Starting to Feel Scared About New Tinnitus Changes

[robinbird]

Hi, Been on this site for a short while. Some may have read my posts. Anyway, I felt like this T was getting better but now I am beginning to think it is taking on a whole new identity. Last February I went from a roaring type of T in my right ear that lasted about two weeks or so. It has changed to either a hissing, high pitch,breezing crackling sound. A few days ago, my left ear, which was my good ear, while I was resting in bed, let out what you all call a spike which sent me into an almost panic attack. I called my PCP and spoke to the nurse. She was able to calm me down. I have been taking 1/2 a Lorazepan pill since Feb at night to sleep. A few days ago I wanted to try to sleep without it, and I did. The next day I did not do well because of lack of sleep the night before. That day is when my left ear spiked. I am starting to get low hissing in the left ear, as well as the usual sounds I have become use to in my right. But, I feel like my heart is pounding and my head is sometimes pounding. Especially when I do any kind of physical work. I feel the pounding. I also feel sometimes like my temples are being pressed in. I think anxiety is starting to take over any logic I was feeling about this T. I am due to see an ENT in a week. I know you all don't have too many good things to say about the ENT Drs. I will probably get hearing aids, especially since they offer a 30 day free trial. Would an ENT be able to say if it is a blood flow thing going on with me or not? If not, what type of Dr. or specialist would I seek to help me. This pounding that is going on is nerve wracking. It doesn't happen all the time. I decided to keep taking the 1/2 Lorazepan for sleep, sometimes during the day I take an Ibuprophen if the noise gets weird. It does seem to help me. I am a healthy person and always have been. Never abused myself. No loud noises or such. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Stink]

ibuprofen helps you? it is ototoxic... be careful
lorazepam can cause or make tinnitus worse... be careful (taper off slowly if you stop...)
you know tinnitus does get worse on it's own sometimes... nothing we can do about it! not necesarily a reason for it...you will feel better again

 

[robinbird]

ibuprofen helps you? it is ototoxic... be careful
lorazepam can cause or make tinnitus worse... be careful (taper off slowly if you stop...)
you know tinnitus does get worse on it's own sometimes... nothing we can do about it! not necesarily a reason for it...you will feel better again

I have been taking Ibuprophen for years since I am allergic to aspirin. Thanks for the tip. But, my Dr put me on the Lorazepan and I am glad I have it at least for now. I will have to discuss this with him.

 

[NiNyu]

A few days ago, my left ear, which was my good ear, while I was resting in bed, let out what you all call a spike which sent me into an almost panic attack.

I've got that several times in my right ear (healthy one) so far and it left me with some faint T, which is coming and going now. Some sort of tonal melody. I heard this phenomenon is quite common, first in one ear and soon in the other. It's crazy.

 

[robinbird]

I've got that several times in my right ear (healthy one) so far and it left me with some faint T, which is coming and going now. Some sort of tonal melody. I heard this phenomenon is quite common, first in one ear and soon in the other. It's crazy.

Now I think the next hurdle is trying to stay on top of the anxiety. This is such a bizarre thing. I do get the heart beating thing going on in my head whenever I exert myself. Read today that could be from clogged vein or arteries that are in the neck area or around the head. My neck cracks a lot too. It is getting to be scary. But I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is so supportive. Thanks for answering my post. One day at a time. I am glad your T is calming down. You have had your struggles for sure. I hope this T just goes away for you and all of us. Pray or meditate for a breakthrough.

 

[NiNyu]

I am glad your T is calming down. You have had your struggles for sure. I hope this T just goes away for you and all of us.

Eh, no. My T in my left ear is still screaming on 24/7 and killing me. But the new T in my right is very faint and coming and going. I so wish my T would calm down or go.. or at the very least be as faint as in the one in my right.

 

[robinbird]

Eh, no. My T in my left ear is still screaming on 24/7 and killing me. But the new T in my right is very faint and coming and going. I so wish my T would calm down or go.. or at the very least be as faint as in the one in my right.

Sorry, I misunderstood. The roaring noise that came down in the right ear last Feb lasted about week and half or something like that. It slowly lessened in volume and aggression. Now it is mostly a soft cracking noise with the heart pumping thing going on sometimes. The left is starting in. I know some don't agree but the lorazepan is getting me through this thing. At least if I have a panic attack I can take half a pill and calm down. Panic attacks are horrible combined with a spike. Hell on wheels. I am hoping to transition over to melatonin in the near future. It sounds like it has numerous benefits. Are you trying anything to help you get through this time?

 

[Gr8fulDude]

When you habituate, like most do, the T will fade into the background and you will no longer notice it for longer periods of time and it won't bother you since you won't react to it. The sooner you can get the anxiety under control, the sooner you will start down the path to habituation.

 

[Karen]

Hi, @robinbird,

It's possible that you have intermittent pulsatile tinnitus, along with your hissing tinnitus. That's pretty much what I have, too, except my pulsating is constant. It could be due to a number of things, including hearing loss, etc.

You could start by going to your ENT, and then, if he (or she) isn't able to help you, try a neurotologist or neurologist. If they think it is pulsatile, they may order tests for you.

I'll be interested to hear what happens after you see your ENT. Please keep us posted.

A couple of things that seem to be helping me are: Magnesium chloride, N-acetylcistene, and Carditone (that's a natural supplement I take to keep my blood pressure under control). Keeping your blood pressure as low as possible really helps with the pounding, too.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[sakrt]

I have been taking Ibuprophen for years since I am allergic to aspirin. Thanks for the tip. But, my Dr put me on the Lorazepan and I am glad I have it at least for now. I will have to discuss this with him.

Robinbird: Ibroprophen does help certain pains - but it IS ototoxic. My gastroenterologist gave me a lecture for taking them (for headaches) as I also developed stomach ulcers from them!...this was before I had T. NSAIDs can cause harm to your hearing & T. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine as you probably know, which assists w/ anxiety symptoms. A tinnitus dr. suggested it, which I tried but it made my heart race = insomnia. I then switched to Alprazolam and been on it since. I learned it's addictive but at this time, I have nothing else. I need it to "cope" till I find out what's truly wrong with me. It does nothing for the T.
I started trying "Somnapure" for 2 wks now, which is all natural (includes Melatonin). I take 1 tab instead of 2 along with one alprazolam to help rest - sometimes with chamomile tea. So far, it's been the best strategy. For me - Melatonin alone triggers headaches w/ heartracing as well, (alike Lorazepam)...not sure why. Everyone is different.

 

[robinbird]

Hi, @robinbird,

It's possible that you have intermittent pulsatile tinnitus, along with your hissing tinnitus. That's pretty much what I have, too, except my pulsating is constant. It could be due to a number of things, including hearing loss, etc.

You could start by going to your ENT, and then, if he (or she) isn't able to help you, try a neurotologist or neurologist. If they think it is pulsatile, they may order tests for you.

I'll be interested to hear what happens after you see your ENT. Please keep us posted.

A couple of things that seem to be helping me are: Magnesium chloride, N-acetylcistene, and Carditone (that's a natural supplement I take to keep my blood pressure under control). Keeping your blood pressure as low as possible really helps with the pounding, too.

Best wishes,
Karen

Thank you for the valuable information. Did you take supplements on your own without any advice from any Dr? Should I wait to take supplements until I run the gamut of professionals? I feel the pulsing when I am in bed. I get up, it seems to go away. I do some house cleaning and the heart beating comes on strong , ears and/or head. I rest to get it to down. I never had this before in my life. Blood pressure was taken two weeks ago and it was normal. I will keep you posted for sure. Thank you. Nancy

 

[robinbird]

Robinbird: Ibroprophen does help certain pains - but it IS ototoxic. My gastroenterologist gave me a lecture for taking them (for headaches) as I also developed stomach ulcers from them!...this was before I had T. NSAIDs can cause harm to your hearing & T. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine as you probably know, which assists w/ anxiety symptoms. A tinnitus dr. suggested it, which I tried but it made my heart race = insomnia. I then switched to Alprazolam and been on it since. I learned it's addictive but at this time, I have nothing else. I need it to "cope" till I find out what's truly wrong with me. It does nothing for the T.
I started trying "Somnapure" for 2 wks now, which is all natural (includes Melatonin). I take 1 tab instead of 2 along with one alprazolam to help rest - sometimes with chamomile tea. So far, it's been the best strategy. For me - Melatonin alone triggers headaches w/ heartracing as well, (alike Lorazepam)...not sure why. Everyone is different.

The key in your response is that what works for one may or may not work for another. I am learning that many different things cause T. Herein lies the difficulty for patients and Dr's. Lorazepan is working for me to get through the tough times. As you put it, until I find out what is going on. My family Dr. seems to think hearing aids will take care of everything. I can't believe this is just from hearing loss. My hearing loss is only from some high pitches. Thank you for your information. I keep a notepad and jot down supplements and medications. I wish you well on you resolving your T. I just don't know what to take besides ibuprophen and I am allergic to aspirin. Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[jrm]

Hi, I also got tinnitus due to hearing loss in my right ear. At first tinnitus was he'll but after I got a hearing aid it provided relief throughout the day for it however night time is still a hassle. I mean to say I can't recommend hearing aids enough to help with tinnitus throughout the day

 

[Danny Boy]

Hi, Been on this site for a short while. Some may have read my posts. Anyway, I felt like this T was getting better but now I am beginning to think it is taking on a whole new identity. Last February I went from a roaring type of T in my right ear that lasted about two weeks or so. It has changed to either a hissing, high pitch,breezing crackling sound. A few days ago, my left ear, which was my good ear, while I was resting in bed, let out what you all call a spike which sent me into an almost panic attack. I called my PCP and spoke to the nurse. She was able to calm me down. I have been taking 1/2 a Lorazepan pill since Feb at night to sleep. A few days ago I wanted to try to sleep without it, and I did. The next day I did not do well because of lack of sleep the night before. That day is when my left ear spiked. I am starting to get low hissing in the left ear, as well as the usual sounds I have become use to in my right. But, I feel like my heart is pounding and my head is sometimes pounding. Especially when I do any kind of physical work. I feel the pounding. I also feel sometimes like my temples are being pressed in. I think anxiety is starting to take over any logic I was feeling about this T. I am due to see an ENT in a week. I know you all don't have too many good things to say about the ENT Drs. I will probably get hearing aids, especially since they offer a 30 day free trial. Would an ENT be able to say if it is a blood flow thing going on with me or not? If not, what type of Dr. or specialist would I seek to help me. This pounding that is going on is nerve wracking. It doesn't happen all the time. I decided to keep taking the 1/2 Lorazepan for sleep, sometimes during the day I take an Ibuprophen if the noise gets weird. It does seem to help me. I am a healthy person and always have been. Never abused myself. No loud noises or such. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

There's not much doctors can do...If you're desperate try potassium channel modulators...

 

[sakrt]

Robinbird: Can you take Tylenol at all? Or even baby aspirin? What are you using it for - just the T?
Have you ever had a CT of your temporal bones/inner ears, as many women after having children or near menopause get otosclerosis. It ran in my mother's side. Gradual hearing loss, tinnitus etc. and can be fixed by surgery.
The pulsating sensation you described appears to be more artery-related (if you're not having a panic attack). A carotid sonogram is one simple test and I believe bloodwork to check for atheroscleroisis, which is quite common in aging women (such fun) and symptoms alike Menopause. This link does not state T as one of it's symptom, but it does occur if near the ear/neck area. http://www.healthline.com/health/atherosclerosis#Overview1

 

[Karen]

Hi, again, @robinbird,

To answer your questions:
1. I learned about and researched the supplements I'm currently taking, but I did run them by my doctor to be sure there was no problem or interaction. My doctor did not suggest these supplements to me. An acupuncturist told me about the magnesium chloride; I heard about the N-acetylcistene here on Tinnitus Talk, and I found the Carditone by doing research online.

2. I'm post-menopause, too, and I'm also hypothyroid. I think that those factors could have something to do with developing pulsatile tinnitus. Two of my doctors also told me that they think I have otosclerosis, based on the fact that I have conductive hearing loss (not sensori-neural hearing loss). Is that the same for you?

3. Your pulsating sounds similar to mine. During the day, I'm not very much aware of it, but at night, it's much more prominent. I will say that, since I've had it for nearly five years now, it is not as noticeable at night as it was in the beginning. I don't know whether it's because I've gotten used to it or that it has truly subsided. But keeping my blood pressure low, and exercising, etc.,has really helped.

 

[Karen]

@Danny Boy,

How did you get Trobalt without a prescription? Or --- how did you talk your doctor into giving you a prescription for this drug, since it's an epilepsy drug?

 

[Danny Boy]

@Danny Boy,

How did you get Trobalt without a prescription? Or --- how did you talk your doctor into giving you a prescription for this drug, since it's an epilepsy drug?

I bought it off people...Now that it works on me, my doctor is gonna speak to the medical team and maybe prescribe it to me.

 

[Karen]

You were lucky to be able to find this drug. I wonder what the availability of this drug is in the U.S.?

 

[Karen]

@Danny Boy, Another question: What kinds of side effects have you experienced with this drug?

 

[Danny Boy]

@Danny Boy, Another question: What kinds of side effects have you experienced with this drug?

Slight drunkenness.

 

[robinbird]

Hi, again, @robinbird,

To answer your questions:
1. I learned about and researched the supplements I'm currently taking, but I did run them by my doctor to be sure there was no problem or interaction. My doctor did not suggest these supplements to me. An acupuncturist told me about the magnesium chloride; I heard about the N-acetylcistene here on Tinnitus Talk, and I found the Carditone by doing research online.

2. I'm post-menopause, too, and I'm also hypothyroid. I think that those factors could have something to do with developing pulsatile tinnitus. Two of my doctors also told me that they think I have otosclerosis, based on the fact that I have conductive hearing loss (not sensori-neural hearing loss). Is that the same for you?

3. Your pulsating sounds similar to mine. During the day, I'm not very much aware of it, but at night, it's much more prominent. I will say that, since I've had it for nearly five years now, it is not as noticeable at night as it was in the beginning. I don't know whether it's because I've gotten used to it or that it has truly subsided. But keeping my blood pressure low, and exercising, etc.,has really helped.

I am in the same boat as far as post menopausal. My family dr said based on my hearing test, I have sensoral hearing loss. I uploaded a copy of my test below The circle is my right ear, the X is my left. He said because on the chart the two are so close together it indicates the noise in my ears is from years of hearing. He wanted me to get hearing aids because he felt I did not need to go to am ENT, based on this chart. My husband and I decided to hear what an ENT had to say anyway first. The pulsating happens ususlly on exertion and when I lay down at night to sleep. In the morning the ears are quiet. When I start my day, it gradually starts in. Sitting on my couch it is pulsating while I write. My ear sounds like water running down a brook with hissing. I would like to exercise but that sets the T off.

 

[robinbird]

Because doctors have no clue about this med. Read more about it on the research thread.

Ok I will. Thanks. Do you get side effects.

 

[Danny Boy]

I am in the same boat as far as post menopausal. My family dr said based on my hearing test, I have sensoral hearing loss. I uploaded a copy of my test below The circle is my right ear, the X is my left. He said because on the chart the two are so close together it indicates the noise in my ears is from years of hearing. He wanted me to get hearing aids because he felt I did not need to go to am ENT, based on this chart. My husband and I decided to hear what an ENT had to say anyway first. The pulsating happens ususlly on exertion and when I lay down at night to sleep. In the morning the ears are quiet. When I start my day, it gradually starts in. Sitting on my couch it is pulsating while I write. My ear sounds like water running down a brook with hissing. I would like to exercise but that sets the T off. View attachment 5786

I have it in both, but I have great hearing..

 

[Danny Boy]

Ok I will. Thanks. Do you get side effects.

Read above.

 

[robinbird]

Read above.

A little drunk. So you don't have any T.

 

[sakrt]

Robin bird: Your audiogram states much of your hearing-loss is in the very high frequency range BUT you're still within the "speech banana" hearing area, which is that boat framework around your X & O (except after 5k: very, very high freq.) This speech banana area means you can still hear in this range without aids (not as well though) and have more of a conductive hearing loss, not sensorineural.
After 4-6k freq. you cannot, so that's more of a sensorineural hearing-loss. This is without hearing-aids, and if you do get them, the GOOD news is they will bring your hearing up to almost normal range. You can ask for a tinnitus audiologist specialist to reprogram them to help mask your tinnitus as well (if possible). I never had this chance. Your hearing dropped dramatically at 1k at between 50-60 db. This is very atypical audiogram of one with otosclerosis.

 

[Karen]

Danny Boy,

If slight drunkenness is the only side effect you've had, that's pretty good! I'm glad the drug is working for you; it's really encouraging to know there is a drug out there that actually works.

 

[Karen]

Robinbird,

I'm glad you're going to see an ENT anyway, to be checked, even though the audiologist says it isn't necessary. Maybe there is something else the ENT can suggest. Are you going to get hearing aids if nothing else turns up?

The pulsating is a very strange phenomenon, and I don't really understand exactly the how's and why's of it. I'm not sure anyone really does! Mine just started suddenly, and I had never heard of it before it happened to me, and I started doing research on the internet. Now I'm a veteran "Whoosher"! Even though you have pulsating, I don't think it necessarily means you have any sort of obstruction or anything like that in your ears. It could be that some sort of imbalance set it off. At any rate, yours may eventually settle down somewhat, like mine has.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing.