Signed off for 2 weeks

[Popzilla]

Just had results back from MRI and all clear. I had a bad reaction to sertraline and came off it, then amitriptolene, now off that and newly prescribed mirtazapine. I am encountering such loud high pitched electrical tinnitus and having epic sleep deprivation and stressed beyond what I can cope with. Trying next a white noise generator and CBT. My gp has signed me off for 2 weeks which isn't the best news. I'm relieved its not a brain tumour but now fretting what's next and coping to get back to work. Any advice appreciated.....

[Shellipops]

Hi there,

You dont say how long you have had the T....if its fairly recently your sense of panic will be at its worse. It would appear that in the initial stages it feels as if a bomb has been dropped on your life, anxiety, fear etc is consuming at this time. Was it the meds which brought it on?. I have similar sounding noises, I think mine is around 13000khz, high pitched electrical hissssssss. Im 8 months in. The one thing that allowed me to sleep was a Sound Oasis machine with the summer nights soundcard. The cricket sound was the only thing that masked my noise....think its because its high pitched and continual. I tried loads of sound apps but the first time I played this my T was pushed right into the background allowing sleep. Valerian root tea also helped before bedtime. Have a good read around here when your off work and you will pick up loads of advice, tips and support, I would have been lost without it!. I deliberately didnt take time off work as early on I realised keeping busy was paramount to stopping me stewing in it.

Good luck !

S

[Wringing1212]

Hi Popz,

I had an MRI and found no tumor but got much worse from the scanner noise. My T is now super loud, coupled with Hyperacusis. Did you experience any problem with your scan?

I've found that I get so sleep deprived, I eventually start falling asleep from exhaustion. Sometimes the T will wake me up but I think about a fantasy versus reality and can slip back into some sleep pattern. As soon as I know I'm not going to be able to drift off, I start watching TV on my iPad until my eyes get tired and then I may get another hour or two of sleep in before morning.

I think of my T as a bunch of friends partying, who won't go home but I've got to roll with it. Yes they are annoying but they are mine.

As you probably know, the high pitched T is happening in your brain. It's now a mental game, the key for the most part, is to ignore your late night friends. When they slip out of your awareness, they no longer exhist.

Check out the area of study called flow states. When you achieve this state, your brain shuts down the prefrontal cortex. This moves the brain activity away from the areas of the brain that are searching for sound. Of course the wires can cross, sending you back into a spike, but trust your brain and it will take you on an alternate route.

[1Dar]

Hi .. if you read Shellipops ... that email says it all. When I first got Tinnitus I honestly thought my world had come to an end! I’m 3 years in and know what my limitations are... by 6.00 at night I have had it! My 1000 cicadas in my head are outrageous! I also take mirtzapine , it’s great and I would be lost without it! Good luck with everything😊😊😊😊

[getchegary]

Hey There. I totally empathize with you. I have found Tinnitus Retraining Therapy to have had an almost immediate and positive effect on the severity of my tinnitus. An audiologist, trained in this area would be of great assistance. Your phycological health will improve greatly when you know you are on the path to treating the condition. Anxiety will decrease and so will the tinnitus. It will get better!!!