diagnosis...

I think that John's crazy busy schedule and the stresses with work have caught up to him. He has been complaining of "ringing" in his ears for a few weeks now, and it was confirmed today: he has Tinnitus. It isn't too loud or distracting, just constant. He was home today, but we have a difficult time making appointments for him in advance, so he went to the local Urgent Care. He spent nearly two hours waiting to have the doctor look in his ears for two seconds and say that there isn't swelling or an infection, so he has Tinnitus. She prescribed Prednisone but there isn't anything we have read that recommends using it for any kind of treatment (and I've taken it before and it is EVIL!). Basically, sufferers must slow down and take a look at their lifestyle: stress is a major factor, along with fatigue, caffeine, loud areas or noises, and a good ear cleaning wouldn't hurt! I'm just thankful that he isn't suffering too badly. I can sense that it is affecting him, but the research that we've done states that most people learn to live with the noise and it just becomes "normal". I'm praying that it doesn't get worse - I need him to function ;-) I've been a little worried that it is something more serious (as in "tumor") but I'm glad that my sweetie took the time today to ease my fears! He {HATES} doctors more than anything...