Tinnitus, Deafness and Ear Problems Support Group
This group is for those coping with Tinnitus (ringing ears or ear noise), hearing loss, and all ear issues. Join to find support and get advice from others.
Hello,
I received the book, Turning down the Volume, read it, in part and have a few opinions.
It appears that the author truly believes more than less that T. is due to emotional rather than physical.
Also, I felt that even when there was a noted "noise induced" or other physical factor that caused a person he spoke about T., onset, which could disturb the hair nerves in the ear, he still felt that emotions played a part in their T.
In rgard to the SPADE, stress, panic, anxiety, depression, and emotional illness, he stated that he has not worked with a patient that has not had one of the above, but most of the population with or with out T., must have one of the above in their life it seems, right?
If I were asked have I been under stress, more than usual when my T came on, I would say....WEll I suppose so. I have experienced T. before with severe upset, such as confrontation with husband or work, ears would ring loud, but then subside.
As I stated here, I was depressed/anxious, and went to my family doctor one week before the onset of my T., to request treatment for my depression. But, I have always been an anxious person, and have been in therapy.
The depression/anxiety I experience, I think is in part due to my my chemistry, and some due to enviormental, such as the ongoing care of my elderly frail mother and being the only sibling to care for her.
Also, my husband sufferes depression, and more so since the GM crisis, he lost his job, and now working hard labor for our health ins at age 58.
I am unable to work, only part time, due to the time needed to care for my mom.
We do have a nice home, good friends, family, and a wonderful daughter/son in law, and grandson, one years old, and my daughter is having baby two in Oct.
They do live 50 miles from us, her and her husband are ministers in a beautiful little town in the mountains, and are very happy in deed. They just bought a new house, moved in, and in the process of major renovating. It was a good price, but a fix up house for sure.
I find it difficult in winter, due to the bad snow and weather here in WNY, to see her as much as I would like to, and often wished they lived closer. But they are very happy, and I do see her at least once or more a week. I have good friends, and on the most part a happy life.
Although, I have had T in the past, it usually presented itself when I was very tired, dieted, or as I said had a confrontation with my husband or other, and got very upset.
As stated before I noticed my T., this time as a very loud fast onset of a hissing one night when I woke up, it left for a week, then came back with vengence, after my dogie of 17 years "Trigger" died right in front of my eyes.
Trigger was old, and became unstable for the past 6 months. He followed me every step I took, and was my dogie.
TRigger came our was as a stray dogie, when he was about one years old. He looked like a mix collie breed and was a very pretty dog.
The past few years Trigger had a hard time walking, but the past month we were needing to help him up and down the steps to go out, due to a past leg injury years ago, now causing severe arthritis in his back legs He was not eating well, and he was not enjoying a good quality of life.
The past year we could not go anywhere for long, due to his condition.
We took Trigger to the Vet., and he was prescribed medication to buy him some time, so we knew he did not have long to live.
We had a snall party a few weeks back, so thankfully, my daughter and mom got to see himm they both loved him so.
Of course my daughter felt very very sad, since he was her puppy dogie all those years, she is 26.
and was about 12 when we found him.
The day he died, my husband and I thankfully were both home. I noticed Triggers breathing became very heavy, and called for my husband.
My husband thought maybe he needed to go out, so tried to pick him up, at that point Trigger started to have a seizure, his bladder/bowels went, and my husband just layed with Trigger on the floor, then said crying, "Hes gone."
I was so so so very upset, crying and crying! Ny husband cried too. We have had many pets, raised Springers also, and have experiencd this many times, but Trigger we had so many years.
We did not know to bury him in our back, with other pets we have had in the past, we live in the country, or take him to the Vet.
Trigger HATED the Vet, so I was only thankful we did not have to take him there to be put to sleep.
We placed him in a blanket, and I just pet his head, crying and crying.....I was truly very upset.
We decided since the weather was so bad, and I did not want my husband becoming ill, to take him to the Vet for cremation.
The day after, I went to my daughters to help her with her new home and my grandson, to get out of the house, where I could only think of Triggter.
At her house my T came on slightly, and needless to say, has not gone away since.
So, if I was to tell someone my past year, and the happening of my dogie, I also have been diagnosed with HBP, eat a poor diet, and ate very salty corn beef, (had to throw that in,) (smile) at the onset of my T., they would say, well no wonder you have ear ringing. But, maybe there is not even any connection, who knows?
In my readings though, I have read that HPB t., is palsate, which I do not have palsate T., tumor it is usually in only one ear, is that ture????
I was a bit upset that the book did not offer any insight as to what type of T could be a sign of something serious. He did say, serious is rare.
Also, the author was not impressed that diet took much of a role in causing T., in addition to other chemistry malfuntions.
He said nothing as to why T., appears worse in the morning, or after waking up...???? I still wonder why? That still scares me so much!!!!
I suppose the book is more meant for dealing, which I which have to say, I don't think I can do, until I am told it is not serious.
So, needless to say, today I am in a state of, "Oh my gosh" I am so scared again, since Yesterday the T., was very low during the day, then after laying down at night, relaxing it came on slowly, and I woke up to the loud "hiss."
So, today I am sorry to report I am in the gloom and doom stage again with great fears and anxiety rs that some terrible terrible brain malfuntion is taking over, and I am doomed.
Presently I am crying, as well as upset. I passed on work again, I can turn down jobs, I am a
substitute. I should really go back to work!
I have an appt with a ENT, next Tue, and the week later with my neuro.
I wish I could feel more relaxed, and not so scared and doomed.
I usually feel a bit better after the day progresses, but since I wake up with T., that is my worse time. Then as the day goes on and it goes at bay a bit, I think maybe its getting better, and feel maybe it is not form something serious.
But when evening approaches, I lay down to watch TV...it starts up slowly. Then waking up during the night with the noted "hiss" makes me very scared and I start feeling, "This is so not normal something has to be seriously wrong."
Why my T comes on so at night, and not due to the "quit" can not be from something emotional I tell myself, but something physical, then severe panic sets in.
I am taking my BP like a nut, it is very low at night, I do notice. I am also obessing over that. Asking can low cause the hiss. 90/65, then high in the morning..See, I just am not dealing well.
I am in such a tizzy, asking is it this, that, Trigger, salt, rare disease, aspirin, hormones, I do also wake up hot, what what I ask...then as now that panic sets in. My ultra sound was normal of my overies, but did show I was in meopause. I knew that already, but am pleased no problems.
My ears are ringing now...I feel helpless, and fear the unknown.
I guess one question I do wish maybe someone could answer here, is are there any significant signs if T is from a tumor? I do not have any other symptoms, no dizzy, no balance, no headache, no numbness, it does seem that I would have some other symptoms right?
Also, it still disturbs me that the T, comes on while sleeping, making me think that some chemical imbalance is happening at night time, could that be? But, then it happens after a nap.
also, so it I just wonder if it is the sleeping, or the laying down? And what might be happening?
I almost would like to try to just sit up and fall asleep in a chair, and see if it is the laying down, or the sleeping that causes the T to become worse. Any ideas on that, or insight to the reasons.
Sorry I am a mess today, and do not wish to bring anyone down.
Thanks for reading, any input is appreciated.
Have a nice day. I will try to find a
"pocket of happiness" too.
Pattylyn
I received the book, Turning down the Volume, read it, in part and have a few opinions.
It appears that the author truly believes more than less that T. is due to emotional rather than physical.
Also, I felt that even when there was a noted "noise induced" or other physical factor that caused a person he spoke about T., onset, which could disturb the hair nerves in the ear, he still felt that emotions played a part in their T.
In rgard to the SPADE, stress, panic, anxiety, depression, and emotional illness, he stated that he has not worked with a patient that has not had one of the above, but most of the population with or with out T., must have one of the above in their life it seems, right?
If I were asked have I been under stress, more than usual when my T came on, I would say....WEll I suppose so. I have experienced T. before with severe upset, such as confrontation with husband or work, ears would ring loud, but then subside.
As I stated here, I was depressed/anxious, and went to my family doctor one week before the onset of my T., to request treatment for my depression. But, I have always been an anxious person, and have been in therapy.
The depression/anxiety I experience, I think is in part due to my my chemistry, and some due to enviormental, such as the ongoing care of my elderly frail mother and being the only sibling to care for her.
Also, my husband sufferes depression, and more so since the GM crisis, he lost his job, and now working hard labor for our health ins at age 58.
I am unable to work, only part time, due to the time needed to care for my mom.
We do have a nice home, good friends, family, and a wonderful daughter/son in law, and grandson, one years old, and my daughter is having baby two in Oct.
They do live 50 miles from us, her and her husband are ministers in a beautiful little town in the mountains, and are very happy in deed. They just bought a new house, moved in, and in the process of major renovating. It was a good price, but a fix up house for sure.
I find it difficult in winter, due to the bad snow and weather here in WNY, to see her as much as I would like to, and often wished they lived closer. But they are very happy, and I do see her at least once or more a week. I have good friends, and on the most part a happy life.
Although, I have had T in the past, it usually presented itself when I was very tired, dieted, or as I said had a confrontation with my husband or other, and got very upset.
As stated before I noticed my T., this time as a very loud fast onset of a hissing one night when I woke up, it left for a week, then came back with vengence, after my dogie of 17 years "Trigger" died right in front of my eyes.
Trigger was old, and became unstable for the past 6 months. He followed me every step I took, and was my dogie.
TRigger came our was as a stray dogie, when he was about one years old. He looked like a mix collie breed and was a very pretty dog.
The past few years Trigger had a hard time walking, but the past month we were needing to help him up and down the steps to go out, due to a past leg injury years ago, now causing severe arthritis in his back legs He was not eating well, and he was not enjoying a good quality of life.
The past year we could not go anywhere for long, due to his condition.
We took Trigger to the Vet., and he was prescribed medication to buy him some time, so we knew he did not have long to live.
We had a snall party a few weeks back, so thankfully, my daughter and mom got to see himm they both loved him so.
Of course my daughter felt very very sad, since he was her puppy dogie all those years, she is 26.
and was about 12 when we found him.
The day he died, my husband and I thankfully were both home. I noticed Triggers breathing became very heavy, and called for my husband.
My husband thought maybe he needed to go out, so tried to pick him up, at that point Trigger started to have a seizure, his bladder/bowels went, and my husband just layed with Trigger on the floor, then said crying, "Hes gone."
I was so so so very upset, crying and crying! Ny husband cried too. We have had many pets, raised Springers also, and have experiencd this many times, but Trigger we had so many years.
We did not know to bury him in our back, with other pets we have had in the past, we live in the country, or take him to the Vet.
Trigger HATED the Vet, so I was only thankful we did not have to take him there to be put to sleep.
We placed him in a blanket, and I just pet his head, crying and crying.....I was truly very upset.
We decided since the weather was so bad, and I did not want my husband becoming ill, to take him to the Vet for cremation.
The day after, I went to my daughters to help her with her new home and my grandson, to get out of the house, where I could only think of Triggter.
At her house my T came on slightly, and needless to say, has not gone away since.
So, if I was to tell someone my past year, and the happening of my dogie, I also have been diagnosed with HBP, eat a poor diet, and ate very salty corn beef, (had to throw that in,) (smile) at the onset of my T., they would say, well no wonder you have ear ringing. But, maybe there is not even any connection, who knows?
In my readings though, I have read that HPB t., is palsate, which I do not have palsate T., tumor it is usually in only one ear, is that ture????
I was a bit upset that the book did not offer any insight as to what type of T could be a sign of something serious. He did say, serious is rare.
Also, the author was not impressed that diet took much of a role in causing T., in addition to other chemistry malfuntions.
He said nothing as to why T., appears worse in the morning, or after waking up...???? I still wonder why? That still scares me so much!!!!
I suppose the book is more meant for dealing, which I which have to say, I don't think I can do, until I am told it is not serious.
So, needless to say, today I am in a state of, "Oh my gosh" I am so scared again, since Yesterday the T., was very low during the day, then after laying down at night, relaxing it came on slowly, and I woke up to the loud "hiss."
So, today I am sorry to report I am in the gloom and doom stage again with great fears and anxiety rs that some terrible terrible brain malfuntion is taking over, and I am doomed.
Presently I am crying, as well as upset. I passed on work again, I can turn down jobs, I am a
substitute. I should really go back to work!
I have an appt with a ENT, next Tue, and the week later with my neuro.
I wish I could feel more relaxed, and not so scared and doomed.
I usually feel a bit better after the day progresses, but since I wake up with T., that is my worse time. Then as the day goes on and it goes at bay a bit, I think maybe its getting better, and feel maybe it is not form something serious.
But when evening approaches, I lay down to watch TV...it starts up slowly. Then waking up during the night with the noted "hiss" makes me very scared and I start feeling, "This is so not normal something has to be seriously wrong."
Why my T comes on so at night, and not due to the "quit" can not be from something emotional I tell myself, but something physical, then severe panic sets in.
I am taking my BP like a nut, it is very low at night, I do notice. I am also obessing over that. Asking can low cause the hiss. 90/65, then high in the morning..See, I just am not dealing well.
I am in such a tizzy, asking is it this, that, Trigger, salt, rare disease, aspirin, hormones, I do also wake up hot, what what I ask...then as now that panic sets in. My ultra sound was normal of my overies, but did show I was in meopause. I knew that already, but am pleased no problems.
My ears are ringing now...I feel helpless, and fear the unknown.
I guess one question I do wish maybe someone could answer here, is are there any significant signs if T is from a tumor? I do not have any other symptoms, no dizzy, no balance, no headache, no numbness, it does seem that I would have some other symptoms right?
Also, it still disturbs me that the T, comes on while sleeping, making me think that some chemical imbalance is happening at night time, could that be? But, then it happens after a nap.
also, so it I just wonder if it is the sleeping, or the laying down? And what might be happening?
I almost would like to try to just sit up and fall asleep in a chair, and see if it is the laying down, or the sleeping that causes the T to become worse. Any ideas on that, or insight to the reasons.
Sorry I am a mess today, and do not wish to bring anyone down.
Thanks for reading, any input is appreciated.
Have a nice day. I will try to find a
"pocket of happiness" too.
Pattylyn
I was on here looking to see if anyone had replied to my post, and I read yours. I am in the same boat as you right now. I woke up at 3 am and the usual low hum in my head is really loud in my right ear right now. I am anxious, a little panicky, and back in the place I was in when this first started almost 3 months ago. I have had the same thoughts today - could it be a tumor? Could it be something serious? But the fact of the matter is, I am concentrating on writing to you write now, and it's not half as bad as it was since 3 am this morning. It sounds like you have anxiety, which I do. My doctor says that if I could turn down my nerves throughout my whole body, the T would turn down too. She believes mine is directly related to anxiety. I know that when I am in the "acceptance" mode of all of this, I am okay. Kind of like, 'so what - my ears ring!' Today I am not in that place, just like you, but I know that I can get back there if I manage to self talk and calm myself down. You aren't alone, and I really do believe that above all of the physical things we can do to try to help the T, the emotional component is huge. So I will keep you in my thoughts today--Kathy
Ask our returning veterans who returned from World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam who were surrounded by heavy artillery fire while in combat zones about their full blown 'tennitus.' And many of them who didn't acquire tinnitus while in the service have a likelhood of acquiring this later on in life.
The only other link related to 'tinnitus' would be heredity, which cannot be supported at this time. However, there is insufficient evidence to support or not support this theory, but I don't think it can be discounted.
I took my usual shower to help my T come down, after that my BP is usually on the higher side. I took it and OH MY GOSH!!!!! It was through the roof! Now it is still high 136/96. I can't go to the doctor, since, well you all know why.
My heart is beating, and my head is buzzing, I can tell the buzzing is from HBP, its a hummmmmmmmmmmm.
Here I go trying to figure out how could it of been 60/90 last night so low, and this high now.
My wisdom, and logic says in part the remembering the above stress and saddness, annd bringing it to mind. In addition to the two cups of coffee, and no food, little sleep, and the T........
I guess there is no trying to get out of taking a BP medication for me is there?
I might go take it sit in my doctors office or out side the ER, after the first pill to see if it turns me green, or something like that. (chuckle)
My husband as much as he is a good guy, as well as my daughter are caring, but through the years of my Med. phobia, they tend to get upset with me because I do not take my doctors advice, and I tend to over worry.
I do not want to upset my daughter, she is pregnant, my husband is under stress, and I don't want to add to it, or rock the boat.
Thanks for being supportive from afar, and putting up with me.
Pattylyn
I had a CT scan to figure out what was going on and it showed I had sinus infection. Sort of got that cleared up then my tinnitus started. It was in one ear only and the ENT had me get an MRI to see if I had an acoustic neuroma. That's fancy for a tumor. The acoustic neuroma is never cancerous. But if I would have had one that would have probably been the cause of my tinnitus. But I did not have one. I'm a 100% certain that my tinnitus was because of the extreme stress from the headaches and other stuff.
I would have to say that checking your BP that many times can't be good. Like I have told you I had high BP but with taking 1 pill a day mine is normal now. I check it maybe twice a month. My best advice? Go see a doctor and get some things taken care of. I do hope this helps. John
John, I take my BP every hop, skip, and jump, meaning, to......much! Lately anyway.
It appears low at night, 115/70, hight in the mornings always, 1545/90, yesterday even higher?
I have been to my doctor, first for aanxiety, before my T, he noted I had high blood pressure, I did not take the HBP med he ordered. I went back AGAIN, to tell him I feared taking the mediction, and that I had also had tinnitus. He said, TAKE THE BLOOD PRESSUE PILL! I have not done it yet, due to, fears of reaction, or getting dizzy.
So, needless to say, how can I go back?
My mom 86, that I have mentioned I care for, now neeeds to go see him, also her doctor, TODAY! Yikes. And I take her, she is having problems...and ironically with her HBP pills making her ankles swell. She has many problems being a frail little old lady with brittle diabetes on top of it all.
Anyway, I know he is going to aske me if I took the medication.
I tried so so so hard to just take a pill yesterday, but just could not brave up enough to do so. Thought of sitting out side of the ER, in case I had a bad reaction.
I have an appt with a ENT next Monday, and my neurologist a week from Tues.
Today I am still just in the anxious stated, although my T is at a tolerable level. My T, is tolerable, but just makes me feel something is "not right" as if I am sick, when I don't think I am.
I am really tired, the worry is wearing me out.
The white noise bothered me, sorry to say, it almost made me cringe. I think maybe just soft calming cds might work though. I wonder why the white noise had that effect on me???? It almost seemed like my T, 50 times worse. Hummmmm...
The shower noise does help to mask, but hey I can't be standing in the shower day in and out now can I?
In regard to your sinus infection and T. My daughter who also has T., she had several ear infections when a child also expereinced more intense T, still does after she had a bad sinus infection approx 1 and a half years ago.
Thanks again, have a nice day everyone.
Pattylyn
> due to emotional rather than physical.
He is partly right, if you don't feel anything towards the tinnitus then you are practically cured. That's how the benzos or anti-depressants work for tinnitus, they treat the anxiety that tinnitus causes. The thing is, if anxiety was causing the tinnitus then benzos would cure it. But they don't (in most cases). They just make you less anxious all while the tinnitus is still ringing.
> In rgard to the SPADE, stress, panic, anxiety, depression, and
> emotional illness, he stated that he has not worked with a
> patient that has not had one of the above
That's just common sense. Those that get intrusive, chronic tinnitus and seek help are usually anxious, stressed and depressed. Who wouldn't have felt these emotions after the doctor said "nothing can be done, learn to live with it" and the tinnitus stays constant for months?
> Also, it still disturbs me that the T, comes on while sleeping
Does it come and go or is it constant? If it starts or gets worse when you lay down it could be either because it's too quiet and you lay down on your ear or it could be due to neck or jaw position. If you can make your tinnitus lower or higher by moving your head or the lower jaw then there's a chance that tensions in these areas are causing the tinnitus.
Consider reading a better book named
Tinnitus: A Self-Management Guide for the Ringing in Your Ears by Jane L. Henry, Ph.D. and Peter H. Wilson, Ph.D.
I do have two misplaced disc in my neck, have for years. My neck at times acts up, painful, but I have not contibuted that to my T, I used to clench also, but don't appear to do that anymore either. Since I have had the neck disc issues for years, I do not see how it could of caused this sudden unset of T.
The T that appears to come on while I sleep, even during a nap, is a fairly steady "hissing" not due to the quit either, it is a different noise than the day time ring high piched on and off. After I am up, take a shower, the hiss comes down, then the on and off hiss and rings come about.
I have throught of falling asleep sitting up just to see if my T hisssing has to do with sleeping, or just the position of laying down. So crazy sounding to do that, but have thought of it.
Thanks for the book info too.
Pattylyn
What I do is have a cup of coffee and listen to music and white noise on my MP3 player and sometimes that will lower my tinnitus volume so low I can hardly hear it. But I don't dare to try and take a nap in the afternoon cause I know what i'll wake up to.