New Here, Could Use Some Advice

[Ludvik]

Hi guys, I just wanted to share my story and get people's thoughts

A week ago on Wednesday my right ear started ringing, it was quite mild and low pitch and I was able to mask it during sleep. The next day my left ear started ringing too which was high pitch, unable to mask.

4 days later I went to urgent care, she saw that I had an ear infection on my right ear (Though the ringing is louder in my left) She prescribed me with Augmentin, and told me to start taking it in 2 days. I started to take it yesterday, and I did feel somewhat better. There was some live music playing at my work so I listened for a bit, which I now regret immensely. I did feel like my ears were sensitive to the volume (though I was far from the speakers). That night my Tinnitus spiked quite dramatically, it is really loud now and I had a couple panic attacks. I went to the ER and they basically said it's just an ear infection, the ringing will go - but it's difficult to calm down. They prescribed me with Meclizine.

I will be seeing an ENT in a week, it was the soonest I could manage. I guess right now my worry is I did some lasting damage by being exposed to loud music while my ears are infected - and I'm stressing out about how I'll deal with this for a whole week until I see the ENT. I'm hoping the ringing will dial down over the next few days as the ear infection clears. Also, is it normal to have bilateral tinnitus from only one ear being infected?

Thanks for reading if you got this far - I'm feeling pretty anxious and depressed and it'd be nice to get some opinions on my next step. I'm thinking I'll see a doctor in a couple of days to try get some anxiety prescriptions if I'm not sleeping well.

 

[wags]

Hey bud,

I'm going through the same thing right now. Even though I had tinnitus before, I'm fighting a sinus infection that is (what I assume) causing my tinnitus to rev-up even worse than before. I have Eustachian tube dysfunction in my left ear and I'm all clogged up.

Are you noticing any changes in pitch or intensity as the drugs are working?

I don't think your cold will have the ability to amplify the sound waves to the point of damaging your ears any more than they would be normally.

Been having panic attacks every time I wake up when I'm sleeping and hear that loud roar. Last night was the first time I slept in a long time (6 days after I started feeling weird).

 

[Ludvik]

Hey Wags thanks for sharing, its good to hear from someone that's in a similar situation. What was your tinnitus like before the sinusitis?

I kinda feel it settles a bit right after I take the antibiotic, but that could be placebo. It revs back up after a while.

Thanks for your reassurance about my cold, I'm hoping that too. How did you manage to get to sleep? Im quite worried about being able to perform at work as it's quite an important time for me careerwise.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Ludvik,

Unfortunately, panic attacks for many are part of the game when it comes to tinnitus. Your best bet is to try not to panic, because that only serves to raise your anxiety level, which fuels tinnitus. Know one thing: tinnitus will not kill you. However, I understand your reaction because I too went through the same thing when I first got tinnitus in March 2016. Hopefully, it will go away for you!

 

[glynis]

Hi Ludvic and welcome to tinnitus talk.

Your tinnitus can be through your ear infection in both ears with middle ear infections and for outer ear infections just the infected ear.
After your medication your ears can take a couple of weeks for the tinnitus to settle down as your ears settle back down from mucous and infection .
Try relax and if can not sleep I would try sound therapy at night and see if your doctor will prescribe Melatonin for you...lots of love glynis

 

[Ludvik]

Hi Mike, thanks for the advice. I've been trying to remind myself that I'm not feeling pain, and trying my best to stay positive (though it can be impossible at times) how are you coping with your tinnitus now?

Hi Glynis, I guess it's just a waiting game, I really do hope it settles down. It settled down last night, so I managed to get a good rest. It has spiked up again unfortunately. I'll see a doctor again tomorrow, ill ask for a prescription.

 

[Ludvik]

Hi guys, went to the doctor this morning and my ear infection is clearing up. He says the ringing should settle as well, it seems to actually be getting worse though, I'm feeling depressed and awful..

 

[glynis]

Try to stay positive as could take a couple of weeks to settle down.
Make sure you have sound on around you and eating and sleeping well and a few nice treats.
Use sound therapy at night set below your tinnitus.
We are here around the clock to support you so keep posting...lots of love glynis