tinnitus

[fra22]

has anyone dealt with anxiety and tinnitus or any better ways to sleep with it.

[jess3270]

anxiety, yes. tinnitus, no. sorry! But I have heard a few suggestions for tinnitus...masking the noise with "white" noise or a fan next to your bed. Ive also heard of something called tinnitus retraining therapy...dont know much about it, but it may be worth looking into. I am so sorry you are going through this! Is it just the tinnitus that is interrupting your sleep or is anxiety related as well?

[fra22]

a little of both. i think the anxiety made it worse. im having trouble breathing at night now. very frustrating. waking up every morning with headaches.

[jess3270]

well, then maybe really focusing on some anxiety reducing strategies can be helpful to try...relaxation tape a few times b4 bed, chamomile (sp?) tea, a warm bath, many many positive thoughts...i know i know, this all sounds like what everyone says...but truthfully, I had a very difficult time with sleep a while bacck and what really helped was establishing a "bed time routine". Foe example, I would get in my pj's, find a section of the program book I felt like reading and/or listen to a section of one of the tapes, while drinking some tea (make sure it is decaf!), then I would lay in bed and sometimes listen to that relaxation tape 3, 4, 5, 6 times...whatever it took...All the while, repeating over and over in my head positive statements about how wonderful of a sleeper I am, how i love sleep, etc. It took a while, but really did work! OH, I also made sure to go to bed at around the same time and always get up at the same time...no matter what! even if i didnt get any sleep at all, i wouldnt sleep in, take naps, etc. Its worth a shot, to at least try to control some of the anxiety aspect of it.

And with the breathing, I have that same thing at times. What makes me really think its anxiety related is that I can be perfectly fine all day, and then as soon as i think "hey, im breathing normally", I start questioning it and then thats it...i start the short of breath type feeling. I know how you feel, it is so uncomfortable and annoying...very frustrating! I am TRYING to begin deep breathing as soon as this happens, to catch it before it progresses...it doesnt always work though...it isnt as easy as it sounds!

[JNicoleG83]

I myself work with an ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) or Otolaryngology doctor. He frequently treats Tinnitus. It depends on the severity but definitely get examined and don't mix the symptoms of that with the anxiety. It is definitely treatable. You may require a full audiogram and some nasal spray treatments, don't think it's bogus believe me it works. Just remember the only person to see that will truly know how to help you for the Tinnitus is an ENT. I hope this helps and I hope you get some peace and quiet

[fra22]

thank you both. i have been to an ent. then i went to a sleep specialist and he said he thinks the ringing came from anxiety and lack of sleep. but it feels worse in the morning the ear ringing along with my anxiety. haha im just trying to cope with it. im always dazed in the morning. maybe from medication.

[BlueEyes13]

Hiya Fra 22

Oh yes I have tinnitus, too....esp when the anxiety flares up during the day----I notice when I'm calmer, the ringing is lower.....so there must be a correlation, at least for me! I'm in week 3 of the prog and trying to talk to myself in a more positive way----my days at work are stressful....so I sometimes spend my evening trying to get in a more calm frame of mind. Thank goodness for the program---so much good info, now I only need to put it into practice. Take care !!

[bjwright]

Oh my gosh.........I am so happy to see this post. I have THE most horrible noise in my ear. I had an ear infection, cleared that up, fluid behind the ear.........still have that..........but this noise in my ear is driving me up the wall. I have been to an ENT guy who said it was "old age". I am going back. We only have one in my area.
I thought it was because of my blood pressure. My bottom number (diastolic) is good, but my top number is high. I have tried two different blood pressure medications, and they aren't working........so I know it's my anxiety. BUT, I don't want to stroke out here, so what do I do? HBP, noise in my head.........someone HELP!! Is the noise in my head really from my anxiety? How do I conquer the blood pressure while I am doing the program ?

[fra22]

mine went away i was having a few good days then they upped my anti depressant so im dealing with that again and the ringing started again. it sucks

[fra22]

hey bj wright did yours ever go away ? and are you taking any meds if you dont mind me asking ?