Bariatric Oxygen therapy causing Tinnitus?

[Thistle10]

Hi,

I recently had 8 sessions of bariatric oxygen therapy for long covid.

I have now been diagnosed with Tinnitus.

Could this be related to bariatric oxygen therapy?

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks.

[doglover1973]

Hello Thistle10 Sorry to hear you have long C . I'm interested in your experience (I have CFS & T) so I read about bariatric oxygen therapy this afternoon. It seems that one of the side effects is trauma to the middle ear . Any problems with the ears could cause tinnitus. Hope you don't mind me asking - Did the therapy improve your health in any way?

[Thistle10 in reply to doglover1973]

Hi doglover1973, I did find some information on Barotrauma yesterday as well. It may have been a combination of factors. I possibly had an underlying issue with my left ear in particular. Although my GP stated there were no signs of ear infection yesterday, covid may have caused problems with my ears and I did not really pay attention due to chronic fatigue and joint discomfort being the things I was most aware of?As far as the oxygen therapy goes, I have my own experiences and those of other people I spoke to with long covid and MS.

The first time, I had some discomfort in my left ear when the pressure in the chamber started to increase. I got over this very quickly by swallowing. My ears started to pop as the pressure was decreasing at the end of the session( Lasted around 1hr 30.) Although it is similar to deep-sea diving, it is also similar to experiences going up in an aircraft at altitude.

I had 2 weekly sessions for a month. I felt pleasantly tired afterward and got a really good night's sleep after a session. It took at least a few weeks before I started to notice some benefits.

I feel less fatigued at present, though my fatigue symptoms due to long covid seem to go in cycles. I thought my symptoms were much improved last summer, however, there was a flare-up around October. So time will tell if any perceived benefit is long-lasting and due to the therapy.

I was told the fatigue would fade through time? It has to an extent as it is less intense than it was 2 years ago.

Everybody's symptoms with long covid are individual with fatigue is the most common issue. Interestingly, a few people I spoke to had issues with vertigo, which makes me wonder if covid has gone for my ears?

The people with long covid seem to get relief with their fatigue symptoms, however, many of them think they will have to go several times a week indefinitely to help with their symptoms?

That was never my intention as I know I have improved over 2 years and my lungs are probably not as severely damaged as these other people?

People with MS have been going to therapy for years due to the chronic and progressive nature of their condition. These people could not really manage without the treatment now.

I know the cause of your CFS is different from my long-term fatigue after covid.

Due to your tinnitus, I would proceed with caution, however, on balance, the therapy may help with your fatigue symptoms. You will know very quickly if you will not be able to tolerate it and indicate to pause the session.

I know this is very long-winded, but I hope my experiences help you make a choice one way or another.

[doglover1973 in reply to Thistle10]

Thank you for such a detailed reply. Very interesting. I believe Covid can affect the ears so your recent tinnitus may be a result of the virus - as you say. I'm glad you've had some benefit from the therapy too. Hopefully you'll make a full recovery - without any further intervention. I'm not well enough to do anything like this at the moment . How are you coping with T?

[Thistle10 in reply to doglover1973]

I am sorry to hear you are not well at the moment. I hope you can improve in the near future and will be able to consider a different therapy.

The tinnitus can be annoying at quiet times or when I am not busy with no background noise to distract me.

I have looked at a few Youtube videos with drills of how to reduce it with little success.

Have you got any ideas you can share of techniques or strategies that have helped you?

Is there anything on the net you have noticed that is a total no-no to try?

[doglover1973 in reply to Thistle10]

Thanks Thistle10 There's no cure for T but there are things you can do to help yourself. I used sound therapy & relaxation techniques in the early days and I still do when my T spikes. There's also CBT if you need help with stress & anxiety . The things you need to avoid are expensive 'cures' . There's a very good book - Living with tinnitus & hyperacusis by Baguley & co . It's a great starting point. Hope this helps.

[Thistle10 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you for that information doglover1973. I have ordered the book and another one as well. I looked at sound devices. There is quite a difference in cost. Are these the type of devices you have used in the past?

[doglover1973]

Nice work. What's the other book? I didn't buy any sound devices. I just use my CD player with CD's of natural sounds & instrumental music . Seems to work well enough . Whatever you use just set the sound slightly below your T .

[Thistle10 in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you for that, I will look for these types of CDs. I have found a little sound player as well that may be useful before sleep as well.

The other book is probably quite similar and offered as a 2 book deal from Amazon.

It was called : Living with tinnitus: A practical guide to understanding,treating and coping with tinnitus.

|The device is called a sound oasis - Tinnitus sound therapy system.

I have ordered CDs featuring natural sounds and relaxing sounds as well?

[doglover1973 in reply to Thistle10]

There's a CD in the BTA shop - Sounds of the Sea or there's a website called Sounds Natural which make a couple of CD's for people with T . I've seen the Oasis sound box. I believe it's very good too . If you belong to the BTA you get 10% discount . Any sound can be very helpful.

[Thistle10 in reply to doglover1973]

Hi, thanks for that, the Oasis soundbox arrived this morning. I will get hold of a pair of headphones and see how it goes? I will let you know.

[doglover1973 in reply to Thistle10]

Please do 🙂