I could use some helpful advice. I'm suffering.

Maithe Marshall

Maithe Marshall

Member
Author
Feb 23, 2014
228
31
New Mexico
Tinnitus Since
Last week.
#1
How all of this began for me is strange..
They say tinnitus is a symptom of a underlying "cause."
I flew fromVirginia to New Mexico about 2 weeks ago..that's when all my ear issues began. A day after flying I noticed I had a pulse feeling in my right ear, felt like my ear drum was moving or something, headed to the hospital and was told I had "inflammation" and was prescribed antibiotic and for some reason the hospital dr didn't fax the prescription to the on base pharmacy ( husband in the military.) so I went to a ENT who told me that this should go away in a few weeks, months etc. Still the pulse feeling freaked me out went back to the hospital Friday and told I had fluid in my ear and to take a decongestant. Than the ringing began Monday and I freaked..back to the hospital! And told I had Eustachian tube dysfunction because my ears feel cloggy and I can hear a water rushing sound whenever I open my mouth.
I was prescribed a steroid nasal spray and it didn't work..
Back to the ENT had a hearing test..told my hearing was perfect and that this will go away that he thinks my ears are having a hard time equalizing the pressure. Well...here it is 7 days later and still ringing..has driving me nuts, major panic attacks, anxiety, crying,depression I've been sitting in bed for a week..my husband has been trying to calm me and tell me this is going to go away. Everyone keeps telling me this will go away.. I even went to a different hospital a 4th time and was told to relax that this is normal and will go away. I have never been the one to have ear infections, listen to loud music, haven't been near anything "loud" not even a concert...
My right ear still gets that pulse dance feeling and my tinnitus rings change from low to high pitch...
I'm really scared im 20 years old and don't understand what's happening..

This is my cell number 253-305-4176 if anyone can give me some advice and help me cope..or write back.
 
#2
Maithe,

I'm sorry you are having a rough time. Tinnitus is a symptom, and when doctors can find the cause, and treat it, there is a good chance the tinnitus will disappear over time. Chances are good that the issues you are having with your ears will all go away, including the tinnitus and the pulse feeling.

Ear inflammation and fluid in the ear is often treated with antibiotics. Eustachian tube function may be poor for a few months after inflammation of the ear, so it isn't surprising that one followed the other in your case. This is normal. Doctors usually recommend using decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroids to treat Eustachian tube disorders, either in combination or separately. If one medication doesn't work, your doctor may be willing to try another.

I hope you feel better soon.

here2help
 
#3
Thank you, I really hope this goes away....I really fear it isn't..
Even though drs and everyone has told me it will..I don't understand how this even happened..didn't even know what tinnitus was until I looked up ringing in the ears and literally feel apart.
 
#4
Maithe Marshall said:
Thank you, I really hope this goes away....I really fear it isn't..
Even though drs and everyone has told me it will..I don't understand how this even happened..didn't even know what tinnitus was until I looked up ringing in the ears and literally feel apart.
Click to expand...
You have a really really good chance of it goin away.. I agree with here2help.. And its gonna take a lil to clear up but it most likely will.. Just hang in there :)
 
#5
Maithe,

I also believe you have a good chance of it going away. In the early days of tinnitus, it is normal to feel anxiety and fear, but if you can try to remain calm, keep yourself distracted, and take the antibiotics and other treatments your doctor prescribes, things should begin to improve. It also helps to make sure you get enough sleep; tinnitus will seem even worse without a good night's sleep. Many of us use sound machines or recordings (nature sounds, water running, a fan, etc.) to help us fall asleep, and that may help, too.

I wish you a calm evening, and lots of hugs. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and don't despair. Things will get better!!

Best wishes,
Karen
 
#7
Maithe Marshall said:
I really hope things get better...my anxiety keeps getting worse, sometimes suicidal thoughts..
I don't know how I'll cope with this forever.
Click to expand...


Maithe
It is normal to feel this way at the onset (I recall the thoughts I had); however, your's is likely not permanent. I know I felt like a hopeless, cornered fat-rat with a big tiger in the room (simply overwhelmed). Looking back, now, I can see that none of those thoughts were warranted (though understandable) and I'm so grateful I didn't act on them. As hard as it is to do right now, try to keep your anxiety levels down -- your anxiety is fueling it. I know, not easy to do; I think we all had to really work at it. Staying positive is your best bet.

I'll keep you in my prayers
Mark
 
#8
Thank you so much, your comments have really helped me. I really hope this isn't permanent..because I don't understand what could have caused it. I guess I'm afraid of thinking about the the next few days..
It scares me a lot, I really do hope that if this is Permeant that things DO get better for me. I know that I'll have a very hard time coping.
 
#9
Maithe Marshall said:
Thank you so much, your comments have really helped me. I really hope this isn't permanent..because I don't understand what could have caused it. I guess I'm afraid of thinking about the the next few days..
It scares me a lot, I really do hope that if this is Permeant that things DO get better for me. I know that I'll have a very hard time coping.
Click to expand...

Maithe, considering the cause and nature of your tinnitus (inflammation, fluid in the ears, changing in pressure) I would imagine that it will go away or greatly reduce in the coming days or weeks. The best thing to do is not to think about it too much. Avoid exposing yourself to loud sounds for the time being. That means vacuuming, listening to music loud, mowing the lawn, going to concerts, anything for a while until your find our more about what is going on with your ringing.

Hell, if all else fails you could look into checking out the recently started AM-101 trial. You'd be a perfect candidate for it and I wish it had been around when I first got tinnitus!

I'm 27 though... and I've had it since I was 17. Hang in there!
 
#11
Maithe Marshall said:
Thank you, I honestly hope it goes away as randomly as it occurred..
How does tinnitus even happen? And what is 101-am? I am eager to know, is it available in the U.S?
Click to expand...

Yes, Maithe. It's available in the US, although it's currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial.

You can email Katherine Eaton, Ph.D., CCRC+1.513.579.9911 or auris-trials@medpace.com to inquire if they have a participating research site in the New Mexico area. They may have some up in Colorado, if you'd be willing to take a drive.
 
#12
Thank you, has it been proven to help?
I am just in great amount of depression..
I can't believe I went 8 days ago the happiest person ever just worried about the math section on my military asvab..( test you have to take to join the military) it's so scary to me..
My t is very high pitched right now and has me worried..
 
#13
Maithe Marshall said:
Thank you, has it been proven to help?
I am just in great amount of depression..
I can't believe I went 8 days ago the happiest person ever just worried about the math section on my military asvab..( test you have to take to join the military) it's so scary to me..
My t is very high pitched right now and has me worried..
Click to expand...

No, it has not been proven to help. That is why it is a Phase III clinical trial. The trial is set up to establish the efficacy of the treatment. I personally would try it if I were you. However, I'm not. You will find that there are precious few treatment options available other than anti-depressants and sound therapy.
 
#15
@dan Oh no I'm not my husband in the military I am not ( yet I'm actually currently joining the air national guard) but with all this going on I haven't gone to my meps station yet to enlist..

Trying to do one thing at a time.

And thank you for the information @Hudson I will actually be looking into it..
This is so very hard to handle..any coping ideas? And does this ever get better? I hope with time if this is permanent* that things get better for me..for everyone suffering T on this blog, hopefully there really is a cure for it soon.
 
#17
No if I join I'm actually going in as something medical, most likely medical services so I would not be near any loud noises. It's been my dream since freshman year and the military makes you wear hearing protection now ( just not if your In combat I believe). I don't believe in giving up on a dream just yet. Air national guardsmen are actually full time college students ( or have jobs) deploying is not common unless you volunteer or they seriously need you. @dan
 
#19
Aha well I kind of hope they do, I've always wanted to deploy ( I know what some people think "why") I guess it's a military thing if you really want to join you understand. But I'll defiantly wear hearing protection even to bed if I was deployed lol.
 
#21
Teacherman is right, Maithe. One of the best things you can do in the early phases of tinnitus is to find ways to keep busy, to distract yourself. If you can get outside and exercise, it will do you lots of good. I've found that when I'm outside, I don't notice my tinnitus as much.

We all wish you the best, and hope things improve for you!

Karen
 
#24
Hello Maithe! 7 days is too short to say that it is permanent. Many people experience tinnitus for periods of time. Some even have it for months for no apparent reason. So there is a good chance it will go away. At this point, Google is your enemy. You are going to overthink, concentrate on it more and this is not going to contribute to your recovery. I advise you to focus on other things and forget about your tinnitus. Then re-evaluate it in a month :) I believe you are going to be fine and tinnitus-free in a short time. And if not, like Hudson said, you can always participate in the trials of AM101.
 
#25
I agree with Stina. Yes, tinnitus can come on suddenly, for no apparent reason. But, it may go away just as suddenly. Think positive thoughts (it's hard, I know!), don't worry, try to get lots of sleep, and focus on other things in your life. In time, you may notice that it will subside on its own. Do give it some time; things may look a lot better a month from now!
 
#26
Hi @Maithe Marshall - Sorry about your tinnitus and I sure hope it goes away! I got fluid in my ear from a airplane descending in 2008. I was on antibiotics for a week or two. The fluid drained but it took about a month from what I remember.

I have tinnitus but am not positive it was from that incident, or noise exposure, or both. I seem to have some eustachian tube problems right now and was going to order a "ear popper". I have no idea if they help or are worth buying, but just a idea. It may help your fluid drain faster possibly. You may need a prescription and check with your doctor on their opinion of them.

The EarPopper is here:

Home Version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449CW36/?tag=tinntalk-20

Pro Version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FCBTGW/?tag=tinntalk-20
 
#28
Thank you @Stina it just really scared me that my body would suddenly do this ( as I am a organic and workout freak ) I am super healthy and have never had ear trouble in the past..
I had 1 ear infection in high school because I was in a swim team ( normal though it was swimmers ear) so this is all very stressing and has caused me to have highs and lows and lots of anxiety and panic attacks :(
 
#29
Maithe Marshall said:
Thank you @Stina it just really scared me that my body would suddenly do this ( as I am a organic and workout freak ) I am super healthy and have never had ear trouble in the past..
I had 1 ear infection in high school because I was in a swim team ( normal though it was swimmers ear) so this is all very stressing and has caused me to have highs and lows and lots of anxiety and panic attacks :(
Click to expand...

That's pretty normal when tinnitus first hits. Anxiety and depression surrounding the condition are an unfortunate co-morbidity with tinnitus sufferers. As you have stated earlier, many people do not realize that it can happen or even exist.

It is also pretty difficult to nail down the exact cause of tinnitus in many people. The problem is that it is a symptom of a large range of dysfunctions within the auditory system. Remember, tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease in and of itself.

Staying busy and working out are great ways for you to combat the anxiety you're feeling. Try to avoid the feelings of hopelessness and despair. Of course, that's a hell of a lot easier said than done. I know.
 

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