New Mum with Tinnitus... Help!

[Tinker Bell]

Hi there,

Congrats on the safe arrival of your new baby! Are you a first time mum?

I am a midwife. I have cared for many women like you who have suffered with PND. So sorry to hear.

Have also known women to develop t during/after pregnancy. Not entirely sure why, but PND seems to be a predisposing factor. For some, I have known the t to completely resolve, for others, it remains but fades.

@Samantha R Would you mind commenting?

Do you mind me asking if you are being treated for your pnd? Are you managing to get any sleep? Do you have support at home?

What is your thyroid function doing? Are you anaemic?

Glad to hear youve been to an audio. Give the aides a go. For some, they can help reduce the awareness of your t by picking up more external sounds youre missing because of your hearing loss. Are you going to have maskers incorporated into the h/a?

I am nearing my fourth anniversary next month with t and h. I really couldnt comprehend a life with t at the start. I know exactly what you mean when you say the t drives you crazy, and the way it can affect relationships.

It doesnt have to drive you crazy. In fact, I can reassure you, that you wont go crazy. But, it can be mentally debilitating and difficult to imagine ever enjoying life again. I wanted to tell you that in time, you will adapt. Adaptation is part of survival.

Most importantly right now is quality sleep. Life, including t, is a lot harder to deal with when you are sleep deprived.

It is any wonder this is affecting your relationship with your partner. Though, welcoming a new addition to your family is an exciting time, it can also be a very stressful time. Then to layer in postnatal depression and new onset t, I am not at all surprised that things are tense at the moment.

. get sleep
. gather support
. trial the h/a/maskers
. consider cbt/mindfulness/support here ie back to silence video and thread

Youre not alone. You will get through this. Your t may still resolve. But, if it doesnt, you are going to be totally fine. You have us to support you. We understand how stressful t can be. There are many forum members here who have very happy and fulfilling lives in spite of their t. Try not to despair. X

Just had to hug this. Thank you for sharing some positivity as well as lots of good advice!

 

[Samantha R]

@ClaireP
Welcome to TT and sorry to hear about your tinnitus.
My tinnitus came in exactly one month after a c-section delivery of my twins, so I know how difficult it is to deal with a newborn and the anxiety and depression of tinnitus.
I didn't have PND, but you did the right thing seeking treatment for it.
Zoloft MAY have caused your tinnitus, it's hard to say.
Your hearing loss is certainly a factor, is this new or do you feel you've had issues with it pre-pregnancy.
For me, I consider these factors -
- IV fentanyl for pain relief post c-section. I believe I was given IV Picotin also.
- a mild infection / inflammatory response post delivery. I felt pretty rotten for 4 weeks post delivery.
- high frequency hearing loss (no hearing aid required)
- genetic predisposition with my father and younger sister also suffering from tinnitus.
- a 'mechanical' issue with my ear, I am sure I had TTTS when my ordeal started.

Not sure if that helps, maybe the delivery was the 'straw that broke the camels back', and we would have got tinnitus at some stage.

I'm 15 months in now and slowly doing better. My tinnitus has become more predictable and I am on a slow path to habituation.

We will get there!

Sam.

 

[ClaireP]

Do you mind me asking if you are being treated for your pnd? Are you managing to get any sleep? Do you have support at home?

What is your thyroid function doing? Are you anaemic?

Thanks so much for your kind words and support Deb, it really means alot! You sound like one very strong and caring lady! I have taken lots from your post, thank you!
Yes, I am being treated for my PND, with talking therapy and medication. I also have a few groups that I go to which help too. I'm not sure about my thyroid and I'm pretty sure that I'm not anaemic. I have, however been referred for an MRI scan as my T seems to be one sided but they are not expecting to find anything 'sinister'.
I have a six year old as well, who is a lovely boy, but it can feel difficult at times coping with everything...
I'm so grateful for your help, thanks again. I'm sure that the sun will shine soon x

 

[ClaireP]

My tinnitus came in exactly one month after a c-section delivery of my twins, so I know how difficult it is to deal with a newborn and the anxiety and depression of tinnitus.

Thanks for your post Sam, wow, new twins and T I bet that was quite a time!! You sound like a marvel to me, you have been through so much!
In answer to your question, I don't think that my hearing has ever been that great, I seem to always be asking people to repeat things... Although the hearing test discovered that the loss was 'mild' they feel that trying the aids may help.
I'm so pleased to hear that you are doing better, and like you said, I'm sure that we will get there!
Claire

 

[SCORPION]

The best thing to do is talk with your husband and have him support you ! Don't do what i did and push everyone away! And at the time it was the only way to deal with it all especially with the anxiety attacks . I was suffering in silence and It was the wrong way for me personally to deal with it . It's been 23yrs now and the noise is still the same loud but I'm (sadly) use to it ! Best thing I can pass on to you is one day at a time . You have to push forward and stay busy . I know it's hard especially at night , use a fan (That my white noise) at night and try some deep breathing technique to help you chill . It would not hurt to have your man rub your neck and shoulders till you fall a sleep .. Remember happy thoughts and push on for the kids ... CURLY

 

[ClaireP]

The best thing to do is talk with your husband and have him support you ! Don't do what i did and push everyone away! And at the time it was the only way to deal with it all especially with the anxiety attacks . I was suffering in silence and It was the wrong way for me personally to deal with it .

Thanks, Curly for your comment, I will suggest a back rub! I'm so sorry to hear of your predicament, I hope that you have people close to you now?! Yes, I will, of course push forward and try to keep busy for the sake of my children. Thanks for your post