Documenting My Tinnitus Spike

[chef]

So, my tinnitus spiked a week ago.

I typically refuse to think of T, because I believe if I do, these types of things happen. (it focuses your mind more on it).

Anyway, I was stupid. I haven't drank since my T began (more than a singe drink every blue moon), but I went out and put away a six pack. Had noticed my T the day before some, and as I sobered I noticed it.

Over the next few days I noticed it was there, but it didn't bother me.

Then Wednesday morn I was sitting at my computer and noticed it. It seemed as it was piercing through my skull. My hands got clammy and shaky. I just thought "oh, NO".

It's amazing how quickly you forget about what spikes are like after they are over. I have had a bad day here or there, but havn't had a spike in @6 months.

It's been about a week now, and no end in site.

I never document things in a journal. Sometimes I wish I would because it would give me something to reference back to, how it was, how long it lasted, and how it was over. I generally know that my spikes last @ a month before they don't bother me, I just never clue into how they go away. It's just one day I notice they aren't there.

I believe they go in stages. At first I just notice it. It's there but not bothersome. Then it moves into this sound that is bothersome but not loud. Then it moves into a strict noise pitch, very very loud and multiple tones. It actually affects my ear. Kinda like I can feel it in my ear. Almost as if my ear actually hurts because of it. Then, finally as it moves to get better, its just one sound, but still loud as hell.

The thing I look for is in the morning as I wake up. I know things will get better when I wake up and its quiet. It's quiet for 5-10 minutes, or until I get up and get moving. That's my first sign that its getting better.

Then it moves to just in my right ear.

Then I just start to endure the crap of having it. I'm not sure, but I think the first stage usually lasts about a week to two.

That's when I pound Valium (which just puts me to sleep), and sound therapy, which just seems like extra noise, but does help some. A TON of showers, they actually mask over it all!

Then after one to two weeks, somehow I just start to accept it, and begin pushing through.

Then somehow, one day I realize that I haven't been dealing with T for awhile. Don't ever know how I get back to that place though. I just remember thinking in the past, "it's been a month, when is it ever going to go away again"

This spike has come at a bad time. I'm stuck at home for a few weeks. Usually, I can get embedded into work, and it forces me to focus on something else, which helps. But this time I'm stuck at home with nothing to do but fret over it.

So, that's my experience. Since I'm in the middle of a spike, I'm curious as to others experiences, and what they do to cope or push through. Would love to try out other things.

I will say, every time I have a spike, I'm always initially nervous that it is a permanent increase. Yes, it always goes down, but you forget how bad they are.

Have been fretting that alcohol might be the reason I have T in the first place, and this drinking episode might have made it permanently worse. We will see.

Again, any input is helpful.

 

[Ross McLauchlan]

Hey Chef,

You've pretty much described my Spikes to a T - no pun intended!

Like you, my spike is poorly timed. My family are away, my girlfriend is living in New Zealand for a year and I never really want to burden my friends with this nonsense. Not that I can't, they're all very supportive, I'd just rather not. I've also just had surgery, so I can't hit the gym or box which is how I'd normally distract myself.

Like you, I never recall recovering. I just have a realisation, like maybe I can't hear the noise over my car engine or something like that, which signifies progress to me.

Right now I have some ear pain, fullness and I seem to wholly focused on the sound of my new noises. I had another spike over a month ago (wedding, so much alcohol) and I had more or less the same emotions then. But it passed, or I got used - can't remember which. All I know is before this recent spike I was sleeping unaided like a baby for weeks, so the last spike must have subsided.

In fact, the only reason I'm going through another spike is because I felt "healed" enough to get drunk and socialise.

Its a tough spike im going through, but my spike will pass, as will yours and we'll both be smarter next time. I don't mind making concessions so that I can live with tinnitus, such as no booze for a while. I'm still learning when it comes creeping back - so far though, i can be around groups of friends, exercise, I have kept making music, I still work, etc. I'm hitting about 4 months with this constant buzz.

I hope this is of some comfort to you, take care buddy.

Ross