So I've excepted that the Tinnitus that I have is more than likely temporary and I'm sure i've driven my wife to the point where I have to stop talking about this so much. So my next step now is to figure out how I will go on coping with this, if not for me but for my family.
That said, how/where do I start? I'm already thinking about speaking with another ENT, but I figured at this point there's not reason. Is there someplace I can go? Do I need to contact my medical insurance company and go from there? I really want to start as I can't stop listening for my T and the holidays are coming up and the last thing I want to do is be a burden on my family.
Please help, I don't know where I need to start, despite reading the links available here.
Hello
I am fairly new to this ugly T monster as well, going on about 7 weeks now.. I started off with seeing an ENT, getting an audiogram and following back up with the ENT. Basically, it was no help. I do have mild hearing loss which *could be* the cause, I'm also pregnant which *could be the cause* bottom line is they can't really tell me what the cause is. She basically shrugged me off and sent me with a referral to an audiologist. I myself haven't gone yet because these things cost money and I'm still very new to this. If you haven't seen an ENT or had an audiogram you may find it helpful just in reasurring yourself there isn't anything serious going on. And hey, maybe its somethg simple..
Like yourself, I find days where my T is almost gone or at least where it doesnt bother me, followed by loud days where it is more intrusive. I had a LOT of anxiety about it in the beginning and still do on bad days.. On good days I think, Hey, I can live with this but I still focus a lot on what I'm hearing and the volume/tone etc. I know this is normal for us "newbies".
My advise to you and what has helped me is seeing some sort of therapist to deal with the negative thoughts/anxiety that goes with this. I personally cannot take anxiety meds as I am pregnant so instead have been taking classes on meditation which help me during really bad days to gain control of my anxiety which does tend to lower the T volume as well. I've also been taking time out for me for occasional massages, acupuncture and other things to de-stress. My psychotherapist advised me to try and not talk about it too much with my boyfriend/family because they don't understand and it can cause negative affects to relationships to always be obsessively talking about your symptoms.. THis is harder said then done. I really have cut back with constantly describing the noise and my distress level to my BF and instead only say "wow, this is a bad day for my ears today." or "my ears are really sensitive, can you turn that down?". I seek support here because others know what I'm going through and I don't feel my obsessive,intrusive worries are a burden to the group (I've had nothing but support). Some people will also tell you to stay off this site in the early days, which I find almost impossible because it's one of the only places I get support and understanding.
Also, go on with your life like everyone else says. I'm still going to work, playing with my kids, cooking dinner etc as before I had T just more cautious to external sounds/sugar, salt and caffiene triggers. Its hard but I can tell you in just 7 weeks for the most part I've made improvements as I'm not a blubbering mess like I was when this initially started.. Do I still have anxiety and sometimes "Freak out"? Yeah of course.. It gets overwhelming sometimes. BUT I really try to use my meditation techniques to kick that in the butt and busy myself with something else to avoid focusing on the sound. I also tried the back to silence method listed above and do that periodically.
Everything I've been told and read here indicates T can vastly improve especially in the early period (up to 6 months) and go away without treatments like TRT/ CBT. After 6 months, it can still go away too but you're more likely to have it last. Even if it lasts, I've been told habituation occurs for most of us within a year to 18 months which, in the scheme of 80-90 years of life is really nothing, right? I can already feel myself improving (or habituating, if thats even possible ) at only 7 weeks in and still trying to kick my bad days. The good days are really really good though and keep me going. Today is a hard day for me, and I've been struggling but the thought that I just had 2 good days is my silver lining. Maybe tomorrow will be better too?..
Sorry for typing a novel.
just wanted you to know you are NOT alone..
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I have 1-2 good days followed by a loud day or two, followed by a few good days. It's been my cycle for two weeks now. I try to tell myself this must mean I'm improving or that I'm super lucky I actually have quiet days and not constant T but it's exhausting either way. Hang in there.
