Devastated by Tinnitus

[Cazza29]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this site. My life changed on the 18th Oct 2017 at 2pm, the Tinnitus switch went on and to date has not switched off. It has devastated my life. I had a severe reaction to some medication (the worst anyone has seen in New Zealand) Severe adrenaline surges hit first on the 18th and they were so severe that they damaged the part of my brain that processes sound...end result tinnitus, mostly if the left ear. It fluctuates so there are the odd days that it's low enough to give me some relief periodically.

I have been in hospital 5 times, Mental Health respite care twice and am now long term under the Mental Health Team for anxiety and depression.

Today I have a better grip on the anxiety and depression but the struggle to keep going day after day after day is too hard some days.

How do people cope when you just want to give up?
Thank you for any ideas. Cazza.

 

[GregCA]

How do people cope when you just want to give up?

One day at a time. You're in the right place: many people in here are in the exact same situation. My T started in March 2016 and has never let up a single second since. It's severe and intrusive and doesn't vary at all from one day to the next, so I have no periods of relief. And yet I'm still here 2 years after and I won't say it's easy: it's actually sucks really bad, but it does get better: I don't have anxiety about it anymore. No surprise effect, no particular worry. That doesn't mean that life is peachy: it's very difficult to live with it, but the decrease in anxiety makes it easier to manage.

I suggest you go do some hearing evaluation (hearing test @ audiologist) to get some idea of where you stand hearing-wise: many T cases are related to some damage in the hearing apparatus, so it seems worthwhile to get some snapshot of it.

Good luck.

 

[1MW]

@GregCA can you locate your low frequency tinnitus?

 

[GregCA]

@GregCA can you locate your low frequency tinnitus?

What do you mean?
Initially I located it across the street: I told my wife some neighbor was putting loud music quite early in the morning. But I quickly realized it was a new low frequency sound added to my screeching T. The low frequency is pulsatile though, unlike the high frequency screech.

 

[1MW]

i developed low frequency tinnitus and i can't understand from which ear the noise comes.
I feel it's right but if i close left ear with earmuffs, it increases

 

[Tinniger]

I'd like to start with a few questions:

Do you habe any idea for the reason of your tinnitus?
What does your tinnitus sound like?
Can the tinnus be covered by ambient noise?
Is the tinnitus largely the same or different from day to day?
Do you have problems with loud noises?
Does your tinnitus follow a pulse-synchronous pattern?
Can your tinnitus be influenced by movements of head, neck, jaw, etc.?
Do you feel any hearing loss?

 

[GregCA]

i developed low frequency tinnitus and i can't understand from which ear the noise comes.
I feel it's right but if i close left ear with earmuffs, it increases

The brain isn't good at determining directionality with low frequencies (even without T).

 

[1MW]

do you know a trick to identify from which ear the low frequency comes?

 

[GregCA]

do you know a trick to identify from which ear the low frequency comes?

Unfortunately no.
I'm curious about what you'd do with that information, if you were able to figure it out.

 

[Cazza29]

Thanks for the replies. My T was caused by extreme adrenaline surges from a reaction to Escitalopram. It was (and sometimes still is) horrendous. I've seen an ENT, had my hearing tested, had a CT scan and an MRI, ALL normal, no hearing loss. I haven't slept properly for 7 months and the anxiety has been the worst. Mine fluctuates on a daily basis, seems to reset overnight and I don't really know what I'll wake up with. Having said that, it has moved more from my left ear to the middle of my head so now I hear it partially in my right ear. I miss my quiet soooooooooooooooo much! Also curious about the replies re the low frequency??

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Cazza29 Stuff just happens and tinnitus with physical connections can be difficult.

I try to take a slow walk in the sunshine once a day. I Listen to soft nature sounds with relaxed breathing. I try to focus on something that I enjoy. I sleep with a soft pillow. After going to bed, I think about something pleasant that I wish to do tomorrow. I look forward to giving my wife a compliment.

Diet is really important. I eat foods that convert tryptophan into serotonin. Fruits, bananas, avocado, green vegies, eggs, brown rice, soup, honey and seafood. I don't eat just before going to bed.

 

[Error404]

I empathise with not knowing what you're going to wake up with: sometimes I fall asleep terrified I'll wake up to the electrical storm sounds (worst one for me). Generally, whatever I wake up with is what I'll get for the day with only minor variations. It's been the most debilitating experience of my life as nothing masks it and it keeps pace with external sounds.

It is 24/7, and I'm only hanging in there through a lot of mental health support. I had NO idea T could manifest like this. You are not alone.

 

[Rajin]

Sorry to hear about what everyone is going through. Is really a sad thing. I myself not doing too well recently. You came to the right place for support.

have no periods of relief. And yet I'm still here 2 years after and I won't say it's easy: it's actually sucks really bad, but it does get better

I know everyone keep saying it does get better . Don't have the anxiety, but do get depressed time to time. Do you still have to work with that , just wondering how you do it. I am really getting depressed of my job now. This where I got hurt. T is a monster that keeps coming at you , all you have to do is take it bites and stay calm. This so damm unfair.

 

[GregCA]

I know everyone keep saying it does get better . Don't have the anxiety, but do get depressed time to time. Do you still have to work with that , just wondering how you do it.

No magic: I also have my difficult moments and have to work with that, like everyone else.

 

[Rajin]

No magic: I also have my difficult moments and have to work with that, like everyone else.

Yes , that why this place is so helpful. I feel I want to go on disability, no kidding. But it not possible. Thanks for the encouragement.