Spike or Not? Need Some Support :(

[Reetta Rissanen]

Hey, I just signed in here to find some people who understand this situation.
I've had a very mild tinnitus for 5 years, I never even noticed it anymore.

A week ago the noise got ten times louder and I'm going crazy here... I can't think about enything else but tinnitus, the shower id the only place I don't hear it. Can't sleep, can't concentrate, I just cry and have lost the will to do anything I used to like.

Please tell me this will pass after some time, I can't imagine ever coping with a sound this loud in my head, the masking doesn't help and I hear it everywhere

 

[Bill Bauer]

I was surprised to learn that a significant fraction of spikes last over a week
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/poll-how-long-was-your-longest-spike.22099

Can you recall being exposed to a loud noise in the days before the start of the spike? It could have been something like the sound of a door slamming, the sound of an ambulance, etc. Did you have dental work done not long before the start of the spike?

 

[Reetta Rissanen]

I'm really REALLY hoping this is just a spike.
No loud noises or dental work done, I can't think of anything causing this. That's why I'm so afraid this isn't a spike cause I've read they are caused by loud noises, illness or stress and I didn't have any of that.
This is the most awful thing ever, I'm usually happy and positive and everything in my life is going well, but I'm starting to get suicidal thoughts and a bad depression

 

[Ed209]

I'm really REALLY hoping this is just a spike.
No loud noises or dental work done, I can't think of anything causing this. That's why I'm so afraid this isn't a spike cause I've read they are caused by loud noises, illness or stress and I didn't have any of that.
This is the most awful thing ever, I'm usually happy and positive and everything in my life is going well, but I'm starting to get suicidal thoughts and a bad depression

Try to remain calm. Spikes come and go and are a part of having tinnitus. It's so easy to become really stressed by it all, but this just further exacerbates the problem.

Tinnitus is hard, especially at the start, but in time you'll learn to adapt and your former self will start to emerge once again. At the moment tinnitus is not a problem for me, but I've been on absolute rollercoaster ride with it and I've learned to accept it. By accepting it, it's like the panic and anxiety that used to go hand in hand with it has pretty much gone. This reflects a snap shot of here and now for me, but I like to share this positive message in the hope that it helps anyone who is in absolute despair. I want you to know that it's not always like this.

I've dealt with horrendous emotions, spikes, depression, and it forced me to quit my band. This was a sledgehammer to my soul and I don't say that lightly; my entire life had been based around music and live performance. We adapt and we continue, and life can be as good as before. Don't let your mind, or this forum even, convince you that it's all doom and gloom from now on. I've got custom molded ear plugs which go with me anytime I'm in a loud environment, and for me, it's allowed me to carry on with my life. That doesn't mean I go raving every week, but having tinnitus certainly doesn't stop me going places.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm really REALLY hoping this is just a spike.
No loud noises or dental work done, I can't think of anything causing this. That's why I'm so afraid this isn't a spike cause I've read they are caused by loud noises, illness or stress and I didn't have any of that.
This is the most awful thing ever, I'm usually happy and positive and everything in my life is going well, but I'm starting to get suicidal thoughts and a bad depression

It might be because of sudden hearing loss. You may try to go to the emergency and get them to give you prednisone.

After I showed the doctors at the emergency the printout of
http://www.masseyeandear.org/for-pa...ation/diseases-and-conditions/sudden-deafness
they gave 7-day supply of prednisone for me. I heard it is not easy to get prednisone in UK.

"Patients who initiate oral steroid treatment more than four weeks after onset of their SSNHL have virtually no chance of oral steroid benefit."
The sooner you begin the treatment, the better. Your ENT can also do steroid shots. I don't know much about it, but you can find information about it on this site.

I am not sure why this message is showing as having an attachment. I haven't attached anything to it.

 

[Reetta Rissanen]

Thank you so much for your comment Ed! I hope as time passes by I'll habituate to this new louder noise as you have

 

[fishbone]

Hey, I just signed in here to find some people who understand this situation.
I've had a very mild tinnitus for 5 years, I never even noticed it anymore.
A week ago the noise got ten times louder and I'm going crazy here... I can't think about enything else but tinnitus, the shower id the only place I don't hear it. Can't sleep, can't concentrate, I just cry and have lost the will to do anything I used to like.
Please tell me this will pass after some time, I can't imagine ever coping with a sound this loud in my head, the masking doesn't help and I hear it everywhere

Hi there,

so sorry that your tinnitus bothers you so much. My heart does go out to you and i feel your pain. My tinnitus is not maskable and super loud in both ears and there is nothing i can do to reduce the volume. What works for me is just being busy and distracting myself from the ringing.

Exercise, meditation are great and they can help reduce the stress. I know the stress you must be under, try to relax a bit . In time you can cope, it is possible. I was in your shoes and still am in your shoes. Tinnitus is a difficult thing, but its not the end of life.

Maybe talk things out with some who you love and get some support. This place is full of support and we care about those that come to this board.

Be well....

 

[jimH]

Please tell me this will pass after some time, I can't imagine ever coping with a sound this loud in my head, the masking doesn't help and I hear it everywhere

It probably will pass. I've had T for more than 30 years. I had a very severe prolonged spike in 2014 that lasted about 3-1/2 months. I thought it was permanent. I am convinced that the anxiety and fear that resulted from it exacerbated the situation. Perhaps even making the spike last longer than it would have.

@Ed209's suggestion to "try to remain calm" is spot on. One of the first things to do right now is to continue to tell yourself that it's only temporary. That it will pass and that you will get through this OK. Then once you get through this bad spike, should another come along in the future, remembering how you got through this experience will make it easier to get through future ones if they occur.

So, take heart! Don't be discouraged or fall into despair because it will more than likely pass..

 

[Reetta Rissanen]

Thank you guys so much for your encouraging words I decided to get help from a psychologist to get over my stress and anxiety as soon as possible. I want to believe this will pass and if not, then I will try my best to move on with my life. If you can do it, I can do it too.