My Tinnitus Story (Continuously Updated)

[The_T]

Though it was time to introduce myself.

I have had tinnitus for quite a time now, four years I think, and counting. I got it after being to a night club. My tinnitus was loud at onset, but then decreased a little. I went on with my life, after several months of depression.

I guess I cannot blame anyone but myself for not protecting my ears at a night club, but seriously, do they have to play music so loud that it damage peoples ears for the rest of their life? And even if they do, why are there no more information about this from e.g. media?

But anyway, I started university and after a couple of years I even got a girlfriend. Life was real good back then. But every good story has an end, and mine came due to a more and more "normal" lifestyle. I did not even once set my foot at a nightclub again, but I never protected my ears with ear plugs either. After a vacation to an Asian country during Christmas time I noticed that my tinnitus was far worse than before. Two new sounds had appear. This started a depression, similar to the one I had when I first got T, which lasted for about 4-5 months. It was real hard to get back to where I was after this tremendous set-back. I had made a promise to myself that my T shouldn't get worse, that I would not allow it. And it was now louder than ever before, I couldn't sleep nor concentrate. I dropped out of school because of this and just focused on dealing with my depression and tinnitus. But after a while I felt OK again. Not as good as before, but everything was manageable. And I started school again.

This, however, didn't last long. Just about a year later my T got worse again. This time due to a medicine for infection. And that's pretty much where I'm today. I'm not as depressed as I was during previous increases, but I'm far away from happy. I barely get through my days, and school is kind of intensive. I totally rely on my sleep-aids to get at least some hours of sleep.

I don't know what to do, but I will continue in the path I made since long time ago. Try to accomplish my goals in life despite my T. Let's see how that goes. I have plans on updating this thread once in a while, just to see how my progress goes. Later, when I'm older, I want to see how my thoughts towards T has changed with time, and how my life turned out to be. Maybe I might even see where and how I'm thinking wrong, because in some way I must be. It isn't possible otherwise to get this many increases of T in such a short time. Maybe anyone else who might read this thread also can see what I'm doing wrong and tell me.

As for now I just wish that the future has more to offer me that this tinnitus, that the future will be brighter.

If anyone have any tips of what might lower T, please post them here.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to TT. There are many great threads on TT which can help a new T sufferer. Here is an excellent thread started by a member on what to do when you are new with tinnitus or when T hits a new level and you are stressing out. I added some comments to the OP's thread, but you can scroll up to post #1 to read up on the excellent suggestions by the original poster.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-and-stressed-with-tinnitus-read-this-first.3978/#post-40275

There are things you can do to try to lower T or to mask it to make it not so intrusive.When T is new or when it returns with a higher level, and the ringing is causing much anxiety and panic, it is advisable to get masking ASAP so you won't be so anxious and fearful. Stress and anxiety are toxic to T. So try masking if you haven't done so. Here is a TT thread with an audio player for many good masking sounds. It also comes with nice tips for new sufferers . There are also links to ATA & BTA with loads of more info. The more you understand tinnitus and how it works, the less fearful and stressful you are and which is good for T.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/panic/

If you need more masking sounds, here is free 'aire freshener':

http://www.peterhirschberg.com/mysoftware.html

Rain sounds are soothing indeed. How about making your own rain sounds with this rain generator:

http://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/rainNoiseGenerator.php

And if you need DIY notched Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation (ACRN):

http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/acoustic-cr-neuromodulation

http://www.generalfuzz.net/acrn/

Also, you may try some supplements. Members here often recommend some good supplements, such as NAC, Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3, Lipo-Flavanoid etc. It is also a good idea to reduce intake of salt, sugar, MSG, caffeine, alcohol etc. You may also want to help yourself to get more sleep. Sleep deprivation is one sure way to fire up T. Get some bed time masking such as a sound machine or a sound pillow etc., so you can fall asleep better. Instead of sleep meds from the doctor, you can try natural alternatives such as Camomile tea, Hops, Valerian tablets, Melatonin etc. Check out this site on using natural herbs for sleep problem:

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/lib...alth/herbs-and-natural-remedies-for-insomnia/