Anyone know about tinitus?

mmglobal · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2006, 10:45 PM

About 3 or 4 weeks ago, I started to get a terrible 'ringing' in my left ear. I don't know why they call it ringing. It sounds more like the shreiking eels that you run into below the Cliffs of Insanity. For about a week, it remained on all the time, varying in volume from just annoying, up to headache-making, very loud.

I couldn't get to see a specialist, so I went to a GP. He said "it sucks to be you.... I'd rather treat spine patients than people with tinitus because we at least have something to offer." He did some basic tests and recommended a specialist.

Through some insurance snafus, then my trip to NY, I haven't seen a specialist yet. It's no longer on all the time, but at times it's more than just annoying.

I thought about posting this in the spine section because there is a possiblity that this is related to my c-spine. My left ear is the area with the nerve sensations occur when my c-spine is acting up. I have mild issues there all the time. A client of mine is an interventional pain management doctor. He suggested that I could discover the relationship if I did epidural injections... if the shreiking goes away... it's my c-spine. Interesting idea?

Anyone know about tinitus?

Thanks

Mark

queenofhearts · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 09:51 PM

Mark - I know nothing about tinitus, but have had some of the same problems since my second C-spine surgery in June. Not the horrid shreiking you describe, more a constant buzzing vibration sensation in my left ear but only when my neck is flared up (not always thankfully). It would be interesting to see if there is a correlation since my C-spine is a train wreck and only getting worse. Don't know what to tell you - my ringing sensation is annoying to say the least, especially at work. If I can get in to see a specialist soon (when I can find the time)....I'll let you know what I find out.

Doreen

JeffreyD · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 04:36 AM

I have been having non-stop tinnitus ever since I had this current onset of problems 3 months ago. Zeegers suspects cervical problems!?
-Jeff

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 02:49 AM

Jeff... cervical/thoracic MRI?

Mark

JeffreyD · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 03:47 AM

Mark,
I haven't had a thoracic MRI.........just a cervical MRI. Guess I should get a thoracic MRI done.
-Jeff

dshobbies · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 08:13 PM

Hi Mark,

It's good to see you up and running... too bad I heard about it from someone else

I've had tinnitus for years and discovered there are basically two forms, or ways of getting it. It can be medicinally induced - meaning a medication caused it which is the common cause or it could be caused by a head injury. In reading the other posts, and by the way, I couldn't figure out how to do a quick reply?????, and between the lines, in each listed case, I presume a medication was taken with whatever condition existed. It was this medication and not the condition. Pretty much any medication at any time can do it and currently there is no predictor is who is suseptible or what meds will cause it. It can be further aggravated by other meds, but once you've got it, you've got it for life.

I've tried many 'cures' and am currently trying melatonin, which was recommended to me by Vicky in the UK which she found in a new article.

"Melatonin
What it is
A hormone produced in the brain's pineal gland that is best known for controlling the wake/sleep cycle. Levels rise in the evening, and subside in the morning.
What it claims to do
Helps counter sleep deprivation and jetlag.
What to look for on the label
Melatonin can't be bought in UK shops,but, it is widely available on the internet or in the US. Look for dosages of 2mg of melatonin which should be taken on the first evening you arrive in a new time zone. Continue this dosage for five days.
Does it work?
Several trials have shown it can help prevent jetlag. This year a team at Washington University found that taking 3mg daily (a higher than normal dose) for four weeks, then coming off the drug for the following four, could be useful in treating tinnitus. Another study showed it eases seasonal affective disorder." The jury is still out, I'm in my first week of off.

Unfortunately, tinnitus also affects hearing. My problem is mostly in crowds but I don't seem to have any difficulties.

If your tinnitus drastically affects your life there are specially designed 'hearing aids' that produce a sound that can negate your specific ringing to something far less intrusive.

I wish you all good luck but I'm afraid there is no cure and once you have it, you're stuck with it.

Dale

mmglobal · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 12:51 AM

Dale... sorry you heard through the grapevine. I had sent an into email, but apparently, it had a problem and did not make it out....

The tinitus is really frustrating. It had faded somewhat, but is now back with a vengance. I'm no longer taking the voltaren/diclophenac NSAID. I did not think I could do without it, but it's been OK. A little more numbness and very mild foot pain, but very tolerable.

I have to say that while these symptoms really suck... you get somewhat used to it. In the first weeks, I never thought it would be possible to ignore it.

I'm going to search for possible allergies. I'm knocking off wine as of today... that is the only change in my diet. At 50, I decided to get heart-healthy and start drinking wine... lol.

We'll see how it goes. I'll keep everyone posted.

ans · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 07:35 AM

I've had it and it's disturbing. Aside from NSAIDs, looks like House could make a diagnosis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus

Good luck, ans

mmglobal · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 07:53 AM

Very tough to decide about the wine. I know that I have some allergies to some wines and that's why I got to be 50, drinking essentially zero wine. Well, I decided to be heart healthy and do my part... develop some discipline and drink a couple of glasses of wine every night. (I found some without the allergic reaction.) I don't know if there is a relationship here, but I'm willing to take a serious look at it. After a few days of zero wine, I noticed that I had a few periods of no tinitis. I also had frequent periods of pretty loud shrieking. I believed that this was normal ups and downs and was totally unrelated to the wine, so I had a couple of glasses last night. This morning, it was louder than ever. Still, I had quiet periods today. I still think that this is just the ups and downs and is not related to the wine, but I'm going to stay away longer... screw heart-healthy. I did have a very quiet period just after downing a Tommy's chili tamale with everything on it... so maybe a high cholesterol diet is just the ticket! We'll see.

Mark

prodiscette · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 07:30 PM

Hi Mark-
I just joined I Spine today--it's fantastic--where have I been?!!! I also have tinnitus--too many rock concerts, I suspect. Wine has nothing to do with mine, thank goodness. The best cure for me is distraction. I don't notice it when I'm focused on other things. Hope yours lessens or becomes more manageable.
anne

mmglobal · #11 (**permalink**) 10-24-2006, 10:37 PM

Just a quick update. No more wine. More exercise. Less coffee. No Voltarin. Less cholesterol. More oatmeal. No aspirin.

The tinitus is getting much better, but I'm getting bored and am very hungry. All work and no play makes Mark a very dull boy.

No, really... it is getting better. I notice many more hours that it's just gone. It is still there every morning, but not as bad and gets better... not the always on. When it's on, it's not as loud.

I really don't know what's responsible for the change... could just be time.

Mark