Tinnitus Support Group

Lily - You came to the right place for support. Frankly, you are the only person I've ever heard of who got rid of tinnitus. Apparently Xanax is helpful, as others on here have testified. I've had tinnitus for 25+ years, sometimes screaming, sometimes very quiet. My trigger is atmospheric pressure, so today it is pretty much screaming because rain is moving into the area. Wish I had more positive advice other than to hang in there and know you are among people who understand. Pat

Hello Lily:

I am probably one of the newest to this journey called Tinnitus only having symptoms for a little over three months now. When I was first diagnosed the ringing was quite loud. I found it hard to sleep and do everyday things like I use to. Since doctors did not discuss triggers with me, I researched on-line myself and concentrated on diet and what I could eliminate that might help tone down the loudness.

Everyone's triggers are different. For example, Pat says that the change in barometric pressure is what bothers her symptoms and for me it is too much salt or caffeine. I made the horrible mistake of drinking a half cup of hot chocolate for a couple of days last week and paid dearly for a couple of days. So, now chocolate is completely off my list of edibles since chocolate has caffeine in it. Believe me this is no easy feat as I love chocolate!

I understand how delibating the symptoms of T can be, but if you are able to find something to take your mind off of it like listening to some soft, instrumental music like guitar or piano or having a soft fan in the background, it does help. You will need to find a way to eliminate the stress in your life as this also will cause the T to flare up. I also take a multi-vitamin that I buy at a health food store that helps.

I am confident that you will get a lot of good advice from people in this support group. I'll keep you in my prayers and I really hope that you will find something that works for you.

Best wishes!

Thanks for your replies. Looking forward to more input from those who have had success reducing the volume/intensity, and can function again.

I should clarify that my tinnitus had truly never left me. I've always slept with a fan next to my bed...I always have a very low level of tinnitus, with flare-ups every 5 years or so that only last a week or so, but it's nothing that bothers me during the day or is incapacitating.

But now it's back to incapacitating level. It is always roaring through my head, and frankly I can't take it much longer.

What are the most effective treatments? Lily

Maybe the Xanax has been working for you all this time and you didn't realize the affect it was having on you. You might have to try going up to the original dose for awhile and check and see if it helps.
I have times when my T. flares too, and I still get scared and frustrated. Mine is 24/7 and I am trying to concider it part of my body. Like when you hear your heater going on, you notice it, but you just get used to it and pretty soon you don't hear it any more.
People here on this chat group are very caring and I am sure you will get help here. There is a section here that reads "treatments". This lists quite a few things that people have tried. Also the discussion group is always informing people of new drugs they are testing out. It is worth while to check this tinnitus site.
I hope you get some relief soon.
Kasandra

Thank you Kasandra -

It's just strange how tinnitus can stop us in our tracks....even if we've had it before and habituated to it...it never ceases to scare the crap out of me. I truly cannot remember how long the flare-ups I've had in the past have lasted. I wish I would have kept a tinnitus journal or something in order to give me a timeline on when I could expect habituation, or when a lowering in volume would take place.

I have increased the Xanax to my original dose (actually increased 30% above my original dose - with my doctor's permission) in hopes that it would help. It does help with the anxiety and maybe with the obsessing about it....but only for a few hours and then it's time to take another dose.

Another thing that amazes me is the almost instant depression and anxiety that come with tinnitus. It's like the rug is pulled from under us and our world is turned upside down in one day. I am really fighting the depression right now - my mother came over today and we went to a local cafe to eat (i couldn't eat) and then to get our nails done. Keeping busy is so very important, but it's HARD to do when you are exhausted from your ordeal.

Lily

Oh my gosh. I can't stand this anymore! I think I'm going crazy!

Oh. I'm so sorry that this has flared up for you again. This affliction is so annoying, but it can be dealt with positively. This has worked for me and has improved this debilitating condition called tinnutus(T)

Now, as we all know this T has a mind of its own. It will flair up at will and may quiet itself just as quickly. Its as unique as a fingerprint. For me it was determining the pattern to this madness. After which there are triggers(is stress and diet) and various methods for relief(distraction, exercise and positive thinking and always protect ears)

I'm a little concerned about this xanax dependency for relief of T. Hope that your doc is closely monitoring this for you.

Do you recall what was going on for you when this T got worst?

I take "Ear Health" it is the Walgeens brand of Lip Flavinoid. It is a miracle for me! I can tell almost immediately when I take it!

Hi lily,

welcome to the board, although I'm sorry you have found yourself here.

It reads to me like your T has always been constant companion over the years. We all have these noises within our bodies and if we were to be placed in a soundproofed room, people without T would definately start to hear these noises which actually come from within us as well as people with T.

There is often a trigger as to why all of a sudden T has increased, but I wouldn't worry about that at the moment. The way forward for you now is to deal with this in the best way possible.

I would first of all see your doctor about the Xanax. If you need to take it back up to the previous dose for a short time then thats what you need to do. I have never taken this drug (I'm in the UK) but I understand it is addictive so you need to really be careful when coming off.

Second, download some sounds off the internet and put these onto a MP3 player/Ipod etc.Soft rain sounds, sounds of the ocean etc are good. I kept away from birds song as I found it too squeeky! Repeat the sounds over and over so you have a continouse steady noise. Listen to this 24/7 at a very low volume, very soft, just so you can blend the T noise and the other noise. DO NOT MASK YOUR T with the noise. You can carry on as normal wearing earphones, watch telly, have a conversation etc

It's important to get your brain used to this noise in your head so if you cover it up with something else, yes the relief is there but when you stop listening to your ipod the T kicks in again and takes over. Your brain cannot habituate to something it cannot hear.

And lastly, relaxation, calmness and dealing with the anxiety . It's really important to take control of this right now. It may take a while before you feel able to do this but as each day passes you will make tiny steps and gradually take control of the T. As you do this through distraction you'll find that the T diminishes into the background. How we react to this noise is one of the most important things in dealling with T. DO NOT make it important. At the moment I bet it's all you can think about, talk about etc 24/7 am I right? Thats because it's totally at the forefront of your mind. Eventually it will subside. You have to tell yourself "I am not going to listen to this anymore" and go and do something you really enjoy.

Well this email was longer than I wanted it to be. Sorry about that. Lily, I am no way a professional or expert in this matter, just a person who has battled with the T like you are now. I have found from personal experience that the best informed people are not the medical profession here, but us that are sharing our experiences.

best wishes.

Mandy

Hi lily, I'd recommend getting off the drug completely if at all possible.

I've read numerous times that, like you, xanax isn't really helping yet so many continue taking it due to fear of tapering/withdraw and feeling they need to stay on it without really knowing why. If it's not helpful there's no reason to take it.