Tinnitus is taking over my life 😞

[Naughtynan66]

Hello

I'm new here. I have been suffering from this humming sound in my head for a couple of months now. I think it started a couple of months ago. I lost my aunt and brother recently. Since I heard their news and I haven't been able to go to any funerals I have been really depressed and anxious. I'm taking citalopram now for 4 weeks which has its own side effects not seen a lot of improvement. My tinnitus causes me a great problem and I'm anxious about it. It's on one side and then I sleep with great difficulty and then waje up its on the other side of my head, this humming sound sounds like a very large engine outside but I hear it anywhere.

I have told my gp, he's referred me to ENT but I know its going to be aing wait. 😞

[doglover1973]

Hi Naughtynan. I'm so sorry to hear of your recent losses. It's normal to be anxious about tinnitus at the onset but there is hope. The T. may be there to stay but the distress usually lessens over time. This is my experience anyway. You're right - there are long waits for ENT. The important thing is what you do while you wait. I've read as much as I can so I'm prepared when the time comes. All the best 🙂

[Naughtynan66 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you for your post 🙂I have been researching it and sometimes it helps sometimes doesn't as it worries me.I just want to find why it is fluctuating from one side to other and it's nothing on the Internet about it.

[doglover1973 in reply to Naughtynan66]

I understand. Not everything written about T is very helpful. Some of it can be quite detrimental. The best book I've read is Living with tinnitus & hyperacusis written by the three doctors. Very practical. It helped me cope early on. Other people here may recommend other good books.

[Naughtynan66 in reply to doglover1973]

I'm trying to get as much help as, I can but my depression not helping.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi NaughtyNan. I'm sorry to read of the personal losses you've experienced recently. Have you considered talking to a charity like Cruse Bereavement Care - cruse.org.uk/ - who can be a great source of support and understanding?

[Naughtynan66 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hello thank you. Yes I contacted them months ago and had a initial phone appointment and I'm put on the waiting list. I haven't had any counselling yet.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to Naughtynan66]

I'm sorry to read that, Naughtynan - another option which you can self-refer to is the NHS' IAPT services: nhs.uk/service-search/find-... - for CBT counselling, which can be particularly helpful with tinnitus.

[Happyrosie]

Hello Naughtynan (love the name!). We all experience T in different ways. The book I’ve found most helpful is ‘Tinnitus: from tyrant to friend’. And the website of the British tinnitus Association is really good.

[Spurdog1]

Hi Naughtynan. I am 64 and have had t for 17 years. I am so sorry to hear about your losses, every life is precious, and it hurts.T is not easy to live with but I am now used to it. The key as you mentioned yourself is Stress and anxiety. You must chill out, relax. Walks, light music, whatever you relax by. Take your time, and if need be DM me, I'm a good listener. There's plenty to take your mind off T.

[Philip6]

I have a humming sound too, which sounds like a lorry outside the house, had it for years. If I shake my head it stops, but starts again as soon as my head is still. I believe it’s the hum of blood flowing through a large vein near the ear. Mine also changes in the evening and I sometimes get another tone. Binaural beats help. You can find lots of videos on YouTube, some tinnitus Apps also play these sounds, you will find one that will cancel out the hum in your head.