Feeling Like I'm Deteriorating. Please Help.

[Theater Ringing]

Hello, all. I feel like I'm about to completely lose it.

I've already had multiple breakdowns a day for the past week and don't know how much more I can take. I've had tinnitus since August from a loud movie that started in one ear. I got used to it until a sneeze from a co-worker made my other ear start ringing. I was on track to getting my life back after that even, then I took a muscle relaxer last week and now have an extra loud ringing in both ears along with hyperacusis and TTTS.

I'm not sure how much longer I can survive this. I've already had a few panic attacks and feel like I'm about to lose my job. All because I went to see a damn movie.

I'm only 25 and want to live my life, but it's so hard with all of this in my head.

 

[fishbone]

My advice to you would be, to just try to relax a bit. What is done is done, don't take anything that is not required. Some pills/meds/supplements can increase the ringing.

When I feel horrible, I listen to soothing/relaxing music at very low low volumes and I also just exercise. Distraction is very important, when our ears are ringing very loud. gaining support from people, you love and trust can be very helpful. In general, stay away from loud noises and places.

You are having a tough time, we all been there....Eventually it can get better.

 

[butterfly75]

Twenty-five is really young to have to deal with this. I understand your pain. Don't focus on what caused your tinnitus. Going to the movie theatre caused it, but focusing on it and wishing you'd never gone will make you feel worse. I regret the loud noise exposures that caused my tinnitus as well, but I wasn't aware I was damaging my ears at the time and I had no idea what would happen. I understand panicking about your job. Struggling with tinnitus and having to continue with your job at the same time must be hard. Set aside a moment before you have to rush to work, and take a deep breath. Just allow yourself a moment in the day where you can feel at peace. Don't ever feel guilty for having a hard time with work, and feeling like it's all too much. Things will get easier. When you're at home, turn on ambient noise or a fan if it helps. Surround yourself with family members and engage in conversations with everyone around you. Don't stay alone. Tinnitus can be a difficult condition to live with and you need emotional support. Just try to get through each day, day by day. Don't think ahead to the future. Just try to make it through each day. You can get through this day. You're not alone.

 

[alleycat]

@Theater Ringing
I'm 25 too! Seems crazy we have to deal with this as such a young age, i've been dealing with horrible jaw pain for two years, and haven't been getting proper treatment and then the ear ringing started August 28th. Mine isn't noise, its bc of my TMJ, but I still feel your pain. Although muscle relaxants make me feel better, not worse, guess it just shows how different this condition is for all of us.

When it first started I had feelings of my life never going to be what I expected or wanted bc of this. I have managed to get my emotions under control, and I have been handling it all pretty well lately. Calming down has made the noise seems 10x better. I'm keeping the faith and telling myself this is temporary, and this too shall pass. It might not be easy, but we can overcome it.

If you're having a spike, I'm sure it will calm down, it seems everyone on here only has temporary spikes.

 

[Colgate]

When this started for me in September I read the 'don't panic' email and did not think I could possibly adjust to this. I can say that as those on this forum suggested, you do turn a corner. I tried the technique that someone posted about talking to myself in my mind about my observations: 'Yes my ear is ringing and it worries me.' Odd as it sounds, that has helped.

I went for my first acupuncture treatment for this today. The volume is now lower. Not sure if this is a result of acupuncture or not. I am also practicing mindfulness--fully focusing on what I am doing and I will talk to myself in my mind. "Now I will wash this pot and spoon and now I will dry it and put it away. Don't forget to put the clothes in the dryer." It reminds me that I am just living my life. I am also keeping a gratitude journal, jotting down at least 5 things I am grateful for each day. I am going to bed earlier and generally focusing on my health and wellness.

All this is helping. Focus on treating yourself with the utmost care and love. Phone a friend, read a book with some soft music in the background. You will get through this and it is possible it could go away. Don't lose sight of that hopefulness.

 

[billie48]

Sorry that you are having a hard time. But don't panic nor despair. Better days will come. Above posters have given you good advice. Things will get better. Now you are going through quite a bit or uncertainty with the unstable ears. So it is understandable you do feel panicky about the ears and T. But like you have done before, either your T will fade back to normal level or you will learn to habituate to it. A big part of your suffering right now is the mental side, the multiple panic attacks etc. Tell me about panic attacks. I had relentless attacks all day during the worst time when the body was trying to adjust to the new normal of my ultra high pitch loud T (plus severe hyperacusis). I also was wondering how long I could survive these panic attacks and what a bleak future I would have to face. But guess what the bleak future never materialize. The brain became hardened to the ringing and now even loud spiky days couldn't extract an oz of negative reaction. Like others said, get back to living, use masking sounds if needed (at low volume), and try to enjoy life regardless of T. I never thought I could do this but over time, habituation just kicked in and now T is just a paper tiger. Take care. God bless.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I took a muscle relaxer last week and now have an extra loud ringing in both ears along with hyperacusis and TTTS.

Temporary spikes often last longer than a week. They can last months...

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/poll-how-long-do-your-tinnitus-spikes-usually-last.23110/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/poll-how-long-was-your-longest-spike.22099/

Wait a couple of months. If the spike is still there, as loud as ever, then there is a high chance that it is a permanent spike. Until that time, it makes sense to assume that the spike is temporary.

 

[Theater Ringing]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. This has all made me feel bipolar. One moment, I'm crying hysterically, the next I'm throwing things in rage, then i feel better and optimistic. Thankfully my wife got me into the better and optimistic mood for the rest of the day. I don't want to speak too soon, but I've felt much better the rest of the day. Even the TTTS that I've had constantly in my right ear since mid September seems to have calmed down a bit. Thank you all for your advice. Now I have something to come look at when I'm feeling down.

 

[Alexiskaye]

I am 17 years old with hearing loss and tinnitus. Super high pitched. I am having a hard time being positive as well. I am sitting here in tears as I type this. My parents are exhausted from having to deal with my breakdowns.

 

[Colgate]

Acupuncture is proven to help with anxiety and emotional issues. Trying it for that alone might have a significant impact. Plus, for me, it is a warm and cozy thing to do. It relaxes you as does a massage and you feel nurtured and cared for. T has resulted in my increased focus on self-care. As Louise Hay had written, symptoms are our body's way of getting our attention to change behaviors and the way we are thinking. This is just another way to look at it that has helped me.

Also, read Byron Katie's book, The Work. She helps readers reframe the way you look at things. Since so much of T is our emotional reaction to it (feeling lack of control, panicked), the way we each talk to ourself makes a difference. Thinking that T is permanent can make you feel panicky--but do you know absolutely that that is true? You know for SURE that it is permanent? (I don't think so!) Anything is possible to include spontaneous healing and cures that are being worked in labs right now.

Surrendering to what is in a relaxed manner contributes to sound coping skills. Being up and down about this is normal from wht I have read, however, having some tools in our emotional toolbox that can get us beyond our tough times is something those with T can develop and use when they need to get back to a stable place. http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/4-questions-that-defeat-negative-thoughts