Mysteriously Got Tinnitus from Being Sick — It's Getting Worse and I'm Suicidal

#31
Mark62 said:
Hello Oscar,

What makes you say that suicidality should abate between 6 and 12 months? I have had severe tinnitus in my left ear for almost 2 months now. I'm starting to run out of the hope and enthusiasm that is necessary to keep going.

Mark
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Hey man, I'm sorry you're going through this. I talk about my own experience, where the first 6 months I had suicidal thoughts just about every single day due to my tinnitus and other health conditions like PVFS or ME/CFS (which makes tinnitus seem like a walk in the park if put in comparison).

Luckily I'm out of the latter but tinnitus is still ringing as loud as the first day. The only thing that changed is that now I barely notice it's there like once or twice a day, and trust me it is freaking LOUD and high pitched, but my brain somehow managed to ignore it as any other background sound. This is what they call habituation, and I reached it without any TRT bullshit of sorts.

For me the worst thing about tinnitus was the sleep deprivation, which I believe would've end up doing me in had I not tackled it. If it wasn't for Mirtazapine I would be dead by now.

But as I said things have gotten better with time, to the point that if a cure to tinnitus would be out tomorrow, I wouldn't stress myself about getting it ASAP, whereas at the beginning I was willing to give out my life's savings and more just to get rid of the annoying ringing.

It's not all perfect though. I still need to take Mirtazapine for sleep and will be doing so for at least another year while habituation keeps on doing it's thing. I am also scared of tinnitus getting worse because I know for a fact from reading this forum that it can ALWAYS get worse.

Yet that doesn't deter me from keep going with my life enjoying things like before tinnitus onset. Of course everyone is different and I have no idea how your tinnitus is and how long it may take you to reach habituation, but what I know is that the majority of people with this condition is able to reach habituation at some point of their journey.
 
#32
@Óscar PP, thank you for your response. I too have a loud, high-pitched tinnitus; mine is in my left ear. It hardly ever varies in frequency and is constant in volume. It is exactly eight weeks ago today that my tinnitus began, and I believe that the volume now is as high as it was on the day that I acquired it. I also have hyperacusis, but that has now improved by about 3/4. I now can walk around outside without the need for any ear protection. Although, I keep some handy just in case I came upon a gas powered leaf blower or similar loud sound.

If I may ask, how long did it take for you to become habituated?

And I too have trouble falling asleep. Being able to get a good night's sleep is key in being able to overcome the tinnitus. My doctor also has me on Mirtazapine; 15 mg, But it doesn't seem to do a very good job in getting me to fall asleep. Is your dosage the same?

Thanks,
Mark
 
#33
Mark62 said:
@Óscar PP, thank you for your response. I too have a loud, high-pitched tinnitus; mine is in my left ear. It hardly ever varies in frequency and is constant in volume. It is exactly eight weeks ago today that my tinnitus began, and I believe that the volume now is as high as it was on the day that I acquired it. I also have hyperacusis, but that has now improved by about 3/4. I now can walk around outside without the need for any ear protection. Although, I keep some handy just in case I came upon a gas powered leaf blower or similar loud sound.

If I may ask, how long did it take for you to become habituated?

And I too have trouble falling asleep. Being able to get a good night's sleep is key in being able to overcome the tinnitus. My doctor also has me on Mirtazapine; 15 mg, But it doesn't seem to do a very good job in getting me to fall asleep. Is your dosage the same?

Thanks,
Mark
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I also had hyperacusis and it's now gone. I'd say it took me 5-6 months to reach some sort of habituation. From then on it kept improving and I'm positive around the 12-18 year mark I'll be fully habituated.

You have to thing that there are people who got tinnitus as a baby and all they know is the high pitched ringing, which they think it's what silence sounds like (until they find out about tinnitus).

As for Mirtazapine, I take 30 mg. There's a lot of conflicting information saying lower doses are more sedative and higher doses more activating, however that is not the case for everyone so you'd have to find your sweet spot. Whatever you do never taper Mirtazapine too quickly or you'd be in for some pretty bad withdrawal.
 
#34
@Óscar PP, thank you for your prompt response. It seems that I just need to hang in there and give habituation a chance to occur. It's just so frustrating waiting, and time seems to pass so, so slowly. I'm prepared that the volume of my tinnitus might not diminish, but I do hope for an improvement. I think I will bring up my Mirtazapine dosage with my doctor, to see if she thinks it needs to be changed so that I can get to sleep better.

Thank you again,
Mark
 
#37
So sorry to read this and I hope that things will improve for you soon. Medications like Zoloft and Lexapro can aggravate and/or induce tinnitus (have a friend who got tinnitus from taking Lexapro over a long period of time). The Azithromycin is also particularly dangerous (my tinnitus became severe after the Pfizer jab and, later, after using for 10 days an antibiotic ointment containing Neomycin).

I've had severe tinnitus for the past 8-9 months and, difficult as things are, I have been slowly able to get used to: 1) wearing hearing protection often, especially outside, 2) bearing with the horrible hisses, 3) sleeping relatively well (I take Mirtazapine - 30 mg and Melatonin - 0.6 mg at bedtime and those are the only medications/supplements I take).
 
#38
Óscar PP said:
I also had hyperacusis and it's now gone. I'd say it took me 5-6 months to reach some sort of habituation. From then on it kept improving and I'm positive around the 12-18 year mark I'll be fully habituated.

You have to thing that there are people who got tinnitus as a baby and all they know is the high pitched ringing, which they think it's what silence sounds like (until they find out about tinnitus).

As for Mirtazapine, I take 30 mg. There's a lot of conflicting information saying lower doses are more sedative and higher doses more activating, however that is not the case for everyone so you'd have to find your sweet spot. Whatever you do never taper Mirtazapine too quickly or you'd be in for some pretty bad withdrawal.
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Ahhh, Mirtazapine withdrawal! Tried it once and it never worked (I've been on 30 mg for the past 6 years). When I half the dose or go lower, I get horrific vivid dreams that end up with me suffocating and frantically trying to wake up. Persisted with the tapering off for about 4 months but to no avail.

From what I've read, of all the SSRIs and similar medications, Mirtazapine is probably the least ototoxic. But, it is the most difficult antidepressant to taper off from...
 
#39
Chris S. said:
Ahhh, Mirtazapine withdrawal! Tried it once and it never worked (I've been on 30 mg for the past 6 years). When I half the dose or go lower, I get horrific vivid dreams that end up with me suffocating and frantically trying to wake up. Persisted with the tapering off for about 4 months but to no avail.

From what I've read, of all the SSRIs and similar medications, Mirtazapine is probably the least ototoxic. But, it is the most difficult antidepressant to taper off from...
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Yeah I've heard horror stories too, but if I ever try to taper Mirtazapine, it'll be at an insanely slow pace (like 5% reduction every two weeks).

And if it still causes withdrawal, I'll just stay on it till the day I die. No drama.
 
#40
Hey all, a small update.

I was literally almost entirely better. I started to take a small dose of CBD for stress and everything came back from CBD use. I've been crying my eyes out for days and I'm in hell again.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom?
 
#42
Jupiterman said:
You haven't posted in over two years?

It would have been more convincing if you had posted WHEN you were better. Were your tinnitus and distortions gone?

I hope things improve for you.
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I don't really like to come on this website as it is not good for my mental health. My distortions were entirely fine and my tinnitus was at a level of 1 to 3 on most days. I don't appreciate being told I am not being truthful either. I am an absolute wreck right now and need to hear from others who may have had a similar experience with CBD.
 
#43
Jupiterman said:
You haven't posted in over two years?

It would have been more convincing if you had posted WHEN you were better. Were your tinnitus and distortions gone?

I hope things improve for you.
Click to expand...
Hey c'mon @Jupiterman, be kinder. Honestly I'd imagine for a lot of folk who are suffering/suffered, visiting this forum is kind of mentally linked to that pain, and to feel free from it I honestly wouldn't want to come back here either lol - it feels like even typing in the URL is tempting fate for your tinnitus to come back.

To @Otitislongia, I'm newer here and suffering with tinnitus, but that it got better for you gives me hope. Maybe try to look at it glass half full... now that you know CDB can be a trigger, you can avoid it harming you in this way again in the future. Each time we figure out a cause, that's another tool in our arsenal of knowledge of combat tinnitus. What's the saying - you lost a single battle but you're winning the war.
 
#44
OppsallT said:
Hey c'mon @Jupiterman, be kinder. Honestly I'd imagine for a lot of folk who are suffering/suffered, visiting this forum is kind of mentally linked to that pain, and to feel free from it I honestly wouldn't want to come back here either lol - it feels like even typing in the URL is tempting fate for your tinnitus to come back.

To @Otitislongia, I'm newer here and suffering with tinnitus, but that it got better for you gives me hope. Maybe try to look at it glass half full... now that you know CDB can be a trigger, you can avoid it harming you in this way again in the future. Each time we figure out a cause, that's another tool in our arsenal of knowledge of combat tinnitus. What's the saying - you lost a single battle but you're winning the war.
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Do you think I permanently triggered something? These distortions are fucked.
 
#46
OppsallT said:
I mean, I can't say with any certainty because I personally haven't used many CBD products, but I really doubt a single small dose would cause long lasting damage.
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It was ten days of 12 mg twice a day, and then a few days of 25 mg before I realized it could have been causing it.
 
#47
Otitislongia said:
I don't really like to come on this website as it is not good for my mental health. My distortions were entirely fine and my tinnitus was at a level of 1 to 3 on most days. I don't appreciate being told I am not being truthful either. I am an absolute wreck right now and need to hear from others who may have had a similar experience with CBD.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think CBD increased mine as well when I tried it a few years ago.
 
#49
Jupiterman said:
You haven't posted in over two years?

It would have been more convincing if you had posted WHEN you were better. Were your tinnitus and distortions gone?

I hope things improve for you.
Click to expand...
A very strange reply to someone clearly in need of words of help as opposed to what you said. Get a grip of yourself. Why would someone who is better come back to Tinnitus Talk to remind themselves of the bad times. We're all owed nothing here.

CBD may have worsened your tinnitus but temporarily - I highly doubt that the amount you took could cause serious permanent worsening, especially as CBD actually helps a lot of people with tinnitus.

You have improved before. You can do it again. Have faith and stay strong.
 
#52
I am here to give hope. I lived more than a decade with severe reactive tinnitus, and for many years endured with bad hyperacusis as well. I live a normal family life now with few limitations. I lost many years to nothing but suffering. If I only then knew what I know now. Life can be as beautiful as it used to be. Take it from someone that knows and tried everything to heal from severe reactive tinnitus.
 
#53
David S said:
I am here to give hope. I lived more than a decade with severe reactive tinnitus, and for many years endured with bad hyperacusis as well. I live a normal family life now with few limitations. I lost many years to nothing but suffering. If I only then knew what I know now. Life can be as beautiful as it used to be. Take it from someone that knows and tried everything to heal from severe reactive tinnitus.
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Does your tinnitus make it hard to hear television or people speaking in other rooms? Does the sound of a fan or a forced-air heating system make it worse?

I can't be near air conditioners or heating systems, and I must have loud Violet Noise or Water running at all times during the day to confuse my brain and block out the intermittent screeching and beeping in each ear. I don't think there is any 'recovering' from this. Instead, I've just given up the idea of ever living the life I would like to.
 
#54
Pinhead said:
Does your tinnitus make it hard to hear television or people speaking in other rooms? Does the sound of a fan or a forced-air heating system make it worse?

I can't be near air conditioners or heating systems, and I must have loud Violet Noise or Water running at all times during the day to confuse my brain and block out the intermittent screeching and beeping in each ear. I don't think there is any 'recovering' from this. Instead, I've just given up the idea of ever living the life I would like to.
Click to expand...
My tinnitus high-pitched and very unstable. It is not masked by anything but the shower. Sometimes not even that. My audiogram is fine up to 6000 Hz so it doesn't typically interfere with my hearing. In my early days I could not stand anything like frying pans, vacuums, fans, etc. My tinnitus was super reactive. There was no pain involved but a lot of discomfort. I never really knew if my baseline got worse and worse. I still feel those sounds are bothersome but I can handle them better. I would never expose myself to harsh sounds for a long time. It is simply not worth it.

In the past I used my 3M Peltor earmuffs for anything over 35-40 dB. Now I can easily handle a 30 minute car drive without any hearing protection. For longer trips I still use 3M soft earplugs. I cut one yellow earplug into 2 smaller pieces. It works wonders for me and most people do not see them at all.
 
#55
Thank you @David S for your positive encouragement to our newer members who are suffering and may be apprehensive of the future. I was like you too when my ultra high-pitched tinnitus first hit. Then severe hyperacusis followed to add to my nightmarish existence. I couldn't tolerate most sounds, not even normal ones, like TV, driving, or the soft voice of my wife speaking too close to me. But those miserable days are long gone. I can deal with most sounds now and the hyperacusis vanished. I can enjoy life as normal as I can. This is something I never thought possible during the initial darkest time. So don't despair nor give up hope.
 
#56
billie48 said:
Thank you @David S for your positive encouragement to our newer members who are suffering and may be apprehensive of the future. I was like you too when my ultra high-pitched tinnitus first hit. Then severe hyperacusis followed to add to my nightmarish existence. I couldn't tolerate most sounds, not even normal ones, like TV, driving, or the soft voice of my wife speaking too close to me. But those miserable days are long gone. I can deal with most sounds now and the hyperacusis vanished. I can enjoy life as normal as I can. This is something I never thought possible during the initial darkest time. So don't despair nor give up hope.
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@billie48, thanks for the encouraging words! I have seen you around here from my early days with tinnitus and always deeply appreciated your positive attitude. If I could pass on just a fraction of that on to new members, it would mean the world to me!
 
#57
David S said:
My tinnitus high-pitched and very unstable. It is not masked by anything but the shower. Sometimes not even that. My audiogram is fine up to 6000 Hz so it doesn't typically interfere with my hearing. In my early days I could not stand anything like frying pans, vacuums, fans, etc. My tinnitus was super reactive. There was no pain involved but a lot of discomfort. I never really knew if my baseline got worse and worse. I still feel those sounds are bothersome but I can handle them better. I would never expose myself to harsh sounds for a long time. It is simply not worth it.

In the past I used my 3M Peltor earmuffs for anything over 35-40 dB. Now I can easily handle a 30 minute car drive without any hearing protection. For longer trips I still use 3M soft earplugs. I cut one yellow earplug into 2 smaller pieces. It works wonders for me and most people do not see them at all.
Click to expand...
You should write a success story here, very encouraging and hopeful your story!
 

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