The Positivity Thread

[Mr. Cartman]

It's tonic tensor tympany syndrome which is linked to h and t, it may cause a lot of different symptoms, specifically the ear fluttering for my case (middle earmuscle contracts everytime I finnish speaking or hear specific sounds, so does a normal ear, mine is just overreacting)
Nevertheless I took contact to the different doctors I've visited, to provide them feedback and knowledge, and to tell future cases like myself and many others that the fluttering is benign, and that it can be treated

Now this is very interesting indeed. I just wrote a post about how i perceive my T.

Link: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/some-thoughts-about-tinnitus.4322/#post-41914

Maybe it could be tonic tensor tympany syndrome.

I too end up with some kind of spasms in my ear when I hear a few distinct high pitched sounds.

Is it possible to have it diagnosed? My ENT didn't know anything about T and H, other than "just deal with it".

 

[billie48]

Yes, Kathi, you are doing the right thing. Get out and enjoy life. The heck with T. The more you enjoy life, the less significant T becomes. Over time, your T can change from life threatening (due to distorted thoughts) to annoyance, and then further along, to just a non issue. This morning I woke up with my two ears playing their usual 'musical harmony' with their ultra baritone/soprano pitch. I just listened to them for about 30 minutes (as I wanted to enjoy my sunday morning lazily). It was total silence with 'my bodily duet' doing their thing. This is something my anxiety/panic prone brain couldn't bear for even a few seconds a few years back. I hated it. It scared the heck out of me. But with time & with a positive approach, here I am, listening to the maddening scream for that long without any emotion. The brain is hardened and getting used to this repeated sensation. It is now treating it a neutral stimulus, one it doesn't need to monitor as it is not a threat. I have told my brain all this time that T is harmless and not life threatening after learning from members. The brain finally caught up some time ago and agree with me. It is slagging behind my will power, but it will agree with us if we just keep at it, trying, trying, and trying some more. Now I believe time and a good approach will help most.

But honestly at the beginning, no amount of will power could stop my brain from caving into the bottomless pit of panic attacks due to my anxiety/panic disorder prior to T. I thought it was hopeless. I would never be able to face this terrifying ultra high pitch scream. No way. No how. But I am here today listening to the 'duet' without any emotion. So never say never. Just amazing how the miracle happens over time, learning and practicing what wisdom I have learned from so many caring & selfless forum members who care enough about us newbies and strangers to offer their help, sometimes thankless help. Forever grateful to them. Thank God we still have people who are caring & selfless. May the loving God bless you all with the faith & hope that you will be well over time.

 

[Kathi]

Just amazing how the miracle happens over time, learning and practicing what wisdom I have learned from so many caring & selfless forum members who care enough about us newbies and strangers to offer their help, sometimes thankless help. Forever grateful to them. Thank God we still have people who are caring & selfless. May the loving God bless you all with the faith & hope that you will be well over time.

Amen to that billie. It's because of this forum and the selfless people here that I made it through that dark December night.

 

[cullenbohannon]

Went to nyc over the weekend with friends, nyc weather was nice so we did some shopping and some sight seeing, went to visit the campus of some of the law schools as well and got a chance to talk tp some law students. I have to say it lit a fire in me, the plan was to attend this upcoming year but I will have to wait for next year. At the very least I have a lot more
time to study for the lsat which I
will take advantage of. Watching my baby niece at the moment and going out in a few hours. Never thought I could be this happy again, also the last season of madmen starts tonight I'm pumped for that as well.

 

[Davo]

Hi. I want to add to the positive vibe here: My story is not unusual - I went a concert and thought it was too loud but not dangerously so. It was! I had a bit of buzzing in my ears for years which I only noticed when I put in ear plugs. It wasn't a bother at all previously. After the concert the buzz was worse. Then 2 months later I woke at 3am with a LOUD hiss in both ears and a horrible high pitched tone in the left. Crazy making. It got worse over the next 2 weeks as I noticed it more. Realised it was tinnitus and went to doctor asking to be referred to particular Audiologist who used neuromonics (I was sifting through published and independent research). Having a psychophysiology background the ideas behind the product appealed to me. She had little knowledge of tinnitus and didn't seem confident. But the audiogram showed "classic" loss of hearing at super high frequencies. Otherwise "normal" hearing and lower frequencies. Cause of tinnitus identified. Looked for a more experienced and knowledgeable audiologist. Found one. Meanwhile hyperacusis was developing and I was becoming a miserable person. Started to avoid loud places. Stopped playing music on my mp3 player. Woke up and cried. Angry. Bouts of anxiety across the day. Distracted from work. THE USUAL HORROR STORY REPORTED HERE. Started Lexapro (SSRI used previously successfully to treat depression) and also 25mg of Seraquel to sleep at night (atypical antipsychotic - at this low dose it acts as a hypnotic/sedative like an antihistamine rather than an antipsychotic (doses of 400 + mg)).

The new audiologist is very experienced and knowledgable and took the 90 minutes to talk and explain and offer a basic exercise using music at low volume so I could still hear the tinnitus. She instructed me to stop avoiding playing my music and get on with ALL of my usual activities. Very reassuring and calm mature person. Her manner alone made a huge difference. Did the exercise for an hour twice a day. She didn't push expensive devices.

Two weeks later I went back and scored lower on the TRQ. Indeed I felt different about the tinnitus - less experience of intrusion and panic, less anxiety. Certainly the meds were helping but I was experiencing the sound as annoying but somehow not panicking as before. Confidence creeping back in. Did another more expanded audiogram.

Decided due to the asymmetry in my hearing loss she thought the neuromonics would work for me. We talked, the exercises alone would work over time but the device would fast track it. Decided on the purchase. AT 50 I have managed to avoid any huge medical issues or hospitalisations as I generally look after myself. I figure that this is modest amount considering how much dentistry costs at this age. I go back in two weeks and start the treatment. More to follow. I look forward to hearing silence again and tinnitus rarely. We keep you up to date.

My positive advice 1 - go to your usual trustworthy doctor and ask for a referral to an ENT if they think it necessary. EARLY diagnosis means LESS time spent in anxiety. 2- find an experienced Audiologist - this makes all of the difference in your attitude toward treatment. 3 - if a treatment method is recommended make sure your audiologist has real training in the method. 4 - feelings of anxiety and depression seem NORMAL with this problem and more credible help you have the better you will do. 5 - real the positive blogs - people do get better!

 

[Grace]

Well, for the last week it seems my T has took a step downward now like a faint high pitch hiss almost completely gone during the day and gets lil louder at night as usual. The weather has been real warm lately.. Could this be why? Not gettin my hopes up cause no matter what im still gonna treat my ears like there my baby but i guess the real test would be to wait few more months and see if it goes away or goes bac up in volume at all.

 

[Stina]

@Grace around 80% of people with tinnitus experience a decrease in the first year so maybe thats it

 

[Grace]

@Grace around 80% of people with tinnitus experience a decrease in the first year so maybe thats it

Yeah true could be that... Hope yours decreases as well then!

 

[ralph j begley]

Try 'Gregorian Chants' performed by Benedictine monks of St Pierre.

 

[ralph j begley]

A hummingbird flew just outside my kitchen window this morning. No interest in the feeders with sugar water. They are sated by largess of orange blossoms.

 

[Andrew_89]

Hey guys I thought I would share this .
After all the worrying I have been doing I sort comfort in telling my a friend of mine about my worries about music as I am a musician in Australia and little did I know that my best friend who plays in my band also has T and has had it for years the same high pitch forest of crickets on steroids sound . And the thing about this guy is he's a drummer and I asked does. It bother you he just said it did a little at first but you just learn to live with it he the. Went on to say this . Bro we live life once and do you think I would let this ruin my dream of music life no fu#%ing way . I guess that in itself has made me feel a whole lot better about myself and this whole situation my first post to the positivity thread

 

[Grace]

Hey guys I thought I would share this .
After all the worrying I have been doing I sort comfort in telling my a friend of mine about my worries about music as I am a musician in Australia and little did I know that my best friend who plays in my band also has T and has had it for years the same high pitch forest of crickets on steroids sound . And the thing about this guy is he's a drummer and I asked does. It bother you he just said it did a little at first but you just learn to live with it he the. Went on to say this . Bro we live life once and do you think I would let this ruin my dream of music life no fu#%ing way . I guess that in itself has made me feel a whole lot better about myself and this whole situation my first post to the positivity thread

Wow good for him. Wish i had the same mindset as a drummerr :-/

 

[billie48]

Good one, Andrew. Many musicians have T also. If you google 'celebrities with tinnitus', you will be amazed at the list of famous names with T and life goes on with them.

 

[ralph j begley]

The details of my history do not define the quality of my life. For me, pleasure trumps suffering with each and every breath I take.

 

[jewellanne1010]

What inspiration I love it God Bless everyone! !!!!

 

[Maddy]

Today in the shower (which is where most of my positive thoughts seem to appear!) I suddenly realised something. I realised that there is so much I want to do with my life still such as:
- go to university
- become a teacher
- get married
- go travelling
- have children
- make my parents proud

And thinking about all these things I have yet to achieve made me realise that my T is so insignificant in the grand scheme of things! Yes it might be there all day everyday and of course we will all have good and bad days but so what I've got my whole life ahead of me and I'm going to live it the way I want to and not let the T control me or my life!

 

[Sound Wave]

Just read this article, which surely applies to T as well

How to Train Your Brain to Stay Positive

 

[ralph j begley]

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace"
-Jimi Hendrix
A Rockin Roll concept
Bathe yourself and those around you in LOVE.

 

[jraulc_11]

For sure you're heading the right direction Maddy! Thats exactly what I do in the shower is think about all the positive things in life

 

[Stina]

Spring finally arrived in Estonia and its 16 degrees C outside ! Also happy Easter!!!

 

[ralph j begley]

Cute photo, Stina.

 

[Mark Griffin]

Actually had a good 2 days. T was as quiet as it has been yesterday (bar about 2 hours in the evening when it was a lot louder) Today's not going so bad either so far. The issue i have at the moment is the crappy symptoms of my anxiety which tend to hang around indefinitely. The sunshine really does help as well, being out in the garden breathing in the fresh air.

 

[Davo]

Actually had a good 2 days. T was as quiet as it has been yesterday (bar about 2 hours in the evening when it was a lot louder) Today's not going so bad either so far. The issue i have at the moment is the crappy symptoms of my anxiety which tend to hang around indefinitely. The sunshine really does help as well, being out in the garden breathing in the fresh air.

Hi Mark. Anxiety seems to be a response to the T for most people - initially. Please consider talking to your GP about meds for the short term. Some antidepressants act against anxiety (and depression) - ask about that.

 

[Davo]

Yesterday caught the last of the autumn sun at the beach. Thought the hissing would affect me but it didn't as I could not hear it over the sound of the waves and laughter of children. My audiologist pointed out that in India tinnitus is rarely reported because it is never quiet enough anywhere to hear silence. Need to remember how relative our experience is.

Reflecting upon the experiences of some patients who have schizophrenia - they spend the morning waiting for the voices in their heads to quieten down until they can leave the house. Thought I had it bad!?!? Amazing what we can cope with as humans.

Peace to you all!

 

[Mark Griffin]

Hi Mark. Anxiety seems to be a response to the T for most people - initially. Please consider talking to your GP about meds for the short term. Some antidepressants act against anxiety (and depression) - ask about that.

Hi Davo,

I have GAD which is probably the worst thing to have with T. I've had it for nearly 15 years and no drug has ever been able to stop it, only make the side effects worse than the anxiety. I prefer to fight it mentally with my own 'mind toolbox'. I've been great for years until T arrived and dropped me down again. Like i said though i've had a good 2 days so here's to more hopefully.

 

[Davo]

Hi Davo,

I have GAD which is probably the worst thing to have with T. I've had it for nearly 15 years and no drug has ever been able to stop it, only make the side effects worse than the anxiety. I prefer to fight it mentally with my own 'mind toolbox'. I've been great for years until T arrived and dropped me down again. Like i said though i've had a good 2 days so here's to more hopefully.

Hey Mark, it sounds like you got through worse before! Strenght to you in finding new strategies to counter the GAD. No doubt you have access to a therapist who is versed in CBT. This is not a "depth" therapy but focuses on alleviating symptoms which is what you need. Exercise and socialising with good friends helps so much. "Resilience" is a word used too much today but I do believe that if you have worked through issues before you can develop the skills to deal more effectively with new crises. Sounds like you have a few methods in the toolbox to get you back on your feet.

I have had recurring bouts of depression across the years. The onset of tinnitus knocked me back on my butt! Not surprising that a new trauma takes us back to an old traumatised state. I was so angry about the thought that my hard work was undone! But 3 weeks into treatment and I am leaving the blues behind. Will remain on the antidepressants for another 6 months to be sure.

Tra la la!

 

[Grace]

Positivity of the day=cleanned out my
Whole closet and donated clothes to the poor!

 

[Mark Griffin]

Hey Mark, it sounds like you got through worse before! Strenght to you in finding new strategies to counter the GAD. No doubt you have access to a therapist who is versed in CBT. This is not a "depth" therapy but focuses on alleviating symptoms which is what you need. Exercise and socialising with good friends helps so much. "Resilience" is a word used too much today but I do believe that if you have worked through issues before you can develop the skills to deal more effectively with new crises. Sounds like you have a few methods in the toolbox to get you back on your feet.

I have had recurring bouts of depression across the years. The onset of tinnitus knocked me back on my butt! Not surprising that a new trauma takes us back to an old traumatised state. I was so angry about the thought that my hard work was undone! But 3 weeks into treatment and I am leaving the blues behind. Will remain on the antidepressants for another 6 months to be sure.

Tra la la!

Tbh i do not have a therapist. When i first developed it years ago, i was very lucky to meet an incredible counsellor who really knew my issues and explained things so well. We worked for what seems like years on my mind and how it worked and he taught me about this toolbox.. its mostly visualisation based coupled with relaxation techniques. So yes you're right, having fought massive battles with my own mind in the past, it's (slightly) easier to focus and control my anxieties now, although it is very tough and i still spend a lot of mental energy fighting. T has just put me back a few years. Like i said though, having some good days and i'm enjoying them

 

[demi]

Today I went to the salon and got my hair dyed/cut. The salon was blasting music, but I just popped in some earplugs and kept them in while the hair dresser styled my hair with the blowdryer. I went to church. I went out for Thai food. I was in loud environments today, and my T is screaming - but I'm okay. I am trying to not worry about how it is loud currently, but rather thinking about my plans for tomorrow.

 

[billie48]

Way to go Demi. The battle with T is to accept its presence without negative reaction and not let it take over our life. I just came back fishing for 2 days. T was blasting away as loud as it could but I don't care about it anymore. I had two days with nature enjoying what I do. When we don't react to T high or low and go about enjoying our life, its tyranny over us and over our life will be truly OVER. It takes time and a good strategy/approach to get there. So be patient and stay focused to live your life, enjoy each moment, pursue your goals. When we do that, it is only a matter of time before T becomes a non-issue. Cheers.