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Tinnitus and Ototoxicity from Antibiotic. Please help?
I'm hoping to find others who had drug induced ototoxicity that resulted in severe Tinnitus. I think I also developed a fear of loud noises as well as certain noises causing me distress. The main issue is the Tinnitus. I was prescribed a daily dose of 6000mg Neomycin and 1500mg Flagy for GI issues by a local doctor. I experienced extreme fatigue, weakness, numbness, loss of leg coordination, leg cramps, dizziness, visual and hearing issues. I now have mild hearing loss and severe Tinnitus (ringing in ears) and was diagnosed with Neurtoxicity and Ototoxicity. The noise in my ears has caused me severe anxiety and mental distress. I try to relax and it's ALL I hear. I am not the same person I was prior. I am more irritable and highly depressed. I can't stop the noise. I was NOT educated on the risks of this drug OR that it came with a Black Box Warning. The fact sheet from the pharmacy did not include a Black Box Warning. The doctors I had to see were all shocked at the dosage of Neomycin. They were also unfamiliar with it as it's not used often .No one can help that from what I've been told. I called my Mayo GI Doctor and he said they don't even use Neomycin. The other doctors I saw referred me to Mayo for help but Mayo has told me they can't help further and I have to "live" with it. I spoke with the ENT and audiology Department at Mayo. I thought there were devices to help ease the noise or something that could help? I'm so sorry for anyone that lives with Tinnitus. I'm desperate for anyone who can help! Thank you.
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I found this very interesting
Most patients develop tinnitus as a symptom of hearing loss caused by excess noise exposure or acute trauma to the auditory system. Tinnitus is sometimes the first sign of hearing loss.
I have recently tried wearing my hearing aids again and I find it has helped with my tinnitus
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1 ReactionThank you for your reply. I have not found that diet makes a difference. I do find that it is at least more comfortable sometimes to listen to things that drown it out. I am going to try gingko, NAC and taurine. Hopefully it helps. My anxiety has spiked and I am not sleeping well. I'm going to try passionflower for that starting today.
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1 ReactionTyke so sorry you have tinnitus. I know what you are going through as I have had tinnitus for many years. The noise, stress, anxiety, depression are all part of my reality today. I tend to get spikes in my tinnitus when I am rushing, when I am tired, when I am stressed and often as a result of exercise, which I have never heard anyone else with tinnitus mention as an aggravating feature. All this means that I have to plan what and how much I will do on any given day. I have hearing aids that also contain tinnitus masking. Sometimes they area useful tool to mask the sounds, it all depends on how loud it is on any given day.also my hearing aids can connect to a device attached to the tv. This allows me to control the volume I am hearing without it affecting anyone else in the room which I find very useful. I also take a Sony Walkman to bed with me and play nature sounds to fall asleep with. This spring I will getting new hearing aids with Bluetooth. This will allow me to listen to music as masking and for pleasure as well as connect with the phone. As you know by now there is not any medical help for the millions of tinnitus sufferers around the world. However research is ongoing so there is hope. The American Tinnitus Association has useful information and puts out an interesting electronic and manual publication. You can also obtain a list of ototoxic medications by researching on the internet. A publication by Dr. Neil Bauman might be helpful however there are an astounding number of medications on the list. Some have a low rate of causing tinnitus, others are more problematic. It can also vary from person to person. As a general rule I stay away from any antibiotic ending in “mycin” Interestingly I was at one time prescribed neomycin in an ointment and had a terrible skin reaction.
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1 Reaction....wouldn't it be amazing IF they did find a complete cure for tinnitus and accompanying things like hyperacusis, musical ear - that's what I started to get... a noise like a lawn mower esp if i am napping now starts music alongside, it was frightening but now I try and accept, anything from Carols to chanting..apparently its the brain connection but "why" enough to drive one over the edge....oddly enough sounds like plastic bowl banging on counter or such is as bothersome as machinery noise... sympathies to fellow sufferers...J..
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