[Thomas]

I have tinnitus for 3 years now but thanks to a strict avoidance of nerve stimulants like caffeine and alcohol it has continuously improved and is now just short of disappearing.
The occasional use of painkillers (Aspirin, Paracetamol) has also greatly contributed to reduce the ear-ringing (both in the short and long term). More receently I have discovered the calming influence of alcohol-free beer.
For more information see my website newbielink:http://www.mytinnitus.de [nonactive]

[Ylide (OP)]

I've heard that aspirin can actually cause tinnitus.  Maybe it's different for each person.  Low dosage of Xanax is actually doing quite well for my tinnitus.  As I said above, I've been taking it for other reasons, but my ears don't ring for days after taking one.  Too bad I won't take more than 2 week.  (because of the addictiveness of Xanax...last thing I need is to get hooked on it)



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[psychohawk]

Thomas The hops in beer Has a definite calming effect.  Hops are used botanically as a muscle relaxer.

[psychohawk]

Cannabinoid, does the loudness of the come and go or has the ringing gotten progressively worse over the 10 year period?

[Ylide (OP)]

It comes and goes.  Various factors affect it and my noticing of it varies too.  Sometimes it's not there, but usually it IS there, I just don't notice it.  I may not notice it for months then not be able to sleep for a week because I've suddenly focused on it.  I don't think the maximum intesity has gotten worse since I first developed it, but it's definately variable.  It seems to be worst after I have an anxiety episode like last week (I get them maybe once or twice a year), after getting drunk (once or twice a month), and after hyperfocusing on something for a long period of time.  (rather often, though less intense)


Donnah, that's one of the main reasons aside from tinnitus that I am loathe to go on an SSRI.  I don't have many years of good sex drive left, I'd like to keep it for a while, thank you very much.


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[Thomas]

quote:Originally posted by cannabinoid

I've heard that aspirin can actually cause tinnitus

As far as I am aware, this is only an issue if you take large amounts of Aspirin (about 2g a day) for an extended period of time, but anyway, Paracetamol may work as well in suppressing the tinnitus (at least it does for me). I find it logical that any analgesic (painkiller) numbs and calms the hearing nerve and hence suppresses the ear-ringing. The painkiller Katadolon is even prescribed by some doctors as a tinnitus therapy, but this is a rather strong substance which can have severe side effects and is clinically not very well tested over longer periods. If the occasional Aspirin or Paracetamol has a positive effect, this is in any case to be preferred over other medications which usually have more severe side effects.

Thomas
newbielink:http://www.mytinnitus.de [nonactive]

[Thomas]

quote:Originally posted by psychohawk

Thomas The hops in beer Has a definite calming effect.  Hops are used botanically as a muscle relaxer.

The hops may well contribute here, but herbal tablets containing hops do not work half as well for me. Either it has something to do with the other ingredients in the tablets or the additional fluid of the beer (an increased intake of fluid is anyhow beneficial for tinnitus).
It has to be stressed though that the alcohol in normal beer will tend to aggravate the tinnitus, so the hops will work best in the case of alcohol-free beer.

Thomas
newbielink:http://www.mytinnitus.de [nonactive]

[Ylide (OP)]

Yep, getting drunk will ring my ears like heck every time.  I'm starting to notice that caffeine is doing the same thing, which really makes me sad, I can't live without coffee.  =/



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[tweener]

I don't use alcohol enough to know if it makes a difference.  Coffee makes it a little worse, but not enough to be worth stopping.  []

I notice that when I'm retaining extra water, like after a salty meal, it gets worse.  Coffee is a good diuretic and sort of helps.

Lately, my ears have been very stuffy and the tinnitus has been much worse. I've taken some decongestant (guaifensen) (sp?) off and on and it helps some, with the stuffiness and the tinnitus.  I wish I knew of some other decongestant that would help more with unclogging ears.  (HINT HINT)


----
John

[Niles]

havent slept in about 36 hours, ringing is increasing.... gawd help

[Ylide (OP)]

Niles, I'm sorry to hear that, but I understand what you're dealing with, believe me.  Is it the ringing that's keeping you awake or is it that you've been awake for so long that's making your ears ring?

I'd get myself to a doctor if this is a common thing you're dealing with.  At the very least they can make sure there's nothing seriously wrong with you (severe tinnitus can be a symptom of something far more sinister) and give you a sedative.

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[Donnah]

Niles, have you tried taking some Valerian with a hot milk drink?

[Niles]

I feel a lil better, slept on-off for a couple hours. My tinnitis comes and goes. I have been researching this thing like crazy and think in my case that it has something to do with adrenaline (fight/flight reaction) but am not sure. Many things like caffeine, cigarettes, etc. cause it to be worse, however I think I know what started this episode and have since stopped all those things that keep it getting worse. I have had it for 20 years and it comes and goes alot. This time was bad, but I am a lil better. History: ARMY bomb squad 10 years, water in ear for two weeks from swimming, dangerous procedure on one ear while in Haiti, etc etc. I try to minimize all the things that start it up/ make it unbearable again, but have no control over subconsious (flare-up with adrenaline). Maybe if we could get a cure started with how to quickly get rid of excess adrenaline in the body faster? i dunno...

[Ylide (OP)]

Talk to your doc about using a benzodiaziprene to treat it.  (xanax, klonopin, etc)  Speaking from experience, they wonders for anxiety-induced tinnitus.  (it's helping mine greatly)  Don't rely on it as a long-term medication, but take it on occasions where the ringing is really bad.

disclaimer:  I'm not a doctor, I'm simply suggesting what worked for me in a similar situation.  Your doctor should hopefully know what's best for you.  If you were in the Army, you should still have access to VA doctors, and they tend to be quite well trained.



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[tweener]

Donnah,
I thought I'd give you a little feedback.  I've been taking CoQ10 for a couple of weeks, and the multivitamin I take has manganese.  So far my tinnitus has not improved.  It kinda comes and goes depending on how much sleep I do or don't get.   Much of the time, my ears feel a little stuffy and I'm wondering if I have some low grade infection or something.  Thanks for the suggestion - I'm going to keep taking it and see if more time will help.


----
John

[MachineGhost]

quote:Originally posted by tweener
Lately, my ears have been very stuffy and the tinnitus has been much worse. I've taken some decongestant (guaifensen) (sp?) off and on and it helps some, with the stuffiness and the tinnitus.  I wish I knew of some other decongestant that would help more with unclogging ears.  (HINT HINT)

Ephedrine or any of its derivatives.  The bad news is it almost always requires LARGE amounts to clear up chronic ear congestion and this is not something you want to do by yourself without competent clinical supervision unless you have a death wish.

Guaifenesin is not really a decongestant, but a mucus thinning agent which also increases the expulsion rate by acting directly on the kidneys.  It would be best to combine it or carbocisteine with ephedrine to maximize effectiveness.

Machine Ghost

[Ylide (OP)]

You can buy medicines that have both Guaifenesin and ephedrine in them in your local drug store.  I can't think of any brand names off the top of my head.



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[tweener]

I haven't taken time to look yet.  Meanwhile the problem is persistent and seems to be getting worse (slowly).  I'm going to have to get with it sometime.


----
John

[Donnah]

John, I think it would take more than a few weeks to heal a problem like that.  Got some CoQ10 myself so I'll try it as well.  The top 4 supplements that my book recommends are CoQ10 (30 mg daily), manganese (10 mg daily), a multivitamin and mineral complex (for balanced nutrition) and potassium (99 mg daily).  My tinnitis gets worse if I'm tired, stressed, or at that "special time".  I've slacked off with my vitamin regimen lately and need to get back on the wagon.  Thanks for the feedback.

[OzzieMom]

Cannabinoid, have you ruled out neurological problems?
I went through all the panic episodes through out my life.
I was dx with chiari malformation when I was 37. I had my 1st surgery in 98 and another on in 2002, Through a 3-D Ct it showed I had Spina Bifida Occulta at c2&3. Had a redo of the 1st surgery and my neck fused. Over the years of researching CM and related disorders, I was pretty amazed with nerves and muscles. And the brain too.
Last surgery helped for awhile now it is back worse than ever. My hearing has gotten worse to.
Mine sounds like the washing machine filling in the other room. I can't hear the phone ring unless I have it with me. Tv gets louder and louder. Ent Dr. says if it gets worse next year I will have to think of hearing aids. He said it would help with the tinnitus. I sure hope so because it can drive me nuts sometimes!