Getting desperate.

[TedG39]

Man of 74 years with several health issues due to overwork when I was alive. Registered disabled since an industrial accident in 1993. Tryng to retire and relax but experiencing tinnitus increasingly recently. Had it on occasions in the past but it is now taking longer to subside.Simply (?) a persistent hissing sound in both ears. Eases and actually stops but for brief occasions. Dozing necessary throughout the day seems to fire it up again and louder before subsidising a little.

Ears sectioned from wax every six months in a private hospital as the NHS don't see me as urgent.

Hoping for some opinions from you folk.

Ted.

[TedG39]

I typed suctioned!!!

[Jimbob7]

Hi Ted,

Was your accident the cause? Did you suffer a Cervical Injury of any kind that caused the T?

[TedG39 in reply to Jimbob7]

Hi JimBob,Thanks for the reply.

No, as an HGV driver in England my left leg was destroyed by falling H section. It has left me with neuropathic pain controlled to some extent by morphine and fentanyl.

No cervical injury but I do have spondylitis which I believe is hereditary.

Wear and tear with age is the apparent reason.

[Jimbob7 in reply to TedG39]

Ummm, interesting Ted. I suspect then, that the T is as a result of the ageing thing that we all have to come to terms with - PITA that it is - a thinning of the bones, a hollowing out of the fleshy walls that block nerves between ears and Ofractorys and Audio, etc.

It's such a pain but we must remember - on a regular basis - that in other respects we're still good. We haven't lost our legs - like Douglas Bader!

There are plenty of our brothers and sisters who have already passed at this age. We're the lucky ones - and of course - that will come with a couple of very inconvenient attachments, won't it? The T being one of the easier things to handle. Surely?

Talk to your GP about something to help you sleep in the bits that are difficult. If your GP is unresponsive - CHANGE YOUR GP - It's your right.

When my T is at it's most shitting - I take Diazepam for a few days. Talk to your Doctor about this. It provides good relief (a day or three off) from the godaman noises.

I live, somehow - (sometimes I have no idea how) with Severe, Catastrophic Tinnitus.

I'm still here, and I wish you all the very best.

Jimbob

[TedG39]

Thank you JimBob for a most succinct reply and a lot more enlightening than any I have ever got from the NHS.Taking the amount of medication which I do as a result of that life changing accident means I am a drain on the NHS which they could do without.

You may or may not believe me when I say that I have been using Diazepam regularly for over 25 years and I would have to be honest and say that my GP continues to prescribe it even though she will be under pressure to wean me off it.

It works within one hour and I get decent sleep each night but I have to be careful with the dose in order that I don't run out as I would have no chance of getting a addition before the 2 months period is out.

At the time of writing T has eased a tad after a horrendous day yesterday and most of today. I have never been able to ascertain what is actually causing causing these flare ups.

For that matter Gout flare ups are an interesting accompaniment.

Thank you for taking the time to reply as in this part of the UK comprehensive replies are thin on the ground.

Ted.

[horsewhispere in reply to TedG39]

Hi Ted,

It's an absolute pain isn't it? I have pulsatile tinnitus (hearing your heart beating in your head constantly) which started last Feb and still waiting to hear for the 'urgent referral' appt from ENT!

At first, I used to wake up bathed in sweat and have had panic attacks up until recently when my Dr prescribed Propranalol....I also take low dosage diazepam - but he doesn't know that! - when it's bad at night. I've had ringing, buzzing and every other irritating sound known to man in both ears too! Tbh, as horrible as it is the plus side is that it's not going to kill us! I'm trying to ignore it....I have the tv on or play music which just about drowns it out.....at night maybe you can listen to relaxing sounds that are specifically for people who can't sleep...for any reason! I'm pretty certain that my PT is going to be with me for the rest of my life. The more one thinks about their T the more it will get to them so I've decided not to treat it as my enemy and let the bugger get me down! I just try and get on with it. I'm 72 now....a young version... I've asked myself 'What can I do?' basically nothing except try different techniques as other folk here do. It's extremely annoying Ted and it is what it is! It doesn't matter whether it's microwaves, mobile phones, certain drugs..I'm on statins and have been for 11 years....or any other device, we'll probably never know. But you have friends here that suffer too so we can bounce things off each other. You mentioned Ireland...I was born and brought up in Howth just outside Dublin! Good luck.

[TedG39 in reply to horsewhispere]

Interesting and informative replies and all much appreciated.I can recall instances with the "heart beat" accompaniment but not so common.

I have heard of many from my wife's contacts who have variations of this curse but mine is a constant HISS which never changes frequency.

It has been sporadic over the years but this time it doesn't show any signs of abating.

Many health issues arising over abusing my body when working but I can't attribute this to anything - however I am reminded of a GP once during our 33 year life in England who suggested my lifelong motorcycling may have caused it. (Helmet wind noise)

53 years married and now back "home" in Northern Ireland looking for some peace where our lives can end where it all began back when nothing was ever an issue and life was uncomplicated.

Yes indeed it is only an irritation in relation to all the rest of the aches and pains but ignoring it is easier said than done as all of you will doubtless know.

Ted.

[MRSDOUBT]

Have you had your hearing checked?I have tinnitus and found I had hearing loss in both ears I now wear nhs hearing aids which have helped to reduce my tinnitus symptoms but not completely.

All the best hope you get some relief it's a horrible condition. They tell you to ignore it or try sound therapy but this doesn't work for me

[Ray200]

Wireless headphones is your man. It's only 11am as I type this but I've already had enough for one day. Getting mine out shortly. The other thing is as yours is also variable Ginkgo might do something for it. But you don't take it daily - it's useless if you do that. Click on my username for posts on how I've had some success from the stuff.

[Londonia2073]

hi Ted. It’s true it does weirdly flare up after naps but with me it just goes back to the ‘normal’ level and I think the naps are essential for everything else!

Certainly the brain seems to latch onto the sounds more if one is hyper aware - difficult to ignore it but it does become possible. I find meditation and breathing exercises do really calm the T - which is like a sign from your overworked nervous system saying calm down and get away from ‘fight or flight’

[Bellyboo]

Dear Ted and the whole Tinnitus Forum. I am at 40 years + 4 chronic with T. MY STORY to date for all of you reading. The NHS know very little and give sufferers zero genuine hope which is what they need most of all. Firstly don’t despair like I did. Don’t be afraid to listen to it . Do not try to harm yourself or think you’re going “mad “with worry. You need to accept it and bring down your anxiety levels . ANXIETY is the cause! and the fuel.

Check out Julian Cowan Hills You tube channel or read his book” how to let go of Tinnitus” it has helped me enormously. I’ve found a good Craniel sacrel therapists who has reduced my anxiety levels . After 2 sessions I’m 50% better and can sleep without meds or whisky. I’ve booked a 3rd session for this week with her and she is marvellous with me personally. I don’t understand it and was sceptical but it’s a light bulb moment. Make sure it’s a registered therapist though or it’s a waist of time. The goal is to relax your nervous system and stop the continuous panic related doom and gloom. After only 2 sessions I have had no panic attacks and am optimistic and my outlook is now optimistic .

Also check out Tinnitus Quest and digest what is happening in the very near future regarding research. I’m not sugar coating this thread as it’s taken me through the meat grinder but I’m getting there at 72 years of age (today) Hang on in there all severe sufferers and bring down your anxiety levels and sooth your nerves. Good luck.

[TedG39]

God bless you my friend and fellow sufferer.Yes from a once indestructible professional HGV driver phased by nobody or nothing I am now a timid shell frightened by my thoughts of my future.

After another night of sporadic sleep assisted by Diazepam I continually am reminded of the sixties and seventies listening to Jagger/Richard singing about "Mothers little helper" without the first idea what it was about.

Now I know.