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 friends,
As I announced previously I have been under a great deal of stress the past few years, mainly the past two, due to job loss from state budget cuts, for both my husband and I.
Due to the above we had to make a great deal of life style changes, as well as I am the sole care giver of an disabled elderly mother age 86, and struggle with the sadness of seeing my agin mother decline, as well as the resentment toward my two sisters who are content living in other states, and upset with myself, due to I lose patience with my mother, she is becoming very senile, poky, she sues a walker, and well you get the picture.
My mother has been in and out of the hospital in the past 5 years with everything from diabetes, brain hemorrhage, from a fall, hip replacement, pace maker, to strep pneumonia. Then the hospital visits turn to rehab for a month. I moved her out of her home a year ago, and into an assistant living home 3 miles from my home.
Although she is in an assistant living home, she needs my constant care, as well as social life to keep her content, healthy, as well as out of a nursing home.
The cost for elderly folks is UNREAL, to live in assistant living homes or nursing homes, however thankfully my mother has an excellent retirement plan, and good saving! But a nursing home would drain her funds.
The constant stress, although probably not the cause, I often wonder how ongoing stress might of triggered, my tinnitus, and how much it is affecting my present tinnitus?
It appears that something triggered my sudden onset of tinnitus. As you can see I am still going through the stage of wanting to know what caused my tinnitus to come on so suddenly.
Thinking back, stress, lack of sleep, salty meal of corn beef, ick and I dont even like corn beef, I just ate it due to St. Pattys Day! Could a great amount of salt, when I dont eat much salt have caused a sudden onset? But then it appears it would of went away right? Errrrrr, just so frustrating!
Also, the day before my T started up, I had a migraine and took two foricet pills. ( Tylenol, mild sedative, caffeine) But, I have taken these pills in the past, with no tinnitus, so do not see why they would of caused a sudden onset of my T.??
As far as ongoing stress, unfortunately, could it cause a sudden onset of T.
Again yesterday my mother was admitted into the ER, for pneumonia. I of course had to go, do all the paper work, answer all the questions, over and over again, as I have been doing for the past several years with her, each and every time she is admitted always through the ER, except for her hip replacement.
Its a day of stress, hours in the ER, then getting her settled and adapted to her room, again answering questions and more questions, to the nurses, aides, social workers, ugggg. I have already been there today, and need to go back soon. My two out of town sisters calling me ongoing, yet no help to me at all. The doctors from the hospital call, its just very stressful!
In addition I miss work, even though I have not even felt well enough to go lately anyway. I am a sub teachers aide and secretary and can go in as needed or as I please.
My mom was just in the hospital 3 weeks in January, and for a month after in rehab. I feel I am just getting back on track from that!
In addition my mother gets very confused even more so in the hospital. She calls me all hours of the day and night!
My two sisters out of state older than I, have been little aide to me, since my dad passed 6 years ago.
However, the one sister who resides in NC stated she would fly home this time, BUT, just for the week end. Which is nice, however the aide I need would be next week, I have that scope test Tuesday, and need help with my mom, when she is NOT in the hospital. Oh well, beggars cant be choosy. Right?
My daughter, has a one year old, living 50 miles from me, she is also expecting. Chelsea is 5 months pregnant, and has an unfortunate severe sciatica nerve problem when pregnant, and has been having more pain this time, due to the obvious, lifting and taking care of a one year old.
I so wish I could help her out more, but with her living such a distance, an hour drive, and my mom always needing me, as well as I have not felt so good lately, I have not been able to go as much as I want to.
That makes me very sad, although she understands, it upsets me, since I always feel better when with her too and my grandson. My daughter is always happy and a calming person. I just love the little quaint town in the mountains were she resides with her baby and husband. Its sort of like a mini vacation. Also, I just forget about my problems, my mom, and now my T., when I am helping her. They just bought a home, and are in the mist of renovating, so lots of help is always appreciated when they get can get it.
At any rate now, my tinnitus buzzing away, on and off, as usual. In addition to the knowledge of what I am up against the next couple of days, my sister flying in, the hospital visits, that scary scope test I need Tuesday, then getting my mom discharged and back to the assistant living home, and the needed doctors appts she always needs on top of her already doctors appts, from being in the hospital....Oh my! I am really fretting today, depressed, but have been for so long, what else is new?
My tinnitus got very bad yesterday immediately after I was notified my mother was sent to the ER, I was upset/crying. It was a loud Buzzzzz, but I think maybe I used to get T, like that after hearing extreme bad news, and upset...So odd, how I forget what my past T was, I try to remember but just cant.
Once I got to the hospital my Tinnitus appeared to settle down some. I did not find my tinnitus any better nor worse last night after I got home, and it was the same waking up this morning.
I have been eating healthy, and usually get thrown off track when my mom is in the hospital, but made up my mind to stick to eating healthy no matter what this time.
I am going to try not to cry, or get overly upset, due to I am frightened it will make my T., worse. I start to cry, but just hold back.
I do realize life has its trials and tribulations for all, however I find it very hard to cope lately, and the added T., of course is just that and added upset.
Thanks for listening.
Pattylyn
As I announced previously I have been under a great deal of stress the past few years, mainly the past two, due to job loss from state budget cuts, for both my husband and I.
Due to the above we had to make a great deal of life style changes, as well as I am the sole care giver of an disabled elderly mother age 86, and struggle with the sadness of seeing my agin mother decline, as well as the resentment toward my two sisters who are content living in other states, and upset with myself, due to I lose patience with my mother, she is becoming very senile, poky, she sues a walker, and well you get the picture.
My mother has been in and out of the hospital in the past 5 years with everything from diabetes, brain hemorrhage, from a fall, hip replacement, pace maker, to strep pneumonia. Then the hospital visits turn to rehab for a month. I moved her out of her home a year ago, and into an assistant living home 3 miles from my home.
Although she is in an assistant living home, she needs my constant care, as well as social life to keep her content, healthy, as well as out of a nursing home.
The cost for elderly folks is UNREAL, to live in assistant living homes or nursing homes, however thankfully my mother has an excellent retirement plan, and good saving! But a nursing home would drain her funds.
The constant stress, although probably not the cause, I often wonder how ongoing stress might of triggered, my tinnitus, and how much it is affecting my present tinnitus?
It appears that something triggered my sudden onset of tinnitus. As you can see I am still going through the stage of wanting to know what caused my tinnitus to come on so suddenly.
Thinking back, stress, lack of sleep, salty meal of corn beef, ick and I dont even like corn beef, I just ate it due to St. Pattys Day! Could a great amount of salt, when I dont eat much salt have caused a sudden onset? But then it appears it would of went away right? Errrrrr, just so frustrating!
Also, the day before my T started up, I had a migraine and took two foricet pills. ( Tylenol, mild sedative, caffeine) But, I have taken these pills in the past, with no tinnitus, so do not see why they would of caused a sudden onset of my T.??
As far as ongoing stress, unfortunately, could it cause a sudden onset of T.
Again yesterday my mother was admitted into the ER, for pneumonia. I of course had to go, do all the paper work, answer all the questions, over and over again, as I have been doing for the past several years with her, each and every time she is admitted always through the ER, except for her hip replacement.
Its a day of stress, hours in the ER, then getting her settled and adapted to her room, again answering questions and more questions, to the nurses, aides, social workers, ugggg. I have already been there today, and need to go back soon. My two out of town sisters calling me ongoing, yet no help to me at all. The doctors from the hospital call, its just very stressful!
In addition I miss work, even though I have not even felt well enough to go lately anyway. I am a sub teachers aide and secretary and can go in as needed or as I please.
My mom was just in the hospital 3 weeks in January, and for a month after in rehab. I feel I am just getting back on track from that!
In addition my mother gets very confused even more so in the hospital. She calls me all hours of the day and night!
My two sisters out of state older than I, have been little aide to me, since my dad passed 6 years ago.
However, the one sister who resides in NC stated she would fly home this time, BUT, just for the week end. Which is nice, however the aide I need would be next week, I have that scope test Tuesday, and need help with my mom, when she is NOT in the hospital. Oh well, beggars cant be choosy. Right?
My daughter, has a one year old, living 50 miles from me, she is also expecting. Chelsea is 5 months pregnant, and has an unfortunate severe sciatica nerve problem when pregnant, and has been having more pain this time, due to the obvious, lifting and taking care of a one year old.
I so wish I could help her out more, but with her living such a distance, an hour drive, and my mom always needing me, as well as I have not felt so good lately, I have not been able to go as much as I want to.
That makes me very sad, although she understands, it upsets me, since I always feel better when with her too and my grandson. My daughter is always happy and a calming person. I just love the little quaint town in the mountains were she resides with her baby and husband. Its sort of like a mini vacation. Also, I just forget about my problems, my mom, and now my T., when I am helping her. They just bought a home, and are in the mist of renovating, so lots of help is always appreciated when they get can get it.
At any rate now, my tinnitus buzzing away, on and off, as usual. In addition to the knowledge of what I am up against the next couple of days, my sister flying in, the hospital visits, that scary scope test I need Tuesday, then getting my mom discharged and back to the assistant living home, and the needed doctors appts she always needs on top of her already doctors appts, from being in the hospital....Oh my! I am really fretting today, depressed, but have been for so long, what else is new?
My tinnitus got very bad yesterday immediately after I was notified my mother was sent to the ER, I was upset/crying. It was a loud Buzzzzz, but I think maybe I used to get T, like that after hearing extreme bad news, and upset...So odd, how I forget what my past T was, I try to remember but just cant.
Once I got to the hospital my Tinnitus appeared to settle down some. I did not find my tinnitus any better nor worse last night after I got home, and it was the same waking up this morning.
I have been eating healthy, and usually get thrown off track when my mom is in the hospital, but made up my mind to stick to eating healthy no matter what this time.
I am going to try not to cry, or get overly upset, due to I am frightened it will make my T., worse. I start to cry, but just hold back.
I do realize life has its trials and tribulations for all, however I find it very hard to cope lately, and the added T., of course is just that and added upset.
Thanks for listening.
Pattylyn
As far as the anxiety I would look into the drug Clonazepam. It's very safe compared to Xanax and even my doctor will give me the Clonazepam but will not give me Xanax. He does not like it and feels Clonazepam is superior.
Have you tried masking your tinnitus using headphones to get the noise directly into your ear's? It's worked wonders for me.
I have also expressed on this site that I think medications help trigger tinnitus. I was taking about six medications and went off everything thinking this would make T go away. It did not and I am gradually getting back on my meds. I hope to never take anti-depressants or sleep medications such as Ambien again. Dr. Jastreboff states in his book that some medications that affect the brain and central nervous system slow down habituation to tinnitus. But, he suggests not quitting any medications without your doctors approval. I quit everything cold turkey, I thought food, salt, and aspartame was to blame. All my medications are on a websites list of drugs that cause T. Whatever the cause, the main thing is to get better and past the terrible stage of no sleep or rest. Check out the book mentioned yesterday and view MandieGraces videos, they are inspiring.
The past 10 days have been quit stressful, due to my mom was in the hospital, my sister came in for 3 days, lots of health complications with my mom as well.
My mom was discharged Tuesday, but still needs constant care, very confused, and weak.
I had the bladder scope test Tuesday morning too in the same hospital my mom was in. ugggg!
The test was a touch painful, however the after pain was worse then the test, but I got through.
Thank goodness my husband was with me to help get my 86 year old mom discharged and back to her assistant living home. What a day!
The outcome of my test was a good one though, I have no serious disease, but might have a kidney stone. But now I need a cat scan of my kidney, I already had a ultra sound, and the scope test...tests tests tests!!!
Needless to say, I am very tired still, from the past days.
My tinnitus has remained about same...no better now worse, except for today, I slept a bit later, and they are ringing louder than usual, but I am hoping they will let up so I can get on with my day.
My sister 10 years older than I, that came in for three days states she also has had T., for 10 years...She has also seen doctors, ENTs., and has maskers, so on...she says she has just got used to the ongoing noise, but does needs to mask it at night.
Weather here in WNY has also been CRAZY...I think the weather ups and downs have added additional ringing to my ears, due to the weather pressure up and downs. That is possible I suppose, but who knows anymore.
Yesterday I had to actually pull my car over, taking my grandbaby home in the mountains.
The sky turned so so dark, then the down pour was one like one I have never been in before!!!!!.. Never!
Severe storm warings were in affect in all WNY. and then I heard a tornado touched down in Alleghany.
Oh MY...I hope you all have been safe..praying for those who have been hit with devastating weather...
Pattylyn
I've found this and it helps and frightens me
herhttp://acim.org/index.html
Brings me back to my old roll your own smokes days but with a sober clarity...I'm only at lesson 14 and have always kept the reason of my success shadowed and have not been overly successful...
I can't imagine the stress of what youre going through, without even considering the burden of tinnitus. I had to retire early, move (from Manhattan to Sacramento), and can barely take care of myself, let alone an ailing parent, nor have to deal with the stress of unemployment. Yes, stress can cause/exacerbate tinnitus. Thats why its extremely important to take some type of anti-anxiety medication (to treat the cause/stress) and anti-cortisol supplements. The brain (limbic system) interprets sudden onset tinnitus as a threat and initiates the fight, freeze or flight syndrome and adrenaline and cortisol are pumped into your body and brain. Chronic high levels of cortisol damage the brains neuronal receptors and shrink the adrenal glands. In other words, chronic stress WILL cause dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
If you can, I would highly recommend committing yourself to meditating every day. Begin gently (10-15 minutes in a safe place where you wont be interrupted) and take your time extending your meditation time (you can lay down with your hands up; sit in a chair with your back slightly away from the back of the chair; or sit lotus or other Yoga asana). Essentially, the instruction is Be Mindful (focus on your breath and just notice the thoughts that arise without being distracted by them) and practice Equanimity (allowing or accepting all the thoughts that arise without judging them as pleasant, unpleasant or neutralyou can even name them, such as thinking about my days chores). Always return to the breath, wherever you notice it most, entering and exiting your lungs. And periodically during the day, stop and pay attention to three breaths as many times as you like.
I hope you can reduce the stress in your life.
Little T
I take PS (Phosphatidylserine) and Piracetam, and am going to experiment with Relora. Taking medications to treat the effects of stress on the brain is a bit like trying to prove the negative: if one doesn't become demented or suffer from Alzheimer's disease, then the supplement probably worked. I think we're also going to have to wait for better academic trials to backup vendors promises. (The warning label, e.g., on the Piracetam container states that it is not designed to treat any disease, not exactly a thunderously positive endorsement!).
Little T
LT
LT
LT
I truly appreciate everyones kindness while I was going through a tough time with my mom last week, in addition I had other medical tests, (all ok) in addition to trying to get used to new mishaps, now with T.
My mom is now out of the hospital and back in assistant living, things are a bit better, my T was on the back burner, still here, but maybe I am getting used to it a tad.
Sincerely
Pattylyn