Tinnitus

Hello @carol1024, I moved you discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled: Tinnitus - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tinnitus-15/ in the Hearing Loss support group.

I did this so you could meet other Connect members recently discussing their battle with tinnitus as well. @buddysmom07, @cvzird, @bettersleep68 recently shard their experiences and frustrations with tinnitus.

@carol1024, you mentioned your next step will be to potentially seek an audiologist, have you discussed this frustrating issue with your current provider?

Mine fluctuates and I am scared it will stay at a louder level, each time it goes up. My kid is a composer but I cannot go to their performances!

The brain does adapt and that helps over time, I find. The main thing is I don't get anxious anymore. It used to feel so claustrophobic, not being able to escape the sounds.

For me, at the beginning of my much louder tinnitus, a bit of Klonopin helped. I rarely used it but it helped to know it was there.

Yeah I was reading in an AARP magazine article on internet (missed actual article) that sometimes benzodiazapines are prescribed for it, or antidepressants. I was taking 1mg xanax for years for anxiety but had weaned myself down to a 1/4. My pills are half mg and I was taking 2 a day, then 1 and a half and went to a half the beginning of October. I'm wondering if going off those is what did it because I don't remember it being this bad while on the full dose. I started back yesterday taking the 2 a day and I'm going to see if that makes a difference. If not then I'll wean back down and if they do, I'll ask Dr for something else. There was a mix up with a new doctor and I didn't get the rx for over a week last year and went through horrible withdrawals. Never again. I want something that isn't a benzo but will keep xanax for situations where I need something fast acting. I ordered 2 bottles of lipo flavanoid yesterday. Should be here tomorrow. I've also got 2 and half more bottles of Cortexi to use. Hopefully something will work. At times I am able to tune it out but when it's loud it's impossible.

With PCP and neurologist but both have said there is nothing that can be done.

WOULD YOU GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR, MAKE CHECK YOUR EARS AND YOUR HEARING AND POSSIBLE GET A REFERRAL TO THE AUDIOLOGIST. IT MIGHT BE YOU MIGHT HAVE AN EAR INFECTION, BETTER CHECK WITH A DOCTOR FIRST... RATHER THAN DO EXPERIMENTATION OF WHAT CAN BE... THE EARS ARE VALUABLE PART OF OUR BODIES AND THE HEARING IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE.

Yes that is on my list. My PCP said my ears were clear. I had used the debrox wax removal several months ago and got 3 or 4 little pieces from left ear. None from right ear. When I mentioned the tinnitus to my doctor, he checked my ears and said they were "very clear so you did a great job". I know he's no audiologist but can check ears the same. I have very accute hearing, even with the tinnitus. I've used the wax removal a couple times in the last 2 months and have gotten nothing out of it. What I HAVE noticed though is sometimes I can feel around the outside of my ear, but inside if that makes sense, and feel stuff that feels like sand. When I clean it off with my nail, it's similar to ear wax but not waxy. I know it's gotta be coming from inside ear, almost like a drainage. It doesn't happen daily and I never have ear aches, jaw aches, headaches. I do have vertigo, 40+years, but most days are good. I'll make appt for audiologist. I'm sure I'll need referral.

I might add that I was on xanax for over 10 years for anxiety. I had weaned myself down from 1mg daily to 1/4 mg daily. I did not notice the tinnitus while on the full doseage of xanax. When I went to the 1/4, October 4th, within a couple days the tinnitus was enough to notice. I also take hormones which is a medication that can contribute to tinnitus but I MUST have them. I only take a half of the lowest dose possible so......ibuprofen, acetaminophen also contribute. I don't take much of that. I take 1 tablet alkaseltzer. I am also on hydrocodone daily for major back issues and have been for years. I will discuss all this with audiologist.

The condition is awful. Audiologists haven't helped.

I would check at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear
https://www.masseyeandear.org/
They were very good to me and provided some hope. They're always doing research and they had a tinnitus research doctor.

Also, clinical studies are a great way to cope. I'm in one now that is done from home and it's been very educational and helpful.

I'm in Florida so I would need something local. Lol

They always want to refer you to an audiologist....it is not the ear.....it is the brain that causes tinnitus!!!!! No help from anyone because it cannot be treated ....