Anyone know about tinitus?

[mmglobal]

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]

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]

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]

Jeff... cervical/thoracic MRI?

Mark

[JeffreyD]

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

[dshobbies]

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