Hello again TT,
Again, I apologize for the long post, and there's still more. If you'd like some background of my story. I have a post in the "Introduce Yourself" Section.
It's been a rough month for me, as I've been trying to deal with a more debilitating T (4 or 5 out of 10 severity). However, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. This week, I saw a Neurologist, and set up some testing for next week. Her diagnosis was routine T, auditory hallucinations, migraine with aura, Ocular migraine, chronic daily headache, depression, anxiety, psychosis, dizziness, and vision loss. I also have the crunching in my ears when I swallow, but that has gone away a little. Some of the things on there she just put on there so I could be accepted for testing, but still, I'm a mess. I'm going to get an MRI, and and EEG. I'm also on Elavil 25 mg at night, a steroid dose pack, Imitrex for migraine, Tramadol for neck pain, and Indocin for moderate headaches. All of the meds have been ok except for last night I couldn't sleep since my legs felt antsy and I felt weird. I'm thinking it was the Elavil.
I've also been referred to a Vestibular Clinic for balance and hearing testing. The last hearing test I had before my T got worse was good, so here's to hoping that hasn't changed. There is also a Tinnitus Treatment Program there that takes up to 12 months and uses low pitch sounds to decrease the T.
Here are some links.... http://www.upmc.com/Services/ear-nose-throat/services/balance-disorders/Pages/default.aspx http://www.upmc.com/Services/ear-nose-throat/services/audiology/Pages/tinnitus-treatment.aspx
I also have an appointment for an evaluation with a Therapist next month.
Another referral I got was to a Neuro-Opthamologist for these clicking noises I've been having behind my eyes when I'm sleeping, and all of the other eye problems listed above. That appointment isn't for another 2 months.
I've been going for Vestibular rehab and have been doing the home exercises. They said they "have some hearing tests they have in their back pocket", but I've gone 4 times now and I've only been doing exercises. However, I temporarily stopped doing them after my head started hurting and the T increased as I was doing them. I'm going to get back on the horse for those today and see how they go.
Luckily for me, I have health insurance, but this could be pretty expensive. I started a new job this year, and it's been very difficult as I have been sick most of the time. I have gotten consent from my boss to take some days off for doctoring. Part of me wants to quit my job, stay home, and focus on doctoring. The other part of me chooses to tough it out so I can go on their insurance plan in a couple of months. I give myself credit for being so proactive about doctoring and for sticking it out at work, but I feel like I'm reaching my limits. One of my coworkers who has an inner ear infection with ringing, balance problems, sensitivity to light, the works, gave me a number of an ENT, and said that the first couple of months are tough, but it will get better and the beset advice is to not focus on it and get help to deal with it.
I have relied on my ears most of my life since I only have one good eye and the other eye with only peripheral vision, so T has been exceptionally difficult for me to bear. I've been praying a lot, and I have a feeling that it will get better in time.
I have heard that these doctors I'm supposed to see are very good. What do you guys think about the medications I'm taking and the testing I'll be receiving? Should I just go back to my regular ENT for more hearing testing as the Neurologist suggested, or should I go to these fancy-shmancy clinics and doctors downtown which my Neurologist also suggested? Why was I so stupid to not have protection in a loud club and to shoot off fireworks a month later? Either way, my world is upside down. I miss my old life when I could be goofy ; my true self; a person completely in tune and at peace with his surroundings. Meh, my parents have heard their share and then some, so I'm turning back to you guys and gals. Any advice, comments, or support would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, and God bless.
-Chum
Again, I apologize for the long post, and there's still more. If you'd like some background of my story. I have a post in the "Introduce Yourself" Section.
It's been a rough month for me, as I've been trying to deal with a more debilitating T (4 or 5 out of 10 severity). However, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. This week, I saw a Neurologist, and set up some testing for next week. Her diagnosis was routine T, auditory hallucinations, migraine with aura, Ocular migraine, chronic daily headache, depression, anxiety, psychosis, dizziness, and vision loss. I also have the crunching in my ears when I swallow, but that has gone away a little. Some of the things on there she just put on there so I could be accepted for testing, but still, I'm a mess. I'm going to get an MRI, and and EEG. I'm also on Elavil 25 mg at night, a steroid dose pack, Imitrex for migraine, Tramadol for neck pain, and Indocin for moderate headaches. All of the meds have been ok except for last night I couldn't sleep since my legs felt antsy and I felt weird. I'm thinking it was the Elavil.
I've also been referred to a Vestibular Clinic for balance and hearing testing. The last hearing test I had before my T got worse was good, so here's to hoping that hasn't changed. There is also a Tinnitus Treatment Program there that takes up to 12 months and uses low pitch sounds to decrease the T.
Here are some links.... http://www.upmc.com/Services/ear-nose-throat/services/balance-disorders/Pages/default.aspx http://www.upmc.com/Services/ear-nose-throat/services/audiology/Pages/tinnitus-treatment.aspx
I also have an appointment for an evaluation with a Therapist next month.
Another referral I got was to a Neuro-Opthamologist for these clicking noises I've been having behind my eyes when I'm sleeping, and all of the other eye problems listed above. That appointment isn't for another 2 months.
I've been going for Vestibular rehab and have been doing the home exercises. They said they "have some hearing tests they have in their back pocket", but I've gone 4 times now and I've only been doing exercises. However, I temporarily stopped doing them after my head started hurting and the T increased as I was doing them. I'm going to get back on the horse for those today and see how they go.
Luckily for me, I have health insurance, but this could be pretty expensive. I started a new job this year, and it's been very difficult as I have been sick most of the time. I have gotten consent from my boss to take some days off for doctoring. Part of me wants to quit my job, stay home, and focus on doctoring. The other part of me chooses to tough it out so I can go on their insurance plan in a couple of months. I give myself credit for being so proactive about doctoring and for sticking it out at work, but I feel like I'm reaching my limits. One of my coworkers who has an inner ear infection with ringing, balance problems, sensitivity to light, the works, gave me a number of an ENT, and said that the first couple of months are tough, but it will get better and the beset advice is to not focus on it and get help to deal with it.
I have relied on my ears most of my life since I only have one good eye and the other eye with only peripheral vision, so T has been exceptionally difficult for me to bear. I've been praying a lot, and I have a feeling that it will get better in time.
I have heard that these doctors I'm supposed to see are very good. What do you guys think about the medications I'm taking and the testing I'll be receiving? Should I just go back to my regular ENT for more hearing testing as the Neurologist suggested, or should I go to these fancy-shmancy clinics and doctors downtown which my Neurologist also suggested? Why was I so stupid to not have protection in a loud club and to shoot off fireworks a month later? Either way, my world is upside down. I miss my old life when I could be goofy ; my true self; a person completely in tune and at peace with his surroundings. Meh, my parents have heard their share and then some, so I'm turning back to you guys and gals. Any advice, comments, or support would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, and God bless.
-Chum