I am sharing my honest success story, but please read carefully the context and how I treated my tinnitus. It might not be applicable to everyone. I am not a doctor. Always consult with a doctor.
CONTEXT
It all started in 2010. I was 30. It was a party weekend, having gone clubbing for two consecutive nights. On the latter night, a large speaker was placed on the wall right close to my head.
The morning after I had the ringing in both ears. I often had the temporarily ringing after a loud night, but this time I knew it was different. On other instances, the ringing would be barely felt when I would wake up. But this time it was still loud.
Three days later, with the ringing lower but still very annoying, I went to an ENT and my hearing showed weakness on some frequencies. I was just told "there is no nothing we can do, time will tell".
All this was happening at a stressful moment in my life for personal and professional reasons. I am overly ambitious with OCD. I have always had a successful well paid job, but it was never enough. I always wanted more.
THE DEPRESSION AND TREATMENTS
The ringing persisted in my right ear. The left ear had a faint "fax machine" like noise, which was barely noticeable and mostly not bothering. But the right ear still had an unpleasant very high pitched whistle, similar to those old TVs (not all might relate).
I felt my life was shattered. I couldn't focus, nor enjoy simple pleasures. Most people couldn't understand my suffering. I could only find relief at the mall or when taking a shower. Otherwise the high pitch ringing would be mostly audible.
Around two weeks after the onset, I was recommended to get an appointment with an "innovative" ENT. He prescribed high dosage of cortisone (though he felt it was late) for few days and referred me to a psychiatrist who prescribed me Xanax for few days. The ENT was keen that I took the medication but couldn't prescribe it, hence the referral to the psychiatrist.
Three days later, the ringing had subsided significantly. I stopped the medications and felt that I was done with the tinnitus.
But couple days later, the tinnitus came back fluctuating. The psychiatrist refused to prescribe Xanax any further.
I tried many options over the following 2-3 months: Gingko Biloba, and others, but to a limited success.
ACCEPTABLE SILENCE
A friend of mine told me about a psychiatrist with experience with tinnitus. His diagnosis was immediate: "your personality and anxiety are driving your fluctuations". He prescribed Xanax for 3 months. He told me "give it some, don't think about the tinnitus. Enjoy life and exercise."
I started (again) Xanax. Not much impact in the initial days, but I decided to be patient. In the meanwhile, I had addressed many of my personal and professional issues. Few weeks later, and without directly noticing, my tinnitus had become mostly un-noticeable. I don't know if it happened suddenly, or progressively, but one day I just became conscious that my tinnitus wasn't much there. On most days, I could only hear it when in a perfectly quiet room.
The prescription was extended by another 3 months, followed by 1 month of winding down. The psychiatrist's instructions were clear: the withdrawal has to be progressive and carefully managed. I was able accordingly to discontinue the Xanax without any symptoms.
Throughout these 7 months, I had no side effects from the Xanax, with the exception of some sleepiness in the initial days. But I prefer not to disclose my dosage as this is subjective and has to be instructed by a doctor as there are serious side effects with Xanax if the wrong dosage is used or without an exit strategy.
Xanax was for me a magical pill, albeit I knew it was likely a temporary solution. But I definitely couldn't continue my life taking this serious medication.
In my subconscious, I always had the fear that the tinnitus might eventually get stronger after I stopped Xanax.
SINCE LATE 2010 UNTIL TODAY
Post the Xanax treatment, I resumed a normal life. But let me be clear: the tinnitus was always there, but on most days I could only notice it in a quiet room.
I have been careful and took care of my my ears which included avoiding loud noises, or otherwise using ear protection if in a loud pub or club.
I have been exercising on most days, playing tennis, football (soccer), and jogging.
I took a daily multivitamin pill.
Every year since then, I would have a tinnitus flare once or twice a year. They usually last 2-3 weeks. Sometimes they come strong and frustrating. I couldn't find a particular pattern or trigger for these flares, but they would mostly occur after a long stressful period. But throughout the years, I identified vitamins and pills that seemed to calm the flare. These included: Vitamin D, Vitamin B (all of them), and melatonin (before sleeping). They have worked in my context and usually kick-in after few days. Additionally, I am taking anti-histamine when my tinnitus coincides with seasonal allergies.
Finally, the above is based on my personal experience. It is not applicable to all cases. Please always consult with your doctors, especially those that truly understand tinnitus.
Tinnitus is complex. It is not just about the ears. I believe it is actually about the brain and nervous system. Its treatment requires addressing anxiety and any vitamins/minerals imbalance.
Be patient and good luck. You will be fine.
CONTEXT
It all started in 2010. I was 30. It was a party weekend, having gone clubbing for two consecutive nights. On the latter night, a large speaker was placed on the wall right close to my head.
The morning after I had the ringing in both ears. I often had the temporarily ringing after a loud night, but this time I knew it was different. On other instances, the ringing would be barely felt when I would wake up. But this time it was still loud.
Three days later, with the ringing lower but still very annoying, I went to an ENT and my hearing showed weakness on some frequencies. I was just told "there is no nothing we can do, time will tell".
All this was happening at a stressful moment in my life for personal and professional reasons. I am overly ambitious with OCD. I have always had a successful well paid job, but it was never enough. I always wanted more.
THE DEPRESSION AND TREATMENTS
The ringing persisted in my right ear. The left ear had a faint "fax machine" like noise, which was barely noticeable and mostly not bothering. But the right ear still had an unpleasant very high pitched whistle, similar to those old TVs (not all might relate).
I felt my life was shattered. I couldn't focus, nor enjoy simple pleasures. Most people couldn't understand my suffering. I could only find relief at the mall or when taking a shower. Otherwise the high pitch ringing would be mostly audible.
Around two weeks after the onset, I was recommended to get an appointment with an "innovative" ENT. He prescribed high dosage of cortisone (though he felt it was late) for few days and referred me to a psychiatrist who prescribed me Xanax for few days. The ENT was keen that I took the medication but couldn't prescribe it, hence the referral to the psychiatrist.
Three days later, the ringing had subsided significantly. I stopped the medications and felt that I was done with the tinnitus.
But couple days later, the tinnitus came back fluctuating. The psychiatrist refused to prescribe Xanax any further.
I tried many options over the following 2-3 months: Gingko Biloba, and others, but to a limited success.
ACCEPTABLE SILENCE
A friend of mine told me about a psychiatrist with experience with tinnitus. His diagnosis was immediate: "your personality and anxiety are driving your fluctuations". He prescribed Xanax for 3 months. He told me "give it some, don't think about the tinnitus. Enjoy life and exercise."
I started (again) Xanax. Not much impact in the initial days, but I decided to be patient. In the meanwhile, I had addressed many of my personal and professional issues. Few weeks later, and without directly noticing, my tinnitus had become mostly un-noticeable. I don't know if it happened suddenly, or progressively, but one day I just became conscious that my tinnitus wasn't much there. On most days, I could only hear it when in a perfectly quiet room.
The prescription was extended by another 3 months, followed by 1 month of winding down. The psychiatrist's instructions were clear: the withdrawal has to be progressive and carefully managed. I was able accordingly to discontinue the Xanax without any symptoms.
Throughout these 7 months, I had no side effects from the Xanax, with the exception of some sleepiness in the initial days. But I prefer not to disclose my dosage as this is subjective and has to be instructed by a doctor as there are serious side effects with Xanax if the wrong dosage is used or without an exit strategy.
Xanax was for me a magical pill, albeit I knew it was likely a temporary solution. But I definitely couldn't continue my life taking this serious medication.
In my subconscious, I always had the fear that the tinnitus might eventually get stronger after I stopped Xanax.
SINCE LATE 2010 UNTIL TODAY
Post the Xanax treatment, I resumed a normal life. But let me be clear: the tinnitus was always there, but on most days I could only notice it in a quiet room.
I have been careful and took care of my my ears which included avoiding loud noises, or otherwise using ear protection if in a loud pub or club.
I have been exercising on most days, playing tennis, football (soccer), and jogging.
I took a daily multivitamin pill.
Every year since then, I would have a tinnitus flare once or twice a year. They usually last 2-3 weeks. Sometimes they come strong and frustrating. I couldn't find a particular pattern or trigger for these flares, but they would mostly occur after a long stressful period. But throughout the years, I identified vitamins and pills that seemed to calm the flare. These included: Vitamin D, Vitamin B (all of them), and melatonin (before sleeping). They have worked in my context and usually kick-in after few days. Additionally, I am taking anti-histamine when my tinnitus coincides with seasonal allergies.
Finally, the above is based on my personal experience. It is not applicable to all cases. Please always consult with your doctors, especially those that truly understand tinnitus.
Tinnitus is complex. It is not just about the ears. I believe it is actually about the brain and nervous system. Its treatment requires addressing anxiety and any vitamins/minerals imbalance.
Be patient and good luck. You will be fine.
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