Tori
I am responding to your message from 3 yrs ago. Are you still suffering with tinnitus? I have been for 6 yrs. I have seen over 20 different doctors and specialists and have been through grouling medical testing. After about 4 1/2 yrs it got much worse and consumed my entire life. I got fired from my job, suffered many strained relationships with family and friends. And to make things worse when I went on disability I had to use medi-cal and all my doctors cut me off because they didnt accept medical. Ironically it was a godsend. I had to go to a medi-cal clinic but for the first time in 5 yrs someone finally told me I have every right to feel the way I do. He immediately called in a Behavioral therapist who talked with me. I now see my GP once a month to monitor my meds & my Behavioral therapist twice a month to keep me on track as far as controlling anxiety & frustration, nutrition and rest. She made me understand that its ok to have a disability and helped me learn to accept it. That was the hardest thing for me to do cuz all I wanted was to be "normal" but she made me understand that my definition of normal has changed. I was always a very social person but after tinnitus I became very withdrawn and insecure. Mostly because people dont understand it. With their encourgement I had an idea to go to Massage Therapy College and I cant believe the results. I have friends, friends that understand chronic illness and are willing to help. Massage therapy has tought me so much about my body and recognizing when I am getting tense and ways to manage it. Plus getting massaged every day is such a bonus and now for the rest of my life I can exchange with other massage therapists and not have to pay. The whole concept of massage opens up many other doors of alternative therapy instead of meds. Its too bad the general medical professionals dont recognize this treatment as a way of life, instead they choose to drug you up until you are a zombie. Many other countries use massage therapy as a standard procedure but our country is driven by $$$. Tell me how you have been and what you have learned in the past 3 yrs. Your Friend JT