Hallo From Me

[Gloomster]

Hallo , hope I have this right . I had a horrible time with tinnitus about 10 years ago in my late 40s . Over about 2 years it either improved or I got better at putting up with it and whilst I was careful to avoid very loud environments it did not affect me much any more

About 3 weeks ago ,I really don't know why , I woke up and it was much much worse .I hoped the storm would break but I seem to have fallen into a new and quite scary pit. Some days are worse than others but it is always loud and right now I feel very low.

Just joined to talk about about it a bit really - its quite a lonely problem I find

Thanks

[Toughmathew]

No no not alone , i feel for u mate

[Fridays_Child_62]

I agree, it is quite a lonely problem, especially when most people around you have never experienced it and have no concept of what you're putting up with. You may be experiencing a tinnitus spike that will pass. You could have your hearing checked, as a change in hearing could have resulted in a change in tinnitus. In the meantime, there are coping mechanisms like sound masking that may help you. When you say some days are worse than others, is it variable in loudness and/or tone?

[Happyrosie]

Gloomster, you got through it once and you will get through it again.

A few changes in medical thought since you last had a bad time. The National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) had a review of the pathways that they suggest GP’s in UK should use when patients go to the surgery with tinnitus. You can read all about it on the NICE website by putting ‘tinnitus’ into their search box. Armed with this information you can have a conversation with your GP (if you can get through to them - but that’s another issue!).

The guidance was written with the assistance of the British Tinnitus Association, who have a lot of information on their website too.

The BTA have a helpline (9-5 Monday to Friday) which others on this forum have said is very helpful.

Your problem is quite common and many people are affected, it’s just not talked about much and, sadly, some GP’s aren’t on board as they can’t offer a “cure” . But there are ways to help and some things, like congnitive behaviour therapy, are hard to learn but usually helpful. But then, learning to drive was hard to learn at first, wasn’t it, what with gear changes and concentrating on the traffic and so on - but you passed your test eventually. I assume.

[Toughmathew in reply to Happyrosie]

As i said gp should really refer to clinical psychologist for cbt but they wont

[surviveT in reply to Toughmathew]

Mathew i was referred to NHS Psychology in February and havent been contacted by them at all - there is a huge waiting list and backlog in all NHS psycholgy depts - we can find the therapies we need elsewhere such as the OTO app and online

[Toughmathew in reply to surviveT]

U re lucky

[surviveT in reply to Toughmathew]

sound therapy is probably your best option and some CBT for tinnitus methods which can be found on you tube videos

[Toughmathew]

Thats bad about the queue

[Gloomster]

Thanks for your kind comments, one of the problems I have is that I have been through the process , I still have my old book . ( Living with Tinnitus ) ..never thought I would read it again but here it is out again . Really appreciate you getting back to me !!

Gloomster, you got through it once and you will get through it again.

That is what I am telling myself - I am not in the panic I was last time its just unpleasant , keep going and eventually you will get used to it ,..thats the plan

. Fridays_Child_62When you say some days are worse than others, is it variable in loudness and/or tone?

I try not to analyse your much ..its tone and loudness , it does all sorts of things but generally its you basic white noise turned u p to 11 . Makes my stomach cramp my head ache and makes it hard to work ..that sort of thing...I went for a long long walk last night . that helped my mood so I have found one tactic already ( I could do with losing weight anyway ....hem hem)

Thanks again to all of you , honestly I don't think I will bother with the GP , I went to the BTA conference years ago and I remember one of the speakers saying all the tactics are really to break up negative cycles that disrupt the process of habituation, I dont expect any magic cure but as time goes by it will get easier ( it will ) . I have felt overwhelmed with despair in then last few days , you know how it is but I have some advantages

1 I can sleep

2 I know there is a way out its just time

I`m a lot better off than many people but omg it is loud ..

[doglover1973]

Hi  Gloomster Welcome to the forum. It's a great place to meet other people with T . I come here most days. It's very helpful to talk to people who get it . It's a lonely problem - as you say. Hang in there. You've done this once and you can do it again.

[Graham-E]

Hello and welcome you’ve found a good place. I totally agree it can be very lonely.

However there are so many people how do get you and understand so don’t keep it bottled up.

Try to relax as much as possible and get some quality sleep. I know easier said than done. It’s a condition of looking after yourself and letting others help however that turns out. Sleep systems and keeping busy can be helpful with the seemingly impossible reduced stress.

Very best to you.

Graham

[Gloomster]

Thanks Dog lover ..very kind of you , I will also be about ...so far I have found that playing my guitar ( acoustic natch ) and walking ..are good . I daren't even watch the Television ..we recently got a new one and I found that I could hear it really clearly. My theory is that I watched a lot and the greatly increased volume at high frequencies that makes it clear messed up my balance .

Who knows ... but whatever did it , I am now stuck with it

[AldoArgentina]

Hello! I had very loud T for years, with extremely crazy spikes with suicidal thoughts! I began to search frantically on the web because science does not give me any answer.

If you TRY ALL of this, I'm sure in two or three month you’ll be much better!!

1.- Mother tincture of Passinflower plant at night, but you don,t have to take medicine for sleep! 

2.- Magnesium L-Threonate (only this Magnesium works well with T.) in the morning and five hours before sleep.

3.- GABA with Gingko Biloba and L-Theanine before breakfast.

4.- Control your blood pressure and detects if you snore or have cervical problems.

Keep in touch and best wishes!!

[chris-104]

Hi, yes it can be, but there are millions of us, so no need to feel lonely, there's always hope, lots of good tops and advice on thos site, stay positive, we are allowed ot together.

[Gloomster]

Thanks Chris - I do try to stay positive , some of the time I succeed

[Philip6]

you might want to get your blood pressure checked. Just in case.

[Persevere99]

Hi

Maybe the way I ‘finally dealt’ with the T I had for 10 years will help you as well?

Isn’t it all about how you view your T, what rating you give it?

My rating fell from 50 to Zero with this new method - which is, tell yourself this - T is N-O-T-H-I-N-G, compared.

Please read my own T post for the details.

All the best

Persevere99

[Gloomster]

I will

Thanks

[Ravks]

Hey Gloomster,

Hang in there you got through it once you can do it again. It can appear to be a lonely experience, but we are here. You have got this.

My journey recently started With T finding my own way to cope with T, don't have much advice other than I listen to guided meditation and frequency music to help on days when anxious. I'm still working it out.

Your not alone we are if you need to talk 💜😊 x

[Kellythecat-74]

Actually more people have it than you know .If it doesnt bother them , they dont talk about it. I know 5. ...2 have it loud and do mention it. 3 so mild they dont notice it very much