Does Zyban affect tinnitus?

If you think this post is some more research based information you are wrong.

I have finally, after nearly forty years, decided that I do not want to smoke any more.

So this information is based on fact, on my experience.

If you have not heard of Zyban it is a prescription drug to help people stop smoking.

So how does Zyban stop you smoking? Well frankly I have no idea of the scientific principles involved but my own theory is that it heightens the senses, certainly in some areas, hence the foul taste in he mouth when you try to smoke a cigarette; (you are supposed to keep smoking during the initial stages).

It does certainly heighten the awareness of existing tinnitus, at least in my case. The tinnitus I have had for the last ten years , and have learned ways to cope with, has definitely increased to levels that are stretching my coping methods to the limit.
I have no evidence that Zyban would actually cause tinnitus but it certainly, at least in my case increases awareness of any existing ringing in the ears.

Having said that, I have not touched a cigarette for eight days now so we are well on the way to a smoke free, more healthy life and who knows, when I stop taking the Zyban hopefully my tinnitus will reduce to its normal manageable level.

I will keep you informed.

Taking my Tinnitus on vacation

Tomorrow I am taking my tinnitus to Portugal for a week, the Algarve to be precise.

I thought of leaving it behind while I was away but it has been such a part of me for the last ten years it would be wrong.

In fact the thought of sitting by a sun drenched pool with an ice cold beer without ringing in my ears seems unthinkable.

What is this guy on? You may ask.

Well for those of you reading this who do not have tinnitus, I am being ironic.

Those of you who do have tinnitus will understand.

You see, even though I would love to leave my tinnitus at home, just for one week of the year, it will be with me every step of the way. It will be there while I am at the airport, when I am on the plane and yes, even when I am sitting by the pool drinking an ice cold beer.

It is what us tinnitus sufferers live with every day of our lives, even when we are on vacation.

I will cope and not LET it bother me , after all that is what my site is all about, but it would be nice, just for a week, to not have to.

Tinnitus or a stroke?

I went to the doctor the other day, (no its not the beginning of an old joke), to get the results of some blood tests I had had previously and apparently my Cholesterol level is 9.7.

After the doctor telling me that the normal level was around or below 5.0 it really made me think, 9.7 ouch!

Since high cholesterol is supposedly responsible for heart attacks and strokes I thought I had better do something about it and agreed to take a course of Statins, Lipitor to be precise.

After returning home and doing some research on Lipitor (reading the leaflet in the box) I was left with a dilemma. There in black and white under “possible side effects” was TINNITUS.

Now I have had tinnitus for over ten years, as you know if you regularly tune in to this blog, and have learned to cope with it well AS IT IS NOW. I can do without taking things that are likely to make it even worse.

So what do I do?

As I said, I cope with my tinnitus pretty well using methods I have perfected over the years but a STROKE that is a different ball game. In fact one of my worst nightmares.

So pass the Lipitor and a glass of water.

Expect an article on Statins and their effect on tinnitus very soon.

Ginkgo Biloba for tinnitus sufferers?

I have spent hours this week trawling the internet and other places looking for a glimmer of hope on the “Tinnitus Cure” front.

As usual information is pretty thin on the ground with again no sign of even a promising medical reference let alone a “cure”.

In fact the “I Cured My Tinnitus In 1 Day With My Magic Potion” brigade seem even more adrift to me.

Since most of these potions seem to be Ginkgo Biloba based this excerpt from the British Tinnitus Association might help you decide before you decide to shell out hard cash on them.

Dr Ewart Davies PhD reports “Many people have claimed that Ginkgo Biloba was helpful in treating their tinnitus. However our trial involving almost 1000 patients showed that it was no better than a placebo in alleviating tinnitus symptoms. However it must be remembered that it is an extremely safe material and that most people who take it report a better feeling of well being. This of course allows patients to deal with their tinnitus rather better. So if patients can afford it and they feel that their tinnitus eases, then they should continue to take it.”

It would appear then that Ginkgo simply helps you feel better generally and perhaps more able to cope.

However, if you find it helps, I would suggest you spend your money on genuine Ginkgo Biloba from a health shop rather than some “Magic Potion” which you have to pay through the nose for and probably contains much less actual Ginkgo.

Official, Stress is bad for tinnitus.

Who says it is official. I DO!

Many of you will have heard of the worst flooding in parts of the UK for a hundred years with two months rainfall in a few hours.

And who was in the middle of it? Yours truly.

Having struggled for hours driving a few miles I found myself on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Every way I turned there were police closing more roads and yet more water.

Being 40 miles from home I eventually decided to bail out and headed for the motorway before I was completely cut off and stranded. (hundreds were later).

Driving through water up to the doors I eventually reached the motorway. It was just as bad. I have never seen anything like it.

Two hours later I had made it out of the danger zone, although many others were stranded overnight, so I think myself lucky.

The point of this story is that, frankly I was getting pretty stressed out at the time.

Consequently my tinnitus was MUCH worse over the next few days. I coped but it was much harder to do.

I’d always been convinced that stress aggravates tinnitus but now I know.

So my advice is AVOID STRESS like the plague if you have tinnitus. While you cant foresee flash floods, you can often make minor changes in your life to make your life less stressful.

I suggest you think about it.

Does smoking affect tinnitus

It struck me recently that there just may be a link between smoking and tinnitus, mainly because, as you know, I have chronic tinnitus 24/7, but I am also, I’m almost ashamed to say these days, a smoker.

So I decided to do some research into the subject, trawling the internet for hours on your (and my) behalf.

Frankly what I found was not good news.

Apart from the usual that we have all heard a million times I found some alarming quotes.

“Smoking makes tinnitus worse”, says Dr. Harold Pillsbury, University of NC, Professor of Surgery and Otolaryngology.
{People’s Pharmacy, Public Radio, July 24, 1999}

“Smoking narrows your blood vessels, which supply vital oxygen to your ears and their sensory cells.”

“They should quit smoking as many patients report a decrease in their tinnitus with smoking cessation.”

(Dept. of Otolaryngology, UTMB)

These are just a few I found.

I really cant believe I had not made the connection myself but the opinion of the medical profession appears practically unanimous.

So with the new law banning smoking in enclosed public places in the UK, and this revelation it now MUST be the time to give up. I suggest you think about it too.

Keep your eyes open for a more in depth review in the articles section.

Does your doctor have tinnitus?

Even if you can find a doctor who is an ‘absolute expert’ in the field of tinnitus and it’s associated conditions, there is one other thing that we have to consider.

Chances are that he or she does NOT have ringing in their ears or whooshing or whistling in their head and have NEVER experienced tinnitus as you have.

Even with all the knowledge and training they have and with the best will in the world, we have to face the fact that your doctor can probably ONLY IMAGINE what you are experiencing. That is something that can’t be taught in textbooks or at seminars.

It can be very frustrating trying to explain to your doctor just how badly you are being affected in your daily life.

Since the chances of finding a doctor who actually has tinnitus are pretty remote I would suggest that you supplement your medical treatment with the use of other resources from people that HAVE experienced what you are going through and know exactly how you feel.

It's surprising how it helps, knowing you're not the only one.