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Tinnitus and Cervical spine ? anyone ?

joespride

joespride

Super Member
Had a couple spinal fusions one cervical C4-C5-C6, and one on Lumbar area s1-l? 5 years ago on Cervical, 8-9 years on Lumbar

A life of labor and things apparently take a toll, Recently I have been setting or laying and after a spell of certain angles I get a loud pitched ring/screetch in my left ear. If I stretch or turn my head this and that, the Tinnitus will stop. Today it happened 4 times in a row and wanted to hang on

I asked my Dr about it they insinuated the spine will have nothing to do with the Tinnitus. I say thats BS because I can obviously cause it to stop by stretching my neck..

I am hoping someone may have some kind of info on this, I gave up all my vices except audio. I would hate to lose that too

Thanks
 
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I have both which was attributed to my 21-year Navy service. In fact, I’ll be getting a shot of epidural on my C6 spine next Thursday. For lumbar, I just had Radio Frequency Ablation on my T12, L1 and S1 last april 23.

The ablation is good for about 8 months until I need it again. The epidural shot is good for about six months.

To stop my tinnitus momentary, I usually open my mouth and stretch my jaw muscles like when you’re inside an airplane that’s about to land. I can hear and feel the cracking especially in my right ear which is worse compared to my left. I also lay down and have my head hanging at the edge of the bed and relieves the pain on my cervical joints.

Keeping myself busy also helps in alleviating the pain. Pain is mostly 90%mental and 10% physical. At least that’s what I keep in my mind to help manage the pain.
 
I have two fusions replacing the last two disc's at the bottom of my spine.
Nerves can get crossed I think. I had the lowest disc explode and push up past the one above it that was pretty much gone too. It mashed the blown disc against my spinal cord. I got permanent nerve damage in my right leg.
Some feeling has come back after 20 years, but my foot and lower right leg are still numb. Some weird things happened after the spinal cord damage.
I can scratch my A$$ and it feels like I'm scratching the bottom of my right foot. If I need to pee, My right foot starts burning.
So I absolutely think the spine can effect things you wouldn't think they would.
 
Old-School said:
Gives a new meaning to hot footing it!
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It was fun driving for the first time after the injury. I can't feel the gas pedal or brake. So I mashed the gas peddle to the floor. I had to learn to drive without being able to feel the pedals. My foot still slips off the gas pedal sometimes. Especially on longer drives.
 
George16 said:
I have both which was attributed to my 21-year Navy service. In fact, I’ll be getting a shot of epidural on my C6 spine next Thursday. For lumbar, I just had Radio Frequency Ablation on my T12, L1 and S1 last april 23.

The ablation is good for about 8 months until I need it again. The epidural shot is good for about six months.

To stop my tinnitus momentary, I usually open my mouth and stretch my jaw muscles like when you’re inside an airplane that’s about to land. I can hear and feel the cracking especially in my right ear which is worse compared to my left. I also lay down and have my head hanging at the edge of the bed and relieves the pain on my cervical joints.

Keeping myself busy also helps in alleviating the pain. Pain is mostly 90%mental and 10% physical. At least that’s what I keep in my mind to help manage the pain.
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That's interesting. I've had tinnitus since I was a teen, but it has worsened with age. I just lowered my jaw and lowered the frequency of the ring.
 
Your jaw is more likely causing the tinnitus than your neck. Neck issues like yours and mine (I have C4-7 slightly crushed) will cause your arms/hands to go numb- both of my pinkies and ring fingers have been numb since an aircraft incident squished my neck in 1990. I also have an RFA done on my lumbar S1-L5-L4 every 12-15 months, which seems to last longer each time it is done. My pain Doc thinks the nerves have a harder time coming back after each successive procedure.

I have tinnitus (20 yrs in the USAF) and sometimes it gets horrible, usually if I'm working on the car and have to stretch into a weird position causing my jaw to tighten on one side.
 
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I just had a spinal fusion in March, L4,L5 & S1 You guys a scaring me! My right leg from my lower back to my toes (sciatica) was off the charts in the first 6 weeks after surgery. It's still there, but not as severe as it was then. OMG! I'm hoping I don't have permanent nerve damage. Now waiting to do the hip, I'm guessing next year sometime.
No, I haven't had any other problems with my body. I'm half deaf anyway.
 
I've had very similar surgeries (4 layer lumbar laminectomy and a C4-6 fusion with plate) and both were about ten years ago. I've also had Tinnitus for the past twenty whatever years. There are many stories online of people who've had their Tinnitus healed as a result of a cervical fusion, but my Tinnitus was stepped up a notch or two after the surgery.

As for your doctor saying that the spine has nothing to do with Tinnitus, a quick Google search will yield -

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Try not to be discouraged by any notion of no longer enjoying audio. You can and will get used to anything. I'd call my Tinnitus pretty severe, but I have refused to let it get in the way of me enjoying music. Sure, it can be a challenge at first, but it'll only win out if you let it.
 
My wife and my doctor had been trying to convince to have the tumor on my lower back removed. It’s next to the spinal cord and I’m scared something bad might happen and become paralyzed from the waist down. I told them as long as I can still walk and do the things I like doing, I’m not going to have the surgery.
 
LF240 said:
I've had very similar surgeries (4 layer lumbar laminectomy and a C4-6 fusion with plate) and both were about ten years ago. I've also had Tinnitus for the past twenty whatever years. There are many stories online of people who've had their Tinnitus healed as a result of a cervical fusion, but my Tinnitus was stepped up a notch or two after the surgery.

As for your doctor saying that the spine has nothing to do with Tinnitus, a quick Google search will yield -

View attachment 3518239

Try not to be discouraged by any notion of no longer enjoying audio. You can and will get used to anything. I'd call my Tinnitus pretty severe, but I have refused to let it get in the way of me enjoying music. Sure, it can be a challenge at first, but it'll only win out if you let it.
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Thank you for that info ~ neck "Cervicogenic Tinnitus".
 
LF240 said:
I've had very similar surgeries (4 layer lumbar laminectomy and a C4-6 fusion with plate) and both were about ten years ago. I've also had Tinnitus for the past twenty whatever years. There are many stories online of people who've had their Tinnitus healed as a result of a cervical fusion, but my Tinnitus was stepped up a notch or two after the surgery.

As for your doctor saying that the spine has nothing to do with Tinnitus, a quick Google search will yield -

View attachment 3518239

Try not to be discouraged by any notion of no longer enjoying audio. You can and will get used to anything. I'd call my Tinnitus pretty severe, but I have refused to let it get in the way of me enjoying music. Sure, it can be a challenge at first, but it'll only win out if you let it.
Click to expand...
Good to know... just more of my tired old body parts to watch out for
 
Much appreciated guys. I hate the thought of giving up music. Its my 1 way to calm down and cope with the crazy in life. I used to ride a Harley which felt like freedom. After a good ride I was always happiest. I loved customizing my own bikes, Painting, designing, & Improving performance. I had to give that up and I sometimes feel like I cant lose anything else without some bad consequences.

I tried the spinal injections which did nothing for me. I am stuck with the drugs. Being diabetic (inherited) healing is not good. Both my fusions failed to fully heal. I will try the Jaw trick when my next bout of Tinnitus rears up. I also read that the collars might help some claim full recovery

Best
Joe
 
joespride said:
Much appreciated guys. I hate the thought of giving up music. Its my 1 way to calm down and cope with the crazy in life. I used to ride a Harley which felt like freedom. After a good ride I was always happiest. I loved customizing my own bikes, Painting, designing, & Improving performance. I had to give that up and I sometimes feel like I cant lose anything else without some bad consequences.

I tried the spinal injections which did nothing for me. I am stuck with the drugs. Being diabetic (inherited) healing is not good. Both my fusions failed to fully heal. I will try the Jaw trick when my next bout of Tinnitus rears up. I also read that the collars might help some claim full recovery

Best
Joe
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Do you drink coffee, or other caffeinated products? And do you get enough protein in your diet? Caffeine can inhibit the osteoblasts that repair bone, and stimulate the osteoclasts that break down bone. And protein, along with calcium, magnesium, and zinc, is important for bone health.
 
joespride said:
Much appreciated guys. I hate the thought of giving up music. Its my 1 way to calm down and cope with the crazy in life. I used to ride a Harley which felt like freedom. After a good ride I was always happiest. I loved customizing my own bikes, Painting, designing, & Improving performance. I had to give that up and I sometimes feel like I cant lose anything else without some bad consequences.

I tried the spinal injections which did nothing for me. I am stuck with the drugs. Being diabetic (inherited) healing is not good. Both my fusions failed to fully heal. I will try the Jaw trick when my next bout of Tinnitus rears up. I also read that the collars might help some claim full recovery

Best
Joe
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I’m hoping and praying for your quick healing.
 
My pain has been getting worse and trying to figure out what makes a difference. I think some of it has to do with not having going to physical therapy in the last year or so. I do believe that exercise helps, especially exercise that lengthens the tissue, like walking. My belief is that the whole body affects the whole body. It is all connected together. I know I am too sedentary.

I will tell you one lessen I learned much earlier, before my muscular problems really started to capture my attention: never get into a habit of sitting in a chair that locks you in to a fixed position. I used to have a Danish Stressless recliner. It would lock me into a fixed position and I would get very relaxed. Every time I got up, I would be stiff and have more problems, especially with my neck. I sold off the recliner and got much better, with less neck stiffness.
 
Sandman1221 said:
Do you drink coffee, or other caffeinated products? And do you get enough protein in your diet? Caffeine can inhibit the osteoblasts that repair bone, and stimulate the osteoclasts that break down bone. And protein, along with calcium, magnesium, and zinc, is important for bone health.
Click to expand...
I had to quit Regular Coffee 15 years ago. I love the taste so I drink Decaf. It is Dark roast. Petes Major Dickensons Decaf. Pricey but worth it. I eat mainly protean as Carbs cause my blood sugar to rise. I will admit I do cheat. I was 235 lbs. when I got injured. I am down to 208 now and would love to break the 200 barrier. 25 years ago I was 35 and went to the Gym 6 days a week. Had nearly no fat and weighed in at 185. I will never get back to that but I do try to exercise every day.

I appreciate all the good wishes. I am as healed as I will ever get. Its all downhill from here. I am happy I can still motivate with the help of the drugs
 
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