I developed an inner ear infection around the 18th of Jan. First symptoms were that I felt off, had sinus headaches, had some anxiety of unknown source, and my blood pressure was not being controlled by my medication (telmisartan). A few days later, the infection really became full-blown, and the tinnitus started. I came off the telmisartan because paradoxically, when I increased the dose, my symptoms including high blood pressure and tinnitus became worse.
My GP finally realized that I had an ear infection when I kept describing headaches, tinnitus, ear pain and hyperacusis. There was puss and my eustachian tubes were blocked. The tinnitus became full time - extremely loud and very high pitched. I was completely unable to sleep at all, and my pulse and blood pressure became permanently elevated. My cardiologist switched me to bisoprolol (a cardiac specific beta blocker) to control the stress symptoms, which were extreme (night sweats, tremors, etc. from adrenaline which would pour into my body when the tinnitus would spike).
This continued for a couple of weeks without much resolution. About a week ago, I started getting breaks in my tinnitus, including one day where I had none at all and a few scattered days where it was greatly reduced. During this time I also had some hyperacusis. This corresponded with my ear infection finally clearing up and me getting my ETs working again. However, tinnitus returned the next day with a vengeance, faded a bit over a couple of days. Finally, a little over 3 weeks into this, I had two consecutive nights of sleep - no wakings, no tinnitus, no night sweats, etc. and the entire next day was great - minimal tinnitus, and whatever there was had very low volume, and I felt like it had finally lifted.
Alas, last night, out of nowhere it came on louder than ever before, and I didn't sleep at all the entire night. That's where I am now - today it's whining away, more noticeable than it has been for the last few days.
I saw an ENT a few days ago - my ears were clear of fluid, and my hearing test was excellent. He didn't have much to offer.
I'll be honest and say and if this became permanent, I can't imagine that I would survive long - the sound is intensely loud and high-pitched (dentist drill-type), and the lack of sleep and non-stop stress response from my sympathetic nervous system is wrecking havoc on my body.
Assuming this was virally- induced, now that my ears are clear, and healing (hopefully), is there an expectation or hope that the T will eventually go away? Is the fact that over the last 7-9 days, I've had an increasing number of breaks from it a good sign? Any experience on how long this might take?
Any insights are welcome.
My GP finally realized that I had an ear infection when I kept describing headaches, tinnitus, ear pain and hyperacusis. There was puss and my eustachian tubes were blocked. The tinnitus became full time - extremely loud and very high pitched. I was completely unable to sleep at all, and my pulse and blood pressure became permanently elevated. My cardiologist switched me to bisoprolol (a cardiac specific beta blocker) to control the stress symptoms, which were extreme (night sweats, tremors, etc. from adrenaline which would pour into my body when the tinnitus would spike).
This continued for a couple of weeks without much resolution. About a week ago, I started getting breaks in my tinnitus, including one day where I had none at all and a few scattered days where it was greatly reduced. During this time I also had some hyperacusis. This corresponded with my ear infection finally clearing up and me getting my ETs working again. However, tinnitus returned the next day with a vengeance, faded a bit over a couple of days. Finally, a little over 3 weeks into this, I had two consecutive nights of sleep - no wakings, no tinnitus, no night sweats, etc. and the entire next day was great - minimal tinnitus, and whatever there was had very low volume, and I felt like it had finally lifted.
Alas, last night, out of nowhere it came on louder than ever before, and I didn't sleep at all the entire night. That's where I am now - today it's whining away, more noticeable than it has been for the last few days.
I saw an ENT a few days ago - my ears were clear of fluid, and my hearing test was excellent. He didn't have much to offer.
I'll be honest and say and if this became permanent, I can't imagine that I would survive long - the sound is intensely loud and high-pitched (dentist drill-type), and the lack of sleep and non-stop stress response from my sympathetic nervous system is wrecking havoc on my body.
Assuming this was virally- induced, now that my ears are clear, and healing (hopefully), is there an expectation or hope that the T will eventually go away? Is the fact that over the last 7-9 days, I've had an increasing number of breaks from it a good sign? Any experience on how long this might take?
Any insights are welcome.
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