Greg

I agree - but what we really need are basic forum functions like sticky threads to perform exactly the function you describe!!

Live in hope !

You mean like there is on TSMB?

It is such a relief to be able to come to DailyStrength.org, where the tone is positive. One of the dangers of a "Snake Oil Thread" is that people sometimes think that anything that hasn't served them the way they expected it to, despite proper or improper application of the treatment, is worthy of condemnation.

It might be more, or at least as useful to start a thread about what has helped. What actually reduces the tinnitus, which I just did here:
http://dailystrength.org/c/Tinnitus/forum/6324329-has-helped-you-reduce

Jessislacsh: The Yuku TSMB is a place where, among other things, members make fun of the names of doctors and other members, where personal-attack posts are kept, but peaceful, informative posts about the realities of tinnitus research and treatment are deleted, and where vulgar language is supported.

OzGreg: While there are "no cures," especially when one equates that to searching for a "tinnalytic," there are people who either have or claim to have eliminated their tinnitus through various means. And there are many many people who have reduced the tinnitus itself, and I am one of them.

I think it makes a whole lot of sense to concentrate on what helps, on what reduces the tinnitus, on research that shows that tinnitus has more to do with "fight or flight" than anything "within" the auditory system, for example.

Sure, there are sharks, but not all of the fish in the sea are sharks.

agreed. I think it would be best not to have one of those posts over here. imo. Let's say Sue says Lipo Flavonoids worked for her, and her tinnitus is lower. YAY! Great for Sue, even if it might have a placebo effect. Then she reads it is a scam, and her tinnitus starts going back up due to anxiety, stress, and she has has been wasting her money this whole time. Let People try stuff on their own. I mean I spent 5 grand on TRT and it didn't work for me. Snake Oil too?

Becca, whoah! :-) Did you know that there is a report of a guy who was about to die of cancer, and his doctor "knew" it was totally hopeless, so the doctor prescribed a placebo and said that "this will take care of it," or something like that.

In three days, his tumors melted. They vanished.

Then, some time later, the guy got a hold of the study that he had taken "nothing but a worthless placebo," and the guy went ahead and died.

Have you heard that one? Do you know if it is an urban legend? I can't remember the name of the placebo, but I can look it up.

Best,
Dainis

PS: It's interesting what you say about TRT, because a lot of people are very grateful for that treatment. I think it would be unfair to call TRT "Snake Oil," even though I've never tried it. It's really awesome that you tried it, didn't gain the benefit you had hoped, and haven't descended down the "useless slime-bucket #?'!*? road." Hat's off to you!

About TRT- I do believe that TRT is the best treatment available right now. I meant the question rhetorically.


Interesting about the Cancer. I had never heard that before.

Becca

Now that I hear about Snake Oil, I recently heard 2 testimonies of healing with Rattle snake oil. The bottle here costs only US$1.30, this people were really poor and they got better. Perhaps was a placebo effect. The thing is that I went to look for the bottles of snake oil and there is only one place really far away from where I live, so I haven't gotten any. Since is cheap I will give it a try....

I don't know about snake oil, but I bought some emu oil last week.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350155881984&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11

Nobody is talking about lipoflavanoids and nobody is talking about TRT. I've heard good reports on both of these. I've also heard good and bad reports on rTMS.
What I was referring to are the snake oil merchants who claim they can cure tinnitus. Many here already know who they are and they don't waste their money on buying products because they are at their wits end. First days/weeks/months of the onset of my tinnitus and severe vertigo I spent $100's on useless garbage in sheer desperation and I spent $100's on chiro treatments because this jerk told me he would cure me because he had cured people with my condition. I would have spent anything and would still spend anything if I could be cured of this unwanted intrusion in my head.
Please don't anybody tell me that TRT, CBT, Neuromonics, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Counseling, Hypnosis, or taking some hotch potch of herbs will cure the ringing in my head. Maybe some might find xanax etc... might reduce the level of the ringing? But the absolute FACT is that tinnitus habituation is a state of mind and nothing else. It's all about how you react to the noise.
As I said, there are a lot of sharks out there who will say anything to scam your money.
-------------------------

"Becca, whoah! :-) Did you know that there is a report of a guy who was about to die of cancer, and his doctor "knew" it was totally hopeless, so the doctor prescribed a placebo and said that "this will take care of it," or something like that.

In three days, his tumors melted. They vanished.

Then, some time later, the guy got a hold of the study that he had taken "nothing but a worthless placebo," and the guy went ahead and died."

Seriously Dainis, thats a crock of BS. Obviously you have never known anybody who has suffered horribly with cancer.

You are absolutely right, Greg.
Also, Dainis is misrepresenting the TSMB, to put it mildly.
Personal attacks are NOT allowed there.
The only reason he is trashing it is that some people there had the temerity to question his claims. At least one of the critics is a well-respected tinnitus research expert whose judgment I trust.
Do yourself a favor, folks, and spend your $99 on something worthwhile. Donate it to the ATA, where it will do some good for all of us. Join the ATA and read its archives, full of material written by people who really do want to help people with tinnitus, not just line their pockets. That's ata.org.

Let's not attack Dainis too badly, he could be sincere. He seems like a guy on a mission. I used to be on a mission. I am now exhausted from my mission and have just been trying to flow with the T. It has lowered in the past month. Of course, I would love a silent room - nothing can replace that - listening to ocean CD's all day long will not take the place of gentle quiet.

I'm happy if others have an experience at TSMB that differs from mine.

Regarding the cancer story, here is the deeper info. Google: krebiozen wright.

The guy's name was Mr. Wright, the name of the drug was krebiozen. Here's a link that describes the story.

http://www.mind-body-health.net/index.html?placebo.html&1

I'm still open to whether that story is an urban legend, since I don't have the publications at hand. Now, that would be pretty fun to gather up the hard evidence of that story...but it might not be the best use of time beyond providing motivation...

I've found a whole lot of help from chiropractors, and I did have the experience that my tinnitus disappeared while receiving cranio-sacral therapy (but it came back the moment the practitioner removed her hands), I think counseling helps, I know how to use meditation to directly lower my tinnitus, I am very cautious about drugs and herbs, so...hey...different strokes for different folks...people beat to different drummers.

Cheers,
Dainis

Before donating to the ATA, please check out their annual report to be sure you agree with how they allocate donations. Personally, I'm not happy they spend only 30% of their funds on research. Your dollar may stretch further if you give directly to a tinnitus research organization.

Becca

I think the ATA serves a very important function besides funding research. I don't know how many people out there have had my experience--of going to ENTs and other doctors and being told "learn to live with it." Then going home discouraged, wondering how you're ever going to cope.
The ATA offers support in those dark moments. They'll send you information that will start you on the right track to recovery--as well as many other resources too numerous to mention here. Their searchable archives alone are worth the price of joining.
I got the wonderful Henry and Wilson CBT book from them that is exorbitant on amazon.
They are struggling in this economy. They get support from people like William Shatner, but they also need every dollar they can get to carry on their advocacy for people with tinnitus.

Pears, I do agree with many of your points. Personally, I just want to see all available information on an organization before I send in my ever decreasing dollars. I appreciate that the ATAs financial information is there for everyone to see. Research and t education are biggies for me, and those get the least amount of money according to their pie chart. Im all for whatever works for someone, and I'm glad you had a positive experience with the ATA.