Tinnitus? Anybody have it? Can anything be done about it?

[MSwhileOverseas]

The last couple of nights I have had tinnitus so bad. I'm not sure if its MS related or not but it is keeping me from being able to sleep.

Does anybody else have this? How do you manage it?

[pmtrk1790]

I was wondering the same thing, I have had it for a good long while myself. Never was sure if it was from MS or something else. Luckily it hasn't affected my sleeping yet, but it does affect trying to read for me, and trying to go to school again makes it hard to concentrate.

[Poppy7402]

I've had tinnitus since 6 August 2012. Usually it's on one side but occasionally I get it on the other side, at a different frequency.

It is MS related, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, except for try to ignore it. Some people try to manage it by having a radio going quietly at night with static to try to block it out.

It is really important to try not to focus on it as it does literally drive some people mad.


Poppy

[its2much]

I have it

every day - just varies in frequency, volume and whether or not just one ear or both. I would say I have it at least 8 hours (while I'm awake) every day.
Sometimes it so loud I have trouble hearing.

[Fed Up]

I've had it 14 years, or more. I do, as above. Never associated mine with M.S., until M.S. was applied to me.

Very annoying, if I focus on it. I seldom think about it, anymore. Just as normal as walking like a drunk, for me!

So sorry, to hear you all have it. Captain Kirk (starship Enterprise) has reportedly, had it for years. Benign and nothing can be done.

Now, to go forward...far and beyond...to a place, no-one has been...
"May the force be with you!"
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”
fed up

[CaroleL]

I've had tinnitus since I can remember. Nothing helps for it but diversion. At night when everything goes quiet, the tinnitus is most prominent and I can't fight it.

I give myself something to think about and hopefully get caught up so much that I don't think of the buzzing. Sometimes I reverse things and let myself concentrate on the buzzing and I find myself thinking of something else.

Yes, it can make you go mad!

[Seasha]

I've had to for about 30 years, pre MS sx. My mom and brother also suffer but they don't have MS. The only thing that has helped me during the quite nighttime is to have a fan on at the low setting. Good old "white noise" to keep the ringing at bay. Try this and see if it helps.

(you make me laugh, Fed up! )

[Karenkay]

I have it too but is caused by a benign tumor in my ear canal.

[Bob698]

It could be related to a lot of things besides MS. High blood pressure is a prime example.

I got it after years of being exposed to loud machinery and listening to static thru headphones, long before I got DX'd with MS.

The radio at night trick works but you could also run a fan or A/C where you sleep.

[dennissr]

I have had it for many years. I do not focus on it. Noise which is louder masks it for me so I usually wear ear buds for tv or radio.

You should get a diagnosis so you can determine its cause.

Some medications have it as a side effect. Causes it or makes it worse.

[Learides]

Tinnitus

I have it in my right ear inconsistently. I try to ignore it, turn on Tv or music when it is particularly irritating.

Thought it started after an MRI, but may be a symptom of MS?

I am relieved to read others get this too. I do ot feel so alone.
Good luck,
Learides

[Shiela]

Could be a symptom of MS but can also be caused by excessive noise during childhood. Also age can bring it on.

[zoysia]

through process of elimination (just like MS dx)

I have it, off and on.

I honestly think that mine is not related to MS at all, but to ingesting corn. Any corn product: corn on the cob, canned corn, vitamins, creamed corn, corn chips, taco shells, corn syrup (we do, as a society eat WAY TOO MUCH of the stuff, it's in everything!), high fructose corn syrup...the list goes on.

I figured it all out by guessing at first. Next I tested some of my suspected stuff (iron, magnesium, vitamins), and over time noticed it seemed to get worse after some foods, but not others. After pretty much throwing arms in the air, ready to give up I read labels. All sorts of labels to find a common ingredient.

Came time to test corn: so, I cut out ALL things corn for about 3 days (because most of the supplements I take are corn starch based), then when the ringing stopped decided to try something. Went to a mexican restaurant where they bring corn chips and salsa (I love those) soon after seated, and BOOM! About 20 minutes after that first chip, ears were almost deafened!

What I do now, though, is pretty much know the cost of eating such that I love (have LOVED corn since childhood) and deal with it as it were.

Ears work fine, can still play songs at their proper levels of loudness, etc. and just try to ignore or forget about it and "hear passed" the noise. I call it my personal "white sound" so it becomes more of a positive, easier to tune-out extraneous, unwanted sounds. Or, I could just stop eating corn....