Temporary Silence During Tinnitus Research Study (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS)

[Isabella 123]

I live in Arlington VA and am participating in a tinnitus research study at Georgetown University Medical Center. This is not a clinical trial, it's a research study, so what I have gotten is not a treatment. But it did silence my tinnitus temporarily. Other participants in the study had similar temporary results!

2 weeks ago I had a 15-minute treatment of transcranial direct current stimulation and my tinnitus (normally 6/10) went completely away for 2-3 hours, then for 2-3 hours it gradually got louder until it was back to its usual volume. Remember this study is not looking for a cure, but uses tMRI to look at the brain to see how the current changes the pattern of neuron flashing. I was told that the placement of the electrodes was different than what has been done on earlier studies.

However, the blessed 2-3 hours of silence was awesome. I have found a doctor in Atlanta Ga who has a clinic offering tDCS treatments for tinnitus, chronic pain, epilepsy, etc. I am thinking of going there to see if his treatments would help me. I've been corresponding with him; he has been doing this for several years and has had success in lowering the volume for sufferers but not stopping the T. However, since mine actually stopped I am hopeful.

Has anyone else had any success with this kind of treatment?

 

[monacco]

2 weeks ago I had a 15-minute treatment of transcranial direct current stimulation and my tinnitus (normally 6/10) went completely away for 2-3 hours

Are you sur that it was not just a placebo effect ?
can people from other country participate in this research ?

 

[glynis]

Hi,,
The treatment can help a little but not been
Proven to give long term relief as yet....lots of love glynis

 

[Rina]

@Isabella 123 thats great news!!! Could you give the information of the doctor in ga!? I live fairly close I would like to try it too!!! Thanks ..

 

[John Meyers]

I live in Arlington VA and am participating in a tinnitus research study at Georgetown University Medical Center. This is not a clinical trial, it's a research study, so what I have gotten is not a treatment. But it did silence my tinnitus temporarily. Other participants in the study had similar temporary results!

2 weeks ago I had a 15-minute treatment of transcranial direct current stimulation and my tinnitus (normally 6/10) went completely away for 2-3 hours, then for 2-3 hours it gradually got louder until it was back to its usual volume. Remember this study is not looking for a cure, but uses tMRI to look at the brain to see how the current changes the pattern of neuron flashing. I was told that the placement of the electrodes was different than what has been done on earlier studies.

However, the blessed 2-3 hours of silence was awesome. I have found a doctor in Atlanta Ga who has a clinic offering tDCS treatments for tinnitus, chronic pain, epilepsy, etc. I am thinking of going there to see if his treatments would help me. I've been corresponding with him; he has been doing this for several years and has had success in lowering the volume for sufferers but not stopping the T. However, since mine actually stopped I am hopeful.

Has anyone else had any success with this kind of treatment?

Hello Isabella,

That is awesome. Good luck to you.

Please post his name & office phone # if the procedure works for you. -- A lot of us would like to inquire.

Take care, John

 

[Blujay]

I have heard other such reports. For some the T disappeared or went way down indefinitely, not just temporarily.

It's interesting that you had those results after only one 15-minute session. I'm wondering why they are not doing repeat sessions--especially considering those results.

 

[linearb]

Hey, that's great to hear! I did the same study; unfortunately it had no impact on my T.

 

[linearb]

It's interesting that you had those results after only one 15-minute session. I'm wondering why they are not doing repeat sessions--especially considering those results.

This is entirely investigational, and is intended to generate imaging data -- it's an MRI study, not a treatment study. So, they are trying to figure out what differences are seen in fMRI after treatment if the tinnitus is suppressed, and figure out what that says about the physiology of tinnitus.

If they learn anything useful, it seems reasonable to assume treatment attempts might be forthcoming.

If they publish a paper, then it will be fairly easy to try to replicate their protocol at home... tDCS is not complex technology and does not require much equipment. You can get medical-grade devices for maybe a couple thousand dollars, and you can construct DIY versions for <$100 -- there is an entire subreddit devoted to this: https://www.reddit.com/r/tDCS

 

[Isabella 123]

Yes that's correct @linearb. I talked with her a lot after I had good results and learned more about what she is looking for and what she has found. You are right it's a brain study not really a tinnitus study. However I am looking forward to seeing her paper, she said all of us who participated will receive a copy. Are you in our support group at Georgetown? Message me offline if you'd like to talk about the study.

 

[Brett]

Hi Isabella

Can you describe where the red (positve anode) and black (negative cathode) electrodes were placed. I assume it was you head and of shoulder area. Thanks!

 

[Isabella 123]

Hi Brett. The positive was right in the middle of my forehead in the hairline. The negative was about 2.5 inches straight to the right side of my skull. If you know brain sections, the cathode is over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the anode over the right inferior frontal gyrus. Understand that this was not a tinnitus study, it was to study the effect of stimulating dopamine production. I am just excited that a side effect influenced my perception of the tinnitus!

 

[Ecip]

Do you experience relief of T from an Orgasm?

 

[NineNails]

Okay, this sounds really interesting! I wanna try it.

 

[Christina]

Can you post the doctor's contact info? It seems very interesting.

 

[Isabella 123]

Dr. James Fugedy in Atlanta. Would love to hear back what you think! Here's his website: http://www.transcranialbrainstimulation.com/doctor-fugedy

 

[treat rayner]

I have just fallen prey to Tinnitus about 3 weeks ago. I already have a tDCS machine so I am trying it out as I write this. If anyone else out there has had success , please tell me your montage so i can try it also. I can attest to the safety of the tDCS unit. I have used it for depression with good effects over two years ago. I have not needed it in over 18 months. Now I am hoping it will help reduce this damn "purple noise" I have in my head.

 

[jross7]

@Isabella123
Is that support group still in existence in the DC area? I am fairly new to t but would love to join a support group...I have kids in the DC area with a spare bedroom! Or is it just an online group? Thanks so much for any info

 

[Isabella 123]

@jross7
Yes the group is very active and in fact has now split into 2 groups to accommodate people in different parts of the DC metro area. Contact is Ted at tturesky@gmail.com. He is on staff at Georgetown University Medical School.

 

[jross7]

Thank you ever so much!

 

[jross7]

@Isabella123 Can you tell me how often you get together and is it always at the med school?

 

[Isabella 123]

The group at the hospital meets about once a month or every other month depending on who is available to present a program. It's not a group that just sits around "being pitiful," it's very active in researching and keeping up with developments. The other group I don't know about as it split off from the hospital one where I go so I don't know what they are doing. Contact Ted, he is very friendly and is quick to respond and can give you all the info.

 

[jross7]

Thanks so much ! Will get in touch with Ted by email....Maybe I will get to meet you in person soon....