Hi, i feel the same way. When i first got it i knew one person. And she never wants it mentioned as it reminds her of it. But it is not that uncommon. I went to a 60th B'day recently and there are at least 7 in the group that have it. Most of them are annoyed. I wish mine was just annoyance. I have replaced my desire from not having tinnitus to yes its ok, but just want my brain to stop fighting it and making me miserable. Rose

Many, many people have tinnitus. However, most don't have the severe, loud, changing tones, and/or high-pitched T that we on here deal with daily. Except for one or two of the people I've encountered with T (and I've encountered many), few of them are really bothered by their T--they quickly habituate and learn to tune it out. I've only met two people who actually sought help or treatment for their T like most of us on here have done and who find their T quite bothersome at times.

Of the the 50 million(?) people with T in the US, only something like 12% are bothered enough by it to see a doctor about it, and an even smaller percent are so miserable that they see another doctor or seek other help when the first doctor tells them, "There's nothing to be done--you just have to get used to it."

Yeah, that would be us on DS. :/

PS Loaa--I'm glad you find comfort in this group, and I know what you mean about feeling guilty about comfort in other's misery. One of the things that comforted me on here was when I found other people on here can't take naps without setting of their T; I thought I might be the only one. I HATE not being able to take naps (especially when I'm sick and just want to sleep) or doze off in front of the TV, and I hate that many others on here are the same way...but it is sadly comforting to know I'm not the ONLY one telling myself, "Don't lie down! Don't fall asleep! Don't doze off after the alarm!" and so on when I'm tired. :/

This t group was a great comfort initially for me and still is. It's not hearing that others suffer, but rather found others who understood the living hell of a curse that must be sustained daily. If felt nice to get a hug or a PM telling me that they are sorry, understood because they have it themselves, and just wished for it to go away so that they may live and love life as before. For me this reach out to me was very important. Then it occurred to me that, I could get the same emotional satisfaction reaching out to others, being understanding, explaining as to how I cope and offering hope for light at the end if the tunnel.

So what is this elusive light. The fact is for even in some of the worst cases, there are a few good periodical good days. What made that occur? Everyone is different, so you begin to clarify for yourselve as to what brought on a better day or at least a quieter day. I found out avoiding triggers, such as foods laced with MSG and sodium was a great idea, spicy foods, ear plugs for loud noises and most important positive distractions.

Anxiety makes the t worst. T causes anxiety. So it's a circle and hence it may be continuos distraught. But with positive distractions, ie pursuing a hobby and not giving t the time of day during that pursuit, will offer relaxation. Hence if anxiety is a friend to t, then anti-anxiety is it's enemy. With relaxation techniques, ie meditation, you may begin to experiencing more and more easier days.

My t is intermittent now. I would love to eliminate it completely, as truly on the bad days in sucks. But even then, I am able to relax-work and research complex materials for work without thinking of the distraction that t may be. But rather, pursuit of my work distracts my t. Learned not to give t any priority. Hence that is why we call it "t" it's not worthy of its name. Lolol. Wish you all the best.

I feel that way to loaa.
I also feel like you Rose, after 4 years, almost 5, my brain is still fighting the T and makes me miserable most of the time. After all this time, I've found no triggers no rhyme or reason and still rarely get 2 or 3 "low" days per month....sadly I still count.

Yes, I have had t for about six years now. When I first came on DS I was really not doing well. At that time I had several good days per week! But now maybe once every three months, I get a quiet day.
I usually have to have a night that my sleep is interrupted and I will be completely silent when I wake up. Many times I have just stayed awake and if I am lucky, I can go to sleep the next night and it will still be gone. Then it will start out low on waking the second morning, and I always get an exceptionally loud day. I am not sure what the sleep cycle connection is.

I still manage to live my life, and distract myself on the high days, not that I still have my moments of wishing I could find the button to turn it off, but I need to rule it, not let it rule me.

Attester and McMurdo were two of my best teachers, I was fortunate. :)

Hugs all,
Kasandra

I can relate. For me..I am not by myself in this anymore, that is comforting for me. I empathize with those who share the misery of t. I 'appreciate' the company and support here on DS, helps to lower my anxiety living alone. hugs to all-

It is just good to know that you are not trudging through this all alone! I think we all feel this way.
I am wondering why I never get "low" days. I never notice much difference in the volume of my tinnitus except that sometimes it is louder. Never softer. Now there are times when I don't pay it much attention but that is because I am distracted, not because it is softer.
I am dreading cold season because if I catch a cold I will know that my tinnitus will get louder, my ears will get plugged up and it will take weeks for things to settle down. Bummer.
Hope you all have some fun on Halloween!

Tonight, a quote or two to help us..

"You never know how strong you are...until being strong is the only choice you have".

"Fall down seven times - get up eight".

This is what we are made of STRONG.

That's great Rose. Attitude assist in defeating the fears and anxiety of t. If you constantly demonstrate the power to feel that you are stronger then this noise, then you probably are. Yes the noise is annoying and difficult, but if you may elect to not let it change your life then you begin to cope quite well through it.

Certainly on the most difficult and "intrusive" days I have discovered distraction techniques to work the best. Either work or something enjoyable keeps me from going back to thinking of the noise. Of course if distraction techniques don't work, then there is all the available masking devices. I find that simple water sound or being near a fountain or listening to a sound machine may completely mask out the annoying sound.