- Jan 7, 2025
- 2
- Tinnitus Since
- 6/2014
- Cause of Tinnitus
- developed it with a nasty flu
Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar to my recent, unsettling tinnitus episode. Here's the story:
I've had bilateral tinnitus since 2014, which developed during a bad flu that year, and I've lived with it ever since. I'm pretty certain it's here to stay. Very rarely, the pitch changes from a high whooshing sound to a low one. I prefer the lower register, but it seldom occurs.
Recently, I experienced something strange. I thought I was feeling vibratory sensations that seemed to originate from the upstairs condo unit, traveling down the walls into my unit and then to my floor. I could feel this in my feet when standing on my wooden floor, but I didn't notice it when I was outside my condo. (I know this might sound odd, but bear with me.) I also felt these vibrations at night.
Since I'm retired, I had time to investigate during the day. When I heard or felt these sensations, I'd check the garage, only to see that my noisy neighbor was gone, so that explanation didn't add up. If you live in a condo, you might be familiar with the unwelcome sounds or vibrations caused by HVAC systems or footsteps on insufficiently insulated floors. My building, constructed in the mid-1980s, wasn't exactly built to the highest standards.
During this period, my tinnitus became worse, likely exacerbated by stress. I asked my son, who lives nearby, to come over and see if he could hear or feel the same things. Of course, he didn't notice anything.
I then Googled the rare side effects of two medications I take occasionally. One of these medications, Famotidine (for almost constant heartburn due to a hernia), I take quite frequently. The other is Indomethacin (for familial gout), which I take less often because of its potential to cause kidney damage. Interestingly, Indomethacin can worsen tinnitus, while Famotidine has common side effects that include tinnitus and rare side effects like seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there (similar to the vibratory sensations I was experiencing.)
Since stopping Famotidine about three weeks ago, these sensations have begun to dissipate. I'm now using the old remedy of baking soda and water for heartburn, and when I carefully monitor what I eat, I can manage both the heartburn and gout.
This whole experience was very unsettling, but I'm glad to be feeling better. I know that other conditions, such as MS, can cause similar symptoms, so I plan to ask my doctor about this at my upcoming visit (though I don't see him often and hope he remembers me).
If anyone has experienced something similar, I'd really appreciate your responses.
Thank you!
This version improves clarity and flow while keeping your personal tone intact.
I'm wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar to my recent, unsettling tinnitus episode. Here's the story:
I've had bilateral tinnitus since 2014, which developed during a bad flu that year, and I've lived with it ever since. I'm pretty certain it's here to stay. Very rarely, the pitch changes from a high whooshing sound to a low one. I prefer the lower register, but it seldom occurs.
Recently, I experienced something strange. I thought I was feeling vibratory sensations that seemed to originate from the upstairs condo unit, traveling down the walls into my unit and then to my floor. I could feel this in my feet when standing on my wooden floor, but I didn't notice it when I was outside my condo. (I know this might sound odd, but bear with me.) I also felt these vibrations at night.
Since I'm retired, I had time to investigate during the day. When I heard or felt these sensations, I'd check the garage, only to see that my noisy neighbor was gone, so that explanation didn't add up. If you live in a condo, you might be familiar with the unwelcome sounds or vibrations caused by HVAC systems or footsteps on insufficiently insulated floors. My building, constructed in the mid-1980s, wasn't exactly built to the highest standards.
During this period, my tinnitus became worse, likely exacerbated by stress. I asked my son, who lives nearby, to come over and see if he could hear or feel the same things. Of course, he didn't notice anything.
I then Googled the rare side effects of two medications I take occasionally. One of these medications, Famotidine (for almost constant heartburn due to a hernia), I take quite frequently. The other is Indomethacin (for familial gout), which I take less often because of its potential to cause kidney damage. Interestingly, Indomethacin can worsen tinnitus, while Famotidine has common side effects that include tinnitus and rare side effects like seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there (similar to the vibratory sensations I was experiencing.)
Since stopping Famotidine about three weeks ago, these sensations have begun to dissipate. I'm now using the old remedy of baking soda and water for heartburn, and when I carefully monitor what I eat, I can manage both the heartburn and gout.
This whole experience was very unsettling, but I'm glad to be feeling better. I know that other conditions, such as MS, can cause similar symptoms, so I plan to ask my doctor about this at my upcoming visit (though I don't see him often and hope he remembers me).
If anyone has experienced something similar, I'd really appreciate your responses.
Thank you!
This version improves clarity and flow while keeping your personal tone intact.
