Chit Chat and All That...

[aot]

That H sounds pretty bad, @Labyrinthine. I've had literal nightmares about that, I think.

How do you handle it?

 

[OnceUponaTime]

At present, any sound bothers me. My discomfort levels are virtually zero. I'm particularly sensitive to digital sounds from speakers, phones, TVs, etc. I've been living in one those audiometric cabins you can find in the audiologist office (for hearing tests), and even then, I have to wear ear plugs 24/7. The cabin is an excellent substitute for ear muffs, though. I wore muffs the first 4 months after onset of extreme H but had to stop because my neck couldn't take it anymore. Oh well.

I rarely used earplugs when I had hyperacusis, I was just careful. At the time I had a 2 yo and a 5 yo. My toddler would scream and it was so difficult but I still never used the earplugs. The earplugs irritated my ears even more. Til today I do not wear earplugs. I just stay away from loud noise.

 

[Labyrinthine]

That H sounds pretty bad, @Labyrinthine. I've had literal nightmares about that, I think.

How do you handle it?

I guess that is the most accurate description: a nightmare. I only know of a handful of people who have/had it this extreme.

So how do I handle it? I'm not sure, actually. Every day is a new challenge. I was forced to quit my job and my studies about 6 months ago. It has been a living hell ever since. Any form of sound can aggravate it and cause burning and stabbing pain that can linger for hours, days, or even weeks. I haven't heard my own or my mother's voice in months (not exaggerating, I've literally not spoken a word out loud for months). During a setback even the sounds of chewing and swallowing can give me pain for hours. I have to hold in every cough, sneeze, or the urge to laugh because it's too loud. I've had some marginal improvements over the months but nothing to be excited about. There's no such thing as a 'good day' anymore; it's just horrible days and less horrible days. It seems like a cruel joke most of the time.

I try to make the best out of this abysmal situation and somehow find purpose. I spend my time reading, drawing, and exercising (really quietly) & I communicate by typing on my phone. My eyes are pretty strained from all the reading, though (reading too much is definitely a thing, haha). It's unbelievably difficult to remain optimistic but I try. I'll give it a few years and hope for natural improvement or a treatment. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to plan Z, which is euthanasia. I've already discussed it with my psychiatrist/GP because there's a limit to what I can take and I want the possibility of a way out. But first, I'm going to do and try everything within my power to climb out of this hell hole.

I've left out many details but this is my situation in a nutshell. Tough luck.

 

[Labyrinthine]

I rarely used earplugs when I had hyperacusis, I was just careful. At the time I had a 2 yo and a 5 yo. My toddler would scream and it was so difficult but I still never used the earplugs. The earplugs irritated my ears even more. Til today I do not wear earplugs. I just stay away from loud noise.

I wish I had that option. Unfortunately, at the moment, I really depend on my ear plugs (and ear muffs during showers and such). The H is so extreme that I cannot live without them.

I'm really happy that your H went away btw. I hope to get there someday.

 

[Labyrinthine]

How about a Catowl photo then?
View attachment 35593

Hahaha. Miahoo back at it again!

 

[emmalee]

I'll give it a few years and hope for natural improvement or a treatment. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to plan Z, which is euthanasia. I've already discussed it with my psychiatrist/GP because there's a limit to what I can take and I want the possibility of a way out. But first, I'm going to do and try everything within my power to climb out of this hell hole.

This is so difficult to comprehend. I had no idea how much you are suffering, Labyrinthine. This isn't fair, dammit. I hate what tinnitus does to the lives of so many.

 

[emmalee]

I'm going to do and try everything within my power to climb out of this hell hole.

You have proven, beyond the shadow of a doubt, just how strong you are, Labyrinthine. If anyone can climb out of this, it will be you.

 

[Jcb]

Wake 'n bake used to be my routine, haha! I no longer endulge in illicit substances

I agree, mate. I, too, shall remain optimistic and hopeful about novel treatments that will at least alleviate some of our suffering. It'll come, someday soon

I know right! The story with Wan and the harmonic convergence was incredible. And Ihro, of course, if anyone deserved a come back in Korra, it's definitely the one and only Ihro.


Why thank you, good sir. It's probably the only picture I have in my lab coat, hehe.


Thank you very much, Once. I appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, my ear pain doesn't react to ibuprofen. Surprisingly, even oxycodon doesn't help. I've been applying cold packs for some time now; it does help a bit.

At present, any sound bothers me. My discomfort levels are virtually zero. I'm particularly sensitive to digital sounds from speakers, phones, TVs, etc. I've been living in one those audiometric cabins you can find in the audiologist office (for hearing tests), and even then, I have to wear ear plugs 24/7. The cabin is an excellent substitute for ear muffs, though. I wore muffs the first 4 months after onset of extreme H but had to stop because my neck couldn't take it anymore. Oh well.

I loved the whole harmonic Convergence, everything from the meaning right down to the music and animation, superb. Good ole Iroh.

Im hoping you'll have the chance to take more pics of yourself in your lab coat in the future man when you are all qualified and this shit is behind you!!

aw man I'm sorry, what an absolute fucked up way to "live" my heart goes out to you, I can't even imagine the thought of not hearing your loved ones voices as it may hurt you. I just don't know what to say my man expect you have my respect for making this far, not that helps the matter any!!

 

[Jcb]

Hahaha. Miahoo back at it again!

look at that little noodle

 

[aot]

It's just....I read stories like @Labyrinthine's and I wonder what I'm even doing here, you know? There are people who have it so bad that talking is painful, yet I'm complaining?

My T was bad, yeah. But now it's not so terrible and I can mask it easily. Nothing compared to my previous, near silent baseline, but I've only had this spike since Late November, so maybe it can get back there one day. Hell, having my ears cleaned helped a ton!

The VS and Floaters suck, but atleast I'm not blind, and the VSI is working hard on treatment.

The worst part of it, for me, is the fear and anxiety it causes. I check my T constantly. I can't leave the house without a baggie of foam earplugs in my pocket. Every sound that's even the tiniest bit loud gives me a twinge of fear. And no one has a clear consencises on what is and what isn't overprotection! I was exposed to the sound of a Pressure Washer last night for at most a minute, and I can't stop thinking about it, waiting for another spike to hit me.

I just keep thinking back to the hell that was my life when my fan was on full blast to cover the banshee screaming in my brain, and I was sick with the flu, and I'm just wondering when it's all going to be over, and the thought of going back to that terrifies me.

Ugh. Sorry to bring this thread down. Someone post a funny bird or something.

 

[Jcb]

It's just....I read stories like @Labyrinthine's and I wonder what I'm even doing here, you know? There are people who have it so bad that talking is painful, yet I'm complaining?

My T was bad, yeah. But now it's not so terrible and I can mask it easily. Nothing compared to my previous, near silent baseline, but I've only had this spike since Late November, so maybe it can get back there one day. Hell, having my ears cleaned helped a ton!

The VS and Floaters suck, but atleast I'm not blind, and the VSI is working hard on treatment.

The worst part of it, for me, is the fear and anxiety it causes. I check my T constantly. I can't leave the house without a baggie of foam earplugs in my pocket. Every sound that's even the tiniest bit loud gives me a twinge of fear. And no one has a clear consencises on what is and what isn't overprotection! I was exposed to the sound of a Pressure Washer last night for at most a minute, and I can't stop thinking about it, waiting for another spike to hit me.

I just keep thinking back to the hell that was my life when my fan was on full blast to cover the banshee screaming in my brain, and I was sick with the flu, and I'm just wondering when it's all going to be over, and the thought of going back to that terrifies me.

Ugh. Sorry to bring this thread down. Someone post a funny bird or something.

Don't feel like that mate, we all suffer on different levels but we still all suffer. Please don't feel bad for expressing your thoughts and fears they are still as much valid.

That's the problem these thoughts can lead us to become so wary of sounds to the point were we can become phonophobic all I can say is it's better to be prepared and actually be wary of loud sounds but it needs balance, we just need to be sensible around noises and try and not think every loud sound will cause us damage and protect were appropriate.

I don't think the power wash would of done damage but as we know peoples threshold vary so much so I'm hoping you will be fine, give it a few days and try and avert your thoughts away form it mate, read more comics, watch some good shows anything to try and discract yourself.

The anxiety part I'm still working on myself haha I do deep breathing and try to mediate but have mixed results. You are not bringing the mood down mate I promise.

 

[Jcb]

 

[Shera]

It's incredibly frustrating. I'm glad the T spikes are temporary.

That's pretty great btw. Can I see the design?


Oi. We'll see then. I need some good news.

Thanks for the support mate. It may just be words, but it's really nice to hear nonetheless.

For my Avatar shirt? I haven't done a new one, and apparently never took a picture of my old one. The shame.

 

[Shera]

I rarely used earplugs when I had hyperacusis, I was just careful. At the time I had a 2 yo and a 5 yo. My toddler would scream and it was so difficult but I still never used the earplugs. The earplugs irritated my ears even more. Til today I do not wear earplugs. I just stay away from loud noise.

This was/is my H. I still use earplugs when I use powertools and the vacum. But try to stay away from them. My H has mellowed out so much now and there's a flair here or there. But I've always been good with pain and now it's down so much.

 

[Shera]

It's just....I read stories like @Labyrinthine's and I wonder what I'm even doing here, you know? There are people who have it so bad that talking is painful, yet I'm complaining?

My T was bad, yeah. But now it's not so terrible and I can mask it easily. Nothing compared to my previous, near silent baseline, but I've only had this spike since Late November, so maybe it can get back there one day. Hell, having my ears cleaned helped a ton!

The VS and Floaters suck, but atleast I'm not blind, and the VSI is working hard on treatment.

The worst part of it, for me, is the fear and anxiety it causes. I check my T constantly. I can't leave the house without a baggie of foam earplugs in my pocket. Every sound that's even the tiniest bit loud gives me a twinge of fear. And no one has a clear consencises on what is and what isn't overprotection! I was exposed to the sound of a Pressure Washer last night for at most a minute, and I can't stop thinking about it, waiting for another spike to hit me.

I just keep thinking back to the hell that was my life when my fan was on full blast to cover the banshee screaming in my brain, and I was sick with the flu, and I'm just wondering when it's all going to be over, and the thought of going back to that terrifies me.

Ugh. Sorry to bring this thread down. Someone post a funny bird or something.

What @Jcb said. Don't feel shame about how you're handling this EVER. I felt the same why a while back and it's one of the reasons I stayed off TT. I felt ashamed that my T still bothered me and that I should be over it by that time.

It's good to have a support system. I met someone on here about 8 months into my T and we've been pen-pals ever since. We support each other and encourage each other to be honest and unashamed about what we're going through and how we're handling things.

No one here is judging and we all understand.

 

[Shera]

I loved the whole harmonic Convergence, everything from the meaning right down to the music and animation, superb. Good ole Iroh.

Im hoping you'll have the chance to take more pics of yourself in your lab coat in the future man when you are all qualified and this shit is behind you!!

aw man I'm sorry, what an absolute fucked up way to "live" my heart goes out to you, I can't even imagine the thought of not hearing your loved ones voices as it may hurt you. I just don't know what to say my man expect you have my respect for making this far, not that helps the matter any!!

YES!! I knew you'd like it after season 2. It was such an awesome reveal/story!

 

[emmalee]

Ugh. Sorry to bring this thread down. Someone post a funny bird or something.

No apologies needed, aot.

@Jcb created this thread so that we could have a place to chat, or chit, or just read along. There has never (someone correct me if I am mistaken) been an argument or even an unkind word spoken here. Good days, not so good days and everything in between days, we are here for each other. You can always say how you are feeling, it is good therapy, in my very humble opinion.

I see Jcb has already got us laughing again!

 

[emmalee]

View attachment 35787 View attachment 35788 View attachment 35789 View attachment 35790 View attachment 35791

Oh man, that bird sitting there swinging its cute little feet is awesome!

 

[Shera]

So I got electrocuted and now I biffed it on the ice! One of those legs flew out from under me moments. Hip first, head crack, and thankfully I did not wake up 30 min later. Though I did have to hunt down my light blue glasses on white snow/ice . . . legally blind with out them. That was an adventure cause there was no way I was making it off the icy drive way and to my front door. And my parents were cozily tucked into the house where they can't hear me.

If it stays like this I might have to skip taking the whole trash can down the driveway!

Hopefully since I didn't wack my jaw with my head my T will stay "normal". Another stupid head injury to add on top!

 

[aot]

So I got electrocuted and now I biffed it on the ice! One of those legs flew out from under me moments. Hip first, head crack, and thankfully I did not wake up 30 min later. Though I did have to hunt down my light blue glasses on white snow/ice . . . legally blind with out them. That was an adventure cause there was no way I was making it off the icy drive way and to my front door. And my parents were cozily tucked into the house where they can't hear me.

If it stays like this I might have to skip taking the whole trash can down the driveway!

Hopefully since I didn't wack my jaw with my head my T will stay "normal". Another stupid head injury to add on top!

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, Shera. How are you feeling now? You went to the hospital, I assume?

 

[emmalee]

So I got electrocuted and now I biffed it on the ice! One of those legs flew out from under me moments. Hip first, head crack, and thankfully I did not wake up 30 min later. Though I did have to hunt down my light blue glasses on white snow/ice . . . legally blind with out them. That was an adventure cause there was no way I was making it off the icy drive way and to my front door. And my parents were cozily tucked into the house where they can't hear me.

If it stays like this I might have to skip taking the whole trash can down the driveway!

Hopefully since I didn't wack my jaw with my head my T will stay "normal". Another stupid head injury to add on top!

I am with @aot, you should go and let a doctor have a look at you, Shera. A head crack is serious, especially considering this is your second injury.

 

[Shera]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, Shera. How are you feeling now? You went to the hospital, I assume?

Nope. Did not go to the hospital. Can't afford that! Feeling all right. Sore. I've been putting cremes and heat pads on. Kept moving doing chores. So far no lump on my head so that's good. Sadly my hip has a crazy lump coming on.

 

[Shera]

I am with @aot, you should go and let a doctor have a look at you, Shera. A head crack is serious, especially considering this is your second injury.

Thanks. This one is nothing to the first one that brought on my T, so I don't feel too worried about it. Didn't/couldn't go to the doctor than and still can't.

 

[aot]

Thanks. This one is nothing to the first one that brought on my T, so I don't feel too worried about it. Didn't/couldn't go to the doctor than and still can't.

Being knocked out for half an hour is a huge deal! I know money can be an issue, but I really think you should get yourself checked out. You only get one life.

I really hope you're alright.

 

[Shera]

Being knocked out for half an hour is a huge deal! I know money can be an issue, but I really think you should get yourself checked out. You only get one life.

I really hope you're alright.

Oh, no. I was saying at least this time I was NOT knocked out for a half hour. Ha-ha, that was my first original accident way back when.

Thanks though! All things considered I'm feeling pretty good.

 

[aot]

Oh, no. I was saying at least this time I was NOT knocked out for a half hour. Ha-ha, that was my first original accident way back when.

Thanks though! All things considered I'm feeling pretty good.

Ah, Glad that I misunderstood. It's good you're feeling okay. Keep a close eye on it.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

After a bright red rash all over my entire body thankfully not my face, I went to see my dr. "Mind if I show you my back and stomach.?"

"No go ahead give us a look." Jaysus, that's a rash alright, drug rash, is it itching?"
"No it's not itching but it is all over me." Its the meds I know. Probably that one for stomach acid, why the hell they gave me that." Plus the dr. lied to me said he wouldn't give Statins, which he snuck them in. I cant concentrate my muscles ache my heads in a fog, THE TINNITUS IS SCREAMING."

So he tossed out the acid pill, took me off the statin. 2 weeks later the rash has disappeared and my tinnitus returned to a baseline, I actually had a day of silence, but it didn't last longer than that. My sympathy to you Labyrinthine keep yourself positive you have our support brother.

 

[Star64]

Why thank you, good sir. It's probably the only picture I have in my lab coat, hehe.

You're looking very smart, nothing like a lab in a white coat

 

[Star64]

It's just....I read stories like @Labyrinthine's and I wonder what I'm even doing here, you know? There are people who have it so bad that talking is painful, yet I'm complaining?

My T was bad, yeah. But now it's not so terrible and I can mask it easily. Nothing compared to my previous, near silent baseline, but I've only had this spike since Late November, so maybe it can get back there one day. Hell, having my ears cleaned helped a ton!

The VS and Floaters suck, but atleast I'm not blind, and the VSI is working hard on treatment.

The worst part of it, for me, is the fear and anxiety it causes. I check my T constantly. I can't leave the house without a baggie of foam earplugs in my pocket. Every sound that's even the tiniest bit loud gives me a twinge of fear. And no one has a clear consencises on what is and what isn't overprotection! I was exposed to the sound of a Pressure Washer last night for at most a minute, and I can't stop thinking about it, waiting for another spike to hit me.

I just keep thinking back to the hell that was my life when my fan was on full blast to cover the banshee screaming in my brain, and I was sick with the flu, and I'm just wondering when it's all going to be over, and the thought of going back to that terrifies me.

Ugh. Sorry to bring this thread down. Someone post a funny bird or something.

Tinnitus loves to cause fear and anxiety, but remember the more attention we give it, the more it takes hold on us. Try not to check your tinnitus constantly. There is nothing wrong with carrying around ear plugs, it is important to protect your ears, but at the same time try not to dwell or anticipate a spike from all noises.

You have to try and live your life as normally as possible, sure, you may have to make some changes but try not to let tinnitus keep you in a fear state. Please do not ever feel like you are being negative when speaking of your feelings about tinnitus, we all have them, tinnitus is a horrid cruel condition, this is a support forum, you are not bringing down the thread.

I take my hat off to you for working night shift, this is no easy task. I used to work night shifts many years ago and I never adapted to it, I was like a walking zombie, I could not sleep during the day at all.

 

[Star64]