Nothing has ever helped my Tinnitus: Any suggestions?

@pht1123 Hi, You know that is very interesting that you comment about prednisone! My doc gave me this med when I had bells palsy. And this might be a reason why "I" have this tinnitus. It is louder sometimes than other times. It is a very strange problem for sure. And you talk about decrease in eating salt on food. Well, I do like salted food. I'll try anything to see if it helps with this high pitch hissing sound that mostly comes from the left side of my head. You see, I took prednisone for the 1st time I had bells palsy on my right side of my head. I didn't take it for the left side when it flared up. Because the pain was not as bad as the first time. Maybe the prednisone caused the imbalance in my nerves. For my right side of my face is tighter than the left side. And when it gets cold out, really cold, I tend to get a dull ache in my head on the right side. The human body is SO intricate that anything can trigger problems if it is off kilter as they say. Thanks for commenting on this medication.

Hi Annie941, Prednisone is a great medication with severe side effects. I hope that you have less tinnitus as you go down on prednisone and you watch the salt. Realize that tinnitus can be caused from other medications as well as exposure to toxins. If one can get past it with a hearing aide to mask it, that is great. But hearing aides are removed at night - and then it can be quite loud. The cold definitely does not help. Also, there are crystals in the ear (this is normal). Sometimes they move around and cause tinnitus and dizziness as well. Good luck!!

@pht1123 Hi phy1123, wow, I did not know that about the ear having crystals. What do you mean by that? Is this inside some part of the ear? Yes, I find that cold weather hurts my head on the right side. Strange. I guess it was caused from bells palsy on that side of my face. I am not on prednisone anymore. Just that one time when B.P. came on. Thanks!

@annie941 if you Google it you can probably see picture and it'll make more sense. You have little hairs called silica in the ear. The crystals are basically nestled in these hairs and are responsible for our balance. As long as the crystals stay put, you got no problem. When one gets jarred loose, by falling, carnival rides, etc anything that makes them shift, it floats around in the fluid within the ear and that's where the vertigo comes in. Sleep will often times fix it. I also read that you can do a "figure 8" motion with your head and it will fix it. There is also the epley maneuver but that one has never been successful for me.

@annie941
Glad the information helped. Here is some more info:
Ear crystals, or otoconia, are tiny calcium carbonate particles in the inner ear that help detect gravity and movement. When they dislodge and enter the semicircular canals (often due to trauma or aging), they cause Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Symptoms include brief, intense spinning sensations (vertigo) triggered by head position changes, nausea, and imbalance. Treatment involves repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver.
These maneuvers can be done by a neurologist - as well as by yourself. Sometimes the tinnitus comes "out of the blue" with no real cause and can go away without realizing it. Look into any other medications you may be on. I know how difficult it can be - especially at night. Even look into dental issues (TMJ) - you never know if there is a connection. Salt intake is really a big thing - as it increases fluid retention and could cause increase in vibrations in the nerves of the ear. Watch soda intake (regular or diet). Good luck and hope it goes away soon.

@pht1123 that Epley maneuver made mine worse one time. I was so sick. Lol

@carol1024
Sorry the maneuver made you worse. I have needed it a few times. With the md, it was OK, but not great. When I did it myself, it helped me with the vertigo. Everyone is individual and what works for one may not work with another. Feel better.

@pht1123 Thanks so much! I do eat a lot of salt. Hmm

I found the source of my tinnitus by accident and it was then that I realized that there is no way a pill (unless it kills you) will help; it happened when I was not feeling well that I suddenly got up (tinnitus still screaming in my ear) and started to pass out and fall, I started to lose consciousness and the tinnitus followed right along with it sounding like a flute that's going out of tune while loosing volume. Fortunately I caught myself before I fell out completely. My brain must be generating the sound and going through the eye bone structure that would normally shield it. I just learn to ignore and live with it.

Have you looked into Lenire? I did a web search for my tinnitus and I will be looking into it. I hope this helps for you and all of us. God bless and be well