Tinnitus Support Group

Dear Dr. Phil

Enclosed, please find information on a VERY SERIOUS health issue! It needs more public attention, and I thought your show would be an excellent means of getting the word out to the public. The affliction/disease I am referring to is… TINNITUS! It is, for the most part, avoidable! But once it is upon you, it is incurable. Although it is not deadly, and has little outward symptoms, once it “attaches itself” it does not relent! It usually leads to other serious illnesses; often leaving it’s victims in a state of despair, desperation, and depression! Over 50 million Americans alone have it, of which 15 million are DEBILLATATED by its ramifications. Once you get it, you’re sorry you ever heard the word. It is a multi- faceted, destructive, invisible illness that needs to be brought out and accepted, and funded for a cure, or at least a sustainable treatment.
I, myself have spent over $20,000 on “troubleshooting” for some relief. I believe it has cost me my marriage, friends, family, house, health, and hope. It receives little compassion, or validity from most people within one’s immediate circle. It can not be willed away!! It can not be prayed away!! It will not go away. It is with you 24/7/365; it’s absolutely horrifying as to the reality of what transpires. It is as much a mystery as the A.I.D.s virus was in the 1980’s, and like the A.I.D.s virus, it needs understanding and research.
I have enclosed a couple of testimonials of people from a web site called Daily Strength. Org, to give you a small feel as to what most people feel on a day to day, minute by minute basis. I have also sent a “tinnitus circle trap” that I made up, depicting some of the affects caused by tinnitus. Also, I have created a few ad slogans pertaining to golf, (the sport I used to love) but now am unable to relax enough to enjoy my passion. I have included a chart that kind of puts tinnitus in perspective, in relation to cancer.
Please!! Review this stuff and give it careful consideration! It is growing within our population, due to several factors.. Noise levels, occupational noise exposure, head and neck trauma, stress, depression, and the scariest of them all… prescribed medications! I went thru a divorce and took anti-depressants only later to realize that the meds were known in the P.D.R. to cause tinnitus, whereas it wasn’t disclosed on the medication warning label. (not faulting my Dr., after all he has only a few minutes to come up with a treatment plan, however I am bitter towards the pharmaceutical companies that don’t list this as a possible side affect) something drastically needs to change in regards to this! Would you want to contract something of this caliber by means of someone else’s negligence? Would you want something that makes you withdraw from society, your child, and life? How about being terrified of a simple phone ringing? Or weary of eating? It is without a doubt, as Jimmy Buffett sings, “SIMPLY COMPLICATED”! And it is growing rapidly!
A lot of the people I referred to at that web site are desperate, and have expressed their confidence in me, as their “representative”, I gave them my pledge, that I would try as long as I am able. All we need is hope, a reason to “wait another day” before giving up! And I think you know what I mean! (God only knows how many suicides have been directly/indirectly caused from tinnitus) but I do know this.. It is a MISERABLE life when, you don’t want to live, and you don’t want to die either!
Please help us sir! William Shatner has Tinnitus, and is the national spokesperson for the American Tinnitus Assoc, and that is awesome!! However, it’s not sufficient! We need MORE!! And if I have to “worry the horns off of a billy goat” to get help, then “be the good lord willing and the creek don’t rise”, I will do it! I would trade my manhood if this crap would subside!!
Thank you very much for you time and consideration!!!
Wishing you peace and quiet!!



Gary R. Jones
6441 Tappahannock Dr
Norfolk, Va. 23509
aka: a1a

Hey yall, just wanted to post this to let yall know that I am trying. and to shed aliitle positive!! Yall can write to him as well at 5482 Wilshire Blvd #1902 LA Cal 90036 take care
Posted on 05/20/08, 01:05 pm