Don't expect anybody to know what's happening at the edge of science. On this board it is sometimes portrayed as reality, but that does not make it reality.
Agreed. But at least I have sought out the very best doctors on the surface of the planet within their various fields:
1) Acquaklinik (ENT surgeons, headed by prof. Strauss), Germany
2) University Hospital of Leipzig (ENT dept), Germany
3) Doctor Müller (chiropractor and specialist doctor in physical rehabilitation medicine), Germany
4) Dr. Wilden (doctor & inner ear specialist), Germany
5) Stemcells21 (experts in rejuvenation medicine using stem cells and laser therapy), Thailand
6) Zhuhai Luda Hospital (traditional stem cell therapy/surgery), China
7) Professor Jeanmonod (neurosurgeon), Switzerland
8) A number of other doctors such as general practitioners for various "bits and pieces", Switzerland/Germany/Denmark
Besides that I have been in sporadic contact with various top-level researchers and CEOs of otology pharmas. I have travelled +40,000 kilometers for those combined visits. I have spent roughly 60,000 dollars on medical expenses (99% of it, non-refundable). Add to that some 10,000 dollars in travel costs... All of the treatments have been self-chosen and self-devised ie. I essentially had to become "my own doctor" because none of those treatments are listed in the standard medical textbooks. Going for a stem cell treatment for a non-listed medical condition at a reputable clinic is... well... ahem.. not exactly easy (which is probably why I am amongst the first handful of people in the world to ever do it). The amount of piece-by-piece investigative work I have had to do in order to facilitate those treatments would make most peoples' heads spin...
And perhaps most importantly, I have documented every single piece of that entire story with the staff of TT (Markku). So at least "my story" is not just another "Internet story".
I should also mention that I would never have answered the question the way I did if the TT-member had quoted you directly - and indeed it was worded in the plural from ie. "doctors' opinion". I have only the greatest appreciation for the work of surgeons, ER staff, and the combat medics on the frontlines of war. All of it is tough, difficult, and dangerous work which requires making decisions on the fly and with limited information. The rest of the medical community I am less enthusiastic about. And let's face it: none of them are experts in tinnitus, either way. Far from.
Lastly, in relation to the researchers we are corresponding with on the Trobalt trial, here is what the doctor wrote in his last message to us (after I had sent him a two page summary of suggestions):
I am fascinated by your work up to now and I am convinced that together we will be able to make the next steps.
While the above is not a guarantee for a future study of Trobalt, I trust you will agree that the statement proves that some us know what we are talking about (despite no medical background) given that the statement was made by a physician holding the rank of associate professor (and someone who is directly involved in tinnitus research).
And at least some of us are trying to push the boundaries of what's possible and going about it in a scientific way (eg. documeting the potential efficacy of Trobalt instead of contributing with endless posts in the now +100 page thread on the same topic).
attheedgeofscience
03/JAN/2015.