When Is Enough ENOUGH

[nick-tko]

I've had tinnitus for over five years but only got real bad the last two and a half.

Haven't worked in two years because my mind is so foggy all of the time. I've had to dig into my 401K last two years and will have to do it again for next year. Been to ENT that sold me on the Widex Zen maskers. Didn't help at all except to help sleep with the masker going.

Went to a specialist and they told me there was nothing they could do after taking around 3 grand from me. Everyone says give it time your brain will adjust.

It's been 2 years now and if anything its getting worse. So my question is how far down do I go before I give up?

Do I drain all my savings I spent 20 years making? Sell my house live on the streets. It's just me live alone and cheap. How far down do I let it take me?

Been fighting for years and just getting tired of being tired all the time. I've come to terms with tinnitus. Don't really have anxiety with it.

Of course a little depressed but that's because nothing seem s to help. So when is it enough?

 

[JurgenG]

Sorry to hear man.. Do you want to share how you first got T? You must have a theory by now? Why do you think it worsened? Are you under heavy stress daily?

 

[nick-tko]

Was in the military then after started working as a commercial diver. Load tools that were worse underwater. Really no way to protect ears in most situations. So I figure its from riding around in military vehicles and over 20 years working in the oilfield

 

[GregCA]

Was in the military then after started working as a commercial diver. Load tools that were worse underwater. Really no way to protect ears in most situations. So I figure its from riding around in military vehicles and over 20 years working in the oilfield

Do you have a recent audiogram you would be willing to share?

 

[nick-tko]

Heres the newest one and the report from the specialist after a CT scan he wanted. Have at it.

 

[dpdx]

What caused your T?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've had tinnitus for over five years but only got real bad the last two and a half.
Haven't worked in two years because my mind is so foggy all of the time. I've had to dig into my 401K last two years and will have to do it again for next year. Been to ENT that sold me on the Widex Zen maskers. Didn't help at all except to help sleep with the masker going.

Hi @nick-tko

It would help to know if you have any idea what caused your tinnitus.? Exposure to loud noise is the most common cause if tinnitus. Typically it is listening to music through headphones at high volume levels or attending places where loud music is played?

The maskers or white noise generators they are now called, can help reduce tinnitus for some people. In order to do this they should be used correctly and under the right circumstances. They are normally used when the tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise. Used just on their own will not usually bring much benefit. Whilst using them you should also be having regular talk therapy/counselling sessions with a trained Hearing Therapist. The counselling helps to take away and demystify the negative thinking that is often associated with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

The correct way in which the maskers/white noise generators are to be used is this: They should be put on in the morning and the volume level of the white noise set just below the tinnitus. The white noise must not mask/cover up the tinnitus. If this is done, it can make the tinnitus louder and more intrusive. Furthermore, they should not be worn while sleeping at night. Instead a sound machine should be placed by the bedside for sound enrichment.

If your tinnitus wasn't caused by loud noise, then you may have an underlying medical problem that is responsible for it. This should have been investigated as it's important to know what's causing your tinnitus in order to be able to treat it successfully.

All the best
Michael

 

[nick-tko]

I think for the most part it was caused from load sounds over a long period of time. While diving some of the tools we use can be painfully loud sometimes. Hydraulic impacts, water blasters the cut concrete with high pressure water. It used to just be back ground ringing that I could ignore but got worse over the last 6 years.

 

[Jazzer]

I wish there was something I could do for you
Nick-tko - something to help all of us that suffer.
Very best wishes my friend,
Jazzer

 

[Michael Leigh]

I think for the most part it was caused from load sounds over a long period of time. While diving some of the tools we use can be painfully loud sometimes. Hydraulic impacts, water blasters the cut concrete with high pressure water. It used to just be back ground ringing that I could ignore but got worse over the last 6 years.

Hi @nick-tko

Thank you for the additional information.

As I said the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. Your post certainly indicates that this was the case. Although you haven't worked for 2 years, if your tinnitus has been getting worse it is usually caused by further noise exposure or the result of using your maskers/white noise generators incorrectly. If you have been using Headphones over the last 2 years, they could also be responsible for making your tinnitus more intrusive. I always advise anyone whose tinnitus was caused by "loud noise" never to use headphones even at low volume.

I believe your tinnitus can improve and it's likely you also have some hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) ? Please try and find a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist who's trained in the treatment and management of tinnitus. This is not the field for an ENT doctor. ENT doctors are physicians they are not tinnitus experts. They know about the anatomy of the ear and can treat it medically or surgically. When there is no underlying medical problem causing the tinnitus, a patient should be referred to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist as mentioned above. Many of these health professionals practice tinnitus counselling. This is what I believe you need.

Please click on the links below and read my articles: Tinnitus, A Personal View, and Hyperacusis as I see it. Try to read them in full and not skim through them. I will place additional links and strongly advise you to read the articles. Take your time. Once you read them you will have more understanding of tinnitus caused by noise exposure and the correct way to treat it. I advise that you no longer use the maskers/white noise generators while you sleep. Use a sound machine by your bedside. More about sound machines is explained in my articles and how to use them. You can use the maskers but please follow my advice below:

Put them on in the morning and set the volume lower than your tinnitus. Try wearing them for 1 or 2 hrs. Take them off for the same amount of time. Then put them back on. Do this throughout the day. Slowly build up the wearing time over 1 week or 2. The aim is to try and wear them for up to 8hrs continuously. Building up the wearing time slowly allows your auditory system to adjust to them and they wont cause irritation or make your tinnitus worse. More is explained in my articles on how to use white noise generators.

Hope you start to make improvement soon.
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-ent-doctor-and-hearing-therapist.24047/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

 

[nick-tko]

The Zen maskers also have the tones playing that are suppose to help desensitize the nerves ,so I was told. I was wearing them for at least 8hrs a day for months. Went back to Audiologist a few times for checkups and to adjust or change the tones. After months they said maybe its something else since I wasn't getting any relief. It was months to see the specialist and then weeks of back and forth to them [over a hour away] before they said there was nothing the could do. Have a nice day and pay me. This was well over a year ago. I stopped using the aids for a while because they didn't seem to help. And when I did use them it just seemed to make my T angry. When I was having trouble sleeping with just one noise generator my audiologist said to go ahead and wear them at night. I've since stopped using them at night. I am taking 2mg of clonazepam that worked for a while but figure I've built up a tolerance so doesn't keep me asleep all night anymore. My biggest problem is my head is foggy and horrible concentration every day. Still tired all day. Feel like I'm walking around half awake or with a two day old concussion. Ill read up on your articles and see if theres anything I haven't tried over the last couple years. I think Im just tired of it always nosey and waiting for it to get better.
Thanks

 

[Dr. Ancill]

What I am going to say, I have said many times before so bear with me. I have had my tinnitus since September 2013 and while it is somewhat worse than it was, it generally bothers me less.

Educating yourself is the most important 'therapy. There is no cure. There are no effective treatments. You are stuck with this. However, tinnitus is also a phenomenon arising from abnormal brain activity and will be made worse, at least perceived to be worse, by other abnormal brain conditions such as anxiety, depression and poor sleep. These 'others' must be addressed to reduce and minimize their effects on your tinnitus. This will likely require medications and, contrary to what you may read in this forum, these medications will not have a deleterious effect on your tinnitus.

The next management step is to establish the parameters of your tinnitus - is it on both sides? Is there hearing loss? Is there hyperacusis? This will require a full audiology assessment.

With regards to the clonazepam 2mg, that is a significant dose and I am not surprised you feel mentally foggy the next day. The half-life of clonazepam is about 30 hours - that is, it takes 30 hours for the body to eliminate 50% of the peak concentration of clonazepam in your brain. This should be discussed with the prescribing doctor. You might so better on shorter-acting medications. I use melatonin (5-10mg) + diphenhydramine 12.5 to 50mg).

I am also not a fan of noise generators as, in my opinion and experience, you are merely swapping one irritating noise (tinnitus) for another (white noise). I much prefer using structured sounds - music, outdoor sounds, etc..

Dr. Ancill

 

[nick-tko]

The foggy part started before the clonazepam. In the beginning I didn't know if the lack of sleep was causing the ringing and fuzzy head or ringing was causing the lack of sleep. Melatonin did nothing. If it wasn't for the clonazepam I would be crazy by now. Sleep is the only break I get. Even tried a therapist but the only one in my area had no clue how to help. She was talking to me like a high school student having anxiety over taking my SATs After two visits we both decided she couldn't help Nobody else around that I can find

 

[nick-tko]

The only thing that seems to help is drinking and a lortab when its bad. Don't think it does anything but makes you concentrate on the ringing less. Drunk or high is a crappy way to exist so I had to stop

 

[Alue]

When you say your tinnitus worsen, did it just get louder or did you get new tones? With the military aren't you eligible for some sort of disability?

I can empathize with a lot of what you've said. I live alone, haven't habituated in 2 years, and my tinnitus seems to be getting worse. I still work because I don't have a choice not to and work seems to be making my tinnitus worse. Self preservation and not wanting to break my parents are about the only things that keep me going most days.

 

[vermillion]

I am sorry to read this. I can understand your frustration as I share the same concerns. I'm one month before my 1 year mark anniversary and my tinnitus has been progressing bad during all those months. I started to realize that my case is not so common as in a relatively short time I got several tones, increase of volume, reactivness and mild visual issues. My work might also harm me, and I suppose my city as well. I have postponed my decision to quit due to no alternative sources of income. On the other hand while working I feel less my depression. If I wasn't feeling guilty to give such pain to my family and if I wasn't realizing that I still am in this shit for a short time and I may be wrong, it would be easier for me to decide wether to commit suicide. However each month is harder for me, albeit with no panic attacks like in the first months. I'm telling you this just to say that I understand. Every ones tinnitus is different. Stay strong.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I am taking 2mg of clonazepam that worked for a while but figure I've built up a tolerance so doesn't keep me asleep all night anymore.

Try taking amitriptyline (10 mg). It had helped me sleep. It is non-addictive and it didn't make me feel drowsy the next morning.

 

[Dr. Ancill]

Robin Williams learned he had a progressive dementia....much more serious that tinnitus.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Robin Williams learned he had a progressive dementia....much more serious that tinnitus.

The worst thing about tinnitus is that it is not fatal.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I've had tinnitus for over five years but only got real bad the last two and a half.

Do you know what had caused your T to get more intrusive two and a half years ago? Had you been protecting your ears from noise during the first two years after onset?

 

[Michael Leigh]

The worst thing about tinnitus is that it is not fatal.

I agree tinnitus is not fatal. However, when it is severe it can be seriously debilitating and affect a person's mental wellbeing to such a state they want to bring about their own demise. I am presently counselling someone in such a state. Sorry to sound so sobering but I feel this is something that needs to be conveyed. Whilst many people habituate to tinnitus, one mustn't forget that it can ruin some people's lives.

Michael

 

[Flamingo1]

You may gain some hope by following the research threads on this forum. It has helped me to become more optimistic that within a decade there will be effective treatments for us.

 

[glynis]

@nick-tko
Try a low dose AD for sleep as is better for long term use.
Have your hearing checked and see if duel purpose hearing aids with masker settings help you.
We are here around the clock to support you.
Love glynis

 

[nick-tko]

Tried widex/zen maskers for months straight with zero. That's when my ENT said it might be something else. Send me to a specialist. He found something but said there was nothing he could do. Have a nice day. I realize T isn't fatal but when everyone says your brain will get used too it for over 2 years and it hasn't. When your head is all foggy and destracted and it's sucked the fun out of life what's the point? Not to mention I'm running out of money do to the fact that I feel so crappy in the am I haven't worked in 2 years. I'm just tired of fighting a no win battle. Mentally exhausted every day. Have an appointment with a psychiatrist today but been there before with no success but one more try.

 

[Lorac]

@nick-tko ,
I hope you find benefit in your appointment today. I didn't receive any real help from audiologists or ear specialists but I did benefit from appointments with a psychologist. I had/have some brain fog with tinnitus but it was never my biggest issue. I was grieving and she understood that and helped me with that.

 

[nick-tko]

So just a quick update. Went to the psychologist and explained the brain fog and how it was driving me crazy along with the tinnitus. I said it was making me suicidal and she she didn't feel comfortable treating me because of the lack of knowledge with tinnitus. Gave me a prescription for nortriptyline, that I mentioned, and told me to find someone else to help. She had no idea who and have a nice day. Another win for me.

 

[glynis]

@nick-tko ,
I understand about brain fog and other symptoms and tinnitus due to having Menieres.
Love glynis

 

[Scared111]

So just a quick update. Went to the psychologist and explained the brain fog and how it was driving me crazy along with the tinnitus. I said it was making me suicidal and she she didn't feel comfortable treating me because of the lack of knowledge with tinnitus. Gave me a prescription for nortriptyline, that I mentioned, and told me to find someone else to help. She had no idea who and have a nice day. Another win for me.

this happened to me too. she couldn't get me out of her office fast enough.

 

[nick-tko]

Sounds like we went to the same person.

 

[Aegaeon]

Hello,
I was randomly looking at the report of your CT scan.
You have a diagnosis of dehiscence over your left superior semicircular canal.
This could quite possibly be the cause of your brain fog, fatigue and some of your other symptoms.
Also the mean age at the time of diagnosis of this disease is around 45 years.
What did the doctors say about that?