You guys were right - Episode 112...
Sorry but this is going to be a bit of a vent.
I'm just back from a private appointment with an ENT consultant who was supposed to have an interest in tinnitus and nasal congestion - two of my main concerns (the first being obvious here). Now, our NHS in the UK is wonderful, but only if you're prepared to wait weeks to be seen. So I forked out the £100 through my employer's insurance scheme, hoping this was the man to help me.
Sadly he did no more than the GPs I have seen, and his basic message was "learn to live with it".
Because I "only" have tinnitus, and no significant hearing damage, he seemed to think there was nothing more to be done. I did mention the fact that each ear went practically deaf for an hour at the time of their initial traumas, but he didn't seem concerned about that at all. Really?!?!
I asked about prednisone, but like most doctors in the UK he won't prescribe it due to lack of positive "evidence-based studies". I said there is lots of anecdotal evidence about it stopping tinnitus in its tracks, rather than leaving the patient to deal with the issue for the rest of their life. But he wouldn't budge. He said the drug can have a big impact on your life. I responded that my tinnitus was already having a major impact on my life. To no avail. He said to me "No more Metallica concerts then!" and he was laughing as he said it. Yeah right, hilarious. I left the appointment in tears, having been made to feel that I was just a worrier who was wasting his time. Well guess what he's just wasted my time and my money!!
He did talk about my bruxism, with which I've been diagnosed. He said I should wear the mouthguard that was made for me a few years ago. I never persisted with it, but based on his examination of me he said there is evidence that bruxism is still an issue I should deal with. Well I knew that, but that's not going to address the damage that's been done now, is it?
So what next? Back to the NHS and get into one of their tinnitus clinics? Or continue to treat myself through experimenting with masking tracks/pillow speakers/whatever? Or find a private tinnitus clinic and be willing to pay out more money on the off-chance that it might help?
My hyperacusis and original noise trauma damage do seem to be settling down slowly to a more predictable pattern, but the new tones in my other ear following a subsequent incident are disturbing my sleep more. They sound like wind through a pipe, or sometimes a sine wave. There are multiple notes, sometimes chords, and the tone drops down to the next harmonic when I yawn. I told the consultant these details, hoping it would help with his diagnosis, but he just said I should stop analysing things so much. Sigh.
Sorry but this is going to be a bit of a vent.
I'm just back from a private appointment with an ENT consultant who was supposed to have an interest in tinnitus and nasal congestion - two of my main concerns (the first being obvious here). Now, our NHS in the UK is wonderful, but only if you're prepared to wait weeks to be seen. So I forked out the £100 through my employer's insurance scheme, hoping this was the man to help me.
Sadly he did no more than the GPs I have seen, and his basic message was "learn to live with it".
Because I "only" have tinnitus, and no significant hearing damage, he seemed to think there was nothing more to be done. I did mention the fact that each ear went practically deaf for an hour at the time of their initial traumas, but he didn't seem concerned about that at all. Really?!?!
I asked about prednisone, but like most doctors in the UK he won't prescribe it due to lack of positive "evidence-based studies". I said there is lots of anecdotal evidence about it stopping tinnitus in its tracks, rather than leaving the patient to deal with the issue for the rest of their life. But he wouldn't budge. He said the drug can have a big impact on your life. I responded that my tinnitus was already having a major impact on my life. To no avail. He said to me "No more Metallica concerts then!" and he was laughing as he said it. Yeah right, hilarious. I left the appointment in tears, having been made to feel that I was just a worrier who was wasting his time. Well guess what he's just wasted my time and my money!!
He did talk about my bruxism, with which I've been diagnosed. He said I should wear the mouthguard that was made for me a few years ago. I never persisted with it, but based on his examination of me he said there is evidence that bruxism is still an issue I should deal with. Well I knew that, but that's not going to address the damage that's been done now, is it?
So what next? Back to the NHS and get into one of their tinnitus clinics? Or continue to treat myself through experimenting with masking tracks/pillow speakers/whatever? Or find a private tinnitus clinic and be willing to pay out more money on the off-chance that it might help?
My hyperacusis and original noise trauma damage do seem to be settling down slowly to a more predictable pattern, but the new tones in my other ear following a subsequent incident are disturbing my sleep more. They sound like wind through a pipe, or sometimes a sine wave. There are multiple notes, sometimes chords, and the tone drops down to the next harmonic when I yawn. I told the consultant these details, hoping it would help with his diagnosis, but he just said I should stop analysing things so much. Sigh.
Member
