New to tinnitus and struggling.: Hello there, I... - Tinnitus UK

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New to tinnitus and struggling.

Harrier58 profile image
32 Replies

Hello there, I have had progressive tinnitus for last couple of months. Its in my whole head it seems - only escape is sleep and my MH is not good. Never joined a forum before but am hoping to try and lessen the isolation. Been interesting reading some of the post. Words of comfort and hope needed.

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Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58
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32 Replies
rabbits65 profile image
rabbits65

Welcome to this tinnitus site . You will find this forum very friendly and helpful. I personally would have found my tinnitus very difficult without support and the information you will receive on here will make you feel less isolated and make you feel more comfortable about yourself . Try and get outside as much as you can for walks etc . It really helps . People on here haven’t found doctors very helpful , they don’t seem to understand how severe tinnitus can be it seems. We just have to get in with it . Eventually you should habituate towards it , to the extent you should be able to live with it and almost forget about it, but this takes a fair amount of time . Good luck to you and enjoy and look back at all the posts written on here in the past and in the future . 😊 From Penny. xxx

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to rabbits65

Thank you for your lovely supportive message. Unfortunately its early days for me so am sleeping with the aid of meds, diazepam - I think this just makes me feel even lower x

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973

A warm welcome Harrier58 You've come to the right place. Everyone here understands what it's like. I don't know what I would've done without the help & support from other people with tinnitus. It was my first time on a forum too. Tinnitus can affect MH but the distress will lessen over time - as you get used to the sound(s). Be kind to yourself. We're all here for you xxx

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to doglover1973

Hi, there thank you for your lovely message. Maybe getting a dog would be helpful - will need to feel less depressed first as struggling with looking after myself at moment

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973 in reply to Harrier58

Yes. It may be helpful somewhere along the line. I couldn't look after my dog at first so my family rallied round but I was OK after 6 months or so. Hang in there. Things will get better . It's a tough time as everyone knows.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to doglover1973

Hi, this has been very recent for me and I have sunk into a deep depression - don't want to do anything /see anyone - is this generally a normal part of the journey. Was this the 6 months that you experienced

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973 in reply to Harrier58

Yes definitely. It's very normal. The first six months of troublesome T were tough. I couldn't eat or sleep or do anything really. I just wanted to curl up & die. This is the first phase which it sounds as if you're going thru at the moment. It may not last as long as six months for you. Some people adapt more quickly than others but it won't last forever.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to doglover1973

Yep that's exactly where I am at. Can't eat etc as you say just want to curl up and die.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Hi, welcome to this very helpful forum. I rarely post anything but read them most days. I have learnt a lot from others here. What is MH?

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to CDPO16

Hi, there, thanks for your message. Sorry - MH just stands for mental health.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Harrier58

Thank you

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie in reply to CDPO16

Mental health I expect

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Happyrosie

Thank you

mgte profile image
mgte

I, like you suffered 18 months ago,but please believe and believe you will habituate.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to mgte

Thank you for your positivity - I have felt like my life was over - hearing from others really helps.

Mat189 profile image
Mat189

Feel for you. It’s a tough time. I’m also new to T but I feel more is going on with me. Top of my head feels so tight and feeling of not wanting to lift my head. Nausea and weakness. ENT says nothing wrong. It may be a frustrating road but just hang on to any positives in life.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to Mat189

Thanks for your message. How frustrating for you too having all that going on and to be told nothing wrong.

Keepfitandhealth profile image
Keepfitandhealth

I found relaxation and open air activities like walking and the mindfulness of classes like Yoga/Pilates/Bodybalance helped give me some peace. It definitely helped with the sleep! Read a few of the posts, you are not alone with this. T doesn’t deserve to be given any attention, but you do!

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to Keepfitandhealth

Thank you - that sounds like really helpful stuff to do. Hard to find the motivation at the moment but little by little.

lesley2015 profile image
lesley2015

Hi, sorry you have had to join the Tinnitus Club. I am 4-5 years into this journey and I can remember finding it so very difficult - family seem understanding but unless you have this noise in all your waking hours, in reality you can’t understand.

However, I have adjusted with the following, but it’s an individual journey -

I have bilateral hearing aids (nhs) these reduce the noise and they also have the option of white noise I can switch on for bad days.

I have a white noise machine on all night (I listen to a trickling brook)

I tend to need a background noise all the time or tinnitus takes over - I always need something for my hearing to focus on.

Finally, I get outside as much as possible.

Maybe some of that will help, you will find a way to adjust but be kind to yourself- it takes a while.

Best wishes

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to lesley2015

Thank you so much for your supportive message. Its such a tough place to be in.

Tanney profile image
Tanney

you did not mention whether or not you have seen an ENT doctor about your Tinnitus....have you? If not, please schedule an appointment for at least a hearing test. If you have seen an ENT what coping methods were recommended?

Tinnitus can be caused by allergies which may be flaring up this time of year. Do you have allergy....especially nasal allergy? If so be sure to discuss with the ENT so that allergy can be managed.

Tinnitus is also made worse by stress/anxiety which are almost always present when tinnitus first strikes. Relaxation techniques are often effective in reducing tinnitus.....or at least keeping it from getting louder.

Hearing aids are very effective for most people in reducing the tinnitus your brain "hears". But before you consider hearing aids please see the ENT for evaluation.

Good luck!!

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to Tanney

Thank you Tanney - no not got to ENT yet takes an age thru NHS. Am going to go private I think

msspinner profile image
msspinner

Hi Harrier 58, I think you can attune to the new you. At first, I was frustrated that the only relief seemed to be sleep but I've only just remembered the buzzing now and hopefully reading a book for a while will distract me.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to msspinner

Thank you for your positive message.

msspinner profile image
msspinner in reply to Harrier58

You're welcome 😊

Beagleears profile image
Beagleears

Hi I'm so sorry you are struggling at the moment and it is totally understandable that you feel depressed about the Tinnitus. It is normal to feel this way as it is so irritating at first and hard to ignore it and get on with your life. I know you don't want to do anything which is how depression works it takes away your energy and everything is a massive effort. If you can, try to set yourself a small goal each day ie: anything that you liked to do before tinnitus try to start doing it again even if it's only for a few minutes at first or walk a short distance that you feel comfortable with and slowly increase the distance each day. Or if you have a garden or a local park spend some time just sitting and enjoying the view listen to the birds and trees rustling. Try to focus on other sounds during this time outside to distract from the tinnitus. I know this may be really hard for you to do at first but if you can practice it will help you eventually. I also find meditation and relaxation techniques useful. It may sound mad to sit in silence but if you can just concentrate on the sound of your breathing and the sensation of your stomach rising and falling as you breathe in and out this actually helps tune out the tinnitus. I use yoga nidra to help me sleep when tinnitus is really irritating me there are loads of these techniques on you tube try a few to see what works for you. Unfortunately it will take a while for you to habituate but you will get there eventually. I hope you can try to make a start on breaking your cycle of depression by trying any of the suggestions even if it's only for a few minutes each day at first. Ask a close friend or family member to help you and be kind to yourself. All the best and take care.

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to Beagleears

Thank you so much for your lovely message. I am having g a bad day today so it helps. I do try to meditate but can't concentrate enough for it to be effective. Walking seems to be the only thing at the moment as I have such a high level of anxiety. Thank you

Beagleears profile image
Beagleears

Your welcome, walking is a great way to alleviate anxiety. Just be kind to yourself as it will take time for you to adjust.

Graham-E profile image
Graham-E

Welcome and I do understand what you mean when you say you have this invasive noise inside your head. I also never joined a forum either and thought it is best to reach out.Many things about my T frustrate me and one is people without it not understanding the condition. Hopefully knowing that others truly get you and can offer whatever that have learned.

To be honest I’ve only been here recently but had T for many years. I struggle, still do, and figured something out the hard way while people here can just offer through full suggestions.

I’ll share that in a super small nutshell stress and quite places are my nemesis.

My sound pillow helps so much a night.

CBT can be very helpful if you work at it.

Hearing aides are useful to create a better sound your brain has less problems with giving it a rest so to speak.

My NHS HAs are Bluetooth so making phone calls was easier but they suggested I swap to an iPhone for the software.

I’d always been an Android user 😁

I do get very tired and fatigue as the noise is so very loud and I’ve never habituated, some do.

My T has given me several depression and I fight that from morning to night.

Sometimes it wins occasionally I win.

At some point in the day I usually find myself saying tomorrow is a new day and someone might find a treatment.

My T was caused by a virus that took my sense of smell and taste.

On down days I walk past a bakery and know there is the smell of bread that I cannot smell. I think I do this to myself to belly punch me and that I don’t understand, must be the depression.

The trick is to know when you are doing something like that and think your way round and out of it.

Not sure what else I can say.

Hope something is useful and please ask me anytime as if I can help I certainly will.

Rest and take it easy being as kind to yourself as possible. This I find hard to do but keep going, tomorrow is a new day.

Very best and sorry for going in.

Graham

Harrier58 profile image
Harrier58 in reply to Graham-E

Hi Graham, thank you for you message. Its all so distressing isn't it - I have felt my life is over and as you say have to take it one day at a time to get through. Thank you for your practical suggestions. I hope today is a better day for you and me too.

Graham-E profile image
Graham-E in reply to Harrier58

Many thanks and keep well.

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