-Sigh- Just What I Needed

[Gwyndion]

Hello, I'm new here and new to tinnitus too. I hope you'll take no umbrage when I say I hope I won't be a longtime visitor here. My experience with tinnitus started last week and I certainly hope it disappears as suddenly as it appeared. It started randomly at work last week, I do a desk job so no sudden noises or anything. I haven't been to any loud places in months, the last time was months ago for volunteer work and I was wearing custom made earplugs for those events. My best guess, if that's possible, is that it might be stress induced due to workplace issues or causes by biking to work and being in an air conditioned office all day and back.

Can't say I can quite place what it is. It seems to be in my right ear though at times it almost feels like it swapped ears. Also a bit hard to say what I'm feeling is due to the tinnitus or the meds that the doctor prescribed me. The first days it felt like a constant relatively high pitch, hindersome but could still hold conversations fairly normally. Now it seems to nearly disappear at times (especially when focused/amused) or get a bit louder than initially, spread to both ears or be more a ringing noise. This does seem to happen when I'm frustrated/anxious. At the moment it's a ringing noise and the ear feels clogged, nearly like somebody wrapped something around the tube and is using it as a bell.

As the doctor recommended I'm putting on music to mask it which helps to a degree. I do hope it disappears soon as both the noise and what I've read about the condition are making me anxious/sad. which isn't coupling well with feeling down due to workplace frustrations.

 

[Lane]

Also a bit hard to say what I'm feeling is due to the tinnitus or the meds that the doctor prescribed me.

@Gwyndion -- Sorry to hear about your tinnitus onset. Just to mention, many on this forum got tinnitus from taking certain medications that are ototoxic. If I may ask, what meds are you currently taking?

workplace issues or causes by biking to work

If you sit at a desk a lot, it's quite possible your posture has been affected, and could be causing or contributing to your tinnitus. Same with biking, which can be very hard on the neck (I discovered long ago I can't use a bicycle).

This does seem to happen when I'm frustrated/anxious.

Stress can certainly be a causative or contributing factor. Please do whatever you can to reduce stress in your life, and perhaps consider various supplements than can reduce stress and anxiety, such as turmeric and inositol.

All the Best!

 

[Gwyndion]

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to be positive but reading this forums, while informative, isn't really improving my mood either. Does feel like reading/thinking about tinnitus makes the noise more present too. I wasn't taking meds when it started, the doctor prescribed cirrus in the hopes it'd help as he suspect the tinnitus is caused by the eartube closing/opening due to temp changes. Going to work with the car for the rest of the week and see if that helps any. Also going to ignore coffee (not that I'm a big drinker) and try to get some extra sleep (been fairly sleep deprived past weeks).

 

[billie48]

I'm trying to be positive but reading this forums, while informative, isn't really improving my mood either. Does feel like reading/thinking about tinnitus makes the noise more present too.

Welcome to the forum. It is sometimes frustrating to try to track down what initially caused your tinnitus.
There are many causes, single or combined, which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug side-effects from ototoxic drugs, ear wax build-up, ear-wax removal suction, inner ear infection, Eustachian tube disorder or ETD, ear drum injury, fluid build-up in ears feeling pressured or fullness, sinus infection & congestion especially with a bad cold, TMJ, TTTS, autoimmune disorders such as Lyme Disease & Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, anemia, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma/shock, acoustic neuroma tumor, head injury or TBI, neck injury or muscle problems, hearing loss from aging or other causes, Meniere's Decease, barotrauma from rapid pressure changes in flights or diving, especially with congested nose or sinus causing failure to balance the pressure changes, slapping of the ears, deep grief, untreated sleep apnea, extreme/extended stress, anxiety & panic disorder, depression, sleep deprivation, etc. T can also be caused or made worse by unhealthy diet such as too much salt, sugar, caffeine, MSG, alcohol etc. or by lacking some mineral or vitamin supplements, such as Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3 etc.

Sometimes trying to hard to pin down the cause will cause us to focus on T a lot more than it should. I will encourage you to focus on living your life as normal as you can and be positive. The more calm and positive we are (knowing T may not be an issue within a year or two), the more likely we can keep the limbic nervous system off so it would not focus on T non-stop thinking it being a deadly thread.

To help you to be more positive and hopeful for the future, I encourage you to read the success stories as many as you can to soak in the positives. Try to learn some helpful strategies from others too. Good luck. God bless.

 

[Lane]

the doctor prescribed cirrus

I just did an online search on Corrus, and discovered it's apparently an antihistamine drug and has quite a few potential side effects. My understanding is that virtually all antihistamines are in the category of anticholinergic drugs, and can cause or exacerbate tinnitus. -- I think there's a natural supplement that is supposed to be a very affective antihistamine, but I don't recall the name of it right now. I do recall that it was fairly expensive, but maybe not any more so than a prescription drug.

Just a suggestion, but whenever considering taking a drug--whether or not it's a prescription drug--do at least a quick online search with the name of the drug and tinnitus. It's an easy way to see if it's affected other people's tinnitus (it seems most doctors rarely know). If somethings as relatively benign as coffee or sugar can greatly affect some people's tinnitus, it stands to reason that seemingly benign drugs can do the same. -- Take care, I hope my note doesn't leave you more anxious. But I thought you might appreciate a cautionary note.

 

[foam]

Being an office working I think you've picked up somatic tinnitus from a strained neck. When you get stressed combined with natural hearing loss from age the central nervious system can be sent into a hyper active state and starts picking up all kinds of pain that it didn't before, this turns into ringing in the brain. You have to attack this from all fronts.. Get good posture, get your neck strong and get rid of the stress. I've been going through this for a couple of months and I'm 90% better but it'll take probably a good year to be 100%, might never get to 100% but I'm trying.

 

[Gwyndion]

Just feels so odd as I'm just 30 and have always been very careful with my ears exactly because I was terrified of getting tinnitus somehow. Also just went from 0 to very present in the blink of an eye without any clear triggering factors like slamming my head, absurdly loud concert, illness,.... Also quite odd how it's been changing since I got it, first few days it was a steady while while today it started more quiet and at times seemed to taper of I can actually feel my ears vibrate and a more...whirring I think....sound. Also at times feels like the insides of my ear are trembling though this stops if I blow in my nose.

 

[Lane]

Also quite odd how it's been changing since I got it, first few days it was a steady while while today it started more quiet and at times seemed to taper of I can actually feel my ears vibrate and a more...whirring I think....sound. Also at times feels like the insides of my ear are trembling though this stops if I blow in my nose.

@Gwyndion -- These are actually signs that--to me--are quite encouraging. The part about the "trembling" stopping when you blow your nose seems to indicate at least part of your tinnitus might be a result of some kind of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD). It's important to be able to start pinpointing things like that.

 

[Gwyndion]

Thank you Lane, hadn't heard of ETD yet. I have to admit it makes me feel relieved....Just read some information about ETD and while I'm aware of the risks of self diagnosing I'm able to checkmark every thing mentioned on https://www.healthline.com/health/eustachian-tube-dysfunction#treatment. It would explain why today felt like my ears couldn't maintain pressure. At one point it felt like lifting up in a plane, awhile later landing and other times trembling. Especially today it's a whirring intermixed with the odd whistle with trembling of the ears. Do hope I'm not grasping at straws here but ETD looks like it is better treatable/prognosis than other types of tinnitus? Kuddos respect to the people who've been living with tinnitus for years, just this past week has been driving me to my withs end and being a disaster for my mood. Also saw some people recommend white noise but that seemed to aggravate the sounds while nature sounds or even anime soundtracks seem to work better for sleeping etc.

 

[Lane]

It would explain why today felt like my ears couldn't maintain pressure.

@Gwyndion -- Just in case you missed it, there's a new post today (link below) that I think you'd be very interested in. One of the more remarkable posts I've seen on this forum in the past year+.

The Eustachi Device for Treating Tinnitus — Reviews? Experiences?

 

[Gwyndion]

@Lane Thanks for the link, will need to keep an eye on that and see what my doctor says. Will see how things evolve coming days and go to the GP on friday.

 

[all to gain]

You could also try an Otovent for ETD. Got to keep at it though, it doesn't work overnight. Can takes a few weeks to work.

 

[Gwyndion]

Doesn't Otovent just do the same as popping manually or am I overlooking something ?

 

[Gwyndion]

Currently sounds like a radio trying and failing to find a tune....this is maddening...Its that I know it wouldn't help or about ready to just glue my ear shot or something....

 

[all to gain]

Doesn't Otovent just do the same as popping manually or am I overlooking something ?

Not sure.

Even if it does, it does it in a controlled way, whereas doing it manually can lead to ruptured eardrums. People tend to blow too hard.

 

[Gwyndion]

So I have this ringing sensation in my right ear for about a week and a half. Went to a doctor last week Friday and this Friday to get a referral for an ENT. The ringing I heard initially seems fainter and at this point it is less a sound than feeling something twitch/flutter in my ear. I can actually feel this by just placing a finger in my ear. Like a vein is throbbing like crazy or maybe the muscles of my eardrum or I don't know.... This twitching seems to flow right down to my tongue where the right side of my tongue twitches too at times.

This isn't normal for tinnitus is it? It wasn't brought on by any recent loud noise exposure nor did I have any head trauma or anything like that. I'm calling the hospital for an ENT appointment Monday (no able to make bookings in the weekend) but when I checked the site it seemed the earliest opening is in over a month.

Sorry, I know you all are in the same boat but just totally freaking out wondering if this is a neurological thing and just hoping to hell this goes away soon (not that I believe so). Sorry for the rambling but my emotions have been all over the place due to stress.

 

[foam]

The other thread vanishedbut I rote this... My ear was making hugely violent spasm's when I was laying in the pillow during about my second week with Tinnitus. I have no idea why (this wasn't long ago). Was it stress, anxiety, an infection.. no clue. it was like BRBRBRBRBBBRBT (many seconds pause) BRBRBRBRBBRBBRBRT (many seconds pause) BRBRBRBBRBBRBRT

 

[Phendran]

Just feels so odd as I'm just 30 and have always been very careful with my ears exactly because I was terrified of getting tinnitus somehow.

I got mine before I turned 18 and when I was 22 it became strongly affecting and has been since then.
Debilitating tinnitus is making its way further down the age-groups and today nobody is safe regardless of age.
I understand reading on these forums might make you sad, but the truth is that some of us suffer a lot, and that is not something you should shy away from.

Judging form your opening-post, the doctor you visited has not offered anything against the tinnitus. That's the kind of "caregiving" we want to see improved.
We'd be grateful if you from now on would spread the word so that the majority of doctors in the future will offer proper care and treatments against tinnitus.

 

[Gwyndion]

I get your point that it is a reality and feel free to call me childish but it isn't one I'm ready to accept. Was ready to start crying when I told a coworker about it. That being said I know many are worse off so don't want to dramatise, just not dealing well with this.

I'm also worried my best chances of maybe getting rid of this are shot due to trusting my gp yet ent waitlists are very long too as in late October....

At the moment, at the least today, I'm not sure if I should describe it as a noise or a feeling producing a noise as I feel spasms in my ear which seem to produce a whirring noise which travels down to my mouth and produces a twitch in the right part of my tongue and near right bottom wisdom teeth. I can feel it with my fingers if it gets harder.

 

[Phendran]

I get your point that it is a reality and feel free to call me childish but it isn't one I'm ready to accept.

We understand. It is not an easy thing to take in the first time.

Was ready to start crying when I told a coworker about it.

How did your coworker react? Have you told other people?

That being said I know many are worse off so don't want to dramatise,

Do not worry about that. Worse off or not doesn't matter. No one should have to experience constant tinnitus for several days.

just not dealing well with this.

That is normal I'm afraid.

What is important now is that you remain vocal about your tinnitus and that it causes you problems.
You are not alone in this. We'll be here to help a little.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Check out
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

[Gwyndion]

Well my GP knows and gave me a referrel though I wish he'd done that a week earlier as it seems he doesn't know much about it and didn't provide the meds I see recommended here often. My father knows, a few close friends and some coworkers. Seems to range a bit between "eh...well that sucks to" to "-hug- hope you feel better soon".

Going to contact the local hospital(s) first thing tomorrow and hope I can get an ENT appointment this week (well would prefer same day). Perhaps HBOT helps or they can provide some drugs that'll offer relief. Also wondering what's at cause, slept in a tent last night and it was bad this morning yet quite fast after I got up and active the sound subsided to maybe...10-20%% volume and is now more fluttering where I feel my right ear twitch. That twitch also travels to the corner of my mouth and tongue. Also noticed for the past days my right hand feels a tad numb at times so wonder if that's related to the meds or if all of this might be caused by a pinched nerve or the like....

In the meantime I'm trying to sort out the conflicting advice. One seems to say to use background noise yet the other says not to do so so you get accustomed to it and learn to filter it out due to exposure. One says headphones are a plague yet the other says they're okay at minimal volume as a distraction,... Do appreciate all the feedback, please don't misunderstand me .

 

[Gwyndion]

So far it has put me through the wringer. ENT suspect it might be pulsatile tinnitus but isn't quite certain...Seems to be a certain rythm to it instead of being a steady sound. Does get louder after lying down (which makes sleeping hell) and can feel the veins in my ears throb etc. They saw a small dip on a hearing range but that was same for both ears while only the right ear has the noise from hell and the ears in my ear seemed just fine from their tests.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Gwyndion

That twitch also travels to the corner of my mouth and tongue. Also noticed for the past days my right hand feels a tad numb at times

Have you had your thyroid checked?

volume and is now more fluttering

Second reason to have thyroid checked. CBC blood tests?
Do you have either dry mouth or extra saliva?
Have you had radiation therapy in the past for another issue?

Update: See second response: https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/Numbness/show/484324

 

[Gwyndion]

Mouth seems dryer than usual despite drinking plenty of fluids and a blood/thyroid test is next on the list. Haven't had any radiation therapy in the past.

 

[Gwyndion]

Few months later and sadly still along for the ride...Had a scan with contrast fluid and that showed no vascular abnormalities. Sound seems to be a bit better on average though worse when stressed/tired though I may just have gotten a bit better at dealing with it. Like now it feels like something is expanding and deflating in my ear (pressure build up and dispersal). Besides that just going to a kinesist to help with cramped neck muscles....ENT couldn't offer any useful advice. Would like to get some further medical aid/research but at this point I'm trying to keep my life moving but feeling hopeless on the tinnitus front. Just feels like medically I have to walk this road solo as there doesn't seem to be a doctor who'll guide me, advice what tests to have done and actually ensure that the medical data is put together...Wouldn't half surprise me if the answer is in the scans/tests but just hasn't been puzzled together yet...