Feeling really down...

[SausageMan]

I have had tinnitus for about a month now. At first it was really bad and made me suicidal but after starting treatment for my sinusitis and getting my emotions in check it started improving and at some point it stopped bothering me. This state of wellbeing continues until yesterday when I got a head cold and it went back to how it was before the improvement and I am feeling really down again and now I am it won't get better. I feel like God gave me one chance and I have squandered it. What do I do?

[ShrewdMushroom]

I am in the same boat. Apparently it isn't uncommon for a cold to make tinnitus worse.

[rabbits65]

Good afternoon SausageMan,Sounds like your doing very well. Look we all get nasty colds in our life and we always feel very miserable with a cold. It sounds like your doing every thing right in your coping with tinnitus . I know colds make the congestion worse and the stress too will increase your tinnitus. However , do not worry , once your over the worse , you will get your tinnitus levels back on track again, I’m sure .

[SausageMan in reply to rabbits65]

Hopefully you are right.

[rabbits65 in reply to SausageMan]

Have a nice hot lemon and honey drink and inhale some steam over a Pyrex bowl , to clear the airways. I think by next week you will have your tinnitus back to the original state .

[Happyrosie]

I will just confirm what Rabbits has said. Also, you may find it helpful to go to the website of British Tinnitus Association and have a look at their “take on tinnitus” section.

All the best … your cold will fade and the at will come under control.

[doglover1973]

Hello SausageMan Please don't worry. Recovery from tinnitus distress is a long, slow process - with lots of ups & downs. A cold is a temporary set back. That's all. You cold will clear up and your T will settle. Everyone has ups & downs. There's no cause for alarm. As for God I believe he gives us endless chances 🙂

[SausageMan in reply to doglover1973]

I sure hope you are right.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to SausageMan]

SausageMan, it's clear that you are feeling anxious about the prospect of your cold staying put and keeping your tinnitus at the level it is currently at.

One thing to try and do in this situation, when tinnitus is pervasive and causing you stress, is to step back and look at what's going on with a purely rational point of view. Try not to let low mood or emotion cloud the picture for you.

Colds are temporary. As they affect our respiratory system, there is a reasonable chance that they can also impact the parts of the respiratory system which can create tinnitus sounds. Once a cold is resolved and your wellbeing returns to normal, there is every chance that your tinnitus will swing back to a manageable state.

You've also had tinnitus for just over a month. Is it realistic to think that a cold on its own is sufficient of a change to create the feeling that progress has been thrown to one side? Or is this a temporary set-back?

[SausageMan in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks for the response Pat. Really hope this is the case . Can't imagine living the way I am currently.

[T-shirts]

Hi SausageMan,

I have had tinnitus for years now, its a horrible condition, unfortunately no cure as of yet,

Ask your doctor if they could send you to a hearing therapist, they really helped me, I do have bad days still especially if I'm unwell, or feeling depressed, waking up with tinnitus is not a nice thing, I have good days, and bad days,

Have you tried doing drawing, it takes your mind off the tinnitus, I started doing some art, it has helped my state of mind, and like you, l had low tinnitus at first for years, no bother to me, then over night it changed to how it is now, unfortunately, took tablets for something else l have, changed it,

Its depressing some days l know,

Depending on what sort of noise l think, habituation is the best ploy, try ignore it, it's hard I know, you done it once, and it changed,

Go back to your doctor, see if he can send you to hearing therapist, or Ear nose and throat department, they'll do tests on you,

Good luck, wishing you better with it,

T-shirts,

[Bowler200]

Hope you're ok mate.....I had a tinnitus spike in late October and I've been through the mill a little.....I had a nightmare November but December so far is much better.....I just plod on with work etc.....I'm sure you,ll feel a little better in time.....that's what it takes unfortunately....I'm dreading my first cold but the good people on this forum say it passes .....take care

[doglover1973 in reply to Bowler200]

Gad to hear you're having a better time of it Bowler200 .