Tinnitus almost gone… some hope to share (down to folate supplements?!)

[PTNewbie]

I first joined this forum about 8 months ago and was in a very dark place with my pulsatile tinnitus. I went to ENT had tests and scans and told no obvious cause learn to live with it now. I did that with some success using CBT based app Oto, I brought myself a sit stand desk for work as found it was worse when sitting / poor posture. Generally getting on with it. However I did also invest in some high quality folate supplements as I had previously been folate deficient and I felt in my gut there was a direct link to my tinnitus. My bloods at the time though wasn’t showing deficient but I’d been prescribed folate for a while not long before.

I’ve now been taking folate supplements I purchased myself for about 3 months. I can honestly say that my tinnitus has all but disappeared. When I say disappeared it still makes an appearance but much more quietly (as before it was so bad it was deafening) and I hardly notice it unless I stop to really think about it.

Could this be I’ve just adjusted? Could it be the posture related changes, the folate or a combination? Who knows, but what I do know is I’ve gone from feeling absolute distress from it to noticing it from time to time and when I do not feeling any distress.

So I thought I’d share this for anyone who’s struggling right now. I’m sure I’ll have my moments or periods in future but for now sharing this as a form of hope for others. I didn’t have hope 7-8 months ago but I know posts like this helped me immensely. There’s hope! Whoever is reading this please don’t give up! You know who you are ❤️

[Bridie70]

Thanks great news and thanks for sharing.

[Happyrosie]

thanks for this!

I took folate myself for a month and it made no difference at all BUT we are all …er … different

[PTNewbie in reply to Happyrosie]

Absolutely that’s why I’ve been careful to say who knows I think there’s a combination of factors. I was more sharing for the element of hope if others are feeling distress right now. I hope you’ve found or find your path that helps you x

[PTNewbie in reply to Happyrosie]

Also I left it at least 3 months before sharing on the folate factor, it didn’t make any difference at first and it may be it absolutely hasn’t got anything to do with relief I’ve found. But it might just be a factor that did help, who knows always worth sharing and you’re totally right we’re all different x

[Eviz33]

that’s great. I notice mine gets worse when my heart beats faster- like when I’m anxious and when I sit down in the evening or lie down at night. It’s strange as I don’t hear it in the morning lying down.

I have an MRI coming up next week, really nervous in case it’s anything serious.

Did you have an MRI without contrast?

[PTNewbie in reply to Eviz33]

Anxiety is a huge factor in tinnitus for sure, this is why I found CBT using the Oto app so helpful. I had a CT with contrast x

[PTNewbie in reply to Eviz33]

I could also say don’t be nervous but it’s totally natural to feel that way. Instead I’ll say be kind to yourself in coming days and think about what’s helped you to cope with nerves before and try and factor some of that in to your days as much as you’re able. If you need a listening ear (no pun intended lol) then you can always message here and I’ll listen x

[Eviz33 in reply to PTNewbie]

Ah thank you. Good to hear you’ve had some relief x

[Cookie24]

How many mg of Folate do you take?

[PTNewbie in reply to Cookie24]

400mcg once a day

[rabbits65]

what exactly is Folate . Pleased to hear you’ve conquered tinnitus because this will give a lot of hope to others that are really suffering badly.

[PTNewbie in reply to rabbits65]

It’s also know as vitamin B9, folic acid or iron

[Destructor in reply to PTNewbie]

Hi, thanks for the info.

Did you use a particular brand?

I tried taking B12 supplements - and also took this prior to having tinnitus whilst feeling run down at uni. I've since stopped taking it and haven't noticed any difference.

Can I ask is the noise lighter like an ultrasound or deep like a droning?

Mine is deep and I have a slight sigmoid sinus dehiscence (thinning of the bone between the internal ear and blood vessel). I am on a waiting list to have SSD mastoidectomy with resurfacing. Dr Axon has since said that he thinks it might be caused by the condylar vein (rather than just the narrowing of the jugular vein) - if it is the surgery won't help but I'm still willing to have it in case it helps.

I'm willing to try anything even if it only provides short-term relief. I know others have mentioned having slight iron deficiencies on other forums before.

[PTNewbie in reply to Destructor]

Mine was the very loud whoosh of my own heartbeat. Now it’s almost gone entirely. But when it does appear it’s much quieter and more manageable x

I use Puro Labs Puro Folate

purolabs.com/products/puro-...

[Destructor in reply to PTNewbie]

Thanks. Think I might try Vitabiotics Ultra Folate as I take their Wellman multivitamins and I already take glucosamine which is in the Purolabs.