I Don’t Know What to Do Anymore: I'm Now in a Psychiatric Hospital and Tinnitus Is Crushing Me
- Thread starter Vicki3116
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@Vicki3116, I'm not a big fan of medications but I agreed to take a low dose of Klonopin when things got bad for me. I swear that after 2 weeks of taking it my tinnitus reduced by like 50%. And what's most important is the reactivity has gone down and the outside world doesn't sound so loud anymore.
I don't know how I'll get off it but for now I'll continue taking it in return for a bit of silence.
What I'm trying to say is that meds can help and don't have to be taken forever.
So maybe try that Amitriptyline. I took it a long time ago for headaches and it helped. It was easy to get off it.
I don't know how I'll get off it but for now I'll continue taking it in return for a bit of silence.
What I'm trying to say is that meds can help and don't have to be taken forever.
So maybe try that Amitriptyline. I took it a long time ago for headaches and it helped. It was easy to get off it.
Hey, nice to hear from you, yeah medication is a tricky one isn't it. Part of me thinks I've come this far without it so I dunno if it's worth taking now, but then part of me thinks it may help... and part of me is wanting to wait for the MRI to see if there's anything observably wrong with my strange brain.
It's kind of hard to explain how I am at the moment, my brain/ears are going wild, my chest feels like someone is sitting on it because my body is so tense but in my head I'm not bothered. I know I'll outlast these experiences/thoughts/feelings so they can take their sweet time whilst I sit in this supermarket car park and wonder if they've got my favourite yoghurt because they didn't last week. It's so weird to think normal thoughts with this absolute trip going on but what can I say, it's good yoghurt.
Hehe you made me laugh. These are all positive signs. Worrying about a yoghurt is much better than focusing on horrible noises. I hope the MRI comes clean. I've got mine next Tuesday. Decided to do it to hopefully feel more relaxed. Hope you got that yoghurt
They didn't have any! Unbelievable.Hehe you made me laugh. These are all positive signs. Worrying about a yoghurt is much better than focusing on horrible noises. I hope the MRI comes clean. I've got mine next Tuesday. Decided to do it to hopefully feel more relaxed. Hope you got that yoghurt
Is it your first MRI in relation to this? Is there anything in particular that was putting you off the MRI? xx
- May 16, 2017
- 3,754
- Tinnitus Since
- 04/2011
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Syringing + Somatic tinnitus from dental work
Had recently talked here to six others with extended conversation. With two, I suspected it was their neck and one with jaw and give opinion to what may be involved. None of these posters are listening to me. One of these posters is from an area where I once lived and two others have also recently posted on this thread. The two with obvious neck concerns did exercise before either receiving tinnitus or exercise spiked their tinnitus.
I ran their provided information by an Interventional Radiologist because he just retired. I had worked with him for the last 14 years of my employment. He said I'm correct, with two it's their neck and one with fluid travel to jaw. He knows the neck/jaw tinnitus/headache/medication connections better than anyone to be found. Not referring to my sweet friend Vicki.
I would need to see your X rays to determine if your C spine has a curve or has straighten.
One article of many on a specific angle that the neck may have taken on.
https://www.caringmedical.com/prolotherapy-news/symptoms-treatments-spinal-curvature-problems/
None of the doctors think I need an MRI. They say my tinnitus is from stress/anxiety. So I'm doing it from my own pocket to see if my brain is actually ok.
I think if it helps to put your mind at rest then it's worth the cost. Whereabouts in the world are you? I had my first MRI on the NHS but I'll be paying for the second one, am anticipating it'll be at least £1000, if not more. Did your tinnitus start out of the blue? xx
@Greg Sacramento, thank you for your reply.
Yeah, they didn't give me the X rays. I think they want to avoid having you go to a different doctor for a second opinion with the X rays. I'm going to see if I can get them to give them to me next week.
Are there treatment options other than physical therapy, or can that alone be enough?
I've had static in my head for the past month, and I've realized today that if I turn my head all the way left or right, I get quite the high pitched noise that goes away once I turn back. Do you think these two are connected? I'm trying to figure out if my regular noise that I've had since March last year is somatic or not. My regular tinnitus is around 1000 Hz with the filtered tone type. I don't have any hearing loss and I realize that this is quite low—I've seen you talk about different noise pitches and the possible causes and such before, so that's why I'm referring to you here.
I apologize for asking so many questions, but again I would really like to hear your opinion on this.
Yeah, they didn't give me the X rays. I think they want to avoid having you go to a different doctor for a second opinion with the X rays. I'm going to see if I can get them to give them to me next week.
Are there treatment options other than physical therapy, or can that alone be enough?
I've had static in my head for the past month, and I've realized today that if I turn my head all the way left or right, I get quite the high pitched noise that goes away once I turn back. Do you think these two are connected? I'm trying to figure out if my regular noise that I've had since March last year is somatic or not. My regular tinnitus is around 1000 Hz with the filtered tone type. I don't have any hearing loss and I realize that this is quite low—I've seen you talk about different noise pitches and the possible causes and such before, so that's why I'm referring to you here.
I apologize for asking so many questions, but again I would really like to hear your opinion on this.
- May 16, 2017
- 3,754
- Tinnitus Since
- 04/2011
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Syringing + Somatic tinnitus from dental work
@nocticolor With a steady single high pitch tone (non somatic) but with any times (even not being often) where tinnitus is less, neck muscle spasms may be placing pressure to C spine and any understandable emotional stress and posture could also increase this factor.
It's may be that a cold, flu or allergies caused fluid travel (younger age female factor) to one ear. This can also cause the auditory nerve to inflame that travels into neck. With a tympanometry and a good audiogram, it may be that fluids are now only present in the sternocleidomastoid. With this mention, there needs to be at least some times (even once a week/month where tinnitus is less. Although, it's possible that fluids never traveled to the inner ear because you don't have any multi facial system problems such as jaw tenderness. The sternocleidomastoid muscle can cause tinnitus by spasms or by fluid travel from a cold or flu. This is often why those with a flu or cold complain of neck stiffness.
See if you can get neck X rays and then maybe some gentle neck muscle outward extension therapy if neck (C spine) has straighten. If there's a curve then direct pressure to the sternocleidomastoids and other muscles.
Try warm moist compresses on sides and back of neck - one minute in each location - and repeat a couple of times. Do this three times a day. Try some Glycinate magnesium for two weeks - 100 mg pieces - three times a day and one more time before going to sleep for a total of 400mg within 24 hours.
It's may be that a cold, flu or allergies caused fluid travel (younger age female factor) to one ear. This can also cause the auditory nerve to inflame that travels into neck. With a tympanometry and a good audiogram, it may be that fluids are now only present in the sternocleidomastoid. With this mention, there needs to be at least some times (even once a week/month where tinnitus is less. Although, it's possible that fluids never traveled to the inner ear because you don't have any multi facial system problems such as jaw tenderness. The sternocleidomastoid muscle can cause tinnitus by spasms or by fluid travel from a cold or flu. This is often why those with a flu or cold complain of neck stiffness.
See if you can get neck X rays and then maybe some gentle neck muscle outward extension therapy if neck (C spine) has straighten. If there's a curve then direct pressure to the sternocleidomastoids and other muscles.
Try warm moist compresses on sides and back of neck - one minute in each location - and repeat a couple of times. Do this three times a day. Try some Glycinate magnesium for two weeks - 100 mg pieces - three times a day and one more time before going to sleep for a total of 400mg within 24 hours.
Hi Vicky, I too went to a psychiatric hospital when I first developed tinnitus 3 months ago. I was feeling quite desperate and couldn't believe there was no cure to this terrible condition. However, 3 months later I am in a much better place emotionally than where I was at the onset of my tinnitus. I cannot say I am completely habituated but I have made an amazing progress that I didn't think it was possible in such a short period of time.
Trust others when they say that habituation is possible, you too will get there. It may take time, don't compare your progress to others because each case is unique (for some people may take months) but the human brain will adapt.
Hope you feel better and take it one day at a time.
Trust others when they say that habituation is possible, you too will get there. It may take time, don't compare your progress to others because each case is unique (for some people may take months) but the human brain will adapt.
Hope you feel better and take it one day at a time.
I'm in Mexico right now but have lived in the UK for many years. Am going back in 3 weeks. It should be less than £1000. I've looked it up for London and it was around £700. Here I'll pay less than that so want to do it before I go back. Good luck with yours.
@Greg Sacramento, my tinnitus definitely fluctuates and I know that my posture is not good :/ I try my best to correct myself because my neck and the base of my skull do often ache but it's not so easy.
The onset of my original tinnitus happened after a pretty bad cold where my sinuses and ears were completely stuffed. Unfortunately the first ENT I went to didn't do a tympanometry, but the second ENT I went to a couple weeks later did do one that was fine. Sometimes my mandibles are tender but very rarely...
I've already ordered the Magnesium and will do the compresses! I'll also try to get those X-ray pictures.
Thank you again for your valuable input!
The onset of my original tinnitus happened after a pretty bad cold where my sinuses and ears were completely stuffed. Unfortunately the first ENT I went to didn't do a tympanometry, but the second ENT I went to a couple weeks later did do one that was fine. Sometimes my mandibles are tender but very rarely...
I've already ordered the Magnesium and will do the compresses! I'll also try to get those X-ray pictures.
Thank you again for your valuable input!
How are you doing? Failed to mention I also take Lunesta for sleep. Appreciate your positive outlook.
It sounds like the work of Frank Kinslow would help you given your description of it disappearing if you do nothing. All of his work revolves around doing nothing and by doing so, entering a state of deep relaxation. It's very hard to explain, but it has been very helpful to me.
This has also helped me:
Thiamine Pyrophosphate/Cocarboxylase
https://www.amazon.com/Source-Natur...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
I hope you're feeling better soon!
-Azariah
A few comments to add to the comments already made by others. I hope mine are helpful... but please feel free to reject them if they aren't.
As you can see in my avatar, I have had tinnitus since 1985. Sometimes it's been terrible. Lately, it has been very very mild, and sometimes it goes away entirely. I'm habituated to it. It's just a thing now.
It's like when I first had to start wearing glasses. It was very annoying having to feel this heavy thing on my nose at first. Now, it's just a thing.
I think the worst part about tinntus is the mental anxiety that focusing on it can cause---by wanting to fight it and make it go away so you can be "normal" again. Then, when it does invariably improve---most of us long-timers have experienced this fluctuation---the anxiety that it will get worse again. Then, if it does get worse again, the anger and depression and frustration---and the fear that it will never get better again.
All of this thinking causes suffering.
There is no normal or abnormal.
There is only what is.
What I'm saying is, my attitude at this point---after 36 years---is very zen. Either the tinnitus will get worse or it won't. Either it will get better or it won't. Either it will stay the same or it won't.
No matter what happens, though, I'm staying right here.
I'm not going anywhere.
I'm living my life no matter what.
I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time right now. I truly hope the tinnitus disappears for you and you can just go on with your life as it was before. That might happen. It often does. That's the thing about tinnitus---there is no normal course of the syndrome. Sometimes it just disappears like it just began---out of nowhere. Sometimes it comes and goes for 36 years. Sometimes it stays constant. No way to tell what your future will be.
You can't control that.
But you can, with effort, decide how to respond to it.
I know that seems impossible right now... but this is the best I can offer to you after living with tinnitus for 36 years.
It's totally possible to have terrible tinnitus and not be emotionally bothered by it at all. I know that's not where you are right now.... but it's possible!
I hope that gives you some hope.
It will get better.
As you can see in my avatar, I have had tinnitus since 1985. Sometimes it's been terrible. Lately, it has been very very mild, and sometimes it goes away entirely. I'm habituated to it. It's just a thing now.
It's like when I first had to start wearing glasses. It was very annoying having to feel this heavy thing on my nose at first. Now, it's just a thing.
I think the worst part about tinntus is the mental anxiety that focusing on it can cause---by wanting to fight it and make it go away so you can be "normal" again. Then, when it does invariably improve---most of us long-timers have experienced this fluctuation---the anxiety that it will get worse again. Then, if it does get worse again, the anger and depression and frustration---and the fear that it will never get better again.
All of this thinking causes suffering.
There is no normal or abnormal.
There is only what is.
What I'm saying is, my attitude at this point---after 36 years---is very zen. Either the tinnitus will get worse or it won't. Either it will get better or it won't. Either it will stay the same or it won't.
No matter what happens, though, I'm staying right here.
I'm not going anywhere.
I'm living my life no matter what.
I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time right now. I truly hope the tinnitus disappears for you and you can just go on with your life as it was before. That might happen. It often does. That's the thing about tinnitus---there is no normal course of the syndrome. Sometimes it just disappears like it just began---out of nowhere. Sometimes it comes and goes for 36 years. Sometimes it stays constant. No way to tell what your future will be.
You can't control that.
But you can, with effort, decide how to respond to it.
I know that seems impossible right now... but this is the best I can offer to you after living with tinnitus for 36 years.
It's totally possible to have terrible tinnitus and not be emotionally bothered by it at all. I know that's not where you are right now.... but it's possible!
I hope that gives you some hope.
It will get better.
Hey, nice to hear from you
I can't tell you how much I agree with what you've written! A million times over. The glasses are a great analogy because I believe, much like glasses, we have to accept the weight of it being there to enable us to see through it. Your glasses will always be a hindrance if you're constantly looking at the frame and thinking about how unfair it is that you have to wear them when a lot of people don't, but if you literally look through them, you're back engaging with the world. It's the same with this. If you can listen/think past it, then does it matter if it's there?
I so agree with the part about being zen, you literally can't control this and the harder you try, the worse the distress. I woke up in the night a couple of nights ago with this super high pitch right in my head and I was like 'wow, this is different', carried on reading the news on my phone and I could hear it subsiding without trying to force it away. Because you can't, you simply can't force yourself to experience anything other than what you do.
Totally agree about the response thing too, because that is within our control. Like yesterday, I was having an argument on the phone with someone, my head started going crazy, I felt completely disoriented and dissociated and wanted to hang up so I could let the noises calm down because it was so seriously uncomfortable in my head.
But then I thought to myself 'you can't keep doing this, you're annoyed with this person for a reason, stick up for yourself and tell them why and stop thinking that the problems in your head are greater than your actual life'. I can't keep believing that I am in the biggest problem in my life.
I do think we need to let go of the idea of normal and how we were before, because ironically, I feel that's what stops us being ourselves. Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say, and it can also be applicable when we compare ourselves to ourselves as it were.
I absolutely love your post, you have such a realistic, balanced view. You clearly accept yourself and that is the ultimate achievement because knowing you can handle yourself and whatever comes your way removes fear. Noise or no noise
xxxGlad to hear you are doing ok.
No changes for me. My tinnitus has not changed. My tinnitus is very somatic. I can flex my jaw or do anything that tightens my TMJ muscles on my right side and it gets louder. I was diagnosed with TMJ and have worn splints a little over 8 months which helped my TMJ pain but not my tinnitus.
A lot of frustration from the drug perspective too. I was tapering off the Klonopin but put that on hold because I also take Lunesta which is classified as a Z drug and has similar characteristics to benzos. Since Lunesta has a shorter half life I am trying to get off that first now.
So my body is in a continual state of flux. I also have been trying a higher frequency hearing aid with masking but that seems to make it worse. Still using my background sound all day. Surviving day to day. It would be so nice to find something that would lower the volume but nothing yet. I would love to try to habituate but not close to that point.
Dear Vicki - such a succinct summary of this nightmare scenario, and such an inspiring suggestion for diverting the hopelessness into the only possible optional challenge remaining to us.
"I wonder what I can do despite these noises."
Inspirational.
Thank you Vicki.
I'm having a very tough time myself just now
and you helped me.......x
Dave xx
Jazzer
Hey, nice to hear from you, I've read a lot of your posts and your strength and stoicism are inspiring. I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time, do you have any idea what's contributed to that?
Remember there's no pressure here, you're doing just fine. And however you feel is ok. Take a deep breath, tell yourself you're doing your best and that's enough. One day at a time my friend xxx
I lost Sylvia, the love of my life, four months ago.
She was literally my everything, my lover, my wife, my mother, my hypnotherapist.
And now I cope with severe Tinnitus, Parkinson's, and Loss.
But I need to come through this period.
Responsibilities.
Children, grandchildren, pussycats.
Sorry to unload on you Vickie,
Dave xx
Jazzer
You are not unloading at all! You're reaching out and telling people how you're feeling and that can only be a good thing.
Sylvia looks absolutely amazing, and to lose someone who is essentially the foundation of your life is going to be difficult for anyone, never mind all the rest that you're facing. That photo is beautiful, you can see the love between you both.
I'm so sorry for your loss, there's nothing I can say that will make it easier and I don't want to give you platitudes about remembering the good times etc, because I'm sure you're well aware of them. That's exactly what makes loss so painful, isn't it?
I really admire your courage and strength. I've read a lot of your posts and the thing that always strikes me about you is, despite everything you're facing, your personality shines through. Yes you have your challenges (that word doesn't seem adequate really) to face, but the you underneath it all, the real you, is always there.
So carry on putting one foot in front of the other for those children, grandchildren and pussycats in your life who love you. And I know I don't have to tell you this, but there's love for you here too. No one is going to replace beautiful Sylvia, not in a million years, but you're not on your own.
Is there anything you've found that helps through this rough time, anything you look forward to? Do you still do your morning meditation? xxx
'WOW - Vickie - what a beautiful post for me to read.
You see me so well.
You have the intuition to suggest real healing thoughts.
You remind me of the angel I have just lost.
I have long thought that the strongest asset of this website is that it provides the opportunity for sufferers to meet, relate, and 'spread the love.'
My darling Sylvia's final words were:
Yes Vickie - I still meditate every morning, and I replay Sylvie's hypnotherapy session which she recorded onto my iPhone before bed each night.
Dave xx
I'm so pleased you have that recording! That's such a lovely thing to have, being able to hear someone's voice when they're no longer here is just magic. I still have my Great Auntie's voicemail messages to me and listen to them for comfort. Admittedly they're mostly 'hello.....hello.....what is wrong with this f*****g phone....hello?' because she didn't really have a clue how voicemail works, but still
I definitely see you, and the love you spread. Being able to do that when you're facing such difficulties is amazing. Sylvie would be so, so proud of you. Afford yourself some of that, you have every reason to be proud of yourself. Sylvie may well be your angel, but there's a reason that angel chose you xxx
Wow, @Jazzer. I hope to be lucky enough to one day find my own Sylvia. I'm deeply sorry for your loss but I truly do believe that the ones who love us never really leave us. I'm sure your children and grandchildren feel lucky too, to have such a strong (grand)dad.
@Vicky3116, the fact that despite your current situation you have such beautiful words for others says a lot about you. I believe you'll get through this and wish you all the best.
@Vicky3116, the fact that despite your current situation you have such beautiful words for others says a lot about you. I believe you'll get through this and wish you all the best.
That's such a lovely thing to say, thank you. I believe in trying to create happiness, or at least hope, for other people because if you can create it, then you can't ever doubt it exists. Even if it's not yours to hold right now xxx
You're not wrong, 100mg is a therapeutic dose for depression. Usually they don't prescribe much more than 25mg as a sleep aid for tinnitus.
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