Tinnitus Acting UP

[Angelears]

My tinnitus started a little over 4 years ago. My right ear rang for 3 weeks straight. It started after being on the phone (with my right ear) on high volume talking too long about something very upsetting with my sister. It was about my mom passing away and all the family problems we were having on top of it. I waited for the T to go away and it did not. It was a night mare. I suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks from it. I allowed it to scare me to death. I actually made it worse by reacting the way I did but I could not help it. I normally would not react so horrified about something but this was different. It was noise that I could not turn off. I felt trapped in my head. My doctor said my ear was healthy and clean and there was no medical reason for the ringing. He then told me to get therapy for my high stress and anxiety level. He said because I had been grieving extremely for my mother who I had loss to cancer that I needed grief cancelling. He told me the noise should lower in volume once I calm down. He said if the noise did not lower or subside after therapy then go to an ENT and they would be able to help me.
He was absolutely right. I chilled out during therapy and the T faded away.

Since that 1st T experience I have had T flare ups. For me it is triggered by stress and anxiety with out a doubt. I have learned not to panic from it. I think it takes time to learn not to panic from it. As you T people know freaking out over it does not help the volume go down.

BUT this is my current problem. I want to know if this is something that happens to us veteran tinnits sufferers from time to time-------Recently I have been dealing with very stressful things. My 85 year old dad has been sick and my husband is sick. They are okay but it kind of through me for a loop this summer. Plus I had to decorate a dinner party for 100 people at the same time of taking of my sick loved ones. Plus I have 3 kids and pets and my household to run. Plus something else happened that I dont even want to share. It has not been easy for the last month. But life gets like that sometimes. Everything hit at once. Of course my left ear this time, is feeling muted some after feeling stressed. The static is turned up of course. I also feel a little numb near my left ear.. I usually am able to not let this bother me BUT I became scared of it again because I have been like this for 4 days now. I almost feel like I did back after my mom passed and I got T for the first time. I feel severely anxious and feel like screaming "NOT THIS AGAIN"...." I AM SICK OF THIS' " I AM SICK OF MY EARS' I have lost 5 pounds from losing my appetite. I have to make myself eat and drink. I am walking around my house with my favorite blanket wrapped around my neck and ears so I dont have to notice the hearing change. I even thought I was going to have a panic attack when I took the blanket off. I feel like I am down spiraling over something that I know about and have had before. What am I doing.???????I know better.

 

[billie48]

Sorry about your situation. High level of stress and anxiety is known to aggravate T. Our negative reaction to T may make it worse as the brain once again thinks that T is a threat and it zooms on it to cause it appearing front and center in our lives. It is important to distract yourself with some other things. Perhaps try some relaxing hobbies to get the mind off from T and to ease off the stress level, whatever fit your interest best.

I have ultra high pitch T and then severe hyperacusis. I also suffered relentless anxiety and panic attacks. Besides many strategies to help myself, I used the outdoor and my hobbies to unwind from the anxiety laden brain, things like fishing, gardening, hiking etc. Some people like yoga, swimming, the gym etc. Whatever it takes to get the brain off T. You can also try mindfulness meditation as well as abdominal breathing to help deal with anxiety and stress.

If you feel you need to take something to help you calm down your nerves and reduce the stress level, you may want to consider some natural herbal alternatives, such as Lemon Balm, Valerian, Hops, Catnips, Passion Flower, Chamomile, Lavender, Kava, Melatonin etc. You can google search or check Amazon.com for each of them to know how people review these products, and see if you can take them as a supplement. Check out this site on using natural herbs for helping to sleep or to calm the nerves. Take good care. God bless.

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/library/articles-on-herbs-and-health/herbs-and-natural-remedies-for-insomnia/

 

[Pumpkin]

Go to the doctors to rule out any type of ear infection. You may be run down with everything you're coping with at the minute which may leave your immune system a little low. I used to experience numbness in my right ear whenever it would get infected. Hope you're managing to get some rest. X