Tinnitus got me

The ringing in my ears is driving me nuts. What do I do? I got a bad cold one day in March. I was really stressing out from work. I've always had tinnitus. It seems like it's just as loud as it was, but for some reason I lost my ability to block it out after the cold hit me. I quit playing drums due to depression from it, and now I'm even more depressed. HELP!

I have it also. there are websites to look at. i know a few things that can help. stay away from alcohol, smoking, caffiene and saturated fats. these all make it louder. take hot baths and do a cleansing diet. let your liver get a vacation and clean out toxins which only make it worse. stay away from loud noises for a while. after awhile the volume goes down and your brain gets used to it and you won't notice it except in complete silence. so there are worse thing that can happen bro!. the onset is pretty terrifying. use earplugs when around anything loud like hammering nails, slamming doors can hurt. after awhile it's not so bad. it is difficult to treat but don't freak out. that also makes it worse than it really is. hang in there and don't get too freaked out i know it is rough right now but it can get better. ginko biloba is a good supplement to increase circulation and promote healing. also garlic but then you won't have many friends.
try to lighten up and be cool. http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-117522/Tinnitus?q=tinnitus&FORM=K1RE&qpvt=tinnitus

Here are a few low cost, non-toxic natural remedies to consider:
1) Plant sterols
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/natural-supplements-cure-menieres-disease.asp
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU503/ItemDetail

2) NAC
http://www.tinnitusformula.com/infocenter/articles/treatments/antiox.aspx
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SW854/ItemDetail

3) Milk thistle
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SW1052/ItemDetail

Hope you both find ways to heal . . .

kenny,

It seems like it just hit me one night. I tried to go to sleep and there it was. I've been bumming hard. How long did it take you before it cooled out?

woofus,

Thanks. I'll pick up those supplements.

Here's one more very safe supplement (same toxicity as water) that helps with tinnitus: MSM
http://www.lifecheck.co.za/index2.php/?page_id=73
http://www.arcadianbeauty.com/knutek-msm-eye-and-ear-drops-30-ml-ab-EYE.htm?src=froogle

-Ears/Hearing - MSM (instilled into the Ears via MSM eardrops) is claimed to alleviate Age Related Hearing Loss and is claimed to alleviate Tinnitus .

Apparently the ear and eye drops are interchangeable. By the way, I don't have tinnitus, but have been learning about natural health and harnessing the body's natural ways of working as opposed to modern medicine's use of things like steroids which inhibit the body to be effective. I know just enough to be dangerous

rarebit wrote:kenny,

It seems like it just hit me one night. I tried to go to sleep and there it was. I've been bumming hard. How long did it take you before it cooled out?

we're talkin about weeks to months depending. try the hot bath and lay with your head in the water to relax that area. see if that alleviates the sound at all. i still play full on with horns and electric bands. it's like i had a choice; never play again or deal with it and i chose to keep playing. i don't use ear plugs either because i can't stand them. just seriously try to remain calm about it and look at your options. the onset like you experienced when your ears are really sensitive but that will go away after time. It was very traumatic for me but i had to keep goin on i'm not about to stop playing. i can deal with some ringing it's a minor hassle i don't even think about it much anymore except after a gig and it's late at night and i hear it. I just figure it could be alot worse like being disabled and not being able to do what i want to do. I know what you're going through it's scary but try to look at the bright side. It will mellow out. no big deal.

when i saw my naturopath about my problem he put me on herbs to build up my kidneys. the ears and kidneys have some connection. When you get toxic your tinnitus will get worse. he put me on a chinese herbal concoction for kidney support. Also vibration is your enemy riding in cars, trains using a lawnmower,powertools etc.. all really bad for your tinnitus. put some music on at low volume to mask the ringing even to fall asleep to. seriously stay away from smoking, drinking, salt,grains, milk products and saturated fats. i suggest a diet of fruits veggies and small amounts of meat eggs and fish for protein. try this diet to cleanse your system. http://annlouise.com/
give it time and understand it's not the end of the world. there are new developments for treatment but try these things and mostly be calm and remember what you DO still have!

Here is why I have mine, it is not from loud music yet. And I get another sinus operation June the 7th. Rare, do you have allergy's ?


Information about sinus and allergy induced tinnitus

Many sinus sufferers experience tinnitus.

The tinnitus experienced by sinus and allergy sufferere results because of a thickening of the mucous in the middle ear.

There are mucous membranes that surround the middle ear that perform a vital function. These mucous membranes produce mucous which cleanses the midle ear.

* Ideally, this mucous then drains out of the middle ear via the Eustachian tubes and into the throat once it's job is done.
* However this mucous will can accumulate in the middle ear as a result of the mucous becoming too thick and viscous.
* It is this accumulation of mucous in the middle ear that results is a buildup of pressure which can lead to middle infections and of course, tinnitus...


Tinnitus of this type is usually experienced by individuals who suffer from sinus infections sinusitis, rhinitis and allergies.
What causes sinus induced tinnitus?

Sinus tinnitus is caused by adverse reactions to drugs such as antibiotics or antihistamines.

Tinnitus Type 3 as this tinnitus type is referred to normally occurs after prolonged spells of taking antibiotics or antihistamines in an effort to control sinus infections and allergy conditions.

It is the antibiotics and antihistamines that cause the mucous in the middle ear to become too thick and viscous to easily drain away through the very narrow Eustachian tubes.

Because the mucous in the inner ear is now too thick to easily drain out via the via the very narrow Eustachian tubes, a buildup of mucous in the middle ear occurs.

The resultant pressure in the middle ear often leads to ear infections and tinnitus.
What tinnitus noises are experienced with sinus tinnitus?

The sounds normally associated with tinnitus from sinus can include:

* clucking or cracking sounds
* high pitched ringing sounds
* gurgling whirring sounds
* a ringing tone in the affected ear which comes and goes periodically, lasting a few seconds at a time

Spanky, if mucous is your issue, try the NAC I mention above (that's its main effect) and here's more info:
http://www.restoreunity.org/overprod_mucus.htm

Also, lay off of dairy and wheat in your diet. You may not need that operation.

spanky,

That is very interesting. I think you hit on something. I have all those sounds- rining, crackling, etc. The ringing is new though and it's what's buggin' the most. I have big sinus/mucous problems. I've had them for a loong time. I've taken a lot of Benadryl which is an antihistamine that helps me sleep. I saw my GP doc for the tinnitus and he gave me antibtiotics and antihistamines. When I saw the allergy doc about a week later he gave me more antihistamines (nasal spray, allegra d). I still have sinus problems though.

So, this stuff I've been taking has been making it worse?

I went back to my GP doc and he doesn't know what to do about the sinus. He wants to get me on an SSRI for the anxiety. I read the side effects- no way I'm messing with that stuff.

woofus,

I'm gonna try the NAC stuff. I'll cut the dairy too. Why wheat though? I love pasta! Any other things to try for the mucous? How about Garlic?

garlic is good. may even help repair damaged nerves. something about refined grains like wheat that doesn't jive well. just try dropping grains for awhileI know it's everywhere and difficult. veggies, fruit and some protein.

rarebit wrote:spanky,

That is very interesting. I think you hit on something. I have all those sounds- rining, crackling, etc. The ringing is new though and it's what's buggin' the most. I have big sinus/mucous problems. I've had them for a loong time. I've taken a lot of Benadryl which is an antihistamine that helps me sleep. I saw my GP doc for the tinnitus and he gave me antibtiotics and antihistamines. When I saw the allergy doc about a week later he gave me more antihistamines (nasal spray, allegra d). I still have sinus problems though.

So, this stuff I've been taking has been making it worse?

I went back to my GP doc and he doesn't know what to do about the sinus. He wants to get me on an SSRI for the anxiety. I read the side effects- no way I'm messing with that stuff.

woofus,

I'm gonna try the NAC stuff. I'll cut the dairy too. Why wheat though? I love pasta! Any other things to try for the mucous? How about Garlic?

Do you have polyps in your sinuses ? Because if you do, it will not go away until they are removed. And you have to find out just which type of sinus problem that you have, I have Rhinitis, you also need a look see in your upper and lower sinuses, Mine are so bad that I have to take Prednisone , which will take the inflammation down, taking to much Benadryl and to much Allegra, will mess with your prostate after a while. You also need to rinse your sinuses out 2 times a day with sodium chloride and get a allergy skin test to see what you are allergic to. Inflammation in your ear canal will cause your ears to ring, remember your sinuses your ears and your lungs are hooked together, to much mucus unchecked will affect the lungs after a while also. I have suffered from this for so long, till I am almost a expert on the subject. And from what you are telling me, it sounds like you have a sinus condition. What happens, is your body thinks something harmful is invading it, so it sends a message to your sinuses to make more mucus to protect itself, and the body can make a quart a day. And after a while, do to inflammation, the the sinuses can't drain properly, and because it is dark up there and wet, bacteria thrives, and causes infections and swelling. Now even without the infections the sinuses still affect the ear in a big and dramatic way, they can make the room spin on you, or take you off balance, all because of the sinuses. Now when the inflammation goes down, so does the ringing. Now if you get to bad, they will put you on prednisone, and this medication works by suppressing the immune system, and with the immune system suppressed, the body will not attack itself because it thinks something is invading it, and the swelling goes down and the ringing stops. Allegra on the other hand limits the amount of blood that reaches the sinuses causing temporary relief, but also at times throwing the heart beat off a little, because limiting blood flow limits oxygen flow. Also limit your meat intake, don't be around people that smoke, and there is a lot more, so if you need to know more just ask me. Oh and cut back on the dairy, it makes the body retain mucus, also Allegra with D in it should not be taken for more than a week to 10 days continuously, antibiotics will work as long as the antibiotics are bacteria specific. Now Amoxicillan works well for upper respiratory infections, but because bacteria can adapt and or another type of bacteria has arrived, you have to change antibiotics, because what worked before, will not work anymore, and I know first hand rarbit. Also youi have to watch how you sleep, keep your sheets clean, insect droppings that you can't see, will set off a bad episode. If you have a carpet in your bed room, make sure that you keep it clean. And get that skin test it will tell you what your sinuses can't stand, like I am allergic to 17 things ragweed, dust, etc.
Rinsing your nose out with Sodium Chloride mixed with Pulmicort Respules 2 times a day will help a bunch.
Ask your doctor to find out if you have polyps up there, and if you do, you will not get better until they are removed. And after they are removed, Sodium Chloride mixed with Pulmicort Respules 2 times a day will keep them out of there. There are a lot of things out there, but talk to a Ear Nose & Throat specialist, to see just what is up with you first, not a regular doctor, but a Ear Nose & Throat specialist.

Wheat contributes to mucous. Try rice pasta? Or no pasta. I think kenny has the right idea (low glycemic diet). The alternative to prednisone for ears in Meniere's disease is plant sterols. They are dirt cheap and maybe worth a try . . . here's my recap:

NAC
plant sterols
milk thistle
MSM drops
low glycemic diet

And I'm sure high alkaline, antioxidant water made by an ionizer would be a good thing. They cost about $1500 and seem to be well worth it. The thing I'm trying to figure out now is colloidal sliver. It's done good things for my dog and I think it might be a good general cleanser for people.

Was going to try colloidal sliver, years back, but never got around to it.

Many nasal/sinus silver products on the market. I'm not so sure it's a good thing to use in ears, but people do spray it in eyes. This company talks a good game:
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/ABL002/ItemDetail?n=0
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/ABL001/ItemDetail?n=0

Remember this?
http://new.music.yahoo.com/cheech-chong/tracks/up-his-nose--44765584

spanky,

I saw an ENT. He saw signs of infection, but didn't mention anything about polyps. He took a quick look. Maybe he needs to look better? The allergy doc gave me prednisone, but it didn't seem to have any effect nor did antibiotics. He gave me an allergy test. Only a couple types of grasses showed up. Nothing major. I'll try the sodium chloride wash.

woofus,

I've been taking NAC now. Guess I'll have to wait and see...

rare, the NAC will boost immunity, but you may need something stronger if infection is involved. And if you've already tried antibiotics and prednisone, I'd try colloidal silver both internally and sprayed up your nose. But I'm no doctor. The antibiotics can just cause the infection to get worse. You need to turn your whole body into an infection fighting machine.

I say this because this kind of illness can be systemic. It can actually begin in your intestines, as many things do, so it would probably be a good idea to cleanse and take care of the root cause. And the reason the antibiotics didn't work may be that the infection is fungal (or it was the wrong antibiotic). Candida, for example, can be both intestinal and cause sinus problems. And then the body produces mucous as defense. There are lots of ways to tackle this problem. Don't give up!

Here's one interesting possibility using both silver and chlorophyll:
http://www.dcqna.com/diseases-conditions/sinus_rinse_question1826dc1.html

i used some bee propolis recently to fight inflammation and it seemed like a miracle cure. there is a problem with using steroids like woof says. After a while it shuts down your body's own defense mechanisms if you rely on it.
right now my ears ring and it's like background tibetan gong culture. i can deal it's not the end of the world. i don't have earrings my ears ring.

woofus,

If it was Candida or some other fungus how would I know, and go about treating it?

kenny,

I heard the bee pollen needs to be from local bees due to the local pollen? With your ears ringing that loud how do you sleep? Mind over matter?

Man, that's an ugly situation, rare.... Really sorry to read that this is happening to you.

rarebit wrote:woofus,


kenny,

I heard the bee pollen needs to be from local bees due to the local pollen? With your ears ringing that loud how do you sleep? Mind over matter?

bee propolis was organic manufactured by a reputable company in northern california. propolis is amazing healing stuff.

It is mind over matter. Exactly. try the low volume music to help mask it for now. it will help you get your mind off of it.

rare, a doctor can identify the problem by culturing a sample. That's the first step toward an effective treatment of which there are many kinds. Do some testing and some research.

I've been having a lot of trouble finding a doctor that doesn't just want to give me antibiotics/steroids. It's rough right now, but hopefuly it will get better. I've talked to some other people with tinnitus. From what I understand it takes time to adjust, and sooner or later your brain will put the noise on the backburner.

Well on June the 7th I get my second nasal polyp removal, had it done 2 years and 5 months ago. This time I will focus on keeping the polyps out. I will be suffering for about a week and a half and the packing in the nasal cavities, gets removed about a week later, and it is no fun getting that stuff removed. Well at least I know what I am in for. This time I must really watch out for myself, I did not do a good job the last time. That even means keeping the colon clean, rinsing out my sinuses once in the morning, and once at night everyday. The Polmacort will keep the polyps out of there, my surgeon told me, he is the one who operated on me at the Philadelphia VA Hospital the last time. Been going around for a long time with no sense of smell, unless I take Prednisone, but within a few days after I stop, the swelling returns, and I lose my sense of smell again, and this has been going on for years, I can't even smell a house on fire, because the inflammation is blocking air from getting to my olfactory system. It is hell cooking food that you can't smell. I have smell right now because, I am on Prenisone, and I will be on it for about, 3 more weeks, and it will also help keep the swelling down after the operation.