I can't remember my iTunes password and the email it's tied to is no longer active

I have been trying for months to log into my iTunes account on my iPad but my usual choices of passwords are not working. When choosing "forgot my password" it wants to email me at an old Verizon.net address that has been long disabled. Before arriving at the security questions it prompts me for my birthdate, of which it too says is invalid...I'm at a loss. I know my birthdate is correct but I am stuck. Is there any way to find out the password when the email it is tied to is long gone? I even attempted to start over by creating an entirely new Apple account but I can't reset my iPad without the old password. Aargh! Please help