Sleep Acts as Off/On Switch for Tinnitus

try crickets, cicades, waterfalls, birds chirping, nature sounds are the best
Thanks Danny. I just can seem to find that perfect sound. Fan works well and music under my pillow too. The music gets annoying after a while where I turn it down during the night. I mentioned the typing is very slow here was offering Skype to anyone if that is alright wsgrgal.
 
Hi Gary,

Thanks so much for all your help. This typing is so very slow. I'm offering Skype to anyone I hope that is alright. My name is wsgrgal. Maybe we can hold conference calls if anyone knows how.
Linda, it is my pleasure to help in any way I can. Not up on skyping, have never done it before. I don't even have a webcam, but thanks for the invite....
 
To Linda and others - I've just recently come through a major health crisis where my T was so loud (50-60 decibels) and then I also got an inner ear infection which made the sound crushingly loud. Sleep faded to nothing. It was awful. I have recovered and getting good sleep has helped beyond belief. It's worth noting I was always a light sleeper but now I'm not! I've now gone 4 months with only one bad sleep - the transformation has been increidble. Here's what happened and I hope it is of some benefit to u all.

I listened to a lot of people trying to help me with sleep. I read up on sleep hygiene (basically good habits). Tried a few products and I'll tell u what worked for me.
Booze - I went from having a social beer a day 4 or 5 times a week to drinking nothing. Alcohol does not help u sleep. Recently I've had the odd beer with no effect on my sleep patterns.

Habits - I go to bed regularly at 9.30. I think it's important to have a time that suits u and your lifestyle. DO NOT nap at any time. Try and save your tiredness up!

Exercise - get out and do something each day - if you tire yourself out a bit it will help u sleep. I used a Mel B exercise DVD!!!

Meditation - I learned several med techniques to try take my mind off the tinnitus. It did work and help my mind to relax. If anyone wants to ask about this pm me...

Sound effects - I downloaded and listened to a running water white noise - it was calming and soothing. I put headphones under my pillow so it wouldn't upset my wife. It helped me get to sleep for 2 days! After that it didn't work!! I've not used it since!

Sleep products - I use two - http://www.health2000.co.nz/shop/sleep/tart-cherry-sleep/p5518/c73

This stuff has natural melatonin in it. I used to take one half an hour before bed, it wasn't particularly useful. Then I took it closer to bedtime and it worked better when combined with......

Lavendar balm - I rub this on my temples at the same time I take my melatonin capsule. The lavendar balm seems to put me to sleep. I dunno why it just does. The melatonin in my eyes helps give me deep sleep. I now sleep through my kids waking up all the time. Drives my wife nuts! If I do get up for a reason I get back to sleep. I also don't seem to have those nights when your mind runs riot. I just sleep. :)

Everyone is different of course and it took me a few months to find what works for me but I've never slept this good ever. It's great! I hope this offers u all hope that u can sleep better. I'm the same as u all - my Tin is worse on bad sleep, and it's a great feeling knowing I will sleep every night.
 
Hi Gary,

Thanks so much for all your help. This typing is so very slow. I'm offering Skype to anyone I hope that is alright. My name is wsgrgal. Maybe we can hold conference calls if anyone knows how.
I may like to try Skype @Linda Marie. Is there easy directions you could print out? I have a built in camera in my laptop and desktop.
 
Sure not a problem. Gary how do you handle watching TV when the T is there? People are quick to say "Ignore it"?
Good question. I will have my wife turn up the TV to as loud as she can stand it, then I get bits and pieces from the TV. I sit near her, and have her fill me in on what I missed.
 
Gary, easy to download it's free there is help on the site. I think it's skype.com. my name is wsgrgal. I've had it awhile so not certain. Give it a shot.
Linda, that is just 1monitoring that just asked you about skype, not me, I don't have a webcam..
 
Hi Carol, No I don't wear them all the time. You really don't need to. Hey I had an idea was wondering if you use Skype. It would be so much easier to talk. I'm having problems typing here it is so slow. My skype name is wsgrgal or Linda Ratti Rockne or Linda Rockne. Let me know what you think.
Hi Linda Marie, i would love to skype, let me know a suitable time for you, we'll work out the time difference between us.
 
To Linda and others - I've just recently come through a major health crisis where my T was so loud (50-60 decibels) and then I also got an inner ear infection which made the sound crushingly loud. Sleep faded to nothing. It was awful. I have recovered and getting good sleep has helped beyond belief. It's worth noting I was always a light sleeper but now I'm not! I've now gone 4 months with only one bad sleep - the transformation has been increidble. Here's what happened and I hope it is of some benefit to u all.

I listened to a lot of people trying to help me with sleep. I read up on sleep hygiene (basically good habits). Tried a few products and I'll tell u what worked for me.
Booze - I went from having a social beer a day 4 or 5 times a week to drinking nothing. Alcohol does not help u sleep. Recently I've had the odd beer with no effect on my sleep patterns.

Habits - I go to bed regularly at 9.30. I think it's important to have a time that suits u and your lifestyle. DO NOT nap at any time. Try and save your tiredness up!

Exercise - get out and do something each day - if you tire yourself out a bit it will help u sleep. I used a Mel B exercise DVD!!!

Meditation - I learned several med techniques to try take my mind off the tinnitus. It did work and help my mind to relax. If anyone wants to ask about this pm me...

Sound effects - I downloaded and listened to a running water white noise - it was calming and soothing. I put headphones under my pillow so it wouldn't upset my wife. It helped me get to sleep for 2 days! After that it didn't work!! I've not used it since!

Sleep products - I use two - http://www.health2000.co.nz/shop/sleep/tart-cherry-sleep/p5518/c73

This stuff has natural melatonin in it. I used to take one half an hour before bed, it wasn't particularly useful. Then I took it closer to bedtime and it worked better when combined with......

Lavendar balm - I rub this on my temples at the same time I take my melatonin capsule. The lavendar balm seems to put me to sleep. I dunno why it just does. The melatonin in my eyes helps give me deep sleep. I now sleep through my kids waking up all the time. Drives my wife nuts! If I do get up for a reason I get back to sleep. I also don't seem to have those nights when your mind runs riot. I just sleep. :)

Everyone is different of course and it took me a few months to find what works for me but I've never slept this good ever. It's great! I hope this offers u all hope that u can sleep better. I'm the same as u all - my Tin is worse on bad sleep, and it's a great feeling knowing I will sleep every night.
 
Hello Steelbanks,

How exciting communicating with you all the way from New Zealand. Thank you so much for your thoughtful message and time spent putting it together. I'm so glad that you found a way to get your sleep. Actually sounds to good to be true.

It's been a rough road since Dec 2013. I've been on Remeron 7.5mg for 5 days. It's an anti-depressent but am taking at night for sleep. I seem to usually wake about 4am and then difficult to fall asleep. My ENT has ok'd me to up the dose to 15mg still considered low.

My sleep time is around 10:30p. So I take the R at 10:00p I go between a fan and music under my pillow, but the music is touch and go finding myself figiting with the volume during the night.

Exercise: I walk anywhere from 3-5 miles a day.

Meditation: I'm an anxious person to begin with so this may be a bit difficult for me. Could you please elaborate on this as you mentioned.

Sleep Products: Picking up Badger Sleep Balm tonight giving it a try. I'm taking Remeron so I need to ask my ENT if I can take Cherry Tart while on my medication. I took 5mg Melatonin for one night before Remeron it didn't work but maybe should have taken it longer or up'd the dose. I became impatient.

Badger Sleep Balm: Am picking this up tonight and will give it a try the reviews are excellent.

Not sure if you Skype. I have a laptop with camera and it would be nice to communicate. Let me know. I can be found under "wsgrgal". I talk to an uncle in Norway and an aunt in Central America at no charge and we video chat.

Hoping to hear from you soon. Will stay in touch.
 
To Linda and others - I've just recently come through a major health crisis where my T was so loud (50-60 decibels) and then I also got an inner ear infection which made the sound crushingly loud. Sleep faded to nothing. It was awful. I have recovered and getting good sleep has helped beyond belief. It's worth noting I was always a light sleeper but now I'm not! I've now gone 4 months with only one bad sleep - the transformation has been increidble. Here's what happened and I hope it is of some benefit to u all.

I listened to a lot of people trying to help me with sleep. I read up on sleep hygiene (basically good habits). Tried a few products and I'll tell u what worked for me.
Booze - I went from having a social beer a day 4 or 5 times a week to drinking nothing. Alcohol does not help u sleep. Recently I've had the odd beer with no effect on my sleep patterns.

Habits - I go to bed regularly at 9.30. I think it's important to have a time that suits u and your lifestyle. DO NOT nap at any time. Try and save your tiredness up!

Exercise - get out and do something each day - if you tire yourself out a bit it will help u sleep. I used a Mel B exercise DVD!!!

Meditation - I learned several med techniques to try take my mind off the tinnitus. It did work and help my mind to relax. If anyone wants to ask about this pm me...

Sound effects - I downloaded and listened to a running water white noise - it was calming and soothing. I put headphones under my pillow so it wouldn't upset my wife. It helped me get to sleep for 2 days! After that it didn't work!! I've not used it since!

Sleep products - I use two - http://www.health2000.co.nz/shop/sleep/tart-cherry-sleep/p5518/c73

This stuff has natural melatonin in it. I used to take one half an hour before bed, it wasn't particularly useful. Then I took it closer to bedtime and it worked better when combined with......

Lavendar balm - I rub this on my temples at the same time I take my melatonin capsule. The lavendar balm seems to put me to sleep. I dunno why it just does. The melatonin in my eyes helps give me deep sleep. I now sleep through my kids waking up all the time. Drives my wife nuts! If I do get up for a reason I get back to sleep. I also don't seem to have those nights when your mind runs riot. I just sleep. :)

Everyone is different of course and it took me a few months to find what works for me but I've never slept this good ever. It's great! I hope this offers u all hope that u can sleep better. I'm the same as u all - my Tin is worse on bad sleep, and it's a great feeling knowing I will sleep every night.
See my note to you below.
 
Linda, I'll pm u about medication. It's a useful tool to help relax u and if you're an anxious person I think you'll find it useful.
One thing I found with my cherry pills and balm was they were less effective if I took them 1/2 an hr before sleep as prescribed. I found if I took them 15 minutes or even just before bed they helped me more.
 
Are there other sufferers out there whose tinnitus is literally switched on and ( mercifully) off after a nights sleep? Does anyone have any theories about why this should be? I can go to bed at night after a day almost completely free of tinnitus and wake to an angry raging torrent of hissing or vice versa. I initially thought it was tied in with diet so experimented with cutting out red meat,alcohol, dairy, etc, etc and found no link. However something occurs during sleep to dramatically alter the pattern of tinnitus and I feel that unlocking what this is may hold the key for to permanent relief.
Joss
Mine is very similar to yours. One or two days with a hissing tinnitus followed by one or two days of no tinnitus. Extremely rare to have 3 consecutive days with or without this tinnitus. My tinnitus was caused by Effexor withdrawal 4.5 years ago. It's a permanent thing and the pattern hasn't changed much in that time. Hope someone on one of these threads finally figures out how to break the cycle. What a miracle that would be!!!
 
@Jeff

Does your t wake. You up or does it start slowly after waking?
Same two day cycle for me too. On the "T days" it usually starts with slightly elevated T in the early
AM and increases to screaming T by mid-day. I have yet to go a full 72 hours where it remains quieter. There is obviously some tie to an internal clock. I can't say that I bring it on as there have been times where I'll forget about the rhythm but, to no avail, the T will ramp up on the third morning.
 
I too, have had the sleep on/off cycle....usually waking up to a loud hissing sound in my head even if the previous day was relatively quiet. I also have had the short nap phenomenon bringing on loud T usually in the form of a hissing sound. I have just started tapering off of Zolpidem dropping from 10mg to 5mg ( I tried to get the 5mg pills but my insurance wouldn't allow it just yet) Then I could go to 7.5 mg by cutting the 5's in half.

Anyway, I have been taking 5mg Zolpidem + 15mg Remeron and my morning hiss seems to be gone. I don't want to jinx myself and say this is the magic combination, so I will leave it at that for now until further evaluation. After being on 10mg Zolpidem for probably 15 years, I am finally getting off of them, hopefully for good!
 
I too, have had the sleep on/off cycle....usually waking up to a loud hissing sound in my head even if the previous day was relatively quiet. I also have had the short nap phenomenon bringing on loud T usually in the form of a hissing sound. I have just started tapering off of Zolpidem dropping from 10mg to 5mg ( I tried to get the 5mg pills but my insurance wouldn't allow it just yet) Then I could go to 7.5 mg by cutting the 5's in half.

Anyway, I have been taking 5mg Zolpidem + 15mg Remeron and my morning hiss seems to be gone. I don't want to jinx myself and say this is the magic combination, so I will leave it at that for now until further evaluation. After being on 10mg Zolpidem for probably 15 years, I am finally getting off of them, hopefully for good.

15 years, damn that's a long time! I've been on it coming up 9 years now. I still remember when I was initially prescribed them, the doctor told me it was non-habit forming or addictive in anyway, so I'm like sweet I'll just keep taking them (was always an insomniac) and bam, here I am. I've probably only ever had 2 or 3 nights of natural sleep since. I get such bad quality sleep too now, it really sucks - I need to be lifitng and doing cardio 5-6 times a week to get maybe to get decent hours sleeping, god damn zolpidem fried my GABA receptors! I was doing pretty fine with the sleep until 6 or 7 months ago when my H/T started to really ramp up.

Anyway, re: possible role of zolpidem in tinnitus. I've previously mentioned in a couple threads that I think zolpidem has had a role in my tinnitus/hyperacusis development. I've said this because I've been on it so long, and while they've been labeled a 'Z' ('non-benzodiazepine' hypnotic apparently), I've found out through a bit of research over the past couple years that they do in fact work exactly like a benzo, except they are slightly more efficient at being a hynotic than a regular benzo. And while the withdrawal effects are not as pronounced in most people, it is very common after people start using long term (years+). Plus side is "protracted" withdrawals seem to be less common with the 'Z' drugs.

I think they are safe with short term use, but I'm pretty sure my years of use have caused problems with my GABA receptors and probably made me more prone to tinnitus and hyperacusis. Currently trying to taper off it, but has become extremely difficult because my tinnitus and hyperacusis has actually been getting a lot worse.

Anyway, zolpidem isn't too notorious for tinnitus compared to other benzo's, so don't stress if you've been on them a while, but I would avoid ever getting on it and if you do, keep it short term or sporadic. But again, keep in mind that everything I've mentioned here is just based on my own experience, people can take these drugs for years and have no problems, but it's something to keep in mind.

Natural sleep is the most important thing imo, I just wish I realized that years ago. If you need to be on something, get on melatonin/5htp and exercise like crazy, if it's that bad - go with remeron. Benzos/nonbenzos are effective but they put you on a slippery slope.
 
Thanks for the info @yonkapin . Sorry to hear about your T&H, I feel for you. I may try calling the pharmacy on buying the 5mg direct without insurance, see if they allow it. I am not too technical on knowing about the GABA receptors and should read up on that. I have been meaning to exercise but haven't. I guess I need a swift kick in the a**! Just checked on the 5mg Zolpidem early, but they will not allow until 2-5-14. (controlled substance). I suppose then I will cut the 5's in half.
 
I too, have had the sleep on/off cycle....usually waking up to a loud hissing sound in my head even if the previous day was relatively quiet. I also have had the short nap phenomenon bringing on loud T usually in the form of a hissing sound. I have just started tapering off of Zolpidem dropping from 10mg to 5mg ( I tried to get the 5mg pills but my insurance wouldn't allow it just yet) Then I could go to 7.5 mg by cutting the 5's in half.

Anyway, I have been taking 5mg Zolpidem + 15mg Remeron and my morning hiss seems to be gone. I don't want to jinx myself and say this is the magic combination, so I will leave it at that for now until further evaluation. After being on 10mg Zolpidem for probably 15 years, I am finally getting off of them, hopefully for good!
Your cuts should be made based upon a % of the last dose. In other words, once the dose drops the cuts will get exponentially smaller. Otherwise you'll go too fast. This might increase the possibility of protracted T.
 

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