Tinnitus

[Guest guest]

, I have had 24/7 tinnitus since 1998 after my sudden loss of what little

hearing I had left. Like you, it comes in different variations, but mostly

freight train. Since I was implanted in the ear that does not have tinnitus, my

implant did not help. I tried a number of things that did not work, and I don't

have hearing in the affected ear for white noise to do anything. A very fine

ENT, along with my CI surgeon concluded that maybe Valium would help. It does

for me, and I have used about two 5 mg. doses per day since then. Yes, it's an

addictive drug, but it does not affect me in any way other than to greatly

reduce the noise. I did worry about the addiction part, but as my doctor

explained, so what? You will probably be on the Valium the rest of your life,

and your body acclimates to it insofar as the " high " part of it, so what's the

worry? There have been times when my mailorder prescription company has been up

to 3 weeks late on refills, and I've had to go without for that

length of time, and it's no fun...the tinnitus returns to it's full force.

However, I've not had any problems with so-called " withdrawal " symptoms other

than being a little edgy after about 2 weeks, which is about the length of time

it takes Valium to vacate your bloodstream. As you know, NO ONE has the answer

to the cause nor cure for tinnitus, despite claims you may read. I am hoping

that in the next year when I hope to go bilateral, my tinnitus may go away with

another implant in the affected ear. If it does, fantastic, then no more Valium.

If not, then I continue as I do now. To tell the truth, I have become accustomed

to the tinnitus, and it does not bother me as it used to as much, but then

again, I have the Valium to thank for that. I know it's a drastic step for many

to take a drug such as this for a long period of time, but when I consider the

alternative (sheer agony), it has been very definitely worth it. It's relatively

cheap too, since it's available generically.

Hopefully for you, once you are activated, it will go away, as it does for many

who are implanted in the " tinnitus " ear! Good luck!

McNamara

N24 10/99, 3G 5/02

Message: 21

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 23:23:26 -0600

From: " Kozlik " <lisak70@...>

Subject: Re: Tinnitus

Hi Snoopy,

My surgeon told me last week that my tinnitus should disappear once my

CI is

activated. What has been frustrating to me are the variations in the

sounds

I hear. It continually alternates between a high pitched tone, a

waterfall

and a freight train. Is there any treatment that you know of for

tinnitus? I

know some people have tried using white noise generators to help mask

the

sound, but do you know of anything else besides cutting down on

caffeine

(and salty foods)? As I said in another message, I'm going to try

drinking

white soda for awhile to see if that has any positive effect.

Implanted: 12/22/04

Activation date: 1/18/05 (20 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 19 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 9 1/2 years

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