Hello—New Here

[elizabethab]

Hi guys!

I woke up on Sunday, October 10, 2015 with a fullness to my ears, and a low, hissing, ring. It has not left me since then for longer than a day.
I have had some very good days- where it has been completely gone-to some very bad days, where it consumes my head.

As I type this, it is buzzing/ringing away, mostly in my right ear.

I have had a very stressful year (never had any health problems before this) and the anxiety I have felt is through the roof! I have four wonderful kids, 3 at home, and little, so they need my attention; as well as being a grad student and having a very good (albeit demanding job). I also have a loving and supportive husband.

My GP and ENT both recommended I try Xanax, because of the severity of my panic attacks when this first started (I would sit on the floor in my office with my hands over my ears). I was so upset when it would be gone for 1 day, and then come roaring back in the middle of the night. I have been on a high dose of prednisone (really did not help much), which I just finished. I fought taking the Xanax, but I finally did in desperation for some sleep-and now I am taking .25 in the am, and .25 in the pm. My GP says there is little risk of dependence in that low dose, but I still hate taking it, however it is the only thing that helps.

I guess I just need some positive stories/feedback. I bounce from being okay (like now) to being completely suicidal, and the fact that it fluctuates so much (or that it has stopped for a day) kills me. I think the prednisone with the Xanax helped-but can someone take prednisone long term (my doctor is going to get back to me). Also, my GP says the Xanax is safe-does anyone else take this long term?

I guess I am just exhausted trying to talk to people that don't have the same problem (one co-worker keeps telling me it is all in my head, and I will get over it if I take Prozac-UGH).
I need some reassurance and positive comments from people that know what I am going through.


Thanks for listening!!

 

[Phil-O]

Hi guys!

I woke up on Sunday, October 10, 2015 with a fullness to my ears, and a low, hissing, ring. It has not left me since then for longer than a day.
I have had some very good days- where it has been completely gone-to some very bad days, where it consumes my head.

As I type this, it is buzzing/ringing away, mostly in my right ear.

I have had a very stressful year (never had any health problems before this) and the anxiety I have felt is through the roof! I have four wonderful kids, 3 at home, and little, so they need my attention; as well as being a grad student and having a very good (albeit demanding job). I also have a loving and supportive husband.

My GP and ENT both recommended I try Xanax, because of the severity of my panic attacks when this first started (I would sit on the floor in my office with my hands over my ears). I was so upset when it would be gone for 1 day, and then come roaring back in the middle of the night. I have been on a high dose of prednisone (really did not help much), which I just finished. I fought taking the Xanax, but I finally did in desperation for some sleep-and now I am taking .25 in the am, and .25 in the pm. My GP says there is little risk of dependence in that low dose, but I still hate taking it, however it is the only thing that helps.

I guess I just need some positive stories/feedback. I bounce from being okay (like now) to being completely suicidal, and the fact that it fluctuates so much (or that it has stopped for a day) kills me. I think the prednisone with the Xanax helped-but can someone take prednisone long term (my doctor is going to get back to me). Also, my GP says the Xanax is safe-does anyone else take this long term?

I guess I am just exhausted trying to talk to people that don't have the same problem (one co-worker keeps telling me it is all in my head, and I will get over it if I take Prozac-UGH).
I need some reassurance and positive comments from people that know what I am going through.


Thanks for listening!!

Hi @elizabethab
I am relatively new to T, so can't advise you, but there are many wise experienced people on here who definitely will be responding. In the meantime check out the success stories, they certainly helped me. Regards Phil

 

[eric peterson]

Hi guys!

I woke up on Sunday, October 10, 2015 with a fullness to my ears, and a low, hissing, ring. It has not left me since then for longer than a day.
I have had some very good days- where it has been completely gone-to some very bad days, where it consumes my head.

As I type this, it is buzzing/ringing away, mostly in my right ear.

I have had a very stressful year (never had any health problems before this) and the anxiety I have felt is through the roof! I have four wonderful kids, 3 at home, and little, so they need my attention; as well as being a grad student and having a very good (albeit demanding job). I also have a loving and supportive husband.

My GP and ENT both recommended I try Xanax, because of the severity of my panic attacks when this first started (I would sit on the floor in my office with my hands over my ears). I was so upset when it would be gone for 1 day, and then come roaring back in the middle of the night. I have been on a high dose of prednisone (really did not help much), which I just finished. I fought taking the Xanax, but I finally did in desperation for some sleep-and now I am taking .25 in the am, and .25 in the pm. My GP says there is little risk of dependence in that low dose, but I still hate taking it, however it is the only thing that helps.

I guess I just need some positive stories/feedback. I bounce from being okay (like now) to being completely suicidal, and the fact that it fluctuates so much (or that it has stopped for a day) kills me. I think the prednisone with the Xanax helped-but can someone take prednisone long term (my doctor is going to get back to me). Also, my GP says the Xanax is safe-does anyone else take this long term?

I guess I am just exhausted trying to talk to people that don't have the same problem (one co-worker keeps telling me it is all in my head, and I will get over it if I take Prozac-UGH).
I need some reassurance and positive comments from people that know what I am going through.


Thanks for listening!!

Elizabeth,

you are very new to T, and it has already had a day where it has gone away, so in short, yes, it is possible that it goes away for good. As time passes, the chance of it spontaneously resolving lessen, but you're so new to it, that I wouldn't yet worry about that. I'd just hope it resolves. 'Fullness' in the ears and tinnitus are not uncommon symptoms for things like sinus issues or eustachian tube dysfunction. (not that this is the only possibility, but it is A possibility). Taking a steroid to lower inflammation is not an uncommon thing for an ENT to prescribe. For many people, this will work to get rid of something like fluid behind the ear that might be causing the tinnitus. Did the ENT suggest things like neti-potting, or taking a nasal steroid, like Flonase? These are things that I do to keep my sinuses clear and eustachian tubes open and stave off ear infections. I'm guessing that the prednisone is a short term dosage, and not meant for longer term. How long did your doctor want you to take it?

As far as Xanax, I'm pretty sure that .25mg is the lowest possible dose. There are plenty of people that can tell you about benzodiazapines. They are addictive. They are a schedule IV controlled substance in the US. I can understand your concerns. I was taking .50mg xanax on and off for the first few months of my T in May. I simply had to take it to calm myself down. Was no other way, so I did it. But like you, I hated it. So I guess I think of it as a necessary evil early on in tinnitus. Just talk to your doctor about your concerns and do your best to control the amount of xanax you take. you can build up a tolerance over time, and obviously you don't want that, as you're already worried about the low dose.

It's perfect normal to feel like you do early on in getting T. Most people feel a great deal of anxiety and/or even depression early on. But as time passes, the vast majority of people go on to habituate and T plays a very small (if any) role in their lives. This is nearly impossible to believe in the first few months. I would have thought the same thing six months ago. You've got a great family, and a good husband. You've got a great support group at home, and they'll help you through this. For the time being, lets hope that it just goes away. But if it doesn't, know that you'll feel a whole lot better a few months from now than you do today. If you're looking for methods to help you learn to begin to cope and help the habituation process, I found this to be a good one:

http://www.amazon.com/Tinnitus-Self...=1447198912&sr=8-1&keywords=tinnitus+CBT+book

As far as what you can expect from habituation (I can only use my own personal experience here), in a few months, i found that my tinnitus didn't really bother me the way that it did in the beginning. It was still as loud as before, could still hear it over the TV, etc. But I was able after a few months to sit and watch TV or work with the sound droning on in the background. At about 4 months I was able to sleep without the help of any drugs and with minimal masking. I also noticed that I would sit in meetings at work and forget about it for a few minutes, and I couldn't hear it any more. Less and less noise would mask my T. Now at 6 months I am aware of my T maybe 60% of the time, and it makes me unhappy maybe 5-10% of the time. I hope (of course) for continued improvement, but I'm happy where I'm at. Nothing special about me. You'll get there too. A positive attitude will go a long way toward helping that. Even if you're faking it for a while...

If there's anything else that you need, or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Good luck,

Eric

 

[elizabethab]

Thanks! For some reason talking to others that are going through the same thing helps tremendously. I am usually a pretty positive person-but I am a control freak prone to anxiety-just never took meds for it (I am really anti-medication). So I guess the fact that I cannot control this noise is really giving me the most problems. I want to get to the point where I can feel like I control my reaction-but honestly, not there yet. Just living day to day (right now it is really loud, and I am in my office with white noise blaring, lol. My coworkers must think I am crazy-it is loud even with the door closed!)

I appreciate the reply, like I said, it really helps to know that I am not the only one.

 

[eric peterson]

Thanks! For some reason talking to others that are going through the same thing helps tremendously. I am usually a pretty positive person-but I am a control freak prone to anxiety-just never took meds for it (I am really anti-medication). So I guess the fact that I cannot control this noise is really giving me the most problems. I want to get to the point where I can feel like I control my reaction-but honestly, not there yet. Just living day to day (right now it is really loud, and I am in my office with white noise blaring, lol. My coworkers must think I am crazy-it is loud even with the door closed!)

I appreciate the reply, like I said, it really helps to know that I am not the only one.

Try to stick to the success stories. Best place for feel good stuff...

 

[elizabethab]

Trying. Yours helped!! I am trying today to not notice it- rough! It seems to spike in the evening- then go down to manageable levels after I calm down, lol. In the past 4 weeks I have dropped about 20lbs (I was skinny when this started- don't need to lose weight, lol). I have been afraid to eat salt, sugar, cannot give up coffee although that does not seem to make a difference. I am living on raw veggies and eggs, lol!! Well- it can only go up from here!

 

[eric peterson]

Trying. Yours helped!! I am trying today to not notice it- rough! It seems to spike in the evening- then go down to manageable levels after I calm down, lol. In the past 4 weeks I have dropped about 20lbs (I was skinny when this started- don't need to lose weight, lol). I have been afraid to eat salt, sugar, cannot give up coffee although that does not seem to make a difference. I am living on raw veggies and eggs, lol!! Well- it can only go up from here!

No worries.. You're going to be fine. If you need anything, let me know.

 

[elizabethab]

Thanks! It may not seem like it now- but I am definitely coping better with every passing day.

 

[Phil-O]

Thanks! It may not seem like it now- but I am definitely coping better with every passing day.

Hi @elizabethab
Try https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/back-to-silence.7172/
I'm working on it. Regards Phil

 

[elizabethab]

@Phil-O i saw that when I was lurking I have actually been trying it today. It is hard training my brain to not think about the loudness, the severity, but I guess it is a learning process

 

[Phil-O]

@Phil-O i saw that when I was lurking I have actually been trying it today. It is hard training my brain to not think about the loudness, the severity, but I guess it is a learning process

Hi @elizabethab
The hardest part is letting go of the habit of listening for the T. Takes time but @I who love music is the role model to follow. Best wishes Phil

 

[elizabethab]

So it is just a matter of acknowledging it is there- but acknowledging it only- not trying to quantify it? Is that correct?

 

[Phil-O]

So it is just a matter of acknowledging it is there- but acknowledging it only- not trying to quantify it? Is that correct?

Hi @elizabethab
As I understand acknowledge T without emotion, state your feeling. I hear T, I feel nervous, try not to listen to the volume, pitch etc. If you still hear then repeat , I hear T , I feel anxious or how you feel at the time. Sometimes it needs tens of times a day until the new habit crushes the T. @I who love music is the best teacher. Good luck Phil

 

[eric peterson]

So it is just a matter of acknowledging it is there- but acknowledging it only- not trying to quantify it? Is that correct?

I'm in agreement with Phil-O on trying the @I who love music method. Trying to ignore T early on is impossible, and telling someone to do it is a silly exercise. Early on, it's all you can think about. But what you can do is to try and soften your attitude toward your T, which is a good first step toward habituation. CBT teaches us to have an open and accepting attitude toward our T, and to attempt to be more neutral toward it. IWLM's method can do exactly that, I believe. It seems impossible at first. But don't give up.

Good Luck,

Eric

 

[elizabethab]

Thanks guys! Trying it this morning-and with 3 little kids demanding breakfast, asking what we are going to do today, and all in all general chaos around my household, it seems to be working. Not concentrating on it so much today. I guess the hardest part is trying to just adapt to the fact that it is not going to go away-and I will have good days and bad. Truth be told-this forum has been the best decision so far-mentally it really helps me to know that I am not the only one going through this crazy ordeal.

 

[joseph Ghass]

Who said it can't go away? Don't believe anything you hear just believe in your body to defeat any disease.

I had severe T 9 months ago and now it is between moderate and mild and soon I will put it to an end.

I am ready to put you on this path.

First action? Drop your xanax.

 

[eric peterson]

tinnitus isn't a disease. for many people, it simply resolves on its own. for others, it doesn't, and they habituate to the noise and eventually it plays a very small (if any) role in their lives. There isn't currently any drug available to lessen T, or cure it. There is no known supplement, or diet which has any reliable study that shows efficacy for curing tinnitus. If there were a drug, a diet, or a supplement that could be taken or undertaken, which reliably cured T or gave relief to T sufferers, you wouldn't have to read about it from anecdotal evidence on tinnitustalk.com. It'd be on the front page of the New York Times. The good news is, for most, there doesn't need to be a cure, or a drug. Most people move on with their lives, habituating over a 1-2 year period, and eventually they pay very little (if any) attention to their T.

 

[joseph Ghass]

Who said T is a disease? It is a symptom to something affecting the auditory system.

I am now testing a nutritional program that can nail down T once for all.

Call me crazy but I am on a mission to create a cure for T and I don't care about all the facts out there. They remind me how cancer is looked at and the devestated treatment patients get.

 

[eric peterson]

Who said T is a disease? It is a symptom to something affecting the auditory system.

I am now testing a nutritional program that can nail down T once for all.

Call me crazy but I am on a mission to create a cure for T and I don't care about all the facts out there. They remind me how cancer is looked at and the devestated treatment patients get.

You did. Two messages ago. I'm happy to hear that your T is getting better. For many people it resolves. But if yours is resolving, then almost for certain would have, even w/o the diet you're currently on. People who are very new to T are on this board, and they're very scared. Who wouldn't be? But to tell them that you've created a nutritional program to cure their T, you're giving them false hope. If you try to sell that program to them, then you're a scam artist. People here need to know the facts about T. That they should go and see a doctor, and get a full work up. They should talk to their doctors about getting an MRI, to rule out things such as an acoustic neuroma (if your T is only in one ear, or largely in one ear). Once they've ruled out the VERY unlikely possibility that their T is dangerous to them, they should also examine the (unfortunately) unlikely possibility that it can be cured. Some people take a dose of steriods, or some anti-biotics, and their E-Tubes open up, fluid clears out, and their T goes away. Rarely, but this happens. After these two things have been taken care of, there isn't really a need to visit doctors any more. For others, it just goes away at some point, and no one can explain why. I know people who this has happened to. It just went away. And great for them. but for others....

From there, you get on with your life and work toward habituation. For most people, it's a very natural (albeit slow) process over a year or more. They begin to slowly feel better over months, and before they know it, T plays no role in their lives. For others, it's more difficult. (myself included) CBT and TRT are methods that are used worldwide for helping people habituate to T. There is actual, statistically valid evidence that these methods work. People who are scared and struggling w/ T need to talk to people (medically and psychologically trained) to help them manage and live with their T. With all due respect, they don't need a nutritional plan developed in your kitchen. This site should be about supporting those who need it, and getting them the best medical/psych advice we can give. You're telling a person to stop taking medication ('drop your Xanax') that was prescribed by a person medically trained to give the advice and prescribe the drug. I presume, you are not. If she wants to get off Xanax, she should speak to her doctor.

 

[elizabethab]

Yes, I have had a multitude of tests. Blood work, hearing work up; done. MRI and CT scheduled for next week (although my doctor does not think that she will find anything in those). I have an ENT, a GP, and a therapist-and I am lucky. They are supportive, and I listen to them. They all believe it is tied to anxiety and slight (very slight) sensorineural hearing loss, although my ENT did not find fluid in my ear, wax, or any other abnormality, he initially thought it was a virus, hence the high dose of pred I was on, which really did not help.
The Xanax helps the anxiety and panic, which in turn lessons the impact of the noise, and although I hate taking it, I do it because ALL THREE told me I needed to calm down. It helps. I hate admitting that, but at this point, if it helps, I am all for it. I don't take more than the recommended dose, and I am trying to stay active and busy, because after 4 weeks of this, with no real discernible medical cause, I need to try and deal with it, instead of hoping it will go away and taking 5 steps back into panic when it does not every morning.

If it does, great. Right now I need to learn to cope with now, and work with my doctors, so I can have the best possible tomorrow; regardless of it goes away or stays.

Thanks for listening! Like I said, mentally it helps to talk to others in the same boat, and hear their positive stories and insights into how I can learn to cope with this now

 

[eric peterson]

@elizabethab good. Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Stick with it. You've got a great family to lean on. You're going to be fine. If you need anything else, let me know.

Eric

 

[joseph Ghass]

Scam artist? I am done here.

 

[elizabethab]

So!
Got up today, read this board and other success stories, tried BTS techniques ALL DAY so far; and I am happy to say that I feel better than I have in a month! I woke up, got dressed, went out with the kids, took them to lunch, ATE finally some food (my T seems to increase with certain foods) that I wanted without worrying about the effect. I actually just had to turn down my TV (which is not loud, afraid of loud noise now too, lol) to make sure I was still ringing. Still there, but I could have cared less today. BIG STEP. It actually seems quieter-but I think it is my perception, and my brain is a powerful thing. I am convinced this board has helped my perception.

I am hopeful for many more good days like today-and if tomorrow is bad-I will try and remember how I felt.

Thanks again everyone, especially you @eric peterson !!!

 

[Atlantis]

I am hopeful for many more good days like today-and if tomorrow is bad-I will try and remember how I felt.

If you had this much success so soon after your onset, you won't remember you have tinnitus a year from now. Mark your calendar now and come back here to say so a year from now. Please!

 

[Atlantis]

Scam artist? I am done here.

You would only be a scam artist if you sold your "nutrition program" for tinnitus and claimed it will help tinnitus.

It's a ludicrous thought that a nutrition program could cure tinnitus. Unless someone has a very specific cause (e.g. zinc deficiency in the elderly), nutrition programs are a futile effort when it comes to tinnitus treatments.

Be realistic. Be realistic....

 

[eric peterson]

You would only be a scam artist if you sold your "nutrition program" for tinnitus and claimed it will help tinnitus.

It's a ludicrous thought that a nutrition program could cure tinnitus. Unless someone has a very specific cause (e.g. zinc deficiency in the elderly), nutrition programs are a futile effort when it comes to tinnitus treatments.

Be realistic. Be realistic....

Exactly. He feigned offense replying that I called him a scam artist. I only think he's a scam artist if he creates a nutrition program to cure tinnitus AND sells it to people. And I'll admit I'm wrong if he presents statistically valid evidence that people are helped by his diet. But for now, giving people magic beans is wrong, SELLING them magic beans is unethical, and perhaps illegal.

good luck,

eric

 

[eric peterson]

So!
Got up today, read this board and other success stories, tried BTS techniques ALL DAY so far; and I am happy to say that I feel better than I have in a month! I woke up, got dressed, went out with the kids, took them to lunch, ATE finally some food (my T seems to increase with certain foods) that I wanted without worrying about the effect. I actually just had to turn down my TV (which is not loud, afraid of loud noise now too, lol) to make sure I was still ringing. Still there, but I could have cared less today. BIG STEP. It actually seems quieter-but I think it is my perception, and my brain is a powerful thing. I am convinced this board has helped my perception.

I am hopeful for many more good days like today-and if tomorrow is bad-I will try and remember how I felt.

Thanks again everyone, especially you @eric peterson !!!

anytime.

 

[I who love music]

I'm in agreement with Phil-O on trying the @I who love music method. Trying to ignore T early on is impossible, and telling someone to do it is a silly exercise. Early on, it's all you can think about. But what you can do is to try and soften your attitude toward your T, which is a good first step toward habituation. CBT teaches us to have an open and accepting attitude toward our T, and to attempt to be more neutral toward it. IWLM's method can do exactly that, I believe. It seems impossible at first. But don't give up.

Good Luck,

Eric

Thanks for the mention, Eric.

This thing works.
If it works for me, an ex rock and roller from the 70's, with trashed ears, I think it can work for anyone.
A year ago tinnitus was like a flyswatter in my face all the time. Very scary.
After all these years, finally ... relief.

 

[I who love music]

Hi @elizabethab
As I understand acknowledge T without emotion, state your feeling. I hear T, I feel nervous, try not to listen to the volume, pitch etc. If you still hear then repeat , I hear T , I feel anxious or how you feel at the time. Sometimes it needs tens of times a day until the new habit crushes the T. @I who love music is the best teacher. Good luck Phil

Yup, Phil, you got it.
Do this right and I believe it'll work.
You'll be training the T to go through your prefrontal cortex, your 'human' logical area of your brain. It'll hook to your thoughts there if you respond like the method says.
The T won't linger anymore in your centalized 'animal brain' anymore. This is where the 'fight or flight' responses are generated.
Like any kind of training, it takes repetition and time. But you may be surprised how soon your responses diminish.
Hang in there.

 

[joseph Ghass]

You would only be a scam artist if you sold your "nutrition program" for tinnitus and claimed it will help tinnitus.

It's a ludicrous thought that a nutrition program could cure tinnitus. Unless someone has a very specific cause (e.g. zinc deficiency in the elderly), nutrition programs are a futile effort when it comes to tinnitus treatments.

Be realistic. Be realistic....

Never say never.