Tinnitus & ADHD

[Angel1805]

does anyone else struggle with Tinnitus? I am struggling so badly and not sure if 30g Eylvanse is making it worse. Please help.

[spitachue]

So am not the only one that has that slso. Good to know. my doctor said it due to high blood pressure. But he only knows what he knows! Trying to describe my feeling with my tinnitus to doesn’t go very far. when taking to my doctor. LOL

[Pro-masker in reply to spitachue]

Do you have cat deterents in US? It's got a really high pitch noise it apparently stops cats messing in your garden...in the UK we have loitering and anti social behavior deterents near shops that work in the same way...young adolescents can hear it really well, so it makes them go away...they say adults lose the ability to hear it...not me I hear it twice as bad...so what I'm trying to say is, that noise is the exact same as tinnitus...maybe you could try to explain it to you Dr like that...that's exactly what I hear 247...hope it helps in anyway 🫡

[Mamamichl in reply to spitachue]

Honestly, I have low blood pressure to the point of needing meds so I don’t feint. So I would research it more yourself and maybe get a second opinion. I think mine was caused by pressure while swimming and then a high fever, but it never went away. I hear there are studies that have researched it, and they have some treatment centers that can help a certain percentage of people with it.

[Allie501 in reply to spitachue]

My ex had it. His was caused by an ear infection. After antibiotics he didn't have it anymore. I have it but it isn't as bad as it was when I first had it in 2016. I researched everything to find out the cause and what to do. The thing that helped me was prayer and an app called Tinnitus Light. I read that I need to train my brain by listening to the app for 15 min. 2 or 3x per day. It reduced the volume of my Tinnitus. Every once in a while I find if I eat a meal with too much sodium, it does start to get louder.

[RussellRussell]

Yes I have both, and have read they are commonly connected. My tinnitus definitely gets worse based on exactly the same things that make my adhd symptoms worse; sugar, lack of sleep, lack of movement, stress, alcohol etc - alas neither will ever go away, but I can help reduce the symptoms of both and make them more manageable

[Pro-masker]

Same...ive had tinnitus for sometime now due to high dB noise at work...I actually find that it's when I start to crash it gets SO much louder...

[Spud-u-Like1982]

Same here. I'm not on any meds for my ADHD, as the National Health Service in the UK is apparently no longer entertaining them, but I get that 'whooshing' sound alot, or it's a constant buzz, or it sounds like someone rattling suspended seashells against a wooden stick. I don't think people can relate if they don't have it. I have high blood pressure, but it's more white coat syndrome. I definitely consume too much sugar, don't get enough sleep and I'm stressed, so I think that contributes to it as well.

If you look around online there are some hypnotism CDs for dealing with tinnitus, so they might be worth checking out.

[Pro-masker in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

How comes with the NHS? Did you get a NHS diagnosis? I'd be screwed without my meds...I was NHS diagnosed.

[Angel1805 in reply to Pro-masker]

No, I paid privately in the end due to an NHS wait list of up to a 3-5yr wait. I had my 24-year-old son assessed. Luckily, for me, the centre is in my local area

Cost - £475 for assessment and a further £500 for a year of support and private prescription, which aren't cheap! I paid £75 for the prescription.

I do feel it's improved my mental health but the crash isn't very nice when the meds wear off.

Have you looked into the Right to choose? My friend received her diagnosis and treatment through the NHS may be worth a look.

[Pro-masker in reply to Angel1805]

I thought so...please don't take that as a negative but the nhs doesn't want to take on shared care...they are over run with their own back up...from what I've heard is that you have to be at least 6mnts before even getting considered...again pls don't take this as my view but the nhs are also cautious with private diagnosis, hence why they will only supply nhs diagnosis...they don't need the extra diagnosis on top of the nhs list...I have read that they kinda push it to the side as a private diagnosis could just be private companies making money... so they always say 'get an nhs diagnosis were prescribe the meds'...also the top dogs at nhs say if they can afford private then they pay private for meds...its really tough when your just desperate for answers, id be exactly the same...I don't diss a private diagnosis at all...as it's hard to get seen on nhs but I can see it from their perspective... trying to make sure it's as true as THIER system is...I really hope you get the help for your son through nhs eventually...I totally understand the struggles...my son is hesitant to have an assesment as he knows it's a long wait...I count my blessings as I got diagnosed litrally a couple months before the boom around covid time... its the top dogs of nhs just trying to claw money back in my opinion...show love and compassion and your son will do great without meds..

[Spud-u-Like1982 in reply to Pro-masker]

I put in loads of old school reports, etc, but the (Scottish) NHS said I didn't have it, despite being picked up by an occupational therapist. I had to then pay for a private diagnosis, where the specialist could tell I had it just by looking at the historical school reports, let alone my work history of always taking too long to do anything by nit-picking details and double checking.It seems my local Doctor has pigeonholed me as having just OCD and anxiety (which I do have). When I was ineffectually treated for OCD, the psychiatrist and psychologist never picked up on ADHD (inattentive) or even autistic traits, but then they focused on my fondness for hygiene and couldn't help me with anything else.

I submitted the private report to my Doctor months ago and I haven't heard back. Apparently the NHS in Scottish cities is refusing to provide medication for ADHD. It's a joke, but typical of the absolute shambles the corrupt Scottish Government make of everything it touches.

My private assessment was just over £1,000. She wants me to see an autism specialist, but only once the ADHD is under control.

[Pro-masker in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Exactly my point it's very bias of the nhs imo...like i say its not my view but there is evidence of it...completely out of order...i can be a bit of a realist sometimes please dont be offended by my comment, its hard for us to get recognised and id never try and jeopardize our struggles...my son has been assessed for ocd and autism...got told no...but now I've done the home work autism TRAITS and ocd TRAITS are symptoms of adhd...which is why I think they was looking in the wrong area to assess him...I will persist on my part but my son is 18 and if he doesn't wish to proceed with it then that's his choice...I just wish he would listen to me more than think I'm attacking,(RSD at its finest)

[Spud-u-Like1982 in reply to Pro-masker]

I was in my 20s when I was diagnosed with the OCD and they put me on various antidepressants that caused major side effects, but the worst was duloxetine. My weight went from 14 stone to 20 stone (I'm over 6ft) and I started picking fights in the street, reading about murder, buying knives, but never carrying them with me...all things that weren't me. When I told the mental health team, they found it funny! I developed diabetes on the antidepressants and my doctor insisted I couldn't have (no history of it in the family). I ended up withdrawing from the antidepressants and going cold turkey. I was working full time all throughout that It transpires the antidepressants would have exacerbated the ADHD symptoms.

The NHS is a nightmare and I get annoyed at the different rules for Scotland, as I feel we should all be in the same boat, but that's a major bug bear of mine about modern Scotland since the Nationalists took power.

I hope your son is able to see someone to help. Due to my issues with the antidepressants, the mental health team refused to entertain me further unless I went back on them. It annoyed me that they wouldn't listen to me. They have a habit of that.

[Pro-masker in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Don't even get me started on the mental health specialistist...I hit a really difficult time and got put on anti psychotics anti anxiety, anti depressants and mood stabilers plus sleep aid and i balloned from 15st fit and muscular to 18st6 I stopped them mid last year and now I'm 14st9 I'm 5'8 it made my life hell...I couldnt breath, I couldn't do my shoe laces up, I had no clothes my wife even stopped loving me( not an observation, see told me out right)..and after a year of being misdiagnosed I got recognized by the the mental health crisis team, they referred me to be assessed and they litrally laughed at me when I said ' are you sure I'm adhd?' There was no doubt...to this day 4yrs on I'm still picking up on areas I clearly struggled with growing up...yep! I'm definitely adhd to sh** lol...

I can't obviously speak on your side as I'm England nhs and clearly don't receive the injustice your clearly experiencing and my hearth truly goes out to you...the best thing for us is understanding we really arnt alone in this...we have each other to find the paths each and everyone of us deserve...we deserve a peaceful life like the normal ones...what even is normal🤔 lol

[Spud-u-Like1982 in reply to Pro-masker]

That's terrible about the side effects. I think what it highlights is just because a clinical study doesn't show a certain side effect, doesn't mean someone on the medication won't experience that. I do feel alot of the specialists don't take us seriously enough. When I mentioned to them about how I had bought knives, their only concern was if I had them with me that day, not asking if I was taking them to work or anything like that.

I don't get why the NHS is quick enough to dish out antidepressants, but not ADHD meds. I was told if you live in a remote area you're more likely to get ADHD meds prescribed, but if you live in a city, you won't.

It's a relief when you know the ADHD has been a factor. I now understand a bit why I'm often late leaving for places. I also now understand why some subjects at school I did well on if I had an interest in them, but why I struggled with subjects I didn't enjoy.

The last thing I want to sound like is a grumpy Scot, but I've always felt that when we're on the same island, the same rules and Laws should apply, but clearly it doesn't. My mental health has suffered with having a Nationalist Government in power. It's why I joined the Ministry of Defence to work alongside the military, who I thought would be of a similar mindset, but sadly it wasn't the case with most of the people I worked with. In fact I even recall one guy comparing Scotland to Ukraine and England to Russia. Do you know I couldn't even answer him, as how can you reason with someone with a stupid mindset like that?

[1cupcake in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Can be a result

[Reformschooldropout in reply to Spud-u-Like1982]

Hello Spud-u-Like1982

Just wanted to chip in here because I'm in Scotland too and whilst it has been a LOT of hassle getting the NHS on board after my private diagnosis, I have just finally got my first GP-written (and therefore free) prescription of medication. I'm in Fife, I don't know what area you are from or if it's different but I would be very happy to discuss what steps I took to get to here, if it would help at all!

[Icare67]

IYes, I am in the same boat with you all, struggling with tinnitus. Actually been dealing with it for a number of years, this constant humming and buzzing. I worry it's preceeding hearing loss? Just want all the rest of you to know I Care. I also want to add I learned something that ADHD and tinnitus are sometimes linked together.

[Daddyzord]

Elvanse intensifies mine also. Hard to explain exactly but seems more that the tinnitus signal is stronger than just louder.I have got mine to reduce down a bit by doing head / neck / shoulder type exercises. I think mine is also exacerbated by tension.

[Mamamichl]

I have both as well. It is possible that medications can make it worse, but its usually more likely to be risk factors like poor eating, being hungry, stress and over working, or even lack of sleep/poor sleep.

[Angel1805 in reply to Mamamichl]

yes, I do notice more when I’m tired. I do eat clean, it doesn't seem to get any louder if I'm stressed it's just always there.

[Mamamichl in reply to Angel1805]

Yeah, I notice it’s easier to ignore, if other sounds are present, though I think every instance is unique because so many things have correlation that we don’t have one specific causation yet.

[CongoBill]

I have the same problem. I was on Vyvanse for about four years, but haven't taken it for the last two years because I am 60-years-old and have high blood pressure (I take Lisinopril for that). I still have tinnitus pretty bad even without the Vyvanse. I went to a lot of loud rock concerts when I was young so I figure that is the likely cause of the tinnitus.

[Tigger4me]

Sorry to join this chat late, but I did get to read all the posts. Sorry that it seems that so many ADHD folks in the UK (I'm in US) get so much hassle from your health system; ADHD is more than enough of a problem and it seems like your health service can make living with it so much worse.

I have a fairly bad case of tinnitus and I have noticed that when I'm having trouble with un-medicated ADHD my tinnitus is much worse. My only solution has been to get hearing aids. The tinnitus is bad when I wake up until I put the hearing aids in then I usually don't notice it until late in the day. With the hearing aids, the only time the tinnitus is a real bother is when I'm in a very quiet space. if I turn on some background sound the tinnitus goes way into background.

Hearing aids have also seemed to change how the tinnitus sounds. Before hearing aids, the tinnitus was a very loud, irritating hiss. Now, it kind of sounds like a lot of crickets on a hot summer night in the southern US. I grew up with that sound and have loved it ever since, so I really can not complain.

Take care.

[ExistingEmu5280]

I've had tinnitus since 2009. Doctors don't seem interested. They gave me aspirin after surgery and it made it as loud as a chainsaw. I was beginning to understand why people couldn't tolerate it when it suddenly snapped and got much quieter again. It's still there, but I have no idea what got it going. I don't have high blood pressure or high frequency cat deterrents that follow me from continent to continent. It's just there.

[eneal65]

Yes! I have tinitus, too and it's awful. I'm 59 and had it since I was eight.