Tinnitus Sufferer

[Mazzrock]

Hi, My Tinnitus, which for a few months in 2020 was sporadic, became continuous in the right side of my head later that year. Feelings of anxiety about it worsened when my referral to ENT was met with disinterest and I was only offered wax removal by micro-suction. I mentioned that I was hoping for some tests to rule out other causes of my Tinnitus but ENT said they would not do anything more for me and referred me back to my GP. I continued to put up with the medium/high pitched sound in my right ear and came across a website of the British Tinnitus Association. It helped [mentally] to know I was not alone and to read of peoples experiences with Tinnitus and how it affected them. By the way I am a 72 year old male who has always liked rock music and attending concerts. I remember when I was about 20 standing very close to the front stage speakers of the band Deep Purple. My ears were ringing until the next day after that!

After a phone consultation with my GP we decided to try me on Amytryptyline at 10 mg taken a few hours before bedtime. This did help mitigate the loudness of the tinnitus by relaxing my mind thus facilitating sleep.

Over the past 18 months I think my brain has gradually adjusted and 'managed' the tinnitus to a level that it no longer disrupts, or reduces the quality, of my life . It puzzles me though that if its the brain that creates [for whatever reason] the Tinnitus sound, and not the ear, why does the brain do it? What is it trying to achieve?

The bottom line is, I hope my Tinnitus would just go away, but there is no sign of it departing anytime soon and so I may have to put up with [manage] it as an ongoing presence. If it gets worse I again I will revisit my GP to see what can be offered and hope there medical advances in treatment in the near future.

[rabbits65]

Good morning Mazzrock, I agree with you , lots of questions about tinnitus and not all the answers . About 20 months ago when mine all started I was in a terrible state and kept wondering “ why”. I was also worried that something was badly wrong. I wonder why nobody has offered you an mri scan . I had one and mine was clear. There was also another scan I had( forgotten name). You can ask your GP. for a scan to help you rule anything out.

Your doing very well, I go out for walks with my two poodles and this is very calming. 🐩 🐩 😊

Have you read any of the tinnitus books available out there?

[Mazzrock]

Hello Rabbits65, Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, nice to hear from you. I did ask my GP about a scan and thats what I thought I'd get when I visited the ENT department here in Chichester, West Sussex. But alas no. Then with the ongoing Covid pandemic I thought that unless I was at depths door nobody would be interested in me, so I just coped the best I could. Glad you are coping ok with your Tinnitus and you got to have scans to rule anything else out. Stay well.

I think I will take you advise and see my GP when things get back to 'normal' [if ever!] with the NHS. I belong to the British Tinnitus Association but funnily enough whenever I read, or think about Tinnitus, it gets louder! Odd thing the human Brain it seems.

I did try and put a lead on my cat to go for a walk but he wasn't keen on the idea for some reason😊.

[rabbits65 in reply to Mazzrock]

I forgot to mention actually that I had to “ PAY “. for my ENT specialist and scan . The wait was too long on the NHS . However I soon transferred back to the NHS. I just couldn’t afford any more. I do think it’s terribly bad luck for all of us to be inflicted with this devastating condition . Let’s hope for a miracle.And “ No” my cat wouldn’t appreciate a collar and lead either . Some cats I believe will do it though. Get yourself a poodle like me. They are good fun and loyal . Might just be the “ fun” you ordered !!!! 🐩

[Linley]

Hello MazzrockTotally understand how you feel. I have had T for 3 years luckily only on the left side🤞. But my body and mind went into high anxiety when I experienced vertigo a few months ago. The lovely people on this site suggested I get myself checked out by ENT consultant. Hubby said I should use some rainy day savings and go private as I was so anxious best thing I did, do realise not everyone can afford it. Hope your journey with T will be copeable🤞

[Mazzrock in reply to Linley]

Hi Linley, Thank you for responding. Sorry to hear about your vertigo and glad it prompted you to seek a private ENT consultation to at least provide some peace of mind. I will certainly bear that in mind as an alternative to the [not so helpful] NHS route. Thanks for the advice and best wishes.

[doglover1973]

Hi Mazzrock Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you've had no luck with ENT . I don't think there's a great deal they can do except refer you for MRI or HA's - if you have sufficient hearing loss. Like you - I've had troublesome tinnitus for 18 months. It sounds like you're coping very well to be honest. It's not an easy journey .

[Mazzrock in reply to doglover1973]

Hi doglover73, thank you for responding. I see your Tinnitus became troublesome about the same time as mine and to a degree I am just trying to live with it, as you can't fight it seems. Do that and it is likely to get worse. Sitting here typing I'm very much aware of my 'T'. Getting on with things and its mitigated to some extent. Its 'manageable' at the moment and I live in the hope that proper Government funding [unlikely!] and organisations like the BTA can find a cure. I hope your 'T' [shall we call it the 'Big T] calms over time. About 6 months my GP prescribed low dose Amitriptyline to take a couple of hours before bedtime to calm the brain and the T. I have found this does help. Best wishes.

[doglover1973 in reply to Mazzrock]

Yes. That's all we can do isn't it .. Just wait and hope & pray that some bright spark comes up with the answer. I'm the same as you. I can hear my T all the time but gradually habituating . Best wishes to you too 🙂

[Hidden]

Hi I have cyclical tinnitus and intermittent vertigo.

I saw two NHS ENTs then a private one (£200)

I had an MRI in 2014 but I've not been offered any new scans.

I've tried betahistine, prochlorperazine and nortripylene but had adverse effects with them all.

I now take cinnarzine whenever my tinnitus builds up. I get ear pressure, vertigo and overwhelming fatigue when it peaks. I have a ten day/two week pattern.

Things have got better for me mentally now that I accept whatever stage my tinnitus is at...music helps me, nature sounds, walks, drinking lots of water.

When I've reached the peak I then enjoy silence for a couple of days as I have a short spell with no tinnitus...so it feels like a rarity...then it all starts again. I've no idea why and not got far with professionals...been diagnosed as possible vestibular migraine...after initial diagnosis of menieres disease.

I recently gave up teaching because I have sensorineural hearing loss and couldn't hear 30 kids multiplied by five classes plus was getting a lot of triggers. I was talking and listening to over a 100 people a day - so my stress levels are much lower now.

All the best. This site is a great help. x

[Mazzrock in reply to Hidden]

Good morning Fuzzy........ Thank you for replying. It sounds like you really have had problems with your T and Vertigo. Quite a life changing situation for you, but I sense you have found a kind of peace with it and made life and career adjustments that could not have bean easy decisions to take. I'm coming to t he conclusion that the NHS and other private professionals know very little about Tinnitus, its causes and treatments. It is interesting and helpful to hear about peoples experiences with T and how wide ranging that are....we are all different, but similar in that we all suffer and try to live with it. Best wishes to you too x.

[Hidden in reply to Mazzrock]

Thanks that is so kind. You too, all the best - onwards and upwards. 🎈😊