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T is up a notch! can anybody help :)

Posted , 3 users are following.

clairebear83
clairebear83

I am 30 years old and developed tinnitus 10 years ago.I was reverred to an audiologist who basically said there was no known  cause or hearing loss so i learnt to deal with it considering it to be fairly mild. I lived a perfectly normal life having 2 children and t didnt really bother me at all. However 2 months ago i was prescribed citrolopram for depression/anxiety and noticed the sound in my right ear had got worse, i was frantic and after my husband had done some reaserch alot of people had said ssris (citrolopram being one of them) had made there t worse! I have stopped taking citrolopram and have been compleately miserable since, although my t is still currently quite managable my constantly overactive brain is driving me to insanity, i cant sleep am constantly crying and worrying what will happen. Will it get to the point i cant enjoy my children? will it get to the point i will comit suicide? i keep reading all this awful stuff. I am so scared........audiologist again in a fortnight.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • steviegreybeard
    steviegreybeard clairebear83

    Posted

    Hi Claire

    I am 40 years old and developed severe tinnitus about a year ago. The psychological impact of tinnitus is not something which seems to be taken seriously by the medical profession, leaving us with a sense of helplessness. We then start looking for answers elsewhere and frighten ourselves with articles online, which only worsens the stress, which in turn exacerbates the tinnitus. I did that and terrified myself with possibilities which in the end turned out to be totally unfounded.

    I don't pretend to be an expert on tinnitus, but having studied it for the last year it is quite clear that the causes of tinnitus are hardly ever serious. Mostly it is caused by hearing damage or stress (overactive brain becoming hyper-responsive to sounds and emotional pressure). It would seem you are struggling with other issues in your life, and the tinnitus might well be a symptom of this.

    My own tinnitus, which is quite severe (can be heard over the noise of a car engine), has according to the doctors most likely been caused by prolonged emotional trauma. Being a fiercely independent man, I found it almost impossible to admit to my GP that I was struggling to cope. Earlier this year the lack of sleep and stress caused by the tinnitus eventually forced me to leave what I suppose was a high-flying career, and I have only recently returned to part time work. Although certainly not easy, my road to recovery was (is) focussed on facing my reality and making real changes to my life. I now live in the country in a beautiful old cottage, I spend as much time as possible with my young son, I have taken up new interests, such as meditation, woodcraft and farming - basically I have started to take much more care of my emotional and physical wellbeing and this has made a significant difference to how I cope with the tinnitus. I've even got a cat!

    Remember the things that make you smile and laugh. Do things you enjoy. If you can, go on a holiday. Take up new interests (or revive old ones!). Equally, face up to your issues, using your family and friends for support (what else are they for?). Join a local tinnitus support group (or start one yourself - there are loads of sufferers out there). Speak to your GP and nag him / her until they offer help. It's easier said than done, but forcing yourself to be strong and always thinking positive does give you a focus for dealing with the tinnitus, or the causes of it.

    Good luck, never give in. Best wishes.

    Steve

    • jacqueline01135
      jacqueline01135 steviegreybeard

      Posted

      hello Steve,  Stres has a lot to answer to. Lac of sleep was a big problem with me too ,and I resorted to asking my GP  if I could have 

      a sleeping pill ,he prescribed the lowest dose one and i now sleep good ,with radio 4 to block some of the sound  out Must admit I am the rattiest person alive when I miss out on sleep

      Get a donkey they are real stress removers I go horse riding. and

      don't hear a thing   I also have stress management suggested by 

      my audiologist does me good in another way, because we laugh a lot

       We belong to a group of untreatables, but at least it isn't terminal

      and belonging to a group certainly helpssmile 

  • mark357
    mark357 clairebear83

    Posted

    Hi clairebear83

    I am in a similar situation. My tinitus has gotten worse and my GP has referred me to an ENT specialist as when my tinitus flair's up then settle's down again I lose my hearing for a few minutes.

    My GP said that I have no ear drums and that my ears weep a sticky liquid that is the ear wax that protects the ear drum. I have this on both ears.

    I see the specialist in two weeks time.

    Now has your GP referred you to an ENT specialist? If not try and get him/her to if you can.

  • mark357
    mark357 clairebear83

    Posted

    Hi clairebear83

    I am in a similar situation. My tinitus has gotten worse and my GP has referred me to an ENT specialist as when my tinitus flair's up then settle's down again I lose my hearing for a few minutes.

    My GP said that I have no ear drums and that my ears weep a sticky liquid that is the ear wax that protects the ear drum. I have this on both ears.

    I see the specialist in two weeks time.

    Now has your GP referred you to an ENT specialist? If not try and get him/her to if you can.

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