Tinnitus Back After I Thought It Had Gone

[UKJon]

How cruel it is when tinnitus returns after virtually disappearing for some months? I have been sleeping without my bedside sound system for some of January and most of February, March and April. Life had a meaning once more and I was ready to move on mentally. I've even been keeping a journal and keeping a record of the nights spent without any sound enrichment.

Although I'm currently out of work, I was starting to love life again and was getting out more and gaining confidence. I go dancing once a week and even went away over night for the first time since 2012 when I was still a carer for my late mother and couldn't do much at all.

Now it's back. The only difference is that I have a cold. That's all. Nothing else has changed. I've been trying to be a more relaxed person since my breakdown a few years ago and be a calmer person with no real pressures any more. That feeling of elation when you think Tinnitus has finally receded is a wonderful thing. Now, it's back and I'm back to playing my sound system and the joys of the recent past are gone.

I still only hear it in the quiet, in bed mainly, but it's a continuous tone now a lot of the time. I came in today from shopping and all seemed quiet when I lay down but it gradually arrived. So now, I'm totally confused and worried again as to what lies ahead.

The last time my ears were checked, my hearing was excellent so I know it's not ear based. It's brain based but one thing is for sure, It's very upsetting and disappointing to have recovery placed before you and then taken away. I'm sure many of you out there think the same. 'I don't deserve this'.

 

[glynis]

Hi @UKJon ,
I know you had a really hard time after your breakdown so try just put this down to your cold and causing you have a bit of a wobble again.
Look how far you have come so keep pushing forwards and working on your confidence and im sure you will feel that peace in your life again soon...
lots of hugs and love.
glynis x

 

[Lane]

Now it's back. The only difference is that I have a cold.

Julian Cowan Hill says he's virtually completely recovered from his tinnitus. But that it does flare up occasionally when he gets a cold. I suspect your situation will be similar. This experience could give you some valuable insights as to how relatively vulnerable you still are to tinnitus, and that doing everything you can to protect yourself will be important for you going forward.

All the Best...​

 

[Dana]

Tinnitus returned just because of the cold, some people who had tinnitus said that it returns only when they have a cold or something major happened, so you have all the reasons to believe that it will go away after the cold goes away, if not immediately, then after a short while.
You got T only from stress, bereavement, so doing everything to not stress about this return is paramount for you, if you want speedy recovery.
You recovered from t caused by a bereavement, you can recover again after a mere cold.
Your brain is so sensitive to stress that it caused T, so be on your side and don't be stressed, just optimistic. This way you will give yourself the best condition to recover.

 

[UKJon]

Thank you both. And thanks Glynis especially because I know how long you've been supporting people on here and how loyal you are to this cause. I do hope you're right. Perhaps it's just a 'wobble'.

 

[glynis]

@UKJon ,
Try Sudafed and also steam inhalation to clear your tubes and a antihistamine to reduce the mucous and that should help you...look forward to some more gorgeous weather and the Royal Wedding xxx

 

[Lane]

Try Sudafed

My tinnitus started with a single dose of an anticholinergic drug, so I would advise caution when using any kind of anti-histamine, as most are anticholinergic. Anticholinergic drugs block acetylcholine receptors in the body, with a good number being located in the inner ears.​

 

[Ed209]

Now it's back. The only difference is that I have a cold. That's all.

Hi Jon. It should go away after your cold has gone. Many people can get tinnitus when they are bunged up, but most non-chronic sufferers are indifferent to it. They take it as part of having a cold. The problem you have is that you're an ex-chronic sufferer, so your brain is wired up very differently and is reacting to it. Try not to overly stress yourself about this. Compacted earwax can do exactly the same thing as well.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have been sleeping without my bedside sound system for some of January and most of February, March and April. Life had a meaning once more and I was ready to move on mentally. I've even been keeping a journal and keeping a record of the nights spent without any sound enrichment.

HI @UKJon

It is probably not a good idea to sleep in a room without sound enrichment as I've mentioned in many of my posts. No matter how low your tinnitus becomes, please remember it is there lying dormant even though your brain has filtered the noise to a low level and pushed it into the background. The brain and auditory system never switch off. By sleeping in a quiet room, you are allowing your brain to increase it's background activity and in the process, it is capable of increasing the tinnitus over time.

People have contacted me wondering why their tinnitus has increased. One of the first things I ask, have they stopped using "sound enrichment" at night? It comes as no surprise when told a lot of them have and hence the reason for the increase in tinnitus. It is true, not everyone with tinnitus will notice an increase in its perception if they sleep without sound enrichment. However, I think it's is prudent to do so, and once one gets accustomed to it they'll always want to use sound enrichment at night. I also advise using sound enrichment during the day for background ambiance.

Although it is your choice, I don't believe it's a good idea to keep a journal, diary etc of nights spent with or without sound enrichment. This can reinforce the belief that you have a problem with tinnitus management and make you focus on it more. Try and move on and get involved doing other things as this will help take away your attention from the tinnitus.

I wish you well.
Michael