I'm now habituated to my tinnitus, though no sound can mask it. The only time my tinnitus bothers me is at night, so insomnia. Insomnia is now taking its toll. Thankfully I'm taking Sertraline which certainly helps. I listen to white noise Several months ago started getting vertigo/nausea which is almost constant and and sudden or up and down movement makes it worse. I then had an episode of forgetfulness and amnesia whereby I could barely recognize places along familiar route to work, and lost about two weeks. I had a similar episode a few weeks ago.
I'm awaiting further assessment which do far has include CT scans and MRI which hasn't shown anything (which is good news). It all seems to point to insomnia or possibly side-effects of Sertraline. I'm still awaiting a more formal diagnosis or eliminating anything serious.
Has anyone experienced anything similar linked directly or indirectly to hearing loss and tinnitus?
Thanks in advance.
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daverussell
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I’ve certainly had periods of nausea, even to vomiting status, which I eventually put down to exercising/Pilates lying down. I now know mostly how to deal with it (habituation again!). And I think vertigo can be just part of life’s rich pattern. Though most disconcerting.
And forgetfulness and amnesia which come with age, though certainly not to your extent - and anyway I think I’m quite a bit older than you so I’m allowed to be forgetful.
I’ve had T for sixtyish years and have been wearing hearing aids for about the last nine.
I’m stating these facts because you’re seeking similar stories. I’m very unsure as to whether my experiences equate with yours though Dave.
Thank Rosie. The doctor said the same about forgetfulness. I was referred to the memory clinic and they carried out an assessment for dementia - seemed routine just to rule out early dementia.I'm sure it all related to insomnia. Again thank you.
I forgot to add, I find it affects me mostly at the gym where I do cross-fit classes; I can't push myself on most exercises as I'd like. Which I find more frustrating than anything else. I'm kind of prepared for it affecting me. Otherwise, I'll often get episodes when climbing the stairs.The general pattern is when I haven't slept, but it can take a few days of little sleep and maybe a couple of days later, whilst I'm "catching up". I'm getting worried about having to declare this to the DVLA.
I’m on sertraline but I’ve only been taking it for 3.5 weeks and it seems to be making me feel worse at the minute. I’m also struggling with insomnia and tried getting up for a bit to take my mind off it but it doesn’t work and end up lying there all night listening to my T all night, which I worry will make it worse.
How long have you been taking sertraline? I’m trying to stick with it but I’ve read lots of good and bad things about it.
Thanks for your reply. I've been taking Sertraline for almost a year. It may take a few more weeks to get the benefit, but what works for some doesn't work for others.
For me the insomnia seems to be the biggest problem, so good to know I'm not alone (if you know what I mean)
Mirtazapine didn't work for me. In fact, I refused ADs until one day, when T wound me up, I put my fist through the wall and kicked the kitchen cupboard door in. The doctor suggested Sertraline.Sertraline really turned it round for me. If these symptoms are indeed a side-effect, it would be a shame. I went to 200mg but it was too much. I then dropped to dose recently from 150mg to 100mg, but went back to 150mg.
I didn’t really want to go on sertraline but my anxiety was through the roof. It’s good that it helped you. Sounds like you needed to try something. I’m only on 50mg, not sure I’d want to increase it just yet.
It was several months before I increased it. I was exhausted from work (teaching) due to workload and noise sensitivity (which has now been resolved - healthunlocked.com/tinnitus...
They were standard hearing aid that I got from Amplifon (unlike my NHS hearing aids they had black domes). I haven't worn them for about 2 years and I started posting on this forum about it 2 years ago about hyperacusis, I was also getting vertigo and nausea, but this has recently got worse. My amnesia only became an issue a few months ago***. I found it was also worse when wearing hearing aids, but I've started using my NHS hearing again, as they do have a tinnitus masking programme which work quite well. However, it prevents distractions from my tinnitus if I'm stress and otherwise busy and need to get stuff done. Likewise, I only take sleeping tablets out of desperation as to get best out of them.
Yep. I've tried several over the counter sleeping tablet including nytol. I use take them occasionally. Good if I'm really desperate - I quickly loose the routine.
Hi Dave Russell, I am pleased you have habituated, that’s something I still haven’t managed to do but having had severe T ( Doctors diagnosis) for over 20 years I have come to accept it. Sorry to hear you have insomnia, there is nothing worse, I also suffer from it, and also vertigo for which I take Prochlorperazine, it helps a little but I mainly take it for the nausea, I now don’t drive as the vertigo doesn’t give me any warning and I am anxious about having an accident.
I also have episodes of forgetfulness but like Rosie I put it down to my age, like you said it could be the sertraline .
It must give you some peace of mind that the CT and MRI scans have shown clear, I have had so many CT scans but unable to have MRI as have a clip in my head after a brain aneurysm, but just knowing it was clear immediately but my mind at ease.
Good luck and best wishes with your further investigations.
I need to speak to my doctor again. In fact, I'd planned to go on Monday which prompted my post.
I'm going to plead about anything they can do for amnesia and vertigo.
Incidentally, I had skin cancer on my neck, below the ear about 10 years ago. They caught it early (an eagle-eyed experienced doctor), so it hadn't started to spread. However, being close to my ear, and skull, I had it in mind that it could have be something worth identifying earlier rather than later.
As for habituation, or coming to accept it, it has its moments.
I have had tinnitus for nearly 30 years started either after my husband passed away with cancer or I had my ears shringed for ear infection either way I have episodes where its worse than others mainly higher pitched sounds usually when I’m stressed. I went to The Hearing Suite for a hearing test (private) last year they found my hearing at 71 is age related deafness and hearing loss at the end of sentences when I’m spoken to so not suffering too badly. Hearing aids were mentioned but I declined just yet!
They did a tinnitus test too also a questionnaire 30 questions with scores 1-10 about my tinnitus and how I cope with it. She said my score was 29 out of 100 meaning I can control it..it doesn’t control me. Higher scores indicate a person not able to control it. She offered me a relatively new device whereby she places a sponge like thing and places it inside my eardrums for 6 weeks the office has control of the sound by computer. After 6 weeks it’s removed and new ones put in. She said only 1 out of 3 people can get used to it, sadly I wasn’t one and removed them the same day. Also the cost if I did get used to it was £200 a month this didn’t influence my decision I felt quite different with these devices in my ears almost worse than tinnitus. I’ve resigned myself to having to live with this debilitating noise forever now. I have to be strong to ignore it so I have my radio on in the house and in my car. I’m finding I’m also speaking louder as I think its louder than my speaking voice which of course it isn’t. As for sleep I do a 478 breathing technique before sleep and this helps too. I sympathise with everyone who has it. Has anyone else tried and was successful with these devices mentioned?
I'm very interested to know more about the "sponge like things"? Was it supposed to work like a masker?? Do you know the name of it please or where you want for this, you say the Hearing Suite, where is this please???Kind regards
Hello again, The Hearing Suite is located in Harrogate 52 East Parade, Harrogate
The Hearing Suite also removed wax from my ears using a suction device rather than flushing with water which is better. The device name inside the ear channel slips my mind perhaps phone them and ask all about it. Yes it was to work like a masker with a slight noise but it was the feeling of cotton wool stuck that was my problem and I seem to have control of my tinnitus albeit still annoying.
Hi Dave. I’ve followed your journey somewhat. … I’ve Habituated now but am just getting over a 3rd dose of Covid and my T is thru the roof but I know it will return to normal. I suffer with insomnia so still working part time to tire myself out. I occasionally take a zopyclone before bedtime, my GP lets me have 8 per month. However he wants me to cease altogether and has prescribed a box of amyltriptaline . I’ve only taken one up to now but it made me sleep like a log for 10 hours. Feel I found another tool to add to my toolbox when I’m desperate.
I raised this a year or so ago. My symptoms are very close indeed. However they ruled it out (well seem to dismiss it) almost immediately when I mentioned it; If I recall correctly they ruled it out because my hearing loss is due damage to the eardrum and tinnitus as a result of hearing loss. It's one on my list I'm going to discuss with my doctor.
Speak to another doctor. They are so quick to rule out without checking. My doctor told me Citalopram does not cause tinnitus, when the audiologist says it can because its ototoxic. Always get a second opinion. Get them to check for meniere's or labyrinthitis. Hope you get your answers.
Hope you won't mind me saying Dave but insomnia and forgetfulness are hallmarks of the menopause. I believe it's referred to as andropause in men. My T has got considerably worse. I have problems with sleep and forgetfulness too.
Hi doglover1973 I don't mind at all. I put it down to age to begin, but the doctor said my episode shouldn't be that severe. Most ofu symptoms have been ongoing, so I feel it's unrelated to my hearing problems.
I've not been as regular on here as I used to be. This has been primarily as part of my recovery and trying to minimise how much I think about it. I can confidently say to anyone find it unbearable that you can learn to live with it. However, we are all individual and have this condition based on various reasons. Seek professional advise, but ultimately a lot of the strength comes from in YOU.
It is likely you will always be on a journey with tinnitus. It just becomes a smoother ride.
I hadn't forgotten what a fantastic support network this forum has been, as always recommend this to people I meet or who have loved ones who suffer from this awful condition.
Hi Dave have you tried taking half the amount of Sertaline for a day or two and see if sleep is bit easier? If it is perhaps speak to GP and try taper off the drug.
Also suggest you do MBCT course which sorted my tinnitus anxiety & associated sleep problems out.
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