Hello Everyone, Here's My Story...

[Jenni8619]

Hello Everyone! I am new to this forum and wanted to introduce myself! My name is Jenni and I am 31 years old. Hm where do I start ... well I think I've had humming/ringing in my left ear my entire life. I remember as a young child telling my mom at the playground that I hear noises in my ear. And other occasions where I remember the ringing bothering me. We suspect a bad ear infection was possibly the root of it. But cannot confirm. I recall telling my doctor at some point in my life that I had ringing and he told me it was probably tinnitus. Throughout my life, it really didn't bother me! Some days I would hear the ringing but I would just mask it with music or a tower fan at night. Never felt anxious or scared about the ringing. I attended concerts, bars, movies, etc, with no real issues, sometimes the ringing would be louder but than settled back.

Fast forward to my life a week and a half ago. I noticed the ringing was louder, higher pitch and now in both ears. It was bothersome, I couldn't mask it like before, which was frustrating me! I started to become anxious about it, which I know anxiety doesn't help any situation. I've had many sleepless nights this last week. The worse part is I've had some ear ache, pressure in both ears, tension headache, and neck pain. And outside noises seem louder, even me typing this, the clicking noise is bothering me! Having a conversation with my parents yesterday, I kept asking them why they were talking so loud, which they both said they weren't!

I starting googling this disorder, which probably made things worse, but I want to educate myself. This is how I came across this forum. I have a doctor's appointment on March 6, wanting to get reffered to an ENT. Or to discuss other options.

It has affected my quality of life this entire week, not getting proper sleep, anxiety attacks, loss of appetite, headaches, neck pain, pressure in both ears, and ear aches. I called in sick one day for work. At work, it's hard to focus, and people have approached me, asking if everything was okay with me as I'm not my usual self. Which makes me sad I started think of what possibly could have triggered it, I've been dealing with anxiety since October, not sure why, I've been listening to my ipod with ear buds the last 2 weeks but volume was never at a high, and I had dental filling done on Feb 17th.

I start worrying about the future. I bought earplugs at a pharmacy the other day, wore them while vacuuming my house, it felt so weird! I have a hair appointment next Friday, all I can think about is do I have to wear my ear plugs when she is blow drying my hair? I'm single, what's my dating and social life going to be like now. What about having children in the future? .. like I said, I'm overthinking everything! Which isn't healthy.

I've read some pretty inspiring stories from members on this forum, helps me stay positive!

Anyways, I didn't realize I was writing a novel. Sorry guys just wanted to share my current situation.

Hugs,

Jenni

 

[GregCA]

Welcome @Jenni8619 - good luck with T. It's a condition that tests you in so many ways.

 

[billie48]

The worse part is I've had some ear ache, pressure in both ears, tension headache, and neck pain. And outside noises seem louder, even me typing this, the clicking noise is bothering me!

Welcome to the forum. Sorry about your suffering with the new level of tinnitus ringing. Sometimes T can be so unpredictable without obvious causes and can be frustrating. But when you say 'worse' part in above quoted paragraph, it may be the 'best' part, because those symptoms may suggest a cause and if the cause can be fixed or healed, then T has a high chance to fade or disappear. The symptoms you listed seems to suggest TTTS or TMJ behind the problem of your T. Google these terms and you may find more symptoms. That every sound seems louder may be suggesting hyperacusis, which can be from TTTS. When you are more sure of the cause, then you can find out how to either treat the problem yourself or have a specialist to check the problem out. You should consult a doctor or ENT first though to check things out to see if you can get a referral to see a specialist.

Here is a site that talks about TTTS symptoms, which include tinnitus, pain, hyperacusis and clicking sound. So you do have quite a few similar symptoms. So check it out with the doctor. Good luck. Take good care. God bless.

http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/do-i-have-tonic-tensor-tympani-syndrome-ttts/

 

[Jenni8619]

Thank you so much @billie48 !!

This information was very useful/helpful. I briefly read the link you provided, but will read more after work. But from what I read, I can relate to a lot of the TTTS symptoms. I'm still learning all these new terms!

Happy Monday

Hugs,

Jenni

 

[Jenni8619]

Update:

I've slept the last 3 nights! What a difference. I was able to fall sleep with no sleeping aid. I've added more pillows to my bed, I found a sleeping position that I think is working, have my tower fan, and my yellow lab snoring as background noise!

The ear pain, pressure and neck pain is gone, thank goodness, I think that was the worst part! My T is not as loud as last week. I have moments where I feel anxious, but overall the last 3 days have been much better. I've been able to focus at work, I read files all day long at a computer!

I've been eating a healthier diet, taking my supplements, cut back on caffeine, drinking more water & walking my dog everyday! Praying ❤. Also making sure that i'm going to bed at the same time every night.

My mind has been in a better place! I still see my doctor next week to get referred to an ENT.

Anyways, I just wanted to share because this forum has really helped me all week too.

Thank you

Hugs,

Jenni

 

[billie48]

Thanks for your positive update. Living with tinnitus, we need to keep a positive frame of mind as much as possible. Your progress within such a short time is a positive for sure. It is quite likely that given time, you will learn to habituate to it or it will fade to a level you can ignore it easily. Hope you will keep improving and then perhaps you can write a success story. Congrats.

 

[Samantha R]

@Jenni8619
Thanks to sharing your update.
You seen like a very strong and positive person, so I am really sure you will habituate to your tinnitus.
Things do get much easier when you are able to get on top of your sleep.

 

[Jenni8619]

Thank you @Samantha R

I had one bad day this week, T was louder than usual but overall my week was okay! I'm just really tired, it's draining dealing with T, I know that sounds kinda funny!

I'm just trying to focus on the positive, easier said than done. Praying helps calm me down when I feel anxious, and I'm starting to love calming music, think my T likes it too!!

Hugs,

Jenni

 

[Michael Sullivan]

Hey @Jenni8619 Im knew to this forum to. I created my account today. My T as of yesterday became more apparent and bothersome. I've been depressed for the last couple months, but reading everyone's positivity and that we are all in this together gives me hope! You and me both. I'm single I think about my dating life and how am I going to be in a relationship with T. Mine sometimes flares up but other times calms down. This is really a horrible condition to have but we can make it through it. The happiest day will be when I can hear silence again! I have friends praying for me and I'll pray for you. God can do miracles if he wants too!

 

[Jenni8619]

Thank you @Michael Sullivan

Having T is definitely not easy, but there are so many people dealing with T just like you and me!

I told myself for the next few months, I will be focusing on myself, I need to heal. I've told my family, friends and coworkers what my situation is at the moment. That's my support system. I need them to understand that if I don't meet them at the pub or go to the movies right now, it's because I'm coping with my situation. So instead I message them asking if they want to go for tea, or for a walk, or come over to my house to watch a movie or supper! I'm still going to work, it keeps me distracted.

Today, while visiting my mom, we were sitting outside in the sun, drinking tea, and I didn't even think about my T for hours!

I guess my whole point is, sorry for blabbering, it will get better! Calm your anxiety, get your sleep, you will be amazed how different you will feel

Sending you healing vibes.

Hugs,

Jenni

 

[Jenni8619]

Quick update:

I saw a resident at my doctor's clinic today to discuss my tinnitus, he was actually helpful, and encouraging! He listened to everything I had to say, I even broke down in tears. He examined my ears, said they look perfect and there was no excessive ear wax. He was honest and told me that getting referred to an ENT in my case was pretty much useless, they will tell you there's nothing they can do and once they see tinnitus on my chart, I'd be on a waiting list forever! Guess it's not priority!

He told me that he has suffered from tinnitus after a speaker incident, in his case, it lasted 6 months and went away. So he understood where I was coming from and he kept saying ... tinnitus is annoying! LOL

Instead, we focused on techniques to help with the anxiety part with no medication. He asked me how my sleeping hygiene is, meaning what do I do before bed time, he told me to stay away from electronics (TV, phones, etc.. ) at least an hour before bed. He said bed is for sleep and sex! Haha! We talked about white noise, and keeping a healthy lifestyle, not only for T, but for ME

He suspected stress/anxiety probably triggered/spiked my T, but cannot confirm obviously. He said if my T gets worse, then we will have to re-evaluate. He told me it's hard to predict what tinnitus will do next, could settle, could go away, who knows.

Then he scheduled a hearing test for me, which is tomorrow!

Thought I would share my experience.

Jenni