 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Tinnitus / August 2004Three nights in a row
Hi everyone, I have fallen asleep three nights in a row so far this week. This is wonderful. It is not an easy feat as my T has not diminished. This is in part due to everyone that has reassured me that my T wasn't going to take over. Thanks. I am also taking medications (psychiatric) that my doctor has prescribed. One of them is supposed to help me fall asleep and is not a sleeping pill or any kind of a tranquilizer. Thank God for that. I think it has finally begun to work. I am keeping my TV on all night too, which has been the most difficult. Noise while I'm trying to sleep causes problems because, 1) it annoys me, and 2) it can cause explosions in my head and fairly violent muscle jerks elsewhere in my body. I'm positive that the explosions are muscle jerks somewhere near my ears that causes my T to increase dramatically in volume. This increase in volume starts and stops within the snap of a finger and is very startling. It is always accompanied with another muscle jerk somewhere else in my body, like the muscles in my lower back that causes me to "jackknife" and lift me off the bed. This is explained by the fact that I was born with cerebral palsy and have always suffered from some form of Myoclonus (muscle jerks). I know that some of this is off topic, but my T has played a large role in scaring me half to death once a month for the past ten years. Thank you so much for listening to me and the reassurance you have provided. Ken McDonald > Hi everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Ken McDonald Hi Ken, Thanks for the update. Glad to learn you are getting some sleep. Instead of using the television, consider using a radio with a sleep timer or using the sleep timer on your TV if it is equipped with one. If you use the radio, I suggest a station that commands attention like a TV does instead of music or noise. In other words, I find the distraction to be more important than the masking. As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not unlike a flashbulb going off in the head) my interest in an association between that and CP has been stimulated. I don't have CP but I wonder if the two are related? Bill (snip of the above for brevity) > Hi Ken, > Thanks for the update. Glad to learn you are getting some sleep. This is really good news, Ken. Appreciated is affirmation that once you are convinced you can't be hurt by tinnitus, much of the anxiety provoked by it diminishes. It is very comforting to those who read this list. > Instead of using the television, consider using a radio with a sleep timer > or using the sleep timer on your TV if it is equipped with one. If you use > the radio, I suggest a station that commands attention like a TV does > instead of music or noise. In other words, I find the distraction to be > more important than the masking. My local NPR station switches from classical music to BBC News, all night long. I turn that on and am instantly asleep, with those Brits droning away in the background. TVs are too big, hot, and light. Radios are small, cool, and dark. :-) > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not > unlike a flashbulb going off in the head) my interest in an association > between that and CP has been stimulated. I don't have CP but I wonder if > the two are related? > Bill Thanks so much for the update, Ken. Very best to you. scp > My local NPR station switches from classical music to BBC > News, all night long. I turn that on and am instantly > asleep, with those Brits droning away in the background. > TVs are too big, hot, and light. Radios are small, cool, > and dark. :-) You really ought to listen to it as you might have heard George W Bush say, " Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." I am most surprised he knew words like "innovative" and "resourceful" . Keep on campaigning George! What a dipstick. Ben > > Hi everyone, > > [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > between that and CP has been stimulated. I don't have CP but I wonder if > the two are related? Goodness Bill! :-) Have I actually found someone that experiences "explosions"? The analogy "flashbulb going off in the head" is an excellent description that I won't forget. I was seeing a doctor that told me that my CP made it difficult to diagnose my Meniere's and I have had "muscle jerks" for as long as I can remember. I will be seeing another doctor soon and will post what he says. Oh yes, I will definitely look into a timer. I also like to watch MSNBC and can listen to it with the TV off because I use a VCR as a tuner and have a stereo connected for sound. Thanks again. Ken McDonald > Bill (snip) > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not > unlike a flashbulb going off in the head) my interest in an association > between that and CP has been stimulated. I don't have CP but I wonder if > the two are related? > > Bill You experience Exploding Head Syndrome, Bill? What happens when you experience this? ~Patty~ > (snip) > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > experience this? > ~Patty~ You know those sudden, involuntary jerks most folks experience occasionally when falling asleep? The exploding head occurs under the same circumstances (for me at least) and is of no consequence. I'll be laying there and suddenly there is this "pop" and what seems to be a bright flash of light. First time it happened, when I was a boy, I thought someone had taken my picture. It happens once every few years. Jean has it too and we spent the longest time trying to figure out how we could enjoy one together. :-) > > (snip) > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > spent the longest time trying to figure out how we could enjoy one together. > :-) My "explosion" is completely associated with an existing sound. In my case, that would be the hum of a fan. It suddenly becomes intensely amplified ... for a split second ... almost like an explosion. It's like my ears become super sensitive for just a moment where even seemingly soothing sounds are far too loud. I don't believe this ever happens to me in a dead quiet room. But then again ... I *hate* dead quiet rooms. The silence, to me, is "deafening." David Emerling Memphis, TN > > > (snip) > > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > David Emerling > Memphis, TN Impossible for me to make an association. At 63 I've probably had fewer than a dozen. In my case, age certainly isn't a factor but the circumstances have always been the same. They come just as I'm drifting off to sleep. Under that circumstance, I'm generally unaware of my surroundings. Since the first couple, and being a fatalist anyway, I find them amusing. > > My "explosion" is completely associated with an existing sound. In my > case, [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > surroundings. Since the first couple, and being a fatalist anyway, I find > them amusing. Funny that you say you find them "amusing." Even once I discovered that the explosion I *thought* I was hearing was non-existent - I had a similar reaction. It wasn't particularly disturbing at all. It was just an oddity. "Hmmm ... there it goes again." I did a Google search for "Exploding Head Syndrom" and some have described it as very disturbing and, in one case, one person said "I thought that it could kill me." Well, I've certainly never had *that* impression. Yes, it's loud. It's weird. But I've never felt threatened. And now that I know that it's not a real sound, only in my head, it don't even really care about them anymore ... much like my tinnitus. I find all these little sounds in my head to be nothing more than quirky oddities. They're MY sounds. I own them ... they don't own me. And my life goes on and it isn't any less for the sounds.  SignatureDavid Emerling - Memphis, TN demerlin@HATESPAMmidsouth.rr.com If you want to email me - remove HATESPAM from the above address. <snip> > I find all these little sounds in my head to be nothing more than quirky > oddities. They're MY sounds. I own them ... they don't own me. And my > life goes on and it isn't any less for the sounds. Great comment David. I couldn't think of better advice for someone who suffers tinnitus. You have answered the serenity prayer. :-) Bill > > > My "explosion" is completely associated with an existing sound. In my > > case, [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > oddities. They're MY sounds. I own them ... they don't own me. And my > life goes on and it isn't any less for the sounds. David, The "exploding head syndrom" was very disruptive for me. This was not a "once in a while" thing for me. It was happening every night over and over again to the point that I was unable to sleep. I kept telling my doctor what was happening and he shrugged his shoulder. Even the neurologist said that if it got worse he would prescribe medication for it. It was at that point that I became a "squeaky wheel" and became a pain in the butt, that a medication was prescribed. By the time I was put on medication (Klonopin) for it, it was too late. I lost my job and fell through the cracks. It was so bad that I didn't want to sleep anymore. I eventually ended up staying up as long as I could (24 - 48 hours), go to sleep and then stay up for as long as I can. This went on for three years. I now live with my sister and am in the process of rebuilding my life. It's a battle every night to fall asleep. Thanks, Ken McDonald > > > (snip) > > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > I don't believe this ever happens to me in a dead quiet room. But then > again ... I *hate* dead quiet rooms. The silence, to me, is "deafening." I have the same problem. My apartment was quite "creaky" and I would have explosions over and over. I would just begin to fall asleep and then there would be a creak and "BOOM", there would be an explosion in my head and I would jackknife because of a violent muscle spasm in my lower back. It was quite painful. I saw a neurologist about this and was diagnosed with Myclonus. A hiccup is a Myoclonic jerk. When you are just about to fall asleep, and you wake up with a start, that is a Myoclonic jerk. It was happening over and over every night. For me, the Myoclonus is due to cerebral palsy. It also moves to different parts of my body. I've always had it. The explosions didn't begin until my T reared its ugly head. It's only been recent that I have actually felt muscles suddenly contract near my ears and then hear the result. Very wierd. The place were I live now is very quite at night. In the winter I will have to deal with the furnace blower fan switch. That is a definite noise that will trigger a Myoclonic jerk for me. Thanks, Ken McDonald > David Emerling > Memphis, TN >For me, the Myoclonus is due to cerebral palsy. It also moves to different >parts of my body. I've always had it. The explosions didn't begin until my T >reared its ugly head. It's only been recent that I have actually felt >muscles suddenly contract near my ears and then hear the result. Very wierd. I used to have it frequently, apparently as a feature of neurological infection from tick borne diseases. Since going on high dose antibiotics, I no longer have it. Susan > x-no-archive: yes > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > from tick borne diseases. Since going on high dose antibiotics, I no longer > have it. I'm really glad to hear that Susan. It was very disruptive for me. Ken McDonald > Susan >I'm really glad to hear that Susan. It was very disruptive for me. I don't think I got the exploding head sensation during those episodes, but I did have siezure like electrical shock feelings in my head before I went on antibiotics. Susan > > (snip) > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > spent the longest time trying to figure out how we could enjoy one together. > :-) Huh........I've occasionally experienced the involuntary jerk that happens just as you fall asleep. Wakes me when it happens. But, I've never had the exploding head thing. Just the T. ~Patty~ > > > (snip) > > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > exploding head thing. Just the T. > ~Patty~ If I were you, I'd sleep with ear plugs and dark glasses. You never know when this is going to happen. :-) > > > > (snip) > > > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > If I were you, I'd sleep with ear plugs and dark glasses. You never know > when this is going to happen. :-) Nah, I wouldn't want to miss it. :-) ~Patty~ > > > (snip) > > > > As one who also experiences Exploding Head Syndrome (an experience not [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > just as you fall asleep. Wakes me when it happens. But, I've never had the > exploding head thing. Just the T. Suddenly waking up like you describe is called a Myoclonus Jerk. Hiccups are also Myoclonic Jerks. My "exploding head syndrome" is due to Myoclonus. I have suffered from Myoclonus all of my life. The explosions began to occur about five years after my T began and have stayed with me until recently. I can't tell if it is really gone or that I'm not hearing the furnace blower fan switch. However, I have finally noticed a muscle spasm near my ears when I hear the explosion. For me, these explosions have been a nighmare because they were happening over and over again every night. It has definitely diminished, but I still have a hard time falling asleep. If it's not one thing (explosions), it is another (T) that keeps me awake. I'm still battling though. Thanks, Ken McDonald > ~Patty~ Here are some interesting pages about tinnitus and sleep. http://www.tinn.com/sleep.html www.tinnitusinfo.org tinnitusinfo.org is a discussion board. Tinnitus is a pain in the neck Elly's Tinnitus Resources http://eebee.net/ For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net Thank you Ely. I moved my TV into my bedroom so I could have something to listen to. It seems to be helping. Should I remove it? Thanks, Ken McDonald > Here are some interesting pages about tinnitus and sleep. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net > Thank you Ely. I moved my TV into my bedroom so I could have something to > listen to. It seems to be helping. Should I remove it? [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > > > For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net Leave it there Ken, but add the timer. > > Thank you Ely. I moved my TV into my bedroom so I could have something to > > listen to. It seems to be helping. Should I remove it? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > > Leave it there Ken, but add the timer. Thanks. One of the websites recommended removing the TV from the bedroom. This is because of the concept of only using the bedroom for sleeping. Correct? This how I view my bedroom already, but I do watch TV occasionally when I've had enough of baseball. We have two diehard baseball fans here. I don't want to pick up bad habits. There are more than enough to get rid of. Thanks, Ken McDonald Hi Ken, If it helps you - keep doing it. "Ken McDonald" <kmcdonald.removethis.22@remo.vethis.neo.rr.too.com> wrote: >Thank you Ely. I moved my TV into my bedroom so I could have something to >listen to. It seems to be helping. Should I remove it? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >> www.tinnitusinfo.org >> tinnitusinfo.org is a discussion board. Tinnitus is a pain in the neck Elly's Tinnitus Resources http://eebee.net/ For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net Thank you Elly. I read on one of the websites that the TV should be removed. I don't want to pick up any bad habits. It would be better to correct any mistakes now than later. Ken McDonald > Hi Ken, > If it helps you - keep doing it. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net Ken, this is for people who watch TV for hours in bed and then wonder why they can't get to sleep. You are doing it for a different purpose. Probably anything that makes some kind of sound - CD player or radio - would have the same effect for you. Elly. "Ken McDonald" <kmcdonald.removethis.22@remo.vethis.neo.rr.too.com> wrote: >Thank you Elly. I read on one of the websites that the TV should be removed. >I don't want to pick up any bad habits. It would be better to correct any [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >> >> www.tinnitusinfo.org >> >> tinnitusinfo.org is a discussion board. Tinnitus is a pain in the neck Elly's Tinnitus Resources http://eebee.net/ For email: elly at eebee.cjb.net > Ken, this is for people who watch TV for hours in bed and then wonder > why they can't get to sleep. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Elly. A while back we discussed the fact that without a precise sample of the tinnitus sound, algebraic cancellation is impossible. That being the case, "masking" is nothing more than an *alternative* sound. When more than one sound is present, a person tends to concentrate on one sound while ignoring the other. From this list of sounds, consider which would be most likely to command your attention: 1. A train going by. 2. A screaming child. 3. Your favorite song. 4. Breaking news. 5. Discussion of global warming. I tend to believe it is important to choose a sound that commands your attention, drawing it from the tinnitus sound. I also believe that the more you distract yourself from the tinnitus sound, the easier it is to do so. So, Ken, I would choose 4 or 5, perhaps you would chose 3, I don't know. But pick a meaningful sound. Cancellation or masking what does it matter, as long its a peaceful noise in the background. I have gotten used to the fan noise even on the lowest setting, can get a good night sleep. But, i feel tempted to get into the physics of this noise, and separate the one frequency which is zero-ing out (or making it unaudible) the noise. I wish i had the time and the brilliancy to do sound physics. BTW, i do notice when walking to the train station,, a sudden high pitch when an amtrack train whizzes by. Clearly with the sound techniques an audiologist has, it should not be difficult with trial and error, to find the pitch of this irritating tinnitus noise. > > Ken, this is for people who watch TV for hours in bed and then wonder > > why they can't get to sleep. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > So, Ken, I would choose 4 or 5, perhaps you would chose 3, I don't know. > But pick a meaningful sound. > Cancellation or masking what does it matter, as long its a peaceful noise in the > background. I have gotten used to the fan noise even on the lowest setting, can [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > it should not be difficult with trial and error, to find the pitch of this > irritating tinnitus noise. If it is possible to cancel the tinnitus sound, one would have to match the frequency of every component of the sound, and reverse the phase of each. Since most people perceive tinnitus as quite variable, the canceling signal would have to vary in perfect sympathy. That could only be accomplished if one could generate the canceling signal from real-time samples of the tinnitus signal. No such samples have every been recorded. > > Cancellation or masking what does it matter, as long its a peaceful noise > in the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > one could generate the canceling signal from real-time samples of the > tinnitus signal. No such samples have every been recorded. Unless tinnitus is a somatosound, that is a sound generated within the muscles and joints of the body (like cracking your knuckles), what you ask for would not be possible. Tinnitus is generated within the ear/brain and so it doesn't have the physical characteristics of an analog signal. Its loudness and pitch (which are psychological correlates of intensity and frequency, respectively) can be described only so far as the tinnitus can be matched to an outside sound. But the actual tinnitus "signal" consists of all or nothing neuronal discharges, probably triggered within the ear and given new life within the brain. Therefore there is a good reason that real time samples of the tinnitus signal have never been generated. HNG > > "njs" <njs@nospam.com> wrote in message > news:411AC833.5A18F8F4@nospam.com... [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > given new life within the brain. Therefore there is a good reason that real > time samples of the tinnitus signal have never been generated. It is like that of a 'cicada'(insect) that is rather common in the tropical area in Asia. FP ===================== > HNG > > Ken, this is for people who watch TV for hours in bed and then wonder > > why they can't get to sleep. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > So, Ken, I would choose 4 or 5, perhaps you would chose 3, I don't know. > But pick a meaningful sound. Thanks for the advice. I decided on the TV because I wanted something that would command attention. When I decided to try a radio, I chose an AM radio station that I had heard before and it interested me. I fell asleep with it on, but the station kept driftig out and the program that I was listening to, was on late. It's funny that I chose the TV for the reason you have suggested. Thanks again, Ken McDonald > Hi everyone, > Noise while I'm trying to sleep causes problems [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > suffered from some form of Myoclonus (muscle jerks). > Ken McDonald Ken, You are the first person that has described EXACTLY what I experience with my tinnitus ... these "explosions." I like to sleep with a fan. I have for many years, even before I had tinnitus. I like the soothing, white noise, it produces. But, every once in a while, not often, the gentle humming of the fan turns into a violent noise. Just for split second. In fact, this has been happening to me ever since I was in my 20's (I'm now 47). But, back then, I don't believe I had tinnitus ... but clearly, something was wrong. I just ignored it. It's funny, at first, I always thought there was something wrong with the bearings in the fan. I figured, that the bearings were giving out causing the fan, on occasion, to make this loud noise. I even remember oiling the fan at one point. I was always curious as to why my wife never seemed to hear these irritating noises the fan would sometimes produce. Of course, now I know. These "explosions" are clearly related to my tinnitus in some way. By the way, this only happens when I'm lying down, in kind of slumber stupor. It never happens when I'm wide awake and alert. But your description caught my attention because it was a good explanation for something I could not describe very well. Although, I don't really have any "muscle jerks" associated with it ... at least, I don't think. The sound suddenly seems to be amplified 100 times ... but only briefly. SignatureDavid Emerling - Memphis, TN demerlin@HATESPAMmidsouth.rr.com If you want to email me - remove HATESPAM from the above address. > > Hi everyone, > > Noise while I'm trying to sleep causes problems [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > any "muscle jerks" associated with it ... at least, I don't think. The > sound suddenly seems to be amplified 100 times ... but only briefly. Yes, my explosions only occur when I'm just about to fall asleep too. Although, when I'm really tired and yawn for an extended period (you know, really yawning and stretching), muscles in my face kind of tremble and cause my T to sound different. You know when you are just about to fall asleep and suddenly wake up with a start? This is called a Myoclonic Jerk. Everyone does it. A hiccup is another form of a Myoclonic Jerk. I have a question. Does you T change in loudness or pitch when you eat food? Like every time you bite down, your T increases? Try to grit your teeth and see if your T changes. It does for me. I can definitely make my T louder when I bite onto food or grit my teeth. This is what I think causes my explosions. I am having a muscle spasm somewhere near my ears and that is what causes the explosions. These explosions have been going on for years for me, but it's been quite recent that I have felt a muscle in my face, jaw or side of my head contract forcibly and hear the explosion in my head. It has subsided because it has been very quiet where I live now, but when it was going on strong, it was very disruptive because it was happening over and over every night. Thanks, Ken McDonald |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.