Tinnitus from a Bike Tire Explosion

[Winter]

I had pain in my neck so I put Voltaren gel on my neck and now my tinnitus is 10/10 for the first time. The gel contains Diclofenac and it turns out it's ototoxic. I don't know what to do now, it has made the tinnitus insanely loud in my left ear. I feel so stupid not checking it before I used it...

I made a big mistake going to the show two days ago, the spike from that has not gone down. And now the Voltaren cream making it crazy loud. Could it go down or am I screwed? I used the cream on my neck and behind ears. Been so careful with medicines and drops etc but really messed up with the gel.

 

[astaff14]

I had pain in my neck so I put Voltaren gel on my neck and now my tinnitus is 10/10 for the first time. The gel contains Diclofenac and it turns out it's ototoxic. I don't know what to do now, it has made the tinnitus insanely loud in my left ear. I feel so stupid not checking it before I used it...

I made a big mistake going to the show two days ago, the spike from that has not gone down. And now the Voltaren cream making it crazy loud. Could it go down or am I screwed? I used the cream on my neck and behind ears. Been so careful with medicines and drops etc but really messed up with the gel.

Man, you've really had a rough go with tinnitus so far, I am so sorry. Spikes from ototoxic things should go down when it gets out of your system/you stop using it, I really hope things ease for you.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Could it go down or am I screwed?

It could go down. Only time will tell...

 

[Winter]

Man, you've really had a rough go with tinnitus so far, I am so sorry. Spikes from ototoxic things should go down when it gets out of your system/you stop using it, I really hope things ease for you.

I hope you're right. It still hasn't gone down since I applied the gel about 9 hours ago. Haven't slept all night. I feel so stupid for going to the comedy show. It was a "hand puppet comedy show" so when my dad asked me if I wanted to go I thought it sounded like a noise free event. I was so wrong. The worst thing is my dad bought seats close to the exit door in case it was loud so we could leave. Even when it became loud and he asked if we should go I said "it will probably be ok" and thought my shitty 19 dB reducing earplugs would be fine. I am so stupid for not just leaving. I just wanted to feel normal for one night. I will never be normal again.

 

[Winter]

More than 12 hours since applying the Voltaren gel on my neck now, and the new tinnitus sound is still extremely loud. I really think I messed up big time with that gel. It should be out of my system by now. I feel so hopeless right now.

 

[Christopher E.]

More than 12 hours since applying the Voltaren gel on my neck now, and the new tinnitus sound is still extremely loud. I really think I messed up big time with that gel. It should be out of my system by now. I feel so hopeless right now.

Hey man! We got tinnitus around the same time and I commented on this thread way earlier. I want to share a couple of things that I have learned as I see you are really struggling.

First off, GO SEE SOMEONE. I am not talking about an ENT. I was having a rough go early on and I went to talk to a therapist and she really helped me rationalize my thinking and just from doing that, my tinnitus calmed down. I have read some of your posts and I think you could really benefit from talking out your thoughts.

Second, I have had to take ototoxic medications since having tinnitus. I even took 7 days straight of Advil every 4 hours because of a terrible sickness I had two weeks ago. Did my tinnitus spike? Probably. Did I focus on it? A bit more than I want to admit.

But you know what.

My tinnitus is always way worse, louder, more intrusive, annoying, and downright ruthless when I am focused on it, checking it, mad about it, fighting it, and obsessing over it.

SOOO all in all. I am really hoping you get some relief in general, but in the short term, I highly recommend you find some distractions, stop beating yourself up over the small stuff, and try (as hard as it is) to lay off the obsessive thinking.

YOU ARE GOING TO BEAT TINNITUS BRO! YOU GOT THIS. Sometimes we all need a little pick me up to help us on our way. This isn't going to define your life. You will habituate, it will go away, or a multitude of other positive outcomes will happen. You can do this man. I believe in you and I am praying for you and everyone else dealing with this. Let's keep sharing ideas and to that point, try apple cider vinegar two teaspoons three times a day. I have had a good experience with it so far. If you aren't listening to sound therapy at night, START. A local audiologist who specializes in tinnitus said it is a number one way to treat tinnitus because your brain is more plastic at night.

LET'S DO THIS MAN! TOGETHER! I am not past my tinnitus but we can crush this together!

I'm a human, just like you. I am here for you. NO MORE NEGATIVE TALK. YOU WILL GET BETTER.

 

[Winter]

Thank you for your kind words. I will go try to see a therapist, but here in Sweden it can take many months before I can see someone, but I will try. It can't hurt to try.

This latest worsening from the show + Voltaren gel, which seems to be permanent, is really hard to deal with. It's a new sound, more of a ringing than a hissing sound, so much harder to ignore. There are not many options than to deal with it, so I will do my best. You seem to be a strong person and I believe you will learn to live with tinnitus soon. I have tried to stay away from this forum, but it has been hard. I will continue to fight. Once again thank you for your post.

 

[ajc]

Hey man! We got tinnitus around the same time and I commented on this thread way earlier. I want to share a couple of things that I have learned as I see you are really struggling.

First off, GO SEE SOMEONE. I am not talking about an ENT. I was having a rough go early on and I went to talk to a therapist and she really helped me rationalize my thinking and just from doing that, my tinnitus calmed down. I have read some of your posts and I think you could really benefit from talking out your thoughts.

Second, I have had to take ototoxic medications since having tinnitus. I even took 7 days straight of Advil every 4 hours because of a terrible sickness I had two weeks ago. Did my tinnitus spike? Probably. Did I focus on it? A bit more than I want to admit.

But you know what.

My tinnitus is always way worse, louder, more intrusive, annoying, and downright ruthless when I am focused on it, checking it, mad about it, fighting it, and obsessing over it.

SOOO all in all. I am really hoping you get some relief in general, but in the short term, I highly recommend you find some distractions, stop beating yourself up over the small stuff, and try (as hard as it is) to lay off the obsessive thinking.

YOU ARE GOING TO BEAT TINNITUS BRO! YOU GOT THIS. Sometimes we all need a little pick me up to help us on our way. This isn't going to define your life. You will habituate, it will go away, or a multitude of other positive outcomes will happen. You can do this man. I believe in you and I am praying for you and everyone else dealing with this. Let's keep sharing ideas and to that point, try apple cider vinegar two teaspoons three times a day. I have had a good experience with it so far. If you aren't listening to sound therapy at night, START. A local audiologist who specializes in tinnitus said it is a number one way to treat tinnitus because your brain is more plastic at night.

LET'S DO THIS MAN! TOGETHER! I am not past my tinnitus but we can crush this together!

I'm a human, just like you. I am here for you. NO MORE NEGATIVE TALK. YOU WILL GET BETTER.

Such a load of... Did you try this fake positivity with Allan1967 who killed himself? Some tinnitus is impossible to live with.

 

[Eloy Resendez Jr]

Good word Christopher! I read your story back in December, when I found out I had an additional slight drop in my hearing again which triggered a spike. I've had tinnitus since 2015. Took me a while but I did get to the point where I didn't notice it much. Through prayer and patience I got there. Unfortunately I did have a bit of a setback. I mean man I was good, enjoying life while living with tinnitus, and then wham, it spiked. At least now I know my drop was due to AIED and I'm fixing to find a Dr. to deal with that. But your definitely on the right track. Winter, hang in there man! Christopher is right we're all in this together, and yes talk to someone. I spoke to two pastors when I initially went through this and they put things in perspective. You don't have to speak to a pastor but anyone who can help you. Trust me we get it, we're right there with you but you gotta fight, hang on to little victories. Good luck. I'll be praying for you.

 

[Christopher E.]

I will continue to fight. Once again thank you for your post.

That's all we can do man. Trust me. I HATE my T. Its so loud. I have cried more times then I can count in my wife's arms and prayed for relief. We just don't have a choice but to try and beat this thing or wait for a cure. And one is coming, man. Someone is going to get it right. It's a race to who can get there first because there is BILLIONS in the tinnitus business if a cure is found.

Good word Christopher! I'll be praying for you.

Keep fighting brother! Every day is a new battle, but every time we wake up its a new victory!

Such a load of... Did you try this fake positivity with Allan1967 who killed himself? Some tinnitus is impossible to live with.

Just so you know. Your post is the exact reason why people DO NOT visit this forum. It's not a source of comfort or positivity for anyone when you speak like this, let alone someone struggling with tinnitus. Everyone has a past, their own demons, and their own life made up of anything you can imagine. We can't know exactly who anyone is behind these keyboards but I can tell you one thing... everyone knows what negativity is, and no one likes it.

 

[Eloy Resendez Jr]

Keep bringing the positive Christopher. Your absolutely right. I come to this forum for motivation. I do a lot of scrolling just to read success stories because I don't want to be discouraged. Listen, in the beginning we're all in a bad place, I don't want to downplay that, I'm having a rough day today, but I've also had good days, I know there will be more good days. With Gods help there will eventually be more good than bad days. Hang in there everyone!

 

[Juan]

Try to focus on something that can get your full attention and your mind off tinnitus. Go biking somewhere quiet, go to the beach (Canary Islands?), paint, etc... This is important, it will take your focus off tinnitus. Play music you like on the background.

And a piece of advice: try to talk to someone about tinnitus, a therapist or a doctor, but NOT all the time to your loved ones, or work colleagues etc.. this works because you will "isolate" tinnitus and wont be bothering people you love about it, so it will not intrude into your personal or working life.

Tinnitus and hearing problems are hard because the take a lot of time to settle (it does not mean getting cured) or get stable. It is just the way it usually is... long. But at least we know that, it does not come as a surprise. We know it is going to be long.

 

[Jalf]

Hi Winter,

I'm not sure if you are interested in another experience / opinion...

I found your post because I searched on 'Omega'
My experience, and of some others too, is that omega supplements can make tinnitus worse. do you still take those??

My triggers are vanilla, cinnamon and omega supplements. Yes they are related!! [check my bio or some of my other post responses]

Since there are so many types of tinnitus, my best advice is.... keep a log for a few weeks. At least write down what you eat and drink and how your tinnitus is during the day. You might want to add other activities as well.

My tinnitus for example gets worse when looking down at my keyboard, but that settles down pretty fast when I quit typing.
Oh, and low blood sugar makes it worse. That's why I am now dashing to the kitchen to grab a bite.

Hang in there,
Jo