TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS TO MANAGE
There is no cure for Hyperacusis / Noxacusis & Tinnitus as of yet, but I want to share with you all what I do to manage my symptoms everyday, until a cure surfaces. I just recently saw the best Neuro-Otologist in Canada, told him my story, and about my recent appointments with my former ENT Doctor. After explaining everything in full, he flat out told me he also has no solutions, which left me jaw dropped. I am currently taking sedative medications and need to reduce my dosages he said, essentially fully move off. I am using one medication for Physical pain, and was prescribed another for my Auditory symptoms. The medications are Gabapentin & Clonazapam which both his the Gaba receptors in the brain. Some people do well with Clonazapam for Hyperacusis & Tinnitus and some don't (What I was taking it for). Eventually these medications stop working for the majority of people as well, so they are only really used as an emergency solution in the toolbox, every now and then. I'd like to point out that I am no doctor, this is just my own experience. The Neuro told me to resort to CBD products, in which I already use CBD gummies to help control my anxiety, sleep and depression on top of my other medications. I told him I take Benadryl occasionally as well, which helps to suppress Tinnitus & sometimes Hyperacusis depending on what the root cause is, and your body / brain chemistry & pathology. He also told me to resort to Acupuncture, which I will be starting to do soon as well, at this point I will try anything to alleviate the pain. Other things I do to manage are guided meditations on Youtube, spirituality, and the fake it until' you make it strategy. Also being in quiet is number one, so living in a quiet residence is key to managing Hyperacusis LDL's (Loudness Levels). I also go for walks at night when it is quieter.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
A lot of people already know my story, but there is more to it, some things that I did not mention. One thing being having a job, and my previous work experience, and why I needed to stop working. I worked in restaurants for 20 years of my life, was the most exhilirating experience for me, it was my passion to be able to make guests happy. Not to mention I love food, and always have, I think we all do. In March of 2018 after Lymphoma treatments, I went back to work in the hospitality industry, and for the first couple of weeks the noise was not bothersome one bit, but then it started to get to me, and couldn't explain any of it, it was all so foreign. I did the whole medical thing to find out what was going on, saw multiple doctors and specialists and they brought to my attention that I had Hyperacusis & TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). I spoke to my manager at work, and he put me in the "Quietest" part of the restaurant at the host stand downstairs completely separate from the dining area, so I could be more comfortable. I worked with the wonderful ladies in that department for a good nine months, but subsequently my ears just could not handle it any longer, and I had to stop, even in the quietest part of the establishment. The last time I worked was March of 2019. So after Lymphoma, I was still able to work for a full year, in all of the pain I was in, not just the ear pain, but back pain as well that my doctors could not figure out, and that's the reason I am on the medication Gabapentin, which has made my Hyperacusis / Tinnitus & Noxacusis worse. All in all, when the conditions get severe and catastrophic it's hard to hold down a job whether out in the physical world, or even sitting at the computer at home, because it all just becomes Physically, Emotionally & mentally draining for one to handle with these conditions. A few months after this all happened, I flew into a downward spiral, and just could not bare to not have one of my five senses fully there, so I can function in the real world. I couldn't find any help, and lived in a loud residence. This was it, I was determined to not stick around anymore. I attempted to take my life, but I did not succeed. I thought of my beautiful nieces and nephew, my sister, my father, the rest of my family, friends & loved ones. They would all be torn to pieces if I were not to be around anymore. Especially after all of the help I had going through my Lymphoma Journey. I came to my senses and stopped in the middle of what I was doing, and checked myself into the hospital. I was able to pull my head together, and accept that I have Hyperacusis, and now I just need to find help wherever I can. This is when I started to join Facebook groups, and met a lot of people who have the same conditions, I did not feel as alone anymore, other people were suffering just like I was from the very same thing. To this day we all still help each other in the groups and on the forums, and I have met some of the coolest individuals online, most of us are spread all across the globe, because the conditions are so rare. I keep on with these people, and I don't know what I would do without them. So before even thinking of drastic measures such as taking your own life due to this, think of all of the good in life - Family, friends, loved ones and maybe there is purpose in this pain. Gratitude always wins, even if we have no cure yet. Being grateful is one of my go to's that works a HUGE DEAL There is hope with this all, and with a team of others who also have Hyperacusis, Noxacusis & Tinnitus. WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Thank you for listening,
David Vance
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