One day I read a paragraph somewhere that a chemical found in lemon rinds, lipo-flavonoid, increases blood flow in the inner ear and might cure the low frequency tinnitus associated with Meniere's disease. Gee, I thought, I wish that compound was available. My tinnitus is high frequency but I would give it a try. Lo and behold, about four years later I spotted a bottle of Lipo-Flavonoid Plus, mentioning tinnitus, at my local pharmacy. It was loaded with vitamin Bs and niacin, perhaps the raise the price and widen the appeal. It was $25 for 100 capsules however it recommended taking 6 a day so at that it use would only last for two and a half weeks. Still, I figured it was worth testing and bought a bottle.
I tend to under medicate so only took 2 capsules a day. There was absolutely no change in my tinnitus for over a week. Then, after about day ten, I took a capsule and went to bed. I awoke to a whole different situation. Firstly, my inner ear had more feeling as if I had rinsed it with Listerine.
But my tinnitus was off the scale. It was at a level which I had never experienced before. It was as if I was hearing the tinnitusmuch more clearly. I was terrified. I did not know if I could handle this new level. Of course, I stopped taking the capsules but the new high level continued unchanging for over a week. I did manage to ignore it to some degree but it diminished the quality of my life. I could only wait and hope my body removed this fat soluble chemical.
Then two glimmers of hope appeared. One morning I awoke to a slightly less loud ringing although it returned back up during the day. Then, that evening I attended another lecture by an M.D. who practiced acupuncture. I asked if she could treat tinnitus. She said it was difficult but it could be done. However, it was a general statement about acupuncture that was reassuring. She said that it sometimes made long standing conditions worse initially but that is encouraging as it shows the problem is changeable.
The next morning I awoke to another surprise. My ear sensitivity was still high but my tinnitus was at a low point which occasionally occurs. Normally, I block out my good days as well as the bad but this was startling and wonderful. Still, I could not take this new loud level of tinnitus for a few great days. Then my body did get rid of the chemical and my usual status returned. I am now hesitant to try new approaches and will probably leave well enough alone.