other health issues (including tinnitus) including keeping the body in a constant state of stress.

I think your mum is right. Cut down your hours at minimum. Your health and wellbeing are worth far more than a bit of pocket money. And you need to be well and refreshed for exams etc

Hi @dingaling thanks for your reply!

Yeah I do think sleep is the first thing I need to fix. Lack of sleep is what is making me stressed and is only making my tinnitus worse. I've literally tried everything possible so I guess I will just go back to the doctor and see if there's anything I haven't exhausted yet.

Just a little comment. I'm aware I mentioned my mums opinion which comes across that maybe I live at home but I just mentioned her opinion as she's a doctor. I am not working for 'pocket money'. I live away from home for uni and I have job to afford paying my bills, for rent and for food. This is not a pocket money job, this is a job for the basic necessities hence why I'm not willing to quit on the spot. Regardless of others experiences or maybe your own at uni, I have to have a job or else I literally will be homeless and starving so I don't think you've quite understood that aspect. my health and well-being are obviously important but they will only deteriorate if I have no food, heat, water etc.

 

[Wolfears]

Sorry to hear that , but I think you should try look for another job. Try get a filter earplugs to lower the noise input to ears. No money is worth risking your ears . Worse part it not that you can be deaf but the T is the killer. Deafness I can handle, but the ringing it not worth the risk. Brain is too damm smart for filling the gap to hearing loss.

I wouldn't call this particular mechanism very smart at all.
First the brain decides that it really, really needs to hear some very "important" input from some high obscure frequency, which you and everyone else don't give two sh*ts about.
Then it creates the most horrible screeching noises inside your head in order to "compensate" for this...and then it has the audacity to mark it as a threat, when you get stressed out over it...just to add insult to injury.
If anything, this "smart" mechanism needs to be somehow inhibited, eliminated or "zapped" out of the brain altogether.

 

[dingaling]

Hi @MaryB123

Sorry, didn't mean to cause offence about the pocket money. Yes I know it's hard as I've been there too and you have to do what you know to survive.

I note that you say no one else will hire you - why not? Perhaps it's time to take a step back, take stock and seriously consider why you are getting rejected for other jobs

And of course, work on the sleep...

 

[Mellow7]

Just a little comment. I'm aware I mentioned my mums opinion which comes across that maybe I live at home but I just mentioned her opinion as she's a doctor. I am not working for 'pocket money'. I live away from home for uni and I have job to afford paying my bills, for rent and for food. This is not a pocket money job, this is a job for the basic necessities hence why I'm not willing to quit on the spot. Regardless of others experiences or maybe your own at uni, I have to have a job or else I literally will be homeless and starving so I don't think you've quite understood that aspect. my health and well-being are obviously important but they will only deteriorate if I have no food, heat, water etc.

Sorry to hear you've been having such a difficult time Mary. I understand all too well what it means to have to go to uni/college and deal with tinnitus. But having to take on a job on top of that, to be able to cover the costs of living, would surely put anyone in a lot of distress. I've been in a similar situation. Now I don't know what your particular circumstances are and I do not mean to presume anything, but I can offer you my experience.

What measures did I take? I got my GP/ENT to fill in some documents which I took to the competent department at uni, that deals with functional impairments (such as tinnitus) and they granted me 'student facilities'. Then I moved back home to my parents, as there was nothing else that could be done for me. If you want a chance to get better, you should try to give your mind and body a break (if this is a possibility of course). I then got status as a 'working student', with the help of that department, which gave me access to all classes through my web browser and gave me exemption from certain practica, in return for turning in home tasks. I now only have to travel to the city, where my uni is at, to take an exam.

If moving back home is not an option and you still want alleviation from you current conditions, maybe look into a college dorm. I know someone who had a lot of difficulties with asthma and frequently had attacks that was granted a room close to the faculty for negligible rent. It just comes down to finding the right people, that are willing to understand the difficulties you are going through and help you with them.

These are just some ideas I wanted to share, that personally helped me. Maybe they can help you too.

 

[MaryB123]

Sorry to hear you've been having such a difficult time Mary. I understand all too well what it means to have to go to uni/college and deal with tinnitus. But having to take on a job on top of that, to be able to cover the costs of living, would surely put anyone in a lot of distress. I've been in a similar situation. Now I don't know what your particular circumstances are and I do not mean to presume anything, but I can offer you my experience.

What measures did I take? I got my GP/ENT to fill in some documents which I took to the competent department at uni, that deals with functional impairments (such as tinnitus) and they granted me 'student facilities'. Then I moved back home to my parents, as there was nothing else that could be done for me. If you want a chance to get better, you should try to give your mind and body a break (if this is a possibility of course). I then got status as a 'working student', with the help of that department, which gave me access to all classes through my web browser and gave me exemption from certain practica, in return for turning in home tasks. I now only have to travel to the city, where my uni is at, to take an exam.

If moving back home is not an option and you still want alleviation from you current conditions, maybe look into a college dorm. I know someone who had a lot of difficulties with asthma and frequently had attacks that was granted a room close to the faculty for negligible rent. It just comes down to finding the right people, that are willing to understand the difficulties you are going through and help you with them.

These are just some ideas I wanted to share, that personally helped me. Maybe they can help you too.

I'm sorry to hear you went through the same thing, it's certainly tough. I'm trying to get the gp to help but they refuse to do anything until I see the ENT but of course I have to wait months to see them hahaha all a bit of a polava.
Moving home is really not an option for me. My uni doesn't offer that facility plus I live in Ireland and go to uni in England so that's another factor. I'm hoping in my second year I can get some more help from the uni but the only issue I actually have at uni is financial. Whilst concentration and studying is hard I'm still sitting on a first so I'm not that worried haha.
Ideally I can try find a job perhaps in the uni such as the library or just cleaning or something and I'm hoping they can help with that next year.

Thanks so much for your advice. Mary

 

[MaryB123]

Hi @MaryB123

Sorry, didn't mean to cause offence about the pocket money. Yes I know it's hard as I've been there too and you have to do what you know to survive.

I note that you say no one else will hire you - why not? Perhaps it's time to take a step back, take stock and seriously consider why you are getting rejected for other jobs

And of course, work on the sleep...

It's alright! Just everyone's advice online and in person seems to be to quit my job but no one realises it's not a job to fund my social life, it's a job to pay bills and food etc.

I have looked into it! I'm a very bright, personable girl with lots of experience in hospitality! However I live in a city with a hugely dense student population. For each good non-hospo job there's at least 20 people applying and they always choose someone with more experience in that particular sector. It's unfortunate but I don't have the time or money to get an unpaid internship or volunteer unlike many of the other people applying!

Yeah I'll keep trying!

 

[Mellow7]

I'm sorry to hear you went through the same thing, it's certainly tough. I'm trying to get the gp to help but they refuse to do anything until I see the ENT but of course I have to wait months to see them hahaha all a bit of a polava.
Moving home is really not an option for me. My uni doesn't offer that facility plus I live in Ireland and go to uni in England so that's another factor. I'm hoping in my second year I can get some more help from the uni but the only issue I actually have at uni is financial. Whilst concentration and studying is hard I'm still sitting on a first so I'm not that worried haha.
Ideally I can try find a job perhaps in the uni such as the library or just cleaning or something and I'm hoping they can help with that next year.

Thanks so much for your advice. Mary

Ok, that does complicate things a bit. Despite all, I must say that you are doing an admirable job at staying positive and persevering. I hope the others have given you a few tips on the sleeping matter, because that does seem like the key to getting back on track.

And, indeed, don't worry too much about the exams right now, when you've got perspective on a resit. Just do what you can and if the worst comes to the worst, just look at it as if it is a mock exam. The preparation that you've done for that one, certainly won't be lost. That might bring you some peace of mind and avoid spreading yourself too thin. It's what I'm currently trying too

More power to you and Good Luck!

 

[MaryB123]

Ok, that does complicate things a bit. Despite all, I must say that you are doing an admirable job at staying positive and persevering. I hope the others have given you a few tips on the sleeping matter, because that does seem like the key to getting back on track.

And, indeed, don't worry too much about the exams right now, when you've got perspective on a resit. Just do what you can and if the worst comes to the worst, just look at it as if it is a mock exam. The preparation that you've done for that one, certainly won't be lost. That might bring you some peace of mind and avoid spreading yourself too thin. It's what I'm currently trying too

More power to you and Good Luck!

Aw thank you!! Yeah I'm not that worried about uni, I know I won't have to resit, the lowest I'll get is a 2:1 this year. I'm not that concerned about the actual uni work just more sleep, finances whilst at uni and my mental health aha.

Well I wish you all the best! I'm sure you'll be grand! You seem like you have a good grasp on things and thinking of an exam as a mock is a great idea ! Good luck!!