Possible Post Concussion Tinnitus

[RonnieCarzatto]

Hello everyone, my story:

I live in Canada. Exactly a month ago, the power went out in my basement, and I live in a house that is from the 1930s. Pitch black darkness and an extremely low ceiling resulted in me banging my forehead against a wall, resulting in a laceration about the size of a 10 cent dime. Drove myself to the ER for stitches, however due to the force of the impact and the location on my head, I was concerned I had a concussion. The doctor didn't check and immediately dismissed my concern (for context, I was in and out of the clinic in less than 3 minutes). One week later, I have a very bizarre nausea coupled with extreme lethargy, similar to a flu but definitely not the fly, and took a week off of work to rest.

After that, I suddenly have tinnitus in my right ear, though it feels more like it's in my head. It's like a loud "tone", and occasionally "clicks" if that makes sense. It's been brutal now, insomnia and depression are my new best friends. Thank God I have a supportive wife, but still, currently really hating life. Doctors only want to prescribe me Xanax for depression and Ambien for sleep, which I refused as I've seen friends on those and it's not pretty, and because there's no obvious infection and hearing loss, tell me my ears are fine, and again refuse to take my concussion claim seriously. Went to a naturopath who was much more empathetic and firmly believes I'm suffering from post concussion symptoms, accounting for the sudden tinnitus spike. She told me to take fish oil, curcumin to reduce inflammation, eat Vitamin B rich foods/berries, absolutely no alcohol/coffee/smoking (I am a cigar lover), and light exercises such as yoga.

Anyone else been given this advice? What do you make of it?

 

[Parfait]

Sounds similar to a whiplash injury which can shear or alter the nerves in your neck related to hearing (sorry that's very much a layman understanding although I have passed a course in neuroanatomy at uni...possibly the 8th cranial nerve...it's a long nerve running through your brain to ear).

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-through-whiplash.5712/

 

[RonnieCarzatto]

My chiropractor advised that the right side of my neck (side of the impact) is tighter and more tense then the left, which is apparently fine. So he's been doing some adjustments and little cracks here and there. Funny thing too- if I press against the right side of my head, the T gets a little louder. I think there's something to your comment. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Parfait]

Have a look at the poster Asian on this forum. His story is almost identical to yours (sorry I am a wee bit Asperger I think for remembering facts etc). Anyway he got tinnitus when he was playing football and knocked his head on a concrete slab I think. Surely it must be a nerve thang going on.