What's My Next Step?

[Ludvik]

Hi guys, could really use some support and thoughts.
Recap:
just over 2 weeks ago I started hearing low tones in right ear, then a day later high pitch in left. I went to urgent care and was diagnosed with middle ear infection in right ear, but the ringing is in both.

5 days ago I went to a live music event, which I know is stupid and I immensely regret (I kick myself over this a lot) - I feel that made the ringing much, much worse. I feel like I did damage to it during this time. I wasn't near the speakers but the infection must have made my ears more sensitive (I wonder if it becomes more prone to damage during infections?) It was a short event, only 5 songs.

Currently my T is is loud and unmaskable (I don't know how to measure) There are different tones, maybe like 3 or 4, some of them beeping some whooshing, some constant.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he says the infection is going away - But from my experience it is getting worse and louder. A lot of my hope that it will go away is disappearing.

I'm seeing an ENT next week (hopefully), all the physicians Ive been to say that it'll go away once the infection goes but I'm just experiencing the opposite. This and other life stresses is a bit too much. I'm usually a very upbeat person but for the first time ever thoughts of suicide are crossing my mind (which I read that happens to a lot of users here.)

Do you guys have any tips on how I should tackle the next few days before seeing the ENT? And when I see one any particular thing I should communicate (Should I ask for prednisone? I'm over 2 weeks since onset)

Thanks guys.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Ludvik I know it's difficult but try not to stress yourself out over constantly worrying, as that won't solve anything. You will be seen at ENT next week so try and be calm and wait for the impointment. In the mean time, try to avoid quiet rooms and surroundings by using sound enrichment particularly at night. If you drink have a a glass of whatever you fancy this evening and in moderation. If you are able to go with company then do so. Anything that will help to take your mind of the tinnitus should help.
Best of luck
Michael
PS: you are in the very early days of tinnitus onset, I don't think it's a good idea to be asking for medication other than an anti depressant or taking something like St John's Wort.

 

[glynis]

Hi Ludvic,
I know how you are feeling and I know it's coping here and now.
Try a long relaxing bath and some relaxing music to settle you down for the evening and try to off load any stress .
Your tinnitus should calm down a little when you are calm and great to hear your ear infection is getting better.
As Mixchael as told you keep sound on around you and at night.
Be kind to yourself with a few treats and try deep breathing for relaxation.
If your up to visitors or visiting friends it can help take your mind off your tinnitus ...
.....chin up....lots of love glynis

 

[Ludvik]

Thanks guys - I've managed to calm down somewhat but the panic comes and goes.

Thanks Michael. From what I've read a bit here it seems that Prednisone should be taken as soon as possible for it to take effect, I was worried if I wait any longer I will miss that opportunity?

Hi Glynis, yes I'll try to be kind to myself. All my close friends are overseas unfortunately as I moved to a new country, I've been skyping some of them which helps a bit. I can hear the tinnitus over my sound enrichment but hopefully they'll distract me somewhat.

 

[Cameron C]

I reacted pretty similar to you, notice weird things first then it got worse. I think I first caused mine with my buddies system in his car then used earbuds for an entire album a few days later. Extremly stupid for me to do but theres no changing the past. When I went to get mine looked at for the first time they told me it was also an infection. But due to the recent circumstances, I had a gut feeling telling me it might be more... Fast forward over a month, and mine is still there. Yours might be the same way too. It's scary but it also isnt the end of the world. The ringing may stay but your body does things to correct it. The volume of my T hasnt really changed after a week or two from the original incident. But ive noticed I seem to ignore it more and more each day. I went to an ENT not too long ago and they essentially told me my ears were fine. So the only other thing for me to do is a hearing test to pinpoint exactly what I got. But i've known what ive had since it happened. The best advice I can give you, is to do everything you can to ignore the noise. Try and keep it suppressed as long and as often as you can. Keep the facet on when you use the bathroom or kitchen, netflix to fall asleep to, and music or background noise to drowned out the silence during the day. Another thing I do, is use marijuana and music/tv to help with merging the sounds together so they are more tolerable. It does/doesnt help for some people, made it worse at first for me but then it started to help. It has been my only working suppressor for the noise and helps get me to sleep. Anyways, this will all get better in time. Everyone learns to cope in their own way, you'll find yours. Hoping though yours is just caused by an infection, but the only way to know is through time. Wish you the best man