Question for the ladies

[Mrshanson]

Evening all, just wondering if any of you ladies on here notice fluctuations in your T during different 'times of the month' I seem to struggle more with mine in the run up to that time, wondered if it's to do with hormones? Does menopause also have an effect, I'm wondering? -Bev x

[Angela-H]

Hi Bev, can't offer any advice there as I am well past the menopause. I did meet one lady at a tinnitus relaxation class who acquired her T because of hormone fluctuations during her menopause. Hey though, I got my T the day after a hysterectomy op! I think all my oestrogen had gone by then though and I believe it was either the stress or anaesthetic that caused it. Hope you're feeling ok. Love, Angela xx

[Mrshanson in reply to Angela-H]

Thanks Angela, I'm ok, still struggling with night times, having a 'down' phase where I just can't stop thinking about it, even on quieter days my brain's obsessed. But I have noticed this pattern emerging at this time of the month.

My T was caused by hearing loss but I'm starting to think hormones play a part-Bev x

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

Sleep well xx

A good night's sleep helps to quieten the T. But like you, when I take out the hearing aid my T gradually appears. Angela cx

[Mrshanson in reply to Angela-H]

I'm still aware of mine much of the time even with them in unfortunately. Swings and roundabouts, it doesn't bother me too much sometimes, looking forward to the next of these times. Thanks Angela

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

It seems to me you're doing well as you haven't had T for long, though I know it seems otherwise! I have had mine for 2 years 3 months and it has gradually got better. Or perhaps our brains just get fed up of dealing with it. When I am totally concentrating on something, e.g. at the theatre on Saturday night, it was as if I didn't have it Then it came back at bedtime. Have a good day. Angela xx

[Mrshanson in reply to Angela-H]

Thanks Angela, it's coming up to my 1 year anniversary with it, hoping for some kind of epiphany on that date! (Ha) just trying to keep busy, take care-Bev x

[Hidden]

Hi Bev,

Hormones can spike tinnitus around menstruation and menopause too!

Love glynis

[Mrshanson in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Glynis I think that's what's happening with me, half the month calm and settled, the other half all over the place. I do worry about the future, I'm only 38, I'll probably have to cope with this for another 40/50 years (?)

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

Oh heavens! As if women don't have to put up with enough without our hormones affecting T. Hmmmmm, I have started an HRT course of treatment. I'll see whether that affects my T. Angela xx

[Mrshanson in reply to Angela-H]

Do let us know if the HRT has an effect on the T Angela. I'd be very interested to find out. I had just switched between types of the Pill when my T started and always wonder if there's a link. I stopped taking it altogether soon after - Bev x

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

Will keep you posted Bev. I only began the treatment this week. Love, Angela xx

[Hidden in reply to Mrshanson]

I'm nearly 52 and pre menopause causing me problems.

Got see doctor on Thursday for blood results of on menopause and going have somthing to stop Menstruation.

My lungs go nuts and ears and mood and heavy bleeding ...joys of being a lady .

[Angela-H in reply to Hidden]

Hope the doc can sort that problem Glynis. I had forgotten how awful period and menopause were as it has been 10 years. Love, Angela xx

[Mrshanson in reply to Hidden]

Hope the docs tomorrow goes well Glynis. The joys indeed!

[kirtieUK]

Yep at times i do. I get a few more spikes and pressure. Especially if I'm in a lot of pain xx

[Mrshanson in reply to kirtieUK]

Spikes and pressure exactly! Really unsettled for the last 2 weeks of the month, as soon as my period starts it instantly calms down, then it's generally pretty good for 2 weeks.

I hear pregnancy and menopause can effect tinnitus too, it must be hormonal-Bev x

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

Hi Bev and I hope you're doing well? So, I said I would let you know about the possible side-effects of HRT on my tinnitus. During the past week my T has been worse which I think is happening because of the increase in my hormone levels. Without consulting my GP I have reduced the number of times I take the HRT. As far as I am concerned, my main problem is tinnitus and I have to deal with that as a priority, so the other medical condition for which I take HRT can take a backseat! If my T doesn't go back to its usual quiet level, I will stop taking the HRT completely.

Let us know how you are, love and best wishes, Angela xx

[Mrshanson in reply to Angela-H]

Hi Angela, sorry to hear your T is bad at the moment, hope it's just a random spike and not to do with the HRT? See how you go on a reduced dose. I agree you should prioritise the tinnitus if that's causing the most stress. Hormones have a hell of a lot to answer for!

I'm pretty good just now thanks, my T hasn't followed the usual pattern this cycle, trying to disprove my theory I think! It's been mostly quiet for a couple of weeks now.

I'm actually on my way to an appointment with the tinnitus councillor so I'll let you know how that goes later-Bev x

[Mrshanson in reply to Mrshanson]

Well she was very nice. Told me I have to stop being scared of the noise and make sure I don't over- mask it. Can't get used to a sound if I never hear it. And that 90% of people with hearing loss have tinnitus to some degree.

She said when I can't stop thinking about It then I need to occupy my mind somehow and make sure I spend some time everyday in silence actually listening to the sound, as a kind of immersion therapy, which I found slightly odd.

So yeah, what I expected really, I need to accept it's now a part of me and eventually my brain will mostly tune it out, but I'll still have the odd bad day-Bev x

[Angela-H in reply to Mrshanson]

Thanks for that information Bev. I have my maskers and surrounding sound set lower than my T. I do find that distraction always helps too. Not sure about listening-in to my tinnitus everyday - I will give that a miss! Ps my T has been quiet today so will continue with the reduction in my HRT. It is nice to read that your T is behaving! Love, Angela cx

[LuverlyLucie]

Hi. I'm 52 and hormones have massively affected my ability to sleep which in turn is not great for tinnitus. Two of my friends who are between 4 and 8 years older than me got tinnitus in their 50s so I'm guessing that hormones do play a part.

When I first got tinnitus in early March I never thought I could live with it and went into a massive meltdown. If it hadn't been for the support of this amazing group I would have struggled to get through it. I find that keeping busy helps, knowing that there will be good days and that others struggle with a range of challenging conditions too.

Life has been hell in the past but therapy helped massively.

The bottom line is that I love life too much not to continue and you never know the future - see Davy Crocket's post.

Hugs. Luverly Lucie xx

[Angela-H in reply to LuverlyLucie]

Nice to read your positive post Lucie and I agree that this supportive forum plays an important part in helping to manage tinnitus. I felt utterly alone when I got mine 2+ years ago and couldn't believe that other folk had such strange noises in their head or ears, or both. Nowadays, I am fine on most days and can forget that I have it.

Hope that Singing in the Rain was successful! We have had a lot of rain over the last week in Shropshire. Love, Angela xx

[JanAtherton]

I do find my tinnitus is louder during the week before my period, I also get migraines at that time and I know that there is a hormonal component to those as well. Certain contraceptive pills gave me more headaches, but I'm not sure they made my tinnitus much worse.