Living in the Solution
From time to time readers of the Arches Tinnitus Blog and Quiet Times Tinnitus Newsletter have sent us stories on aspects of their recovery from tinnitus. Understanding that there is no "cure" for tinnitus but that there are many paths to finding relief and/or acceptance, we have created a new category on our blog called "Living in the Solution."
We seek to include stories and comments from individuals living positively with or seeking success over tinnitus, so that their experiences may inspire strength and hope as well as a sense of community for those who struggle with this condition.
Tinnitus can lead individuals to despair, internalized anger, frustration and ultimately isolation. We understand this from personal experience. But all too often Internet blogs can become vehicles for this frustration broadcasting vitriol and attacks on persons, places and things.
This blog chooses to focus on the positive. We encourage participation based on the simple concept of living in the solution and selections will be based on that criteria. We will only print your first name and the first initial of your last name but would appreciate knowing your city and state.
Brent Curtis – Editor
Book Mark it-> del.icio.us | Reddit | Slashdot | Digg | Facebook | Technorati | Google | StumbleUpon | Window Live | Tailrank | Furl | Netscape | Yahoo | BlinkList
From time to time readers of the Arches Tinnitus Blog and Quiet Times Tinnitus Newsletter have sent us stories on aspects of their recovery from tinnitus. Understanding that there is no "cure" for tinnitus but that there are many paths to finding relief and/or acceptance, we have created a new category on our blog called "Living in the Solution."
We seek to include stories and comments from individuals living positively with or seeking success over tinnitus, so that their experiences may inspire strength and hope as well as a sense of community for those who struggle with this condition.
Tinnitus can lead individuals to despair, internalized anger, frustration and ultimately isolation. We understand this from personal experience. But all too often Internet blogs can become vehicles for this frustration broadcasting vitriol and attacks on persons, places and things.
This blog chooses to focus on the positive. We encourage participation based on the simple concept of living in the solution and selections will be based on that criteria. We will only print your first name and the first initial of your last name but would appreciate knowing your city and state.
Brent Curtis – Editor
Book Mark it-> del.icio.us | Reddit | Slashdot | Digg | Facebook | Technorati | Google | StumbleUpon | Window Live | Tailrank | Furl | Netscape | Yahoo | BlinkList
April 8th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I have a strong feeling that my tinnitus is related to a form of dependency I experience from the outcome of things on the outside of myself. It means I can relate to myself only through an achievement or through the mirroring of myself of other people. I am unable to experience myself in a direct way… Tinnitus could be a way that my body lets me know “you are there”.
Is there anybody who has similar conclusions? Also, the question of how to change this condition, which is what my life’s process returns to and comes down to over and over again. I so wish there was a way out of this and feel that then the tinnitus would subside (perhaps the serotonin level would even out by itself, by having a healthy self-concept).
Please let me know what you think. I’d like to learn what other people did about this and if there is more proof than my own thought that this is actually relevant.
Annet
Bellvue, WA
April 29th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Late in 2006 I had a series of outer ear infections that were treated with antibiotics. I was duck hunting and had a shot fired close to my right ear. I was also drinking lots of coffee and eating dark chocolate in the duck blind. About a week after this happened during my second ear infection I started a run of Avelox antibiotic. The first day I noticed a slight ringing in my left ear (I had never had tinnitus before except if I took too many aspirin). This is the ear with the infection. It did not bother me much so I did not pay attention. The 2nd day it was worse and I began to worry. The 3rd day it had become frightening. I stopped taking the Avelox but the tinnitus did not go away. The cause of the onset is still a mystery. We don’t think the Avelox caused it.
Maybe it was a combination of coffee, chocolate, infection and loud gun shot a week before. I could stand next to a vacuum cleaner and still hear it plainly. We use a sound meter at work and I found that it took an ambient noise level of at least 85 dB to mask the sound. This would be totally unacceptable to use a sound generating device on the nightstand. I could not sleep or concentrate on anything. The noise filled my whole world with panic and anxiety. I could not function. I was scared to eat anything for fear that it would get worse. I lost 15 pounds in about 3 weeks. I was thinking of ways to end my life. I knew this was probably permanent, and it was impossible to deal with the sound. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me.
Dr. Shea in Memphis had me order some Arches, which I did. I started taking it, but I was in immediate need of some relief. I got hold of some Xanax and it literally saved my life. I could deal with the noise now, even though it was still there it did not bother me as much. I could sleep again. I also got on Zoloft at the same time. This was going to take weeks to have an effect if it helped at all. I got in a routing with the Xanax and set myself a schedule of gradually reducing doses until I weaned off of it. This took about 6 weeks, but I manage to get completely away from Xanax and still sleep well.
All this time I was sitll using Arches and Zoloft. During this time, I got back to work and tried to concentrate on projects there and at home. I started to notice that I would be focused on other things and ignore the tinnitus. At first it would be very short periods, maybe 5 to 15 minutes at a time. I considered this a victory. Every day I noticed that more and more time during the day I would forget about the tinnitus. This is about 2 months after the initial onset and I am finding that I can carry on a normal life. I started eating again and doing things that were once fun and found they could still be fun! Now, a year and a half later, I live my life like before. Actually even better. Now for the positives that came from this. I have completely quit caffeine. I drink less sodas than before. I have reduced my salt consumption.
Most days I do not notice the tinnitus, even though it is still there. I believe that the noise level has reduced by maybe half, though this is hard to judge. I am still using the Arches everyday, and I still use the Zoloft every day. I sleep better than ever, I am much calmer overall, I worry less than ever, anxiety is a thing of the past, I never get angry or get in a rush anymore. So this is how life should be! And one more positive. I was so unable to cope with the problem myself, I had to turn to a higher power to get me through. This is the most important change in my life that happened because I got tinnitus. I think of the sound now as God’s reminder to behave! I’m glad He is thinking about me. To anyone who is at the end of their rope, DON’T GIVE UP. You can get your life back, and maybe make it better than before.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Annet, I can totally relate. Although I believe my tinnitus started from an event or several events, when I read your response to Living in the Solution, it resonated with me very strongly. I’m not sure that having a healthy self-concept will “cure” my tinnitus, but it will definitely lesson the stress and maybe the high level of tinnitus. A spiritual path came to me and it has helped me deal with the tinnitus as well. I know that there is a lesson in here (having tinnitus) for me. It’s like solving a mystery. I need to back off and look at it from a 360-degree viewpoint.
I’ll write again. This is the first time I’ve blogged. I don’t know if one can connect with people outside of this blog page. Anyway, you’re not alone in your thinking.
Dianne
Boulder, CO
April 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Response for Doug Glisson:
Thanks Doug for you supportive and positive comments.
For our other blog readers it must be mentioned that while the drugs Zoloft and Xanax were helpful for you (and many others) they can have averse effects for some, causing tinnitus.
Please view “Prescription Drugs That Can Cause Tinnitus” at http://www.tinnitusformula.com/infocenter/articles/conditions/drugs.aspx
By the way, Avelox can also cause tinnitus which may have been the culprit to begin with.
Brent Curtis – Editor
April 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
My solution to tinnitus is to not try to find an answer. I have gone that route in the past and found that nothing helps me except clonazepam and I don’t want to take tranquilizers frequently. The more I focus on it (by trying to find an answer) the worse it gets because then I am so much more aware of it. I tell myself that it will wax and wane and it does. We don’t have an answer yet so why pretend that we do? I have accepted it as yet one more thing that I have to live with. Trying to find an anwer is exhausting, for me it makes more sense to just ignore it.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I find that exercise and reducing my alcohol consumption reduces my awareness of tinnitus. The key word here is “awareness” as it never really goes away. I purchased an ebook by a tinnitus sufferer named Mark Tarant. He puts his disease in very simple terms and stresses ownership of the disease and claiming it as your friend because there is no “quick fix” and that we are really years away from a cure.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Has anyone developed tinnitus as a result of an ear infection only, without exposure to loud noise? What has been the outcome? My doctors say my tinnutus should go away, but it’s been 5 months now since the infection and it’s still here.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hi Howard
You may want to read Barry’s comment on ear infections in a previous Quiet Times newsletter is his Ask Barry column.
http://www.tinnitusformula.com/qtimes/2004/10/askbarry.aspx
Brent Curtis – Editor