Tinnitus dismissed by GP

[Catalkoy]

This is the second doctor in my practice I have seen.. I was told to contact Tinnitus UK as they might be able to offer advice. First doctor suggested ear drops and when I returned they gave me a prescription for more ear drops . When I explained the symptoms of Tinnitus I was told not to call it Tinnitus and we're not going to call it Tinnitus but I still have it. Doctor originally told me it was pulsatile Tinnitus and as I have high blood pressure I am concerned

[doglover1973]

How silly! What does your GP want to call it?! Time to see another doctor if you ask me. Keep going until you get one who talks some sense. You need a referral to ENT . They'll be able to tell you if there's anything wrong.

[Happyrosie]

how good to know you haven’t got tinnitus which doesn’t exist! That should make you feel so much better!

You should indeed go to Tinnitus UK website if you haven’t already, lots there, and of course what doglover says.

[Suz_2]

I had telephone app with GP when my T started and he prescribed sleeping pills and didnt suggest anything else - even though my T was sudden onset severe loud buzzing. So I made app for week after with private ENT consultant and then Audiologist - I know not everyone has that option near to where they live or the cost is restrictive. I have learnt so much about T in past year n half from online research but most of all from this valuable forum -

[Nasturtium50 in reply to Suz_2]

I'm having trouble sleeping too. What sleeping pills did he recommended

[Suz_2 in reply to Nasturtium50]

I took Zopiclone for 5 months - and I didnt really get a proper sleep with these, as I was still tired every day which made the T worse and they are quite addictive. Avoid these if u can. I can now sleep through the loud T but if its extra loud I take a small amount of 'additive free' herbal supplement . other Natural supplements can help like Melissa Dream . I walk every day for at least 45 mins so i can feel tired at bedtime. Avoid screen about 1 hour before bed.

I do sometimes lay awake for hours before i drop off if I am having a bad spike / change but eventually do drop off even tho T is loud. Your brain can adapt and sleep through loud T, but I think sleeping tabs can sort of hold back this adaptation, but they can be useful for a short time.

[Nasturtium50 in reply to Suz_2]

I was prescribed this yesterday , 3.5 hours deep sleep. ! So would you not recommend them?

[Suz_2 in reply to Nasturtium50]

if u are having trouble sleeping and these help you to get sleep - then take for a short time , about 1 month. I was on these for about 5months and didnt help me much - but everyone is different . I can drop off eventually now and get some sleep through the loud T , these days - i need to have walk each day of about 40mins to feel tired at bedtime

[Suz_2 in reply to Nasturtium50]

these did help me to drop off to sleep and i did get about 3 hours and then i would wake then sleep again for another 2 or 3 hours - although i still felt tired in daytime. If these work for you and you obtain reasonable sleep then this is good - as sleep is absolutely essential for the body - and lack of sleep can make the T worse. So,yes, try Zopiclone for now until you are in a better place - yr T may ease off over the months as yr brain gets used to it and then you can probably sleep with the Z. So i would say take the Zopiclone if nothing else helps - i couldnt have got by during the first few months without this - although long term useage ( of more than a few months ) is not recommended

[Hylda2]

I have tinnitus- a whistle in my left ear and also pulsatile tinnitus. I can hear my pacemaker beating away.

I come under the tinnitus clinic at my local hospital and the NHS have very kindly given me an expensive pair of hearing aids which I can control on my phone and also play distracting sounds.

Ask your doctor for a referral to the clinic and if you do have pulsatile tinnitus you’ll have a Ct scan or an mri scan to make sure all well in your brain

Di

[CarlyDean in reply to Hylda2]

Hi Hylda2. I sometimes hear my heartbeat or blood pulsing through my veins. It always happens in my left ear and when I think my ears are getting blocked. It doesn't happen all the time though.

I used to see an audiologist every 6 month and she kindly gave me an open appointment to go whenever I needed. Unfortunately, I've moved address and that hospital is a long way from me.

Are you saying that ENT can help instead of audiology?

[Hylda2 in reply to CarlyDean]

No I always use audiology

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to Hylda2]

25 years ago I was sent to the hospital tinnitus nurse . She told me to listen to it and get used to it . It was almost laughable . I wanted it to go away. I only went twice .

[bournville]

Hi how very frustrating.

please have a look at this it’s the nice guidelines on Tinnitus management which your doctor should be following.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng155

I would book an appointment with a different doctor if possible? After you have read the guidelines you should feel more armed about what you’re entitled to.

if that’s not going to work it may be possible to self refer online to the ENT dept at your local hospital. I’m not sure if that is a reality but I know you can self refer for a lot of things on the NHS these days.

Bottom line keep at them - help is at hand its just a very busy area of medicine as so many people are affected by tinnitus. Don’t give up as once you do get help things will improve.

[rabbits65]

I’m sorry to read about your disgraceful doctor . I do hope you think about going to see a different doctor , who apart from having some compassion can refer you to an ENT clinic or even audiology to sort out all your issues. Also keep reading on this very helpful and very kind people on this forum .

[Tanney]

High blood pressure can certainly make pulsatile tinnitus worse....as will stress and anxiety. You probably have both. My neurotologist (ENT doctor that specializes in the ears) prescribed 0.5mg of Ativan taken under my tongue when my tinnitus gets particularly annoying. It works beautifully for me. Ativan is a sedative that should calm down your tinnitus (usually coming from your inner ear) and your anxiety. I use it only when necessary. At this low dose it is not habit forming. I concur with others' suggestion to see ENT doctor (may have audiologist in their office). You may also want to request a prescription for Ativan from the ENT.....or your regular doctor.

Good luck.

[Suz_2 in reply to Tanney]

hi Tanney - can i ask you about the Ativan - is this better than taking Clonazepam ? or just about the same

[Tanney in reply to Suz_2]

Hi Suz. Ativan and Clonazepam are very similar.....both anti-anxiety meds and are benzos. I presume my doctor chose to put me on Ativan because his experience showed it was a little more effective at low dose for treating inner ear disturbances but that's just my assumption. Is Clonazepam effective for you?

[Suz_2 in reply to Tanney]

I dont take the C'pam regularly - just at certain times when the T is extremely loud , say about once per month or once every 6 weeks - and then i only take a quarter of a tablet

[Chuckycheese in reply to Tanney]

I would love to try Ativan as my t is doing my head in at the moment but just can’t get a GP appointment despite calling at opening time everyday, I explain the situation and just get told no dr’s and try 111 but they won’t prescribe without GP approval and can’t get ENT or audiology referral without GP approval so you get stuck in this situation whereby you can’t get the help you need. All frustrating. NHS is not working.