Hi, I’m Samantha! I Developed Tinnitus 2 Months Ago and I Don’t Know Why

[Stuart-T]

Hi Stuart,

I'll look that up right away. Not super flexible/in shape but have been doing better so I'll see about trying to get into that position. Will look up some safe ways on YouTube.

I actually stopped going to the chiropractor.

I had a few good weeks recently. I stopped thinking about and worrying about my tinnitus so much, but my anxiety still plagued me. I went to a sound and light show 3 nights ago and used my earplugs for half of it. Didn't think it was too loud, but about 30 minutes after I got home I heard a loud flash bang noise in my left ear and it has been twitching and having spasms since with a high pitched more code type noise. Not sure if it is the sound that caused it or what - possibly TTTS.

It most likely was the show you attended. I love opera - but only risk listening at fairly low level on my home sound system. No headphones. My opera going days are probably over. Might be a good idea to avoid significant noise exposure in future.

 

[SamRosemary]

It most likely was the show you attended. I love opera - but only risk listening at fairly low level on my home sound system. No headphones. My opera going days are probably over. Might be a good idea to avoid significant noise exposure in future.

I agree. It's just so weird because I've never been consistently around loud noise, noise trauma, or used headphones, so I really didn't think that would be an issue to me. It didn't even seem loud, but I did put some earplugs in halfway through. Last time this noise happened was after seeing a chiropractor.

 

[Stuart-T]

I agree. It's just so weird because I've never been consistently around loud noise, noise trauma, or used headphones, so I really didn't think that would be an issue to me. It didn't even seem loud, but I did put some earplugs in halfway through. Last time this noise happened was after seeing a chiropractor.

I also was never exposed to regular loud noise - I always worked from home. In my 20s I went to a nightclub once - and my ears rang for a couple of hours, then settled. But I never did that again. Classical concerts and opera - not the same level of sound as the thundering speakers in a nightclub. So no reason for me to have hearing loss other than age (mmm a good reason perhaps). I have some marginal hearing loss in the mid to higher range in both ears - but I think earwax caused my tinnitus and even though the earwax is gone now - I am left with this hissing. However - exposing my eardrums to additional noise is something I am now trying to avoid.

Good idea to top on vitamin D even if it does not resolve your tinnitus.

You seem to have been prescribed many meds though I understand how desperate you must have been when you went to the hospital on May 3. The general consensus on this forum seems to be that meds are best avoided if possible though I note many people are regular long term users. I have taken nothing except some useless supplements.

You have a child - do you have a partner too? I can't begin to imagine what it is like bringing up a child and dealing with this. I was married 20 years and got tinniy 1 year after divorce. My ex doesn't know and I am saying nothing - she would probably say it serves me right!

 

[SamRosemary]

I also was never exposed to regular loud noise - I always worked from home. In my 20s I went to a nightclub once - and my ears rang for a couple of hours, then settled. But I never did that again. Classical concerts and opera - not the same level of sound as the thundering speakers in a nightclub. So no reason for me to have hearing loss other than age (mmm a good reason perhaps). I have some marginal hearing loss in the mid to higher range in both ears - but I think earwax caused my tinnitus and even though the earwax is gone now - I am left with this hissing. However - exposing my eardrums to additional noise is something I am now trying to avoid.

Good idea to top on vitamin D even if it does not resolve your tinnitus.

You seem to have been prescribed many meds though I understand how desperate you must have been when you went to the hospital on May 3. The general consensus on this forum seems to be that meds are best avoided if possible though I note many people are regular long term users. I have taken nothing except some useless supplements.

You have a child - do you have a partner too? I can't begin to imagine what it is like bringing up a child and dealing with this. I was married 20 years and got tinniy 1 year after divorce. My ex doesn't know and I am saying nothing - she would probably say it serves me right!

I'm going to be way more cautious. It's difficult living downtown in a busy city. There's always loud trucks, sirens, people yelling...

I've tried many different vitamins, even have a bunch I purchased but haven't tried yet. The one I've stuck with so far is Magnesium at night time because it helps me sleep.

As for medications. I only lasted 8 days on Sertraline and have taken one 0.25 mg Lorazepam in the last month. I've never been on any medications long term in my life and have been trying to avoid it, but the anxiety that I've been having has been impossible to manage, that I've been considering trying the Sertraline again. Even just for 6 months or so to stabilize my mood to deal with this. I'm supposed to go back to my nursing program in a few weeks and I'm terrified.

My son's father and I split recently after 10 years, but he has been helping me/helping with our son. I'm in rough shape the last few days so I need it.

 

[Stuart-T]

I'm going to be way more cautious. It's difficult living downtown in a busy city. There's always loud trucks, sirens, people yelling...

I've tried many different vitamins, even have a bunch I purchased but haven't tried yet. The one I've stuck with so far is Magnesium at night time because it helps me sleep.

As for medications. I only lasted 8 days on Sertraline and have taken one 0.25 mg Lorazepam in the last month. I've never been on any medications long term in my life and have been trying to avoid it, but the anxiety that I've been having has been impossible to manage, that I've been considering trying the Sertraline again. Even just for 6 months or so to stabilize my mood to deal with this. I'm supposed to go back to my nursing program in a few weeks and I'm terrified.

My son's father and I split recently after 10 years, but he has been helping me/helping with our son. I'm in rough shape the last few days so I need it.

OK hang in there. I'm glad your ex is helping out though I can imagine how tough it is being on your own dealing with this. The general feedback on this board seems to be that even in severe cases - if you can get through the first year or so - it does get better. Keep us updated.

 

[SamRosemary]

Hey,

I just felt like doing a little ramble about how I currently am and the status of my tinnitus and my life.

Tinnitus is still more loud. I have 3 tones in both ears (I think). Baseline in both, a loud hiss and screech and a morse code in the left. It's 24/7 up and down, left and right. I still haven't figured out triggers or what helps. I 'think' I'm nearing the end of a 3 week spike. I'm about 5 and a half months in now.

The first couple of months I constantly focused on it, but was able to distract. Now I don't focus on it but hear it all the time. I'm not sure if this is progress or not. I still manage life. School, work, taking care of my home and my child.

I've been unofficially diagnosed by my physiotherapist as having panic disorder and agoraphobia and recently started CBT. My family doctor prescribed me benzos and SSRIs for anxiety, but I don't take them. I've been trying everything else before medication and I think I'm starting to understand and manage my panic attacks and agoraphobia.

I would say compared to the first few months, I'm emotionally doing better. I don't let the noises put me in a spiral and ruin me. I still have really bad days and struggle, but as weird as it is to say - I'm mostly managing okay.

I don't know if the noise will get better. I'm still super hopeful for progress/habituation, but I'm not there. But that's okay! I'm here and trying.

I've met so many wonderful people here and find these threads super beneficial. I'm going to continue on my journey of self healing.

To add; still no idea on cause. Still seeking medical answers (not ready to give up/let go). I do wish life was easier and I feel like I'm super low sometimes, but also there's minutes and hours I'm thriving and loving life still.