You answered my very first post on this forum, Dave. I will not forget this.
I can't quite rememberer what that post was Ema, but knowing me, I was probably a bit cheeky?
(Sometimes I save "cheeky" for the second post.)x
You answered my very first post on this forum, Dave. I will not forget this.
Well at least one of us has a good memory, lol! You were not at all cheeky, you were very helpful.I can't quite rememberer what that post was Ema, but knowing me, I was probably a bit cheeky?
(Sometimes I save "cheeky" for the second post.)x
You were not at all cheeky, you were very helpful.
It is working wonderfully, Dave. So is the breathing technique.Just goes to show - I can be quite constructive, when I behave myself.
I hope the soft mouth is getting to be a habit now Ema.
Sharing some fun is also another way to show our affection eh? x
@emmalee, @Ed209, @Holly1987, @glynis
@New Guy, @David Dubros, @Michael Leigh, @billie48 and many others...
Hi, everyone. I hope this is ok. And I hope it was ok to alert some members who I have found to be very kind in their responses. I'm in a really really dark place and would be grateful for any support or kindness you might give. If I'm imposing, please forgive me. I know everyone is busy in their lives and is managing all of this as well.
I have had tinnitus for about 3 months now. It's unclear if it's noise induced or related to TMJ/jaw problems. It might be both.
The tinnitus started out mild to moderate and an intermittent hissing/ buzzing sounds. It has worsened since onset. It is more constant and loud with some additional sounds.
I posting today because I'm starting to really want to give up. I have lost so much already because of this. I've lost the work that I love. I've lost so many of the things that enrich my life and make me me. The anxiety is unbearable, but the depression and despair is also taking over.
I have a very small support system, but I am on mostly on my own.
I read all the positivity threads and I feel like a failure because I can't seem to feel that way. I admire everyone who seems to be coping so much better.
I feel uncomfortable sharing this but I know there are so many kind people here so I hope you will understand.
I am just so sad and in so much pain. I don't see how life can be possible with this. I'm so lost. I feel like I'm fading away slowly. I'm not sure how much longer I can go on.
I'm sorry, I just need to share and feel less alone.
Thank you, @billie48 for your words of support and encouragement.@TracyJS
You have received wonderful and heartfelt support from fellow members, those who have habituated and those who are still facing challenges from T daily. Please ponder over their suggestions as many such suggestions are helpful tips or strategies that they have used to help themselves. Many have walked the talk. There is nothing better to learn from those who have done the actual battle with tinnitus. So I will only add my experiences to see if they can help you.
Firstly, don't need to feel a failure. We are all on different stages of our tinnitus journey. You are probably doing much better than me at 3 months. Why? Because at 3 months, I was heavily depending on drugs just to survive each day. I was taking Ativan (a benzo), Prozac (antidepressant) and sleeping pills just to function amid relentless anxiety and panic attacks due to my decades of prior condition suffering from anxiety and panic disorder and PTSD. Every morning I woke up with the monstrous ringing in full swing, and panic instantly set in on auto mode, and I instantly reached for the sublingual Ativan hoping that it would function to stop the attack. Gosh! I couldn't even have a fair fight against T as it triggered mental attacks on my nerves even when I was barely awake. How do you fight with your enemy with a mind still not fully awake and couldn't think clearly???
That was what I had to deal with for the first 9 months or so. It was a nightmarish existence. Then you add the piercingly hurtful hyperacusis on top of all the attacks and being withdrawn from most social contacts because of that, and yes, I was in full despair mode with dark thoughts constantly for a while. So I understand what you are going through. Don't blame yourself a failure. You can at least afford to decide to taper your medicine at 3 months while I was praying that my meds better work to not just tame my T & H, but to help cut back the number of mental attacks I had to endure each day.
Yes,it takes time to get to a better place. I took 3 years before writing my success story. I am actually among the dead last to finish the habituation race compared to others in the success stories. Lol.
So take it easy on yourself. Rant all you can and all you want here. This is what this forum is for. We are here and we understand what you are going through. It will get better and the sun will shine again amid this tinnitus darkness. Don't give up hope. Hang in there and educate yourself about how to cope with T along the way. Take good care. God bless.
Thank you so much for your response. I have read your posts before, and you seemed kind and thoughtful.@TracyJS Hi Tracy.
I am only today reading of your struggle.
All the above people and many more including me can walk you through many sides and ways of dealing with this but your courage comes from inside your heart to defeat it.
Courage that you have obviously got .
It takes courage and hope to reach out and to you i say Kudos for doing so.
I was alone completely every day for my first three months and although i have fought schizophrenia all my life this was a serious battle psychologically for me.
I entertained sucicide but that is a no win situation period.
Little by little the time would pass as did my anxiety.
And here i will say i use clonazepam as well without fear or shame.
Hey it works miracles for me.
But we are all different and drugs affect everyone differently.
As Emma pointed out you have a goal to focus on.
By focusing on something else it will calm your anxiety and hopfully in time your T.
I used to be and avid audio enthusiast but the T cut it into shreads until i built up enough strength to reclaim my hobby.
Its all about getting stronger each moment and keeping your eyes on the prize so to speak.
Even since your initial post you have increased your positivity .
Just keep doing that and ask for support at ANYTIME!
Thank you, @Ed209 for your lengthy response and for generously sharing your story with me.
Since I've had my fair share trauma in my life, I've grappled mightily with depression and anxiety. And not thinking the worst is very difficult for me.
It is so hard to imagine ever being better or being able to go on with like with this. But your words are very wise, and I will do my best to hold on to them.
You mentioned eating well, ect. Did you take meds in the beginning. I have taken Clonazepam 7-8 times for about three weeks, and recently for about a week, but I'm slowly tapering now because of concern it can make things worse. I actually concerned maybe it already has. Do you have any experience here?
Yes, we are kindered spirits. I could tell that right a way when I read your posts. I wish Illinois were closer to Canada.Yes, you are here for me and I am here for you. We are kindred spirits, wonderful! I can only imagine what the conversation would be like if we all got together for a round table discussion. We are all so different, and come from all over the world, yet we share a common bond.
Me too, Tracy.Yes, we are kindered spirits. I could tell that right a way when I read your posts. I wish Illinois were closer to Canada.