Tinnitus

[annmarierodnes]

I have been SI for over a year now, at first approx once a week but in April I stepped up to every other day as I had debilitating sciatica (still waiting for an appointment with a neurologist!!). Bur this post is about my tinnitus which is getting worse and driving me nuts. Please tell me that this is because the nerve damage causing tinnitus is getting repaired. A positive on this will help me put up with it. I am waiting for an appointment with a specialist about it but don't hold much hope for getting this sorted.

[annmarierodnes]

I have been on the Tinnitus forum and the BTA website where I saw a reference to tinnitus and VitB12. The conclusion is: 'Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in

people with tinnitus than the general population. Although tinnitus severity improves in some people following Vitamin B12 therapy, the results are not significant.' The BTA does not recommend this treatment and their opinion on this treatment is: 'Although independent evidence is limited and of poor quality, what there is does not show that Vitamin B12 is effective for tinnitus. We would suggest you talk to your GP before taking any new medication or supplement.' Here is the link -

tinnitus.org.uk/Handlers/Do...

Although this is coming from the direction of tinnitus sufferers and I am coming from PA, it did give me a wee bit of hope that my injections could help in the longer term as there is an inferred link. The BTA also report that they are unlikely to support further

studies into this treatment!

[JGBH]

Hi annmarierodes,

When I first started B12 injections (3 times/week) my dreadful on-going tinnitus disappeared totally.I was so surprised and it felt like my head had become so much lighter. I was beginning to think I was going mad... that dreadful noise!

As I reduced the number of injections the tinnitus reappeared from time to time. I therefore believe this is evidence that B12 injections do help with tinnitus but perhaps cannot cure it. Of course we are all different and react differently to treatment.

The people who make up the guidelines/recommendations do not suffer with tinnitus, nor B12 deficiency/PA obviously but somehow they think they know best. What arrogance!

Are you seeing a neurologist or ear specialist? I do hope they will be able to help you as tinnitus on an on-going basis drives one mad.... You have all my sympathy.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes.

[annmarierodnes in reply to JGBH]

Hello JGBH, thank you for responding with your very positive experience. I am hoping mine doesn't get any worse. I am going to find out as much as I can before I go to see a specialist at ENT. I am sensitive to certain noise and wear hearing aids when I need to.

[JGBH in reply to annmarierodnes]

You’re welcome.

I do hope you will be able to find some relief. It’s always a good idea to do some research and take notes and a list of questions to ask the ENT specialist.

Keep a diary of your tinnitus episodes and any other symptoms you might have at the same time.

Please let us know how you get on.

[ajw1205]

Mine has gotten worse. When I saw a specialist it was before my B12d was diagnosed. They just seemed pleased it only affected one side, but now it's both. I'm going to get my hearing tested at Boots and shall ask their advice.

[annmarierodnes in reply to ajw1205]

Please let me know what they say. All information is helpful one way or another.

[pitney]

My tinnitus improved slightly but im afraid I still get it everyday at some point, the other thing that did help a little was eating a few walnuts every day

[annmarierodnes in reply to pitney]

That's interesting. I love nuts so will enjoy trying this and will report any improvements. My tinnitus is a continual noise like thousands of birds make when coming in to roost so I can monitor the level.

[pitney in reply to annmarierodnes]

Mine goes from ringing to like a jet engine

[Saya85]

Hi

Poor you- I empathise regarding the tinnitus- it’s horrible

However I wonder which type you have:

Pulsatile tinnitus is very common with b12 deficiency - although it can be sounds it’s usually felt as vibrations/pulsating sounds and feelings- and can be accompanied with vertigo /dizzy feelings. (It was for me!)

Classic tinnitus is usually more to do with false sounds and ringing in the ear.

This may explain the discrepancies in b12 treatment for tinnitus as it may be type dependent.

My b12 injections cleared my

Pulsatile tinnitus almost immediately. However my normal tinnitus has slowly got better I think with changes to diet and supplements.

However several family member and friends have had their tinnitus cured with magnesium supplements. I believe a consultant told them To use it/research.

Many used the mg oxide version so not sure if the type counts. Many were cured instantly again after years of trouble.

Of course it’s not a cure for everyone but it’s certainly a very easy thing to try and eliminate.

Good luck - and if it does work please do update us!

[Ryaan]

I have tinnitus and I self inject every 2 weeks and it helps. (It reduces the noise) but doesn’t get rid of it.

Closer to the next injection the noise seems to get louder or if I pass the 2 weeks. (This time it was 18 days).

I just learnt to ignore the noise and not focus on it. The B12 injection does help to a point where I can ignore it if I don’t focus on it.

So I can tell you it does help but not get totally rid of it and drives you mad if you focus on it, especially at night.

My friend puts a stand up fan on every night (even in winter), just faces it away so he can hear the fan and not the ‘teeeeen’ in the ear.

I don’t know if there’s a cure.

[Ryaan]

Magnesium supplements according to the replies (magnesium oxide) and some walnuts.Walnuts are good for your brain anyway so I think it depends on the type you have (Tinnitus).

I’ll give walnuts a try, 2-3 walnuts a night.

[annmarierodnes]

I have been getting through a few walnuts a day but no improvements in my tinnitus these last two months. Will continue as I enjoy nuts a lot. I take magnesium daily re SI Vit B12. I am still waiting for an appointment with an audiologist. I had my appointment with the neurologist last Monday but he was only interested in the MRI scan of my lower spine. I mentioned PA and asked about nerve damage hoping to widen the consultation to include other areas such as tinnitus and burning feet. He didn't see any connections. Be interesting to see his report when I see my doc.

[annmarierodnes]

Two years on, still eating walnuts and suplementing with magnesium, and my tinnitus is as awful as it was when I posted about this 3 years ago. The only way I can deal with this and keep sane is keeping myself occupied as much of my waking time as possible. I have tried several methods to get to sleep at night, and for when I wake up during the night, to bypass the noise in my head, such as having the radio on, counting and reciting etc. and although still a big issue, I do finally drop off. What hell, though, not getting enough sleep!