Tinnitus

[ineednfnname]

Hey, so before anyone says this isn't in the right area etc, it does have to do with beer.

I've suffered from tinnitus for a few years now (ringing in the ears) Recently, it's gotten worse and I've had mild symptoms of Vertigo. When that sets in, it feels like I'm drunk all day long, dizziness, headaches etc.

I've read alcohol just exasperates vertigo, so it's not recommended. Just wondering if anyone else on this forum suffers from the same thing, and if it's ok to an extent to drink?

I'd hate to have to leave the hobby after only a little over a year into it, but if it comes down it, I may have to.

 

[Dopeybrew]

If you are suffering from vertigo as well as tinnitus, get your ass to a doctor pronto. If the tinnitus is in one ear(only) combined with vertigo it is a strong indicator of severe medical issues. Get it checked out man.

 

[madscientist451]

from Web MD:
Tinnitus can worsen in some people if they drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated beverages, or eat certain foods. For reasons not yet entirely clear to researchers, stress and fatigue seem to worsen tinnitus.

Here's the entire article:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics

You could have a very serious medical problem including high blood pressure or one of the diseases listed.
My 2 cents: give up drinking for now, see your medical provider and follow their advice. Hope its nothing bad,my prayers are with you.

 

[ineednfnname]

Well the vertigo comes and goes in spurts, the tinnitus is in both ears, but much louder in the left. I've gone to a normal doctor and it was like he didn't know what he was talking about, told me to take nasal spray. I do have an appointment with a specialist next week.

I was just wondering if anyone on here has gone through similar stuff is all.

 

[Tinpanharry]

I have tinnitus but haven't discerned any worsening from beer.

 

[wardens355]

I have tinnitus and it does seem to be more pronounced when I lay in bed after a night drinking. My heart rate also increases when I drink too much, so maybe that has something to do with it. I don't ever have vertigo though.

 

[humpadilo]

I am not a doctor, but I am a Medic in the Army. We had a Soldier come in once complaining of vertigo. My PA had him do what's called, the Epley maneuver. What this does is that it kind of "resets" your balance. In people who have been diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo it helps sometimes. I'm not saying that this is what you have but it could be an easy fix and doesn't hurt to try it. It seems kind of dumb when you see it, but when I had my Soldier do it, he was laying on the cot and he felt like he was falling. It took him a couple of visits (I think 2-3) but in the end it really helped him. After his final visit he didn't come back to the clinic for vertigo anymore. You should still get it checked by a Doc but give this maneuver a try. The video sends you to a youtube on how to do it. Make sure you are close to the floor in case you fall off.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa6t-Bpg494[/ame]

 

[myerstyson]

I've got tinnitus in my left ear, but it only flares up about once a month. I don't get vertigo. I don't notice beer or alcohol affecting it or vice versa.

 

[MDExile]

All,

Sorry for the long post, but this might have pertinent information to the original poster. I am not a doctor, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

My wife has tinnitus and what was diagnosed as vertigo for approximately 15 years. A couple of years ago, the vertigo had gotten so bad that she was basically unable to function 4 or 5 days a week. She had a self-imposed ban on driving because she was never sure when another episode would hit.

She had gone through the general practitioner, then an otolaryngologist at the local hospital. The otolaryngologist had exhausted all possibilities and suggested a surgery to deaden the nerves in the ears. This was his last known solution. Because the surgery would result in hearing loss, he was hesitant to perform the surgery without a final referral to a specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital (fortunately, we only live about an hour or so away).

I went with my wife for her appointment, as she was still not comfortable with driving. He viewed her history, CAT scans, etc. He examined her ears. Then he interviewed her. Within about 15 minutes, his conclusion was that the "vertigo" was actually a symptom of a migraine. He gave her a list of foods that are known migraine triggers. Then, and I know this sounds like a sales pitch, he said "Go buy my book". Yeah, right.

So we left and bought the book (Heal Your Headache - David Buchholz, M.D.). It's available from amazon (we found it at the local bookstore). It's not like it was a high dollar, available only from Johns Hopkins type of deal.

Long story longer, the book outlines a course of action. You immediately eliminate all trigger foods, yes, including alcohol. Other items are cured meats (nitrates), aged cheeses (Velveeta is OK!), and things that are supposed to be good for you such as spinach and beef liver. Then you slowly start adding foods back into the diet, one at a time, until you discover your particular triggers.

My wife is much better. Most foods have been added back into the diet. It is a commitment at first. The diet ends up being limited and at times a little bland.

Now, to answer the original question, alcohol may or may not be your trigger. Your vertigo may or may not be a symptom of a migraine. Only your doctor can know for sure. Then again, maybe he won't. YMMV

 

[ineednfnname]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It's not severe vertigo when it happens, regardless, audiologist appointment next week just to get a professional opinion etc.

It's actually settled down the past few days, still tinnitus, but that's acceptable. I actually cracked open a beer last night (just one) and I didn't notice any negative effects, so that's good. In either case, I'll take it easy, and hopefully it was just an episode or two.

I have seen foods to stay away from and I've completely quit caffeine and lowered my salt intake, seems to help a lot.

 

[ineednfnname]

So, I saw an audiologist, found out the reason for vertigo was more likely due to migraines than the tinnitus itself. I thought the headaches were part of the vertigo, but I guess they're the cause. So I've been on a low sodium diet, and it helps quite a bit, which also means I can continue drinking as long as it's not getting wasted, which works for me.

 

[podz]

Hey, so before anyone says this isn't in the right area etc, it does have to do with beer.

I've suffered from tinnitus for a few years now (ringing in the ears) Recently, it's gotten worse and I've had mild symptoms of Vertigo. When that sets in, it feels like I'm drunk all day long, dizziness, headaches etc.

If you are having tinnitus and balance issues, this could indicate an acoustic neuroma (a large, non-malignant brain tumour behind your ear).

swmbo had one the size of a golf ball removed 14 months ago. Surgery with microscopes and electric nerve monitors that lasted 8.5 hours. Mortality rate of surgical removal is far less than 1%, however left untreated it will eventually squeeze your brain stem and kill you.

I'd have a neurologist check it out.

 

[day_trippr]

This device apparently has shown some significant results...

https://www.lenire.com/
Cheers!

 

[tld6008]

Drink more beer

 

[tld6008]

I have had it for 40 years as a result of working in the commercial diving industry. Most of the time I don't notice it but when things are quiet it is very apparent. I only have 10 to 20 years left to put up with it. I did have a severe vertigo episode about 2 months ago but after seeing a Dr. and learning how to do the Epley maneuvers it cleared up after a couple weeks. during that period it was like I couldn't fully wake up, very weird. I never stopped drinking as I didn't feel it was the cause of either condition.

 

[ITV]

Thanks for the worst advice ever! I am honestly very tired of this constant ringing in my ears and decided to take a bold step and visit hearing aid store finally. As far as i know , hearing aids is the only permanent solution to tinnitus, everything else will just not work with the damaged nerve. What is your opinion about it?

Never heard about any permanent solution to tinnitus.

I've had it most of my adult life in that I thought that the ringing was normal until I read up about it.

I have just learned to ignore it unless I read a post about tinnitus and my brain realizes that the ringing is still there.

 

[Beernik]

I have had it for 40 years as a result of working in the commercial diving industry. Most of the time I don't notice it but when things are quiet it is very apparent. I only have 10 to 20 years left to put up with it. I did have a severe vertigo episode about 2 months ago but after seeing a Dr. and learning how to do the Epley maneuvers it cleared up after a couple weeks. during that period it was like I couldn't fully wake up, very weird. I never stopped drinking as I didn't feel it was the cause of either condition.

Man, I can sooo identify with this. I’ve had tinnitus since I was about 10 when a firecracker went off near my head. The ringing comes & goes but it’s always worst when everything is quiet.

A year ago, I went through a couple bouts of severe vertigo. It was so bad at times I’d have to lie down wherever I was to keep from falling over. The Epley maneuver fixed me too.

 

[corkybstewart]

My personal experience, may or not be applicable to anyone else. I've had tinnitus in both ears for as long as I can remember, at least for 25 years now, and seasonal allergies as well-there may be a connection. But I've had serious ear issues as well over the years-one 6 month period of extreme vertigo after an international flight, and recurring busted eardrums. I went to every ENT in our region, they all just scratched their heads and sent me home.
One day my allergies were really bad so I took a real Sudafed, not the stuff you can get without an ID. Within an hour I felt a pop in my ears, the tinnitus dropped off significantly and for the first time in years my head felt clear. So now if I feel any head stuffiness, vertigo, bad tinnitus, etc, I take one Sudafed and I'm good for a long time. I went from 2 or 3 busted eardrums per year to none in 10 years.

 

[tld6008]

Man, I can sooo identify with this. I’ve had tinnitus since I was about 10 when a firecracker went off near my head. The ringing comes & goes but it’s always worst when everything is quiet.

A year ago, I went through a couple bouts of severe vertigo. It was so bad at times I’d have to lie down wherever I was to keep from falling over. The Epley maneuver fixed me too.

I grew up in South Seattle around Seward Park. Been back a few time over the last 10 years and glad I left. Really miss the Hydroplane races though. I remember when driving in from Renton the city limits sign listed Seattle pop. @ 500,000.

 

[corkybstewart]

About a month ago a nephew celebrated his 50th anniversary in our big stone bar. The music from the dj was way too loud for too many hours. My wife and I were discussing our tinnitus and she said that for a week or longer her crickets went away. I've had tinnitus so many years I barely notice it so I don't know if that is normal or not. Has anyone else experienced the tinnitus taking a break after loud noises?

 

[BrewZer]

About a month ago a nephew celebrated his 50th anniversary in our big stone bar. The music from the dj was way too loud for too many hours. My wife and I were discussing our tinnitus and she said that for a week or longer her crickets went away. I've had tinnitus so many years I barely notice it so I don't know if that is normal or not. Has anyone else experienced the tinnitus taking a break after loud noises?

Not for me. Other (real) noise can help me habituate to the tinnitus, but if the room goes quiet, it comes back with a vengeance.