Losing It... What Can I Do?

[cviechec]

I'm sitting here laughing at myself/my situation like a maniac. Every time I try to do something to help myself, I make my situation permanently worse.

5 months ago I took Ibuprofen for wrist pain/inflammation, and that caused my tinnitus. Since then, I've been miserable with severe tinnitus. I've tried a lot of things to fix it, to no avail. I read about ETD, and saw that taking flonase or something similar might help open up eustachian tubes and perhaps lower the Tinnitus. Well, a week or so after I started taking it, I notice I have a shitload of floaters I've never had.

It's a super rare side effect from flonase, apparently. Kind of how it's rare to get permanent tinnitus from ibuprofen. Well, here I am, now with tinnitus for potentially the rest of my life (not habituated) and am now subject to floaters (ironically one thing I've always said since tinnitus is at least my vision is okay) for also potentially the rest of my life.

I'm going to a doctor tomorrow for any potential anti-depressant that I can take that can help me but I always win the fucked side -effect lotto so that will probably make me worse too.

I want to give up but the only reason I haven't/won't is not wanting to hurt my family.

What do I do?

 

[Bill Bauer]

I don't think you should conclude that your condition is permanent. There is still hope that it will fade.

How long ago did you notice those floaters?

 

[cviechec]

I don't think you should conclude that your condition is permanent. There is still hope that it will fade.

How long ago did you notice those floaters?

Started a few days ago, got an opthamologist appointment friday and a general checkup for potential anti-depressants tomorrow

 

[Bill Bauer]

Started a few days ago, got an opthamologist appointment friday and a general checkup for potential anti-depressants tomorrow

I just did a quick Google search, and it looks like visual snow is not a lifelong condition for many people...

Have you noticed Any improvement in your tinnitus compared to how it felt three months ago?

 

[cviechec]

I just did a quick Google search, and it looks like visual snow is not a lifelong condition for many people...

Have you noticed Any improvement in your tinnitus compared to how it felt three months ago?

Visual snow honestly doesn't bother me that much. I think I've always had visual snow. I do believe T made it worse though. What is bothering me is the new onset of floaters. I mask my tinnitus most of the time (i know, i shouldn't) so it's hard to measure the volume. i'd say i have more good days now than before but the improvement if any is extremely minor.

 

[Bill Bauer]

improvement if any is extremely minor

I never heard of T fading fast. The improvement is always minor. The fact that it is not relentlessly at the same level is a great news. I think there is a high chance that your tinnitus will fade.

What is the difference between floaters and visual snow?

 

[DebInAustralia]

I'm sitting here laughing at myself/my situation like a maniac. Every time I try to do something to help myself, I make my situation permanently worse.

5 months ago I took Ibuprofen for wrist pain/inflammation, and that caused my tinnitus. Since then, I've been miserable with severe tinnitus. I've tried a lot of things to fix it, to no avail. I read about ETD, and saw that taking flonase or something similar might help open up eustachian tubes and perhaps lower the Tinnitus. Well, a week or so after I started taking it, I notice I have a shitload of floaters I've never had.

It's a super rare side effect from flonase, apparently. Kind of how it's rare to get permanent tinnitus from ibuprofen. Well, here I am, now with tinnitus for potentially the rest of my life (not habituated) and am now subject to floaters (ironically one thing I've always said since tinnitus is at least my vision is okay) for also potentially the rest of my life.

I'm going to a doctor tomorrow for any potential anti-depressant that I can take that can help me but I always win the fucked side -effect lotto so that will probably make me worse too.

I want to give up but the only reason I haven't/won't is not wanting to hurt my family.

What do I do?

I am sorry for your dilemma. I truly understand where you are at right now. Its horrible.

But, it doesnt have to be permanent.

Im nearing my fourth year with severe t and h, which were caused by ciprofloxacillin.

Back at the start, I couldnt imagine how I was going to manage to move forward with this hidious symptom.

But, I did. Gradually, I have adapted to the presence of my t to the point that I am largely either unaware of my t or not as bothered by it.

I have mentioned in other posts that I received adipose derived stem cells in May. These are observations only. My h has dramatically improved, and my t has become more of a background noise. I would normally have big spikes every 2-3 months, but have only had one small scaled spike that lasted a short while before returning back to baseline. My stem cell dr stated that he has had the best results using stems with people who have been affected by ototoxicity. So, you may be able to consider this if you are in a financial position to do so.

It will feel like your life is over. I can assure you that it is not. Your brain will adapt.

Audiogram? Results?

For now, get as much quality sleep that you can, use mindfulness cbt, and yes, perhaps ADs if you feel you need them. Glynis has stated in her posts that noratryptilline has gotten rid of her head noise. Others have found mirtazepine helpful. Or, you can consider natural alternatives ie L tryptophan.

You will get through this. Dont give up. All of us at some point experienced exactly what you are going through right now, and many of us, have come through the other end. You are not alone. So, keep coming back here, draw upon the support offered, and trust that you will be ok.

 

[cviechec]

I am sorry for your dilemma. I truly understand where you are at right now. Its horrible.

But, it doesnt have to be permanent.

Im nearing my fourth year with severe t and h, which were caused by ciprofloxacillin.

Back at the start, I couldnt imagine how I was going to manage to move forward with this hidious symptom.

But, I did. Gradually, I have adapted to the presence of my t to the point that I am largely either unaware of my t or not as bothered by it.

I have mentioned in other posts that I received adipose derived stem cells in May. These are observations only. My h has dramatically improved, and my t has become more of a background noise. I would normally have big spikes every 2-3 months, but have only had one small scaled spike that lasted a short while before returning back to baseline. My stem cell dr stated that he has had the best results using stems with people who have been affected by ototoxicity. So, you may be able to consider this if you are in a financial position to do so.

It will feel like your life is over. I can assure you that it is not. Your brain will adapt.

Audiogram? Results?

For now, get as much quality sleep that you can, use mindfulness cbt, and yes, perhaps ADs if you feel you need them. Glynis has stated in her posts that noratryptilline has gotten rid of her head noise. Others have found mirtazepine helpful. Or, you can consider natural alternatives ie L tryptophan.

You will get through this. Dont give up. All of us at some point experienced exactly what you are going through right now, and many of us, have come through the other end. You are not alone. So, keep coming back here, draw upon the support offered, and trust that you will be ok.

Thank you very much for your detailed response. I'll probably respond in more depth tomorrow, just wanted to touch on a couple things.

How much was the stem cell treatment/where did you get it? Not a financial option for me now, maybe one day.
My audiogram shows slight hearing loss in high frequencies, definitely measurable but not enough to require hearing aids (I wear them anyways for masking noise).

 

[cviechec]

I never heard of T fading fast. The improvement is always minor. The fact that it is not relentlessly at the same level is a great news. I think there is a high chance that your tinnitus will fade.

What is the difference between floaters and visual snow?

Floaters are like specks of black you see that just randomly appear and move around your field of vision when you move your eyes around. Visual snow is like constantly seeing a transparent TV static in underlit environments ( sounds very obnoxious, but isn't that big of a deal other than some levels of night blindness )

 

[JasonP]

Floaters are like specks of black you see that just randomly appear and move around your field of vision when you move your eyes around. Visual snow is like constantly seeing a transparent TV static in underlit environments ( sounds very obnoxious, but isn't that big of a deal other than some levels of night blindness )

Thought I would post this video on eye floaters here if it gives you some comfort. This guy treats eye floaters with something called a YAG laser. ..I saw this years ago.

 

[Luman]

Go to a good ophthalmologist. I had floaters from Vitreous Detachment, which is common and usually not serious, and received laser surgery which got rid of the floaters. It was done in the doctors office, a few years ago. The floaters dissapeared after a few weeks and never came back. Good luck, whatever happens.

 

[obutterfly]

I am in the early phase of Tinnitus experiencing a lot of hopelessness, anxiety and fear. It started 3 weeks ago like someone turned on a switch. Over the past year I developed cervical dystonia and tremors, and I thought that was the worst thing in the world until the Tinnitus started. I am getting some hope from the generous hearted people who are sharing on this site. Thank you.

 

[cviechec]

Go to a good ophthalmologist. I had floaters from Vitreous Detachment, which is common and usually not serious, and received laser surgery which got rid of the floaters. It was done in the doctors office, a few years ago. The floaters dissapeared after a few weeks and never came back. Good luck, whatever happens.

How big were your floaters and how much did it cost? I'm sure a pretty penny...I'm going to give mine some time before considering that..although I do want to fucking get rid of them. Ironically, I used all my money basically already on HBOT that didn't work for tinnitus.

 

[cviechec]

Thought I would post this video on eye floaters here if it gives you some comfort. This guy treats eye floaters with something called a YAG laser. ..I saw this years ago.

Appreciate the post, but my floaters are more small than this video shows I think. Hopefully it could still help me with multiple smaller floaters..

 

[Luman]

How big were your floaters and how much did it cost? I'm sure a pretty penny...I'm going to give mine some time before considering that..although I do want to fucking get rid of them. Ironically, I used all my money basically already on HBOT that didn't work for tinnitus.

I don't remember how big the floaters were. Unfortunately, this doctor was not in my ACA plan, but it cost under a thousand dollars which I thought was reasonable. The purpose of this particular laser surgery was to repair retina detachment or tear, and the surgery caused the floaters to eventually go away after a few weeks. There are other types of laser surgery that only target floaters themselves, but I don't know anything about that.

 

[Why?]

Hello. I won't comment on my tinnitus because I have nothing positive to say. But I too have nonstop floaters. Eye doc checked to be sure not retina detachment and it wasn't. Mine is posterior vitreous detachment. Started in 1 eye then few months later the other. It never aggravates me and is truly nonstop. More noticeable in bright light. Doc said eventually your brain will stop telling you they're there. True. Every now and then I mistake it for bug flying around. If only my tinnitus was so easy to ignore.

 

[cviechec]

Hello. I won't comment on my tinnitus because I have nothing positive to say. But I too have nonstop floaters. Eye doc checked to be sure not retina detachment and it wasn't. Mine is posterior vitreous detachment. Started in 1 eye then few months later the other. It never aggravates me and is truly nonstop. More noticeable in bright light. Doc said eventually your brain will stop telling you they're there. True. Every now and then I mistake it for bug flying around. If only my tinnitus was so easy to ignore.

Interesting, I had an eye examination about it and they said my eyes were fine. Would he have been able to tell if I had virteous detachment? What about when you're on the computer? Can you still ignore them then?

 

[Why?]

Hi cviehec. Yes doc would have determined. I'm a bookkeeper so on computer nonstop @ office. For most part my brain is so busy multitasking that floaters aren't noticeable. But today there was tiny mosquito kept darting by & it was several minutes to realize it wasn't floater. Ha ha ha

 

[HCR123]

Hey @cviechec I just got 'T' about a week ago and it's mild...but I got anxiety so I have no idea where I will wind up and am just trying to move on and be cautious at the same time...every night I'm a bit on edge cuz I think if my pitch is higher at night, then it might remain that way...I noticed it can go down by the am...so that's def stress....anyway, i've got a long road ahead too.

BUT I wanted to chime in cuz I've had prominent floaters in my right eye for a long time. I was super drunk and got into a fight about 15 years ago, the guy was much bigger than me and he was a boxer...needless to say I am on the shorter side and well, my eye didn't do so well...lost some of this gel in my eye (the doc said the gel level was of a 60 year old patient's eye, I was 28)...left a kind of watermark in my vision and floaters all over the damn place...I am lucky that my retina did not get detached...I still have good vision.

To make a long story short...I adapted to the floaters...they are annoying but you get used to them...I don't pay them any mind and they don't affect my vision...I see them when I look for them...I guess much like 'T'...I guess I should tell myself the same huh? Anyway, feel better and don't be too hard on yourself....you didn't mean for these things to happen to you, just like any of us...Be well.

 

[marc 1974 london]

I am sorry for your dilemma. I truly understand where you are at right now. Its horrible.

But, it doesnt have to be permanent.

Im nearing my fourth year with severe t and h, which were caused by ciprofloxacillin.

Back at the start, I couldnt imagine how I was going to manage to move forward with this hidious symptom.

But, I did. Gradually, I have adapted to the presence of my t to the point that I am largely either unaware of my t or not as bothered by it.

I have mentioned in other posts that I received adipose derived stem cells in May. These are observations only. My h has dramatically improved, and my t has become more of a background noise. I would normally have big spikes every 2-3 months, but have only had one small scaled spike that lasted a short while before returning back to baseline. My stem cell dr stated that he has had the best results using stems with people who have been affected by ototoxicity. So, you may be able to consider this if you are in a financial position to do so.

It will feel like your life is over. I can assure you that it is not. Your brain will adapt.

Audiogram? Results?

For now, get as much quality sleep that you can, use mindfulness cbt, and yes, perhaps ADs if you feel you need them. Glynis has stated in her posts that noratryptilline has gotten rid of her head noise. Others have found mirtazepine helpful. Or, you can consider natural alternatives ie L tryptophan.

You will get through this. Dont give up. All of us at some point experienced exactly what you are going through right now, and many of us, have come through the other end. You are not alone. So, keep coming back here, draw upon the support offered, and trust that you will be ok.

Nice to read you get through it... it is an absolute brain ache

 

[DebInAustralia]

Nice to read you get through it... it is an absolute brain ache

i know!

but you will!

whats been happening for you?

 

[marc 1974 london]

i know!

but you will!

whats been happening for you?

Stress, anxiety I think this t come from either that plus working to burn out or tramodol with naproxen or my motocross bike ..... or maybe all of them ?? I'm starting cbt Thursday I'm going to learn to live with it quick, I've got 4 kids & Mrs in life so I want to deal with it best I can ASAP.. so many people have it I thought for years it was so rare, doctors as helpful as poo.... see your from down under had some wonderful backpacking around perr and Gold Coast

 

[DebInAustralia]

hard to know but any one of those things could be the culprit...

cbt is a good idea...

did you venture down to Victoria?

 

[DebInAustralia]

I'm sitting here laughing at myself/my situation like a maniac. Every time I try to do something to help myself, I make my situation permanently worse.

5 months ago I took Ibuprofen for wrist pain/inflammation, and that caused my tinnitus. Since then, I've been miserable with severe tinnitus. I've tried a lot of things to fix it, to no avail. I read about ETD, and saw that taking flonase or something similar might help open up eustachian tubes and perhaps lower the Tinnitus. Well, a week or so after I started taking it, I notice I have a shitload of floaters I've never had.

It's a super rare side effect from flonase, apparently. Kind of how it's rare to get permanent tinnitus from ibuprofen. Well, here I am, now with tinnitus for potentially the rest of my life (not habituated) and am now subject to floaters (ironically one thing I've always said since tinnitus is at least my vision is okay) for also potentially the rest of my life.

I'm going to a doctor tomorrow for any potential anti-depressant that I can take that can help me but I always win the fucked side -effect lotto so that will probably make me worse too.

I want to give up but the only reason I haven't/won't is not wanting to hurt my family.

What do I do?

You keep going ... one day at a time ...