Matt from What Seems Like Hell

[DontRingMyBell]

Hello,

I'm Matt. I live in Vancouver. I've had tinnitus for probably going on a year now.

I have TMJ, but I feel like this all started with e-cigarettes. They gave me temporary tinnitus and panic attacks. So, I eventually stopped the e-cigarettes. Both the tinnitus and panic attacks stuck around. The panic attacks have largely stopped, but the tinnitus just keeps getting worse.

I really need to get this figured out. I actually spent the first half of my life overcoming addiction problems. A long stint in jail got that right out of my system. So, I'm not prepared to go through the rest of my life with another monkey on my back.

Honestly, if I just knew what it was from, I would be happy. As long as I knew that it wasn't anything serious. I've had EKGs, brain scans, x-rays and other stuff, and they all tell me that nothing is wrong with me.

Glad to be a part of the forum, and glad to have found a place for support.

 

[dan]

What kind of brain scans ?

 

[DontRingMyBell]

CT scan. They sent me into the tube and took a look at my brain.

 

[dan]

right so...for what its worth, tinnitus wont show up on any CT, MRI, X-ray.
it is not a structural problem, its a functional disorder.

 

[LadyDi]

Hi @dan, with all due respect; in some cases, although not many, tinnitus is due to a structural or physical problem. That's why a CT or MRI are part of a proper tinnitus evaluation. The docs want to rule out anything that is fixable.

@DontRingMyBell: Many people never know what caused their tinnitus. I know it can be frustrating. But my personal opinion is at some point, you can make matters more difficult for yourself by fixating on the cause. The reality is that even if you could find the cause, you still have a condition for which, at this point, there are no sure-fire treatments. Again, my opinion: better that you spend your time, money and energy finding good, healthy ways to manage your tinnitus than chasing down the cause.

 

[DontRingMyBell]

@dan Haha. Well, I certainly wasn't expecting any sort of tinnitus monster to have attached itself to my brain. That seems a little nonsensical. I was, however, concerned about things like acoustic neuroma or any sort of other growth that may affect the inner ear.

@LadyDi Thanks. I am slowly finding out what is helping. The main reason that I am searching for a cause is so that if it does happen to be anything important, I can catch it.

 

[LadyDi]

The main reason that I am searching for a cause is so that if it does happen to be anything important, I can catch it.

Agreed! That's why things like CTs and an audiology evaluation are important early on. Keep looking for what helps manage your tinnitus in the meantime, which it sounds like you are doing. Good luck.

 

[dan]

yes i meant the hearing loss type tinnitus. thanks for reminding us about the other type.