I've been reading everyone's posts for the past week or so and whilst this condition is depressing, at least I'm not the only sufferer.
I came down with tinnitus a couple of weeks ago - I had a cold and one morning woke up with 'stuffy/clogged' ears. I couldn't shake off the 'stuffy/clogged' feeling and one morning woke up instantly at 4am with my ears ringing. It was on/off for a couple of days after that but the ringing has been constant since last Sunday with no 'let up'.
I've been to the doctors but nothing much they could do but give some advice etc. I'm intending on paying them another visit so I can get a referral for the ENT specialist.
One thing that has hit me the hardest is the lack of sleep - I hardly slept for a week and it got to the point on Saturday that I was about to collapse with exhaustion.
Ended up taking some sleeping pills and thankfully managed to get a couple of nights sleep.
I'm finding it very hard to cope at the moment and have had some dark thoughts about suicide. I'm also fretting about the things I like to do - drinking (real/craft beer), football matches, gigs - I keep thinking 'do I give all this up'? If I had to then I think life wouldn't be worth living.
I've read countless articles and posts online but nothing fills me with confidence this condition can be overcome.
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shabbagaz
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I am so sorry you are suffering it is early days and your cold could be the problem. Sometimes the Eustachian tube in your ears can block causing ringing. Did the GP give you a decongestant to clear the clogged feeling. I do have tinnitus but my son gets ringing when he has a bad cold which does go away so hang in there. Things will get better thinking of you.
Hello, ive had constant T now since 28th of December 2016, i think the lowest i got was earlier this year when i also had those dark thoughts, the keyword is thought, and that's one thing you have control over, i had a insight during those days that i could either let it control me or i could try and live a normal life if you could put it that way, So i gave the T a name said good morning everyday i wake and while at work i sometimes forget he is there, im virtually training myself to think positive instead of negative because I'm the one hurting myself.
like you, i love going to football matches like you im afraid of the noise, so i brought myself some senner music pro earbuds that are now on my keychain and at matches, i wear them because i did notice my T did spike after a match, even more so when we're winning.
Im currently trying to learn the Saxophone and also wear them then.
Beer, who doesn't like a real ale every now and then, during my time with T i gave up the beer and the one thing i noticed with the T, with or without beer is nothing. so now i enjoy my pint because i want to
I like biking so i still go, headphones i always turn the music down to a lower level but still hear it .
I hope over the years that Billy will get less of a noise, the only times i notice he is there is when like now im really thinking about him, in a moment or two my headphones will go on music will start playing and i'll start working and billy will shut the feck up and its those times where i truly don't notice he is there that im really thankful for.
Also my final tip is meditation i find it really helps and i should do more of it, guided meditation is what i like and i might start recording my own
Just stay in the game , it is very worrying when you first get T. Wearing proper ear plugs is a must at music events and at matches your'e the clever person protecting your ears. If you go to a pub /restaurant sit or stand away from any speakers or ask them to turn the volume down a tad. Over time you will adjust to it hang in there. Neil
Such a difficult time for you. But try and be positive and take steps to carry on doing the stuff you enjoy. Yes your confidence will be knocked but hang in there and try and focus on pluses. Bit by bit the T will take a back seat.
I went to my first gig last night since I encountered my own other sound 9 weeks ago. Wore an Ear Peace. My T is a bit more noticeable this morning but hell, it was worth it.
Hi . The first two weeks for me were terrible: could not sleep,worried about any loud noise,concentrated on my tinnitus, stopped my social life and got very down. Could not believe people telling me that it gets easier....... how could it! But it does. You will learn to adapt and adjust to your new situation. Stress and fear will not be in control.
First thing I like to say You're Not Alone there's Millions suffering with this awful ringing in your head we go to the dark side sometime we keep on fighting and pray that someday they can come up with some solution for me I take medications to go to sleep. While I fight with Why I fight with tinnitus I also have to deal with OCD. try to read up on tinnitus and what you can do to alleviate the ringing. Good luck and stay strong.
Hi there, have been exactly where you are, the lack of sleep is the killer, I got 30 minutes in two weeks!! Then anxiety and depression kicked plus the “dark place” where no one wants to go or be.As far as I was concerned from 2nd of oct 2018 my life was over nothing would or could convince me different and if I heard “ there’s worse off people than you” again I swear that would have pushed me to end it.like many others I sought more info from everywhere and tried everything suggested apart from standing on my head singing the national anthem!! With the help and support from my beloved wife, Gp, ent dept, audiologistwho specializes in the big T I realized it was DOWN TO ME I was 99% gripped by T and severe anxiety and you know where but I had little or no fight left in me but I persisted and now find myself , well, not how I was prior but more than happy the way I am , mr T is still there but fortunately my “ maskers” are of some help, but there is hope for you no matter what you think right now,, it’s corny but time not a healer as such but Rome wasn’t built in a day you will with help and support and your inner strength will come through I didn’t really want to go on about myself in your post but it’s important for me to get over to you exactly where I was from being chased by security guards around a/e. Heading for a bridge etc etc to now posting this to you,,stick with it you will come through honestly.
Just an update. It's been just over 4 weeks since it started and unfortunately it's still here - I've resigned myself to the fact it's here to stay and won't go away. I've heard stories of some people's T (after getting a cold) going away after a few weeks but sadly I can't see that happening with me.
On the plus side, I've got more used to living with it and accepting it. Thankfully I've managed to sleep better - not brilliantly (I'm not normally a brilliant sleeper anyway) but a lot better than it was.
I also attended a gig last week and thankfully didn't have any after-effects (I was wearing ear plugs which helped).
I'm going to book a doctors appointment next week and hopefully try and get a referral to an ENT specialist.
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