Progressive Tinnitus. How on Earth Are You Supposed to Deal?

[Zenyatta]

Hi all.

My old, stable tinnitus has started to spike after a nasty infection at the end of March.

It's been rough, my life is in shambles but the main problem is that it seems to be progressive. Every few weeks, after it seems like it's settled down, I get a new sound. First they're always faint and only audible during the quietest of times, but they always end up increasing. I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

I'm not really taking any ototoxic medication (only Nootropil/Betaserc with the occasional benzo/Remeron when I really can't sleep, but that's rare), but the new sounds keep coming and the volume keeps increasing.

I'm at a loss.

I have some hyperacusis too but I bought a decibel meter and take care to always plug my ears whenever I'm on public transport/noisy streets/etc. I honestly don't know what's happening to me and I can't see where it ends.

It's been months and instead of getting better, it's getting worse... every time I habituate, it increases (and no, it's not in my head/stress, I can literally hear it over stuff that used to mask it and there are new sounds). It's reactive, too... it distorts a lot of sounds.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Is there a way to stop it besides killing myself? Because I don't like where this is going and NOTHING is stopping it...

 

[Vera Lisa]

I had spikes before and at the time I though I couldn't live like that but my T went back to normal after a while.

As you had an infection, your spike seems to be related to that. Maybe it is not healing yet.

Don't loose hope. All of us know how difficult it is but we need to stay strong.

 

[Zenyatta]

@Vera Lisa it's been months though. It's slowly but steadily getting worse. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Vera Lisa]

@Zenyatta I wish I know something that helps... My advice is for you to investigate what is happening with your body in general terms. Try to find out what is causing this spike.
Try to have a healthy diet, no salt, lots of water and most important thing sleep well...
I know it is almost impossible not to stress with this situation... When I am stress out I do something that gives me some pleasure - a walk on the beach, for example. It is dificult but you have to push yourself to do things that make you feel good. I made a list of things that make me happy and I choose one when I feel stress out.

Did you try some natural suplements ? NAC, melantonin, magnesium...?

 

[Zenyatta]

@Vera Lisa Yeah, I've been taking NAC, melatonin, magnesium, B complex etc. for about two months now. Basically, if a supplement has any chance of making tinnitus better, I'm taking it. I switched to decaf coffee in case it was messing with my nerves. Didn't help. I had to move back in with my parents so my diet isn't unhealthy - not that it makes a difference. I'm taking 10 mg of melatonin every night for sleep (not that I can sleep through the night, as the tinnitus often wakes me up). I just... don't know what else to do, and I'm too scared to take antidepressants in case they mess with me even more... I feel helpless and none of my coping skills are helping me since it's progressing so obviously. I don't know. I figure it's time to figure out a will... I don't want to die but it looks like I will have to.

 

[Vera Lisa]

@Zenyatta Please don't lose hope. Think that it will get better... You need to be positive...

 

[Zenyatta]

@Vera Lisa I would be if it stayed as it was - I have actually started habituating a month ago but then it got worse and... I don't know, all the coping skills I've heard about seem to be aimed at stable tinnitus levels but there's nothing about constantly worsening ringing! What am I supposed to do?!

 

[zombiechick]

@Zenyatta have you tried talking to your ent about tinnitus retraining therapy? Also, maybe speaking to a therapist in general? I know that may seem unhelpful but I think it could be of use to you.

 

[Zenyatta]

@zombiechick I'm currently in the process of setting up our version of TRT - unfortuately I can't get the full proper TRT protocol as we don't have it in my country but I will get the noisers and I'm going back to talk therapy soon. It's going to take a few weeks though :/

...I really, really just need this progression to stop. Sleep would be nice too

 

[MJv]

@Zenyatta
Progressive T can be so devastating. I suffer from very severe t and h.
For sleep I take Zopiclon.... But sometimes I can't sleep because the T is too loud, I have multiple tones
I think you could talk to an audiologist about it. Or your GP can give you some Anti depressants.
But still, we all are in the search for relief. I hope other members can give your other suggestions

 

[GregCA]

we don't have it in my country

Where do you live?

 

[Zenyatta]

@GregCA Hungary. Gotta love Eastern Europe!

 

[Zenyatta]

@MJv Yeah, that's already happening. This agomelatine thing looks really good on paper, hopefully it'll help a bit. It's not supposed to have tinnitus as a side effect.

 

[MJv]

@MJv Yeah, that's already happening. This agomelatine thing looks really good on paper, hopefully it'll help a bit. It's not supposed to have tinnitus as a side effect.

I am a little confused here. Are you on AD already or not yet?

 

[Zenyatta]

@MJv Right, sorry. I was on Remeron in the first month but it had horrible side effects and I had to stop.

 

[MJv]

@MJv Right, sorry. I was on Remeron in the first month but it had horrible side effects and I had to stop.

Alright, I understand. Maybe talk with your GP about another AD.

 

[Zenyatta]

@MJv I will! I really like what I've read about agomelatine so far...

 

[MJv]

@MJv I will! I really like what I've read about agomelatine so far...

@Zenyatta
Give it a try and goodluck!

 

[Rasmus]

Are you using headset alot, im just asking because of your name and picture, if so stop using and start using speakers instead with low vulume.

 

[Zenyatta]

@Rasmus Nope, not anymore. I quit shortly after the infection

 

[NavyNat]

Hi @Zenyatta, I came across your post and I wanted to let you know I get it. I can hear my tinnitus over the car running, hairdryers and even the vacuum at times and is much worse in the past 2-3 years. The distractions seem to help. I also have a lot of hearing loss, severe in one ear and mild in the other, but found that hearing aids make my tinnitus seem worse, so I haven't bothered with that avenue. I have been meaning to try the drug, gabapentin, as it is for nerve pain, but the theory is that it could work for tinnitus. Worth a shot, anyways. Also, I did find out that you can get very small hearing aids/speakers that play some form of reciprocal sound that matches with your tinnitus and apparently it helps to detract your attention and help with coping. I have yet to try this, but I bet if you went to most hearing places they could try something like this on a trail basis so that if it didn't work to you, it wouldn't be a lost. Hang in there, tinnitus can really be hell and it's impossible to empathize unless you have it yourself.