Tinnitus Support Group

You are in a desperate situation. Have you heard of the Shea Clinic? They work directly with tinnitus on a medicinal level. I am wondering if anything can just lower that sound - Namenda lowered me a little - 10 mg. and then the xanax - it lowered the intensity - I still have a few bad days (cheat - eat sugar - a beer - high salt) and I pay the price.

But I read the Shea Clinic website - they work directly with tinnitus - it's one ear that is really bad right?
I hate that you are suffering - also, that clinic says they accept insurance - which most tinnitus clinics do not.

I have thought of them from time to time but they are in Tennessee and I keep wondering if my medicine can keep me okay for now.

God bless you - I hope you get better.

Im so sorry you are feeling so bad, I wish I could do something for you but I know how you feel I sometimes dont want to get out of bed myself. I wish I could have 5 min of silents. I will pray for all of us.

Maybe it would be worth it to try the Namenda, like Mandie said??
When do you see your doctor next? Think that might work for you?

as far as namenda, I have it in my cabinet...to chicken to try it, because I do not want anything to possibly raise my tinnitus. And for Shea- I have looked at the website. I also know of a doctor who went there for t treatment, and the shea doctor told him that he did in fact make his tinnitus worse. So just by going on one person's bad experience, I don't want to risk it. Just my opinion.

Becca..., for your sanity, try the Namenda! Yes, it "could" raise the T for a couple of days/weeks, but I don't think it does permanentaly. And it's worth a try! Even if you get only a little lowering than what you currently have, would it not be worth it? I know a lot of peopl on this site who only wish their doctors would Rx them this drug so that they could try and find relief.

Hang in there girl. We're all here for you, even if you don't try the drug.

Becca,
I think I know too well where you're at. Is it true, "if you can't beat them, join them" or "fight fire with fire"? It's impossible to play hide and seek in an empty room. (...if you can't hide, should we stop trying to hide..?)

A game that has worked for me is "pretend". I sometimes pretend I don't have this condition. It almost works. The non-pretend part of playing pretend is that I can do what I used to do. Now (after 18 months of intrusive t) my life is almost back to what used to be normal. It's hard to embrace this new sense of normal, but the more I try to hide from it the worse it is.

I went about the first 9 months of severe t forcing myself to eat. I lost alot of weight and received many compliments. If those complimentary, well meaning people only knew. I've gained back most of the weight I lost. I'm both glad and sad to be back to my old belt loop.

Becca, most here know what's going on in your head - both the screetch sound and the thwarted thoughts. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If it doesn't get better (which it may), you will get better.

I used to recite to myself, "I'm growing out of myself and into the world of others." This was a daily mantra. This was a difficult challenge with a healthy self. How much more difficult is it now, but how much more true. I used to assume all was mostly well with others. I guess I tryed to believe on the better nature of others. This brought about a better nature in me.

Does this better nature still exist in you? I thought it died or severly decayed in me with a capital T. My larger gut is proof that our better nature didn't die or decay. I can't see the space bar on my lap top. I'm the same I used to be only more challenged. My best guess is that you are not too much different than the rest of us longer term t people, and you don't know or belive it just yet. Why else are you reaching out? You don't wake up one day better but time may not heal our wounds, time mends our wounds.

Hold onto hope for relief and a cure and accept today for it's challenges. I wish words could really help.

Becca,

John K really knows how to say it.

It doesn't get anymore helpful than that.

BTW John K. do you need to take medication?

Mark

Mark,
I've been trying a zinc supplement for about 3 weeks now (no help with T). Other than that, I'm on no medication. I'm going to try "Phase-Out" sound therapy. I have an appointment in early December (long waiting list). If this doesn't work, I might try to pursue Namenda again. I never tryed Namenda. I was turned down twice by two different doctors and then decided to try this phase-out first.
John

Mark,
I should add, I do wear a ear masker on my left ear (my bad ear). This plays a gentle white noise most of the day. If I turn it up too loud, the white noise can be almost as annoying as the t.
John

John,
I remember you saying you were going to NYC for Phaseout. I was considering it as the city is only 90 minutes away but will wait on Tipa.

It is good to can deal with t wthout anti anxiety meds. I hope Namenda helps. I have not tried it yet. I too have a left ear that is worse. High pitched pulsatile with a rumbling vibratory low tone and hyperacusis. It is the latter that is the most bothersome.

Hope thing work out with Phaseout. Let us know. Take care,

-Mark