New To Tinnitus - Trying to positively Cope

[Stinazap]

Hi everyone.

I’m stina, just recently turned 40.

Long story short ( as short as possible) I was given antibiotics for a non painful ear infection, 2 drs later I was told no infection. A trip to hospital I was told there was an infection and was given penicillin. 48 hours later I was violently sick and told to go to a&e where I saw a dr who said no infection but I should be seen by audiology.

I don’t have my own dr as she is off , 2 doctors I’ve seen have wanted me to be seen by ENT urgently, ENT won’t class it as urgent and want me to be seen by audiologists.

The referrals still haven’t been made, I’ve had no formal diagnosis, and just left with screeching in my ear as well as hearing loss 24/7.

The anxiety really hit in awfully last week and I was so frightened of living with this that I was so desperate I called the Samaritans.

I felt like I was going mad as I’m a strong get up and go type of person. They were amazing and calmed me down, my best friend and mum came round as I was in a uncontrollable mess with no idea why this noise wouldn’t stop.

With my mum I went to see a Dr as I was worried about my decline in mental health, she gave me more zopiclone ( which don’t keep you asleep )

I tried to go back to work but had a panic attack so left after 2 hours, I called the drs as I was really worried about my own thoughts. She gave me 2 weeks diazapam.

That was my last visit and not one dr has given me any help or advice on Tinnitus.

Mornings are by far my worse, waking up from 3/4 hours sleep to that same dam screeching and feeling totally and utterly worthless.

I get my moments where I’m feeling strong but seriously is there anyone else who has been so Absolutley terrified?

My coping strategies would ideally be talking to others, CBT, and an actual diagnosis.

My life has changed dramatically and so fast and I want to get it back under some control.

Thanks for reading x

[ShakeelaBTA]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk (information and support details)

takeontinnitus.co.uk (free tinnitus management programme)

If you’d like to sign up to receive ‘Focus’, our new free monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up at tinnitus.org.uk/forms/conta...

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Kind regards

Shakeela

[Freddy17]

We know how you feel. But that happens to all of us with the tinnitus it gets loud and we getting anxiety. Try to listen to music to relax you get out take a walk. I know it's tough but the noise goes up and down.

[Stinazap in reply to Freddy17]

Thanks Freddy, definitely trying hard to stay positive, last night I went to a 2 hour meditation class for the first time in my life! Wasn’t quiet because of my brain talking but my gosh it relaxed me!

[Freddy17]

That's what you got to do I go to acupuncture chiropractor I try anything. On the 5th of this month I'll be getting laser therapy treatment I let everybody know how it works out good luck.

[Joeb17]

I know just how you feel had mine for over 5 years now have good days and bad days I still have bad thoughts but just try to get through them you feel like you’re alone but you are not people on this forum are here for you.

[11thofApril]

HI Stinazap. I've had it for nearly 6 months now and I went through everything you are. I too suffered from anxiety attacks, insomnia and low mood. I was on zolpidem for about 3 months but have stopped now. There are things you can do which will help. Meditation, as you've noticed, helps. So do breathing exercises. These, CBT for insomnia, acupuncture and bowen therapy have helped bring me to my current state where I don't notice the tinnitus for large parts of the day, and also seems to have delinked my emotions from the sound. I can sleep without any aids now and am almost back to normal. Please watch youtu.be/fVaac8TNoAs(Not working as expected?). Take care. It will get better.

[Stinazap in reply to 11thofApril]

I love this positivity! So thank you.

Did you continue working okay during the worser times?

I’m off for 2 weeks but am going into work tomorrow to ease the anxiety before formally going back, and I’ve been totally honest with my boss so they know not to have too high expectations.

I couldn’t click the link for the video, can you tell me what it’s called and I’ll watch it

Thanks again And well done you!

[11thofApril]

When it was at its worst, work was the only time I was distracted enough not to notice the incessant sound in my ear. I was not at my best and messed up quite a few times but it did keep me sane. The video is on YouTube. It's called Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for tinnitus distress by Dr. Bruce Hubbard.

[Verma54]

Hi ...I read your article and relate so much to them...it’s life changing but one has to keep going...work keeps me sane and it’s tough when it’s flaring...I wake early as well and live on 4 hours sleep ...there is help and you should seek it... main thing is you’re not alone and not going mental ...take care

[Purity76]

I have had a similar situation recently where I suddenly had hearing loss and went to the local walk in centre. They also tried to give me antibiotics as a precaution, but couldn't say 100% whether I had an ear infection or not. I saw two doctors after that who said no ear infection, but possibly blocked Eustachian tube from a viral infection. I also had tinnitus-hissing in my ear and some hearing loss. There wasn't enough conviction to take antibiotics so I didn't take any. It resolved after about 5 weeks, so it might take some time. I have since damaged my ear again, but that's another story, so I have had hissing in my ear again for another 5 weeks and no signs of it going. I know how stressful this can be as I have been in the same place for months. It takes time to calm down your reaction to it down, and I'm only just starting to manage it a bit better. My sleep has also been affected by this because you wake up and it's the first thing you hear, and not very relaxing if it's in the middle of the night. Good luck and try and stay calm and patient.

[Inner-Ear-Essex]

I totally sympathise with you Stina, I really don't understand why there isn't more help available for such a debilitating condition. It sounds to me that you had a viral infection which caused it, like me, and antibiotics don't help. I have been looking up a lot of stuff on google. and trying a variety of different things to try to get rid of it. I've been looking at diet, exercise, relaxation, yoga, reflexology, essential oils, acupuncture, herbal remedies, (as I feel congested all of the time and feel that this is a contributing to the noise). I even changed my pillows! You just feel like you are going mad, and start to wonder what it is that is causing it (yes even my pillow!). I hope that you find some way to help you cope, but things can only get better in time.

[Artee]

You sound in a pretty bad way. But try not to dispair. Went through a bad time too but got to grips with it very quickly. T will drive you mad if you concentrate on it, the trick is to get involved in happy thoughts( in my case it's winning the lottery- Living on a pacific island- etc etc. I always go to sleep on happy thoughts. Thoughts like this work for me and I rarely hear my tinnitus anymore. Even during the day my mind is always else where . Whatever you do ,don't despair, please believe me, you WILL conquer this thing, it's a cert. Best of luck. Would love to hear from you when you're in charge again.

[SB7516]

Hi, I completely empathise with you. My T started in June after a viral infection that caused a roaring noise 24/7 and I wanted to give up living. My friends and family were really supportive and got me to a point where I got out of bed. It’s now a constant ringing/ crickets sound and I’m having to get used to living with it. I meditate and take a walks in the countryside which helps the stress levels and I also now appreciate all the little things like seeing a friend or watching a funny film as I didn’t think I’d be here to see them. Taking each day as it comes helps and so does appreciating what you do have. Sometimes I manage to block it out even if it’s for a few minutes and I see that as a victory. This forum is great, such positivity but when you are going through a bad time it is supportive too.

[FlightsimMan in reply to SB7516]

Oh how I wish I could block the sound out, don't know how or where to start with that....

[Help11]

Hi StinaI got tinitus 6 years ago.....a radio each side of my head and TV on at bedtime to distract. Used to go to Asda during the night!!

Never leaves you BUT trust me my brain habituated after 3 months coupled with hearing aids. I also used chroma doze app and set it sound mirrored to mine just below the noise. It helped, also a small sound machine I almost threw in bin 2 months ago!! boasted no more t. So, great 6 years now returned and feel like I'm starting from scratch again...stress the cause.?...mines feels worse than first time...BUT...I need to get into my head it WILL go again. Say that tongue in cheek just now as I'm struggling too.

I posted also that my car at 60mph has 87 dB of noise so wearing ear protection.

Likely worst thing I did was go online when first had it, that's only giving it attention.....and this is first time joined a hub..again not clever...need to come off it.

Please give it time....it will fade and you won't even notice it, take care and only read guides that relate to habituation if on Google.... some good tips ..xx george