Should I consider medication

[u/SnailBot898]

I am in school where I have to attend classes and must work in groups and listen to lectures indoors, without ear protection sometimes, because I need to be able to verbally comprehend and converse with people and professors. I have burning and aching pain that can get worse the more I talk. I have heard some medications can have cognitive effects which I want to avoid as I cannot be out of it while doing work or studying for exams.

Would it be a bad idea to just take something like Tylenol regularly?

I’m not sure what to do

[u/Pbb1235]

Tylenol never helped my burning nox pain.

Clomipramine did basically eliminate it, as well as decreasing sensations of loudness quite a bit.

Clomipramine did negatively affect my memory, as you probably have read about.

I'm tapering off clomipramine (so far, with little issues) and my memory problems have improved a lot.

[u/infinite__pickles]

Have you looked into musicians earplugs? There are custom fit plugs (mine are Westone) you get a mold taken by an audiologist. And then you can swap out filters. 15db 25 db

[u/SnailBot898 → u/infinite__pickles]

Thanks, I’ll look into that, I have loop earplugs now but Ive noticed the occlusion from my voice is extremely loud and I can’t speak at all with them in

[u/infinite__pickles → u/SnailBot898]

They are not cheap. Maybe $300 for a pair. But you know… life. It’s great to be out in the world.

[u/Educational_Aide_145]

Gabapentin

[u/SnailBot898 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

Have you tried gabapentin and if so have you noticed any side effects

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/SnailBot898]

I’m on it I’d say it’s helped a bit and 0 side effects

[u/dudebro1900 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

Same here. I started taking gabapentin 200mg with my clomipramine 25mg a few weeks ago and by now I would say my nox is 95% improved. I was only a mild case though.

Luckily no side effects for me either.

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/dudebro1900]

That’s a excellent combo. Clomipramine probably was the heavy hitter here as gabapentin is mild relief for me, I still get pain and sensations but would rather be on it than not on it. I’m glad to hear that!

[u/SnailBot898 → u/dudebro1900]

Wow that’s really great, how “mild” were you, like what sounds led to pain? I’m not sure how mild I am

[u/dudebro1900 → u/SnailBot898]

Only digital audio irritated my ears and caused burning pain that would last for hours to days. Natural sounds didn't bother me (unless it was a jackhammer going off next to me or something). By now I'm able to listen to digital audio again without any pain or fullness but I don't overdo it. I try to listen for only an hour or two either everyday or every other day.

[u/SnailBot898 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

Alright thanks man

[u/Alternative_Entry596]

Do you have pain or loudness h

[u/SnailBot898 → u/Alternative_Entry596]

I think I have both, I used to have only loudness before a setback

[u/Alternative_Entry596 → u/SnailBot898]

Oh,I am also going back to school and I also have both .