Chronic 24/7 driving me crazy

[FS29]

Hi, not long turned 50. Always had mild tinnitus all my which didnt affect me too much, had grommets as a kid and various sinus sugeries in my 30s. This year tinnitus has got gradually worse and for the last 3 weeks is loud and 24/7. Been driving me crazy, I have an ENT appointment tomorrow not expecting miracles just a step closer to finding out more info. Been struggling with anxiety and depression just don't know how I'm gonna live with it so after frantic visit to A&E I'm now in daily contact with the lovely mental health team who are helping me get through each day. Spoke to the BTA helpline today who were very helpful (hence why I joined this forum) also they say more people have been coming forward this year with T probably due to rising anxiety levels due to COVID etc. I'm hoping that it will ease in time as I get my anxiety under control. Has anyone else got worse in the last few months?

[BambooFighting]

Yeah, I'm in a pretty similar situation, my tinnitus has gone insane recently, though I don't know if it's 2020 anxiety, certainly could be, but could also be codeine abuse, a strange ear issue I had on a plane in March, what I now suspect is a patulous eustachian tube I may have had since I was a child only to have my mother ignore my incessant whines of "I can hear myself funny" that I forgot about until hearing the term recently, the ear wax removal I had just before it started, or I just spoke to a doctor who thinks it might be Temperomandibular (sp?) Joint Disorder as I've been having jaw issues, too, or maybe just my brain needing extra stimulus as I have visual snow too. I'm not sure we'll ever know exactly what caused it, unfortunately, but maybe we should stop trying to answer all the questions and just deal with the here and now, focus on the future we can still enjoy rather than parts of the past we've lost? That's what I've been thinking today, I hope that sentiment can raise you up a bit.

How did you manage to get an ENT appointment so fast? I've been on a waiting list since October D:

Glad you were able to find people at A&E who were able to help you out. Remember the Samaritans are there for you too, they've been great for me on days I can't handle these new visitors in my head. Good luck, remember there's a lot of us in the same boat right here and you're not alone!

[FS29 in reply to BambooFighting]

Thankyou wise words, I've never been one to use forums but I'm gonna stick with this one knowing I'm not the only one, take care

[Happyrosie]

Hello FS29. Welcome to the club! Like you, I’ve had T for a long time. I’ve been contributing to this forum for about a year now and I’ve really noticed the anxiety being expressed by posters.

Personally it doesn’t bother me too much - the demon sits in the corner of the room and waits to pounce on me.

Some six months ago my husband had to be ambulanced to hospital and , wow, did the T have a great time then!

But I AM IN CHARGE of my life and the T isn’t in charge of me. I am lucky enough to live in a lovely part of the country and have enough money for my needs. Because of lockdown I miss my friends and family: my T is part of my overall deafness so phone calls with loved ones are difficult.

Distracting myself with books, radio and TV helps and even in this horrible weather I go for a walk every day. The T is louder than the rain and my footsteps, but so what. It just is.

I wish you well.

[FS29 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thankyou for your reply, im trying to keep on top of it, just gone out of control at this time, I've lots of support im blessed in that respect, im lucky enough too to live in great part of the countryside and need to be disciplined and not let this drag me down. I've never been to this dark place in my mind but I've recognised it and got the help I need to help me through, take care

[Maxi80]

I can most certainly relate.

I had low level tinnitus with a high frequency sound. Now it’s a constant loud whoosh type thing. Since around September it’s been a lot worse. I’m also not sure how to cope with this 24/7. We must somehow carry on though mate.

How did the ENT appointment go?? @FS29

[FS29 in reply to Maxi80]

Sorry to hear you have it tough too, ENT told me I think what I expected so no physical issues with sinuses or ears but due to hearing loss and anxiety my T has become unbearable. ENT have referred me to audiologyst for therepy so need to keep positive and keep going. Theyve suggested I speak to my GP re my anxiety, I need to get that under control and hopefully it will lessen. At the moment its a vicious circle of worry and anxiety but I need to see through it and hope one day I will learn to live with at and accept it and get my life back to normal

[Maxi80 in reply to FS29]

I hear you. You’re not alone ❤️