Subject: Tinnitus Blog
Bumbler. I had such a nice day and now it’s time to go to bed and the Tinnitus is almost unbearable. If you don't suffer from or know what Tinnitus is, then be glad, be very glad.
I started this thread because typing helps keep my mind busy when my Tinnitus (Ringing/Buziing in the Ears) gets unbearable to cope with, and it just seems pointless to write all this out and not post it where someone else with the same problem may find information to help them.
It’s 12:30 am, I’m WIDE Awake with a very loud buzz in both ears. I just finished watching hours of TV, dozed off on the couch; but as I got up to go to the bedroom, I noticed my tinnitus was very loud. I tried laying down, thinking I might be able to ignore it, as I have many times before it got this bad, but I just couldn't deal with it and had to jump out of bed.
I just get overwhelmed with what I can only describe as a panic or anxiety attack; very simular, almost exactly what Closterphobia feels like. It’s just too much. So I just took a Tylenol PM (Seep formula) in the hopes it will make me drowsy and head to the computer to type. Typing helps distract me from the ringing.
I called my ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat Surgeon) about the Tinnitus and he suggested taking Lipo-Flavonoid 3 times a day. I went to the drug store and found a bottle of 100 caplets; cost $39 bucks. Cripes! But even if that does help, it may take weeks to work. He said to call my regular doctor about the sleeping problems, so I’ll call my regular MD tomorrow and tell him I need something to put me out. I can only hope some way to get predictable sleep can be obtained.
I had a good time playing golf today. I joined a group of 15 guys from the Emerald Green country club on a trip to White Oaks country club. They make up interesting games to make the playing more interesting; for instance, today, I had a match against my cart partner, plus I was part of a 3 man (blind draw) team. The weather was a cool sunny 70 degrees with light winds. Just a very nice day; but not a beach day. I experienced mild Tinnitus on the drive to the course; but I almost never notice the T when playing golf; or when engaged in anything else that requires intense concentration. Also, being outdoors helps because the genearl sounds of the day mask the T Buzz.
I found a web site that list all the famous people with Tinnitus and it should be no surprise that most of them are musicians. Gary Roselle told me that William Shatner acquired tinnitus from a loud stage/prop explosion on the set of an episode of StarTrek (during the mid 1960's). He says it contributed to the breakup of his second marriage, and even made him consider suicide.
Here’s link to all the famous people with Tinnitus, but pay attention to any extra windows this site opens.
It starts 2 popup windows with ads that you should X out to close. http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/melody/73/tinnitus.html
I was talking to my Pharmacist at Eckerd’s and he was saying that Tinnitus is very serious and usually means your going deaf. I hope he is wrong about that, but he did suggest that some drug I’m taking is probably causing my Tinnitus. Well, I have taken several medicines that are known to cause Tinnitus. Ibprophin and most allergy medications cause Tinnitus and I’ve taken tons of both over the past 3 years. I also take Avodart for my BEP (Benign Enlarged Prostate), but so far I haven’t found any info indicating Avodart may cause Tinnitus; but Avadart has only been on the market for 2 years; so the side effect of Tinnitus may not have been discovered yet. The Pharmacist suggested I switch from Avodart to Proscar for a time to see if that helps.
My Diet is another contributor to my Tinnitus. Gatorade has Salt, and monopofassium phosphate in it and I know a high levels of salt are thought to contribute to Tinnitus. I drink way to much Gatorade. I’m not buying it anymore. I also eat pretzels and crackers (cheese N crackers) almost daily. Hell, last Christmas I ordered my pretzels on-line by the case. So I guess the bottom line here is, I need to be more aware of what’s in the food I eat on a steady diet. No easy task for such a habit forming creature like me.
Well, it’s been almost 60 minutes and the Tylenol PM isn’t working. I may try a muscle relaxer to tire me out. I could try an antihistimine but they are known to cause Tinnitus. I’ll try exercising for a while first. If I can find a baseball game on the tube I can turn the volume down low and try sleeping on the couch.
Write ya later and remember what I forgot - You are what you eat. Think about it.