It’s my mental health or sleep
Louise Higgins, 40, from Glasgow, lay in bed unable to fall asleep. She had never had trouble dropping off before, but for the last few nights she had not managed a wink. She tossed and turned, kept awake by an incessant ringing noise that only she could hear.
“I felt like I had just stepped out of a loud pub and my ears were ringing really loudly. It was the middle of lockdown and I had been stuck in the house for weeks, and had definitely not been exposed to any loud noises.”
The only thing that had recently changed was that she had started taking anti-anxiety medication.
“I phoned my doctor who said that yes, tinnitus was a side effect of the brand of medication
I was on. They suggested I come off the medication slowly then start again with a different type, or learn to live with the tinnitus, basically.”
Louise decided to go with the latter, apprehensive about the prospect of her anxiety returning during the transition, especially when her GP pointed out that there was no guarantee the tinnitus would go away for good if she made the switch.
“I can manage it during the daytime as there are enough noises to keep my brain distracted. At night it’s very difficult, but I find listening to audiobooks help.
“Still, it is frustrating that I have to choose between my mental health and my ability to sleep.”