Hello All!

[Matt C]

Hello,

I am 33 years old and first noticed the tinnitus about 3-4 years ago. I had always listened to music via headphones at work but not too loud. One day I took them off and noticed this slight ringing in my right ear. I assumed it would go away but several days past and it was still there! It drove me crazy since I am a bit of a hypochondriac to begin with but I only really noticed it if I was in a quiet environment or if I focused on it. So I have learned to live with it. I have always found it would spike from time to time but only for a brief period, usually the next day it would be back to the subtle ringing.

However, the last week or so I have noticed that it has spiked to a higher pitch. Since I am a hypochondriac I have been searching the internet for an explanation (not recommended . This current episode that I am going through has driven me a little crazy because I feel like it won't go away. But, I feel like it has something to do with my seasonal allergies and I have a bit of tightness in my neck. Has anyone else experienced a spike because of this? I want to say I went through this last season but I can't recall for sure.

Anyway, in my searching I came across this website and would just like to say that it has made me feel a bit better to know that I am not the only one with tinnitus. Even typing this message makes me feel a bit more at ease.

Thanks!

 

[Bill Bauer]

I feel like it has something to do with my seasonal allergies and I have a bit of tightness in my neck. Has anyone else experienced a spike because of this?

Problems with your sinuses can cause a spike.

 

[Matt C]

Thanks. I went to the doctor and he was able to see fluid in my right ear, said it is a middle ear infection. They gave me antibiotics and recommended gravol since I have been feeling some vertigo symptoms. I feel like the infection has moved to my left ear now too since it has a bit of ringing. Hopefully the antibiotics clear both!

 

[glynis]

Hi Matt c,
Try antihistamine see if it helps if allergy related also.
Just kicked my strong ones in as asthmatic and for my Menieres so hope it eases.
Love glynis

 

[Matt C]

Thanks for the advice. Just looking for a bit more comments/suggestions...

It seems that my seasonal allergies have blocked by E tubes causing fluid to back up in my ears. There was a lot of rain in my area (Toronto area) early in the spring and all hell has broken loose for those who suffer from seasonal allergies in the past few weeks. Although my nasal congestion is minimal so far, most of the action seems to be happening in my ears. My symptoms are the following:

-Dizzy/nausea in the morning, takes about an hour or so to feel a bit better
-Feeling "out of it" a majority of the time
-Ringing in the ears of course!
-Appetite is hit or miss, I assume due to the dazed feeling or the anxiety I feel at times

Overall though I feel like I am SLOWLY improving. The ringing in the ears isn't as high pitched as it was in the beginning and is a bit more intermittent, and I do feel more like my self at times, mornings are the worst still but also slowly improving I think.

What have I been doing?

-Shot of Flonaze in the AM, both nostrils ensuring my face is perpendicular to the spray to try and get at the E tubes
-2x Advil Cold/Sinus, one in the AM and one in the PM, suppose to help open the E tubes and relieve pressure
-Steam treatment with drops of lavender oil in the evening
-Avoiding dairy (I miss milk!)

I have been making a point to visit my doctor weekly to see about the fluid in my ears and ensure the middle ear infection doesn't return. She seems confident that it will clear in time. I am going to ask for a ENT referral, unfortunately it can takes months before you actually get in around here but I still want to see them. Assuming it is cleared by then I want to see what I can do to avoid this in the future.

Has anyone else experienced this before and if so how long did it take to recover and feel normal again? Do you have any tips to help open the E tubes?

Everything I have read and according to my doctor it takes time, weeks possibly months!

Thanks!