I’m back…

[Deeannadee]

Hello to all. First I would like to thank everyone’s responses to my previous post. I read them periodically as it gives me comfort.

Long story short… I got better since my last post. I actually saw another doctor a week after my post and he prescribed me low dose prednisone. I think it helped because I had a wonderful thanksgiving with my family and Christmas Eve. My tinnitus was quiet and my anxiety was better. I’m a social media influencer and was even posting great content and felt great.

Then….. fast forward to now. I feel miserable and I’m in a dark place. I caught the “C” December 28th and was sick for about 10 days. It wasn’t too bad, just felt like a really really bad chest cold. Got completely better and then my right ear got blocked, severe head and ear pressure then the buzzing in head and ear. My body went into shock or fight and flight and had been downhill since. I can’t sleep. I’m crying all the time. I have very low tolerance and as you can tell I’m embarrassed to say I’m extremely sensitive. I keep thinking it’s never going to go away. The noise. The buzzing. I’m so scared. Why is this happening. I can’t live like this. I wish I could just have a leg or arm chopped off I would probably feel better. At least I know what it is. I am in despair again. Scared it will never go away. I’m terrified. And feel so alone.

[Deeannadee]

I forgot to mention I suffer from severe anxiety. My hearing is fine.

[Positiveannie in reply to Deeannadee]

Hi thereI have anxiety general and have developed tinitus

I enjoy like you reading posts as it makes it more bearable

I keep getting odd moments of no hissing but each morning it's what I hear most

Hope yours soon suddenly stops as managing anxiety and thoughts is a full time job 🙂

[Deeannadee in reply to Positiveannie]

Yes it’s a nightmare. Thank you.

[Baldyfella]

I have consistent ringing in my ears, it's like I've been in a nightclub for ages. It is continuously ringing. When I go to bed it is worse. It is so frustrating. I hope you start to feel a bit better soon. Small steps.

[Deeannadee in reply to Baldyfella]

Thank you so much. If I could just not be so terrified about it.

[Happyrosie]

Deeannadee, you are not alone, we are here to help.You’ve done it once so you WILL ado it again - feel more positive and so on. Be kind to yourself

[Deeannadee in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you sooooo much. Thank you for the encouragement. I’m just so terrified. I wish I wasn’t. It’s a nightmare.

[Suz_2]

hi Deeannadee - i have some of the exact same feelings as you almost every day such as 'I cant live like this' 'I cant go on' , the fear - my T is loud , constant and at night its a nightmare - its the Volume of the T which bothers me ,not so much the T sound, because my T goes up with noise, like a car journeys, walking along street with traffic etc etc and I wear ear plugs and ear defenders in these noisy situations - Does yr T go up with NOISE?? - then this needs a different approach. We have to ACCEPT the T (as theres no choice - mine doesn't stop and is getting worse) and divert our attention away from it as much as possible - but we have to keep HOPE that we can habituate gradually or achieve better days ahead - every day I have to be mindful of minimizing those things which increase the VOLUME of the T - like certain foods such as salty crisps, caffeine, (in choc as well) alcohol, certain glutamate foods - avoid loud noise. Helpful strategies: particular natural supplements can help the T- the OTO App with specific psychological therapies for tinnitus is superb (better than an expensive CBT psychologist/therapist, who are often not familiar with severe T) - Flare audio calmer ear buds, these work for me but this is because i have reactive tinnitus and these may not work for some. I have learnt about some of these aids/methods from advice I have received on this forum - if you need further info , I can expand on those points mentioned above. Take practical steps and find what works for you

[tootyfrooty]

Maybe my comments can help. I have had T as long as I can remember - as a child I thought everyone could hear it and it was the "music of the spheres" (I'd heard in the lyrics of a church hymn, but later found it was an ancient theory of the universe)!However, I now am guessing that I got it from a bad case of measles when I was about 7 (they didn't have MMR vaccinations in those days - I had all the childhood diseases! But have survived to 84 and pretty healthy and active both mentally and physically!)

I agree with all that it's something you have to live with - mine has bothered me more lately - maybe because I joined this forum! It makes me think about it!

However, my latest thought is that this T is MINE - nobody else's - I am surrounded by it and can think of it as my personal protective space. That gives it a positive character which seems to make it less annoying (I've never been frightened by it).

Hope this helps!

Loving thoughts to all! xxx

PS: keep your sense of humour - that is a great help - a giggle a day is a great prescription!

[surreycccfan]

Hi Deeannadee, sorry you are suffering. Having anxiety on top of T is difficult, have you tried CBT as I know I found this really helped me gain control of my thoughts and feelings by giving me consistent repeatable tools I could apply when emotions became over whemling?

If you feel alone have you tried support groups? I am guessing you are in the US if you are celebrating Thanksgiving, I am not sure what the ATA offer but if you are feeling alone then maybe you could attend one of the BTA virtual support groups. I found the BTA support groups amazing, not only did I learn about the condition, learn distraction/behavioral techniques but also the shared empathy of knowing I was not alone and things could get better was so comforting. tinnitus.org.uk/online-supp...

Stay safe