Tinnitus driving me to suicide

I have read through your story and perhaps I can offer some commentary which might be helpful. 

First, I must say that I am one of the 260 million persons in the world who has intractable chronic tinnitus. All of your emotional feelings, thoughts and moods are felt / experienced by every Tinnitus sufferer - yes, you are not alone in your own misery. 

Although, in the current medical world of 2015 there is no such thing as a "cure", regardless of written scam advertisements, con-artists and all the false claim-makers  who want your money, there are different types of methods which have clinically been shown to help improve the noise levels symptoms of tinnitus, personal habituation, emotional and conscious acceptance and the avoidance of sleep deprivation. 

Many of the treatment modalities for improving (T) are expensive, thus the patient must do serious reading and make smart comparisons among the legitimate treatments that are available. I do my research reading as follows: I use Google search engine, which may be the best, and I search for clinical studies and articles at: NIH / PubMed (National Institute of Health / Published Medical). The NIH is the largest US government subsidized research organization in the world. I also have a dear friend, a physician, who has chronic tinnitus and together we have studied through several medical textbooks specifically on (T).

The onset of severe tinnitus will eat a way at every patient deep into the conscious and sub-conscious mind. Especially during the first year onset, your limbic nervous system identifies the uncomfortable and somewhat bizarre noise in your brain as an enemy - this causes the flight or fight state of mind. This continuation of this state of mind will exhaust you and eventually it can cause the onset of other disease. Your state of mind directly effects your immune system.

With this said, here are several things to consider:

Sleep Deprivation is the "number one" concern for a (T) patient. Inadequate sleep leads to suicidal ideation and physical exhaustion of the entire human body. 

Mentioned below by Barabara are the names of some natural sleep aids. This is very insightful and I have tried some of these substances for sleeping. 

"I take a number of natural sleep aids such as l-tryptophan, GABA, a mixture of hops and valerian root, and also a natural calming agent with Holy Basil in it called Total Calm Advanced, plus a mild sedative at bedtime." If these natural products do not work for you then discuss with your doctor the following; prescription of a "hypnotic sedative" - Ambien, Lunesta or there Generic drug such as Zolpidem Tartreate, etc. 

A Nervous State of Mind (constant) is the second concern of (T) and much of this is caused from FEAR, FRIGHT and NON-ACCEPTANCE of this medical condition. 

As far as the medical research indicates (clinical based studies) TRT, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy the model created by Professor Jastebroff, is the most effective way to learn ACCEPTANCE and to turn off the NEGATIVE emotions stemming from fear, fright and panic. If one chooses to find a PhD. level Psychologist for TRT counseling hopefully they have studied under Proff. Jastebroff, his clinical model. 

The following prescription drugs, which are to be taken seriously - meaning used with caution and not abused, have been very helpful in treating (T) symptoms (noise levels & pitch) and calming negative emotions are: Xanax and Klonazapam. Usually, in small dosages. Xanax in clinical trials showed to reduce symptoms 45-55% in majority of patients. The natural herb Ginko Biloba is helpful for certain types of (T) - however it must be of pharmaceutical grade and one would try it for 60-90 days to see if it helps. 

Tinnitus Maskers are at the top of the list for electronic devices. If the Audiologist programs the masker correctly (based on Audiology tests and product knowledge) they help the majority of (T) patients. This is what William Shatner Star-Trek) discovered for managing his (T) - Mr. Shatner, like so many sufferers went through suicidal ideation for one year. He eventually habituated and managed his condition. 

If there is hearing loss - then a combination hearing aid and masker would be appropiate.   

There is much positive research regarding the use of HYPNOTISM and COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL treatments - something to be considered. 

The following items are very expensive and the research data is mixed as for actual effectiveness.

Neuromonics - much of the research is financed by the company (possibly slanted) and the price is outrageous. However, it has helped a percentage of patients. Seriously, one needs to read carefully all information. 

SoundCure - has been available for about two years. Less expensive than Neuromonics.

TinnitusLabs, Montreal, Canada - affordable price and it has been used in the Montreal Tinnitus Clinic for over ten years. 

All of the three mentioned devices are based on the theory of "Plasticity" the brains ability to re-adapt to changes in the auditory cortex and the hearing system, which is a very complex design by nature,etc. 

On a personal note, I wouold suggest if you can find a "psychologist" who has (T) or cochlear implants, or is partially deaf (uses hearing aids) then you are in the presence of another human being who truly understands the nature of your condition and why your emotions are out of whack. 

I deal with terrible-terrible (T) and I spent my first year of onset in a world of ugly thought - the suicide game. I have an acquaintance who committed suicide due to (T) - but he did not put a program together - he did not reach out and try alternatives.

Far from perfect and far from what the little child in you wants to hear - (T) can be accepted and managed. There will be good days and there will be some miserable days. 

Look at everything which is available to help you harness (T). It is not easy but perhaps it really is better than ending our lives.

Take Care / Calm Down.

Spiritual Strenght - Just look at the children of St. Judes Hospital fighting Cancer - Today, we at least have some tools to help us with (T) - imagine a hundred years ago...!       

In every room of my house I have a medium size fan or air cleaner which puts out a relaxing low frequency sound of air / wind movement.

Next to my bed is an outdoor water fall which puts out a noticeable volume of water falls - its great. The concept of (T) maskers is based upon the physics of water sounds.  

As for music therapy - try listening to gentle new age music on a low-medium volume level - never never loud. New age pop-orchestral music has all of the frequencies that cover the human spectrum of hearing.

Create at night in your bedroom an acoustic environment that masks / blends with your (T). Water-falls, sounds of nature, CD masker with stereo system, White-Noise CD masker, anything that helps.

And give to your family a printed article which explains the challenges of (T) - ask them to read it - they need to have some understanding & empathy for you. 

Life is to be lived - "one day at a time" 

Firstly my sympathy.

I've had tinnitus now for seven years after receiving chemotherapy for six months.

The chemo had damaged the minute hairs in my cochlear resulting in my brain receiving false sounds of a 12khz pitch.

Tried various masking devices which didn't really help.

I did manage to go to Adenbrooks audiology dept in Cambridge and saw David Baguley consultant.

He and two others have written a book which may help called Living with Tinnitus. This is more CBT but may help you.

What did not abate and remains is a constant continuous very high pitched ringing sound (as best I can describe anyway). I will know when a headache is on it's way too as it gets louder almost screaming.

Out and about I don't really notice with general racket of modern life. Quiet times it is far more significant.

But it is not a huge deal. Don't get me wrong I'd rather not have it, but then I'd also rather not have had cancer needing bone marrow transplant. Also epilepy which is an ever present danger. I take 3 drugs for that which still doesn't control it after very many years, and with all manner of side effects. You must sometimes learn just to be accepting of certain situations. You will find ways to cope like others have here.

This is my third commentary to you. Please do not take this the wrong way; I feel for you as I do for all of the people, including myself, who are challenged with chronic (T).

You have read commentaries by people who have (T) plus Cancer or other life threatening diseases. All of these commentaries are written by people who are offering you sound advice - advice perhaps better than what a doctor may say!

I personally wrote you a lengthily commentary based on scientific / medical literature - the most current medical textbook on the subject of (T). 

You have been offered by several people information "to put together" a management process to help improve your (T). 

You have a personal choice to make and only you can make this choice;

1)  Continue to do nothing but scream and complain and drive yourself to the point of insanity..!

2) Write out, on paper, an outline for your (T) program, and try "one thing at a time." Start with the least expensive method / process and try it for 60-90 days and let's see if it helps. I suggest you re-read my first comment - the suggestions are from the "Tinnitus Research Initiative textbook" - this is as good as it gets regarding scientific literature & clinical data. 

As Dr. Nagler would say (one of the top authorities on (T) with terrible (T) - it is time to stop yelling and to do something about your condition to improve the symptoms. The process takes time, patients and "acceptance" - but it does get better over time. 

Thus, enough is enough - get your direction in sight and move forward. 

You have the information and it is up to you..!

Again, I say this with a kind heart and I wish you the best. 

"Action on your behalf is now required." 

You are lucky that you have not been diagnosed with a disease and a death sentence of a few months - just think about this...!

Bless Your Spirit