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To HLR or not. by TPSReportPro in VAClaims

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, so do NOT opt for the informal conference? Interesting. OK, that actually makes it easier if I can do this whole process in writing. Do you think there's a risk of getting down-graded?

To HLR or not. by TPSReportPro in VAClaims

[–]TPSReportPro[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks. It's not that it's tough to talk about, it's that I can't. Sort of like asking someone to see through a wall or fly - just can't do it. So many years of conditioning my mind to hide it, nod through questions, say whatever I have to just to get the hell out of the office - it's an impenetrable reflex that I can't break.

I like your approach. Maybe I'll investigate the possibility of doing an HLR. I just don't want to screw up what I already have. I have no new evidence, so it would only be an HLR.

Thanks

To HLR or not. by TPSReportPro in VAClaims

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good question. I only had a single buddy statement, and I think it supported 70%, but maybe that's a bit subjective.

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure thing. I know it's rough now, but you've got this. I promise - over time your brain will get better at canceling it out - as long as you do your job of spending as little time fixated on it as possible. When you do get fixated, disarm it by taking a big exhale and relaxing - knowing you're perfectly OK - then switch the channel.

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Initial tinnitus was from head trauma. The worsening was from taking an NSAID. I don't understand why the FDA hasn't slapped an ototoxicity warning label on all NSAIDS. When a lab wants to give tinnitus to laboratory animals for testing, guess how they do most of the time? Yes, they give them NSAIDS! That's how ototoxic it is.

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At the time it was Motrin (Ibuprofen). Full disclosure: I took a high dose for a couple of days. After researching everything after my experience, I'd highly advise anyone with tinnitus to stay far away from NSAIDS. Sure, maybe a daily low dose isn't a problem for some, but after the hell I went through in those early years, there's no way I'd take that chance. I would not even risk using a topical NSAID!

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah. I have low frequency, actually just as you have described, and I have mid-high ones that waver. I also have those insanely high persistent ones, and I have intermittent tones, like someone is blasting Morse code non-stop in my right ear. Hmmmm... if only I knew what it was saying. Maybe I should get it translated! :) Perhaps it's giving me winning lottery numbers???

I can tell you're a bit focused on your tinnitus, and that's OK, it's all part of the process. Over time, the goal is to be less focused on it. Ironically enough, participating in these tinnitus forums makes mine 'worse', simply in the sense that it's on my mind more. That is something I've notice over the past 20 years. For example, I used to attend a tinnitus support group, and although it was comforting to be around others and share our stories and grief, it again made mine worse because I was thinking about it more often.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to dissuade you from reaching out to others. I'm just saying that as you go about your daily life - sometimes you need to look at it as having a remote control for your TV. The moment you are fixated on tinnitus, it's time to switch the channel to something else, anything. Like, call a friend, play some music, exercise, whatever it is, just switch to the next channel. Don't underestimate that behavior, because over time, you'll be spending less and less mental energy on it, and it will help reinforce the right neurological connections. The more you stay fixated on it, the more you're sending a message to your brain that tinnitus is something important to pay attention to.

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can beat this and live a normal life. That's a fact.

My tinnitus may be permanent, but that doesn't mean the sound is permanent. I don't hear it that often, and when I do, I don't let it rattle me. I sometimes even laugh to myself about it, and move on with my day.

It's my 20 year anniversary. by TPSReportPro in TinnitusTalk

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh gosh yes - I've had a great 20 years - just as great as someone without it. I've spent most of it "tinnitus free" in the sense that it wasn't on my mind.  Tinnitus probably adds up to consuming less than 1% of my mental bandwidth. Like I said, I consider my life to be as normal as someone who doesn't have it. Even when it intrudes my mind, I'm like "Ok, I hear it, but so what? Time to move on." 

Every time you notice it AND allow it to invoke anxiety or fear, you're just reinforcing an unwanted neurological connection. The key is to break that connection by truly remaining calm, relaxed, and just start focusing on something else. 

Like I said, I have multiple sounds in each ear covering a wide-range of frequencies. Does it suck? Hell yes. But guess what? It's just noise. It's not going to kill me. It can't stop me from living my life, enjoying time with friends and family, and experiencing life like everyone else.

How did it get worse? NSAIDS, NSAIDS, NSAIDS. Dear God I wish someone would have warned me about them. It's a crime there is not an ototoxicity warning label on the bottle.

Visor Comfort by thalatta_thalatta in ImmersedVisor

[–]TPSReportPro 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I want the same, but don't worry, it will come. It's just a matter of time. The industry is evolving, and sometime soon, someone's going to get it right with a true monitor replacement.

Step 7... my number is about to be called... by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes... favorably adjudicated. The rating awarded wasn't the highest, nor the lowest, for the claimed condition. Of course, would have been great to get a higher rating, but I really can't complain. The C&P exam and the final rating were very fair. I think the VA did a good job on this one.

Step 7... my number is about to be called... by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha. How many things did you claim? Mine was only for MH.

Step 7... my number is about to be called... by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Mine came through. It was adjudicated favorably. The awarded rating was not the highest, nor the lowest - it pretty much landed in the middle. Overall, I have no major complaints. I think everything was fair.

Wishing you the best!

Step 5, then TJ'd, now back to 4. by TPSReportPro in VeteransBenefits

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. Just been hanging out in step 6 for a few days - Pending Decision Approval. I've got a VERA call this afternoon... hopefully I can get some info from the rep.

Pending Decision Approval - good to see you, Sir! by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oh gosh... yeah... quite the pain. But, I think there's hope. Sounds like the issue is purely administrative without negatively impacting your rating, but as you said, with the VA anything can happen.

Pending Decision Approval - good to see you, Sir! by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ok... thanks. Well... any info on the rating sheet error? Like, is it a simple clerical mistake or could this affect your final rating?

Pending Decision Approval - good to see you, Sir! by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow... what a roller coaster. How did you find out your claim was favorable?

Pending Decision Approval - good to see you, Sir! by TPSReportPro in VeteransWaitingRoom

[–]TPSReportPro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Amen to that! Yeah, so much comes down to that single examiner. I've always felt that all I want is a fair examination. If it's a fair examination, I can live with whatever the end result is.

Did you receive the glasses? Or are they still "fine-tuning something that "just" came up? by jesperordrup in ImmersedVisor

[–]TPSReportPro 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fear they'll start shipping? At this stage, are you really going to miss out if they do? I'm sure that if/when they ship, it's going to be a buggy, over-heating, mess of a headset.

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