Hello...I'm a newbie here. Seeking Tinnitus help.

[Radiogirl]

Hello all. I found your site after doing a search for Tinnitus on the NRAS page for Rheumatoid Arthritis/Rheumatoid Disease.

I have had Tinnitus since December 2017/January 2018. I am seeing an ENT, but have only had one appointment so far. I am scheduled for a hearing test at my next appointment.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, severe degenerative disc disease. I had a Total Knee Replacement Surgery on my left knee this past December.

I'm scheduled to see my Rheumatologist tomorrow so I thought I would do some research about Tinnitus so I could ask him for help with it. For some reason, researching Tinnitus increases my anxiety about it. I had to stop reading about it a couple of months ago because I literally felt like I was going to have a full blown panic attack. I am typically not afraid of information. Knowledge is power, right? For me, I have to make a conscious decision to try not to focus on the screaming/screeching in my ears and reading about it and the intense difficulties it causes for many is hardly not focusing on it.

Nonetheless, I know I need to seek information to get some help. I've made a couple of notes to discuss at my doctor's appointment. I would love to get any input anyone could provide to help me with this. Here's what I have so far relating to possible causes of my Tinnitus-

1) Thiazide Diruectics for High Blood Pressure. Or is it that High Blood Pressure alone can cause Tinnitus? I've discontinued the Hydrochlorothiazide I had been taken for the past 2 years. It hasn't improved my Tinnitus.

2) Lidocaine Toxicity in spinal anesthesia or Local Anesthetics. I had a a Total Knee Replacement in which an epidural anesthetic was used in addition to general anesthesia and I have had multiple Spinal Steroid Injections. The TKR surgery was done this past December and it seems to correlate to the timing of my Tinnitus. I had multiple spinal injections last summer, but am scared because I am scheduled for additional injections next week. Should I cancel them?

3) MRIs. I've read that the magnetic field can disturb the fluid in the ears thus causing Tinnitus. I've had several MRIs in the past 4 months.

4) Previously I was taking Cymbalta for my lower back pain. I read that Cymbalta can cause Tinnitus. I discontinued taking it, not realizing there were withdrawal symptoms associated discontinuing the medication. It took a several weeks, but my withdrawal symptoms have finally subsided. It hasn't helped with my Tinnitus, however. I also have been taking Hydrocodone 10/325. I've heard that NSAIDS can be a culprit to Tinnitus. Hydrocodone has 325mg of Acetaminophen in it.

For my RA, I take Sulphasalazine 500mg 3x a day, and Prednisone 5mg 1x aday.

Has anyone taken Valuim to help with the panic that comes on in having Tinnitus? There are times I wonder if it would help....like now.

I look forward to any advice anyone can offer. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Ingrid-p]

I can't advise on medications, but I got told off by my doctor for stopping my high blood pressure medication as I thought it was making the t louder. The reported side effects only happen to a few people, but has to be reported. It's best to discuss with your GP.

Also constantly focusing on this and other forums brings t to the front, which in turn makes it seem louder.

Every morning I say I won't look at the forum, but I do. Instant focus on the t and that's how it will stay now for the rest of the day 😢

Hope your hospital appointment goes OK xx

[Radiogirl in reply to Ingrid-p]

Thank you, Buddie123

xxx

[Ingrid-p in reply to Radiogirl]

Sorry I can'tell help more. Had t for 35 years, but normally it really doesn't bother me. Now and again it decides to take over, but I just have to try and ignore it again until it'seems no longer a problem. Very difficult when it's so loud 😠 xx

[Radiogirl in reply to Ingrid-p]

Yes, it can be so loud and nonstop. I get intense anxiety when I feel trapped by it. Does that make sense?

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

I'm not medically qualified, but I will agree with the others - don't stop any medication without consulting your GP. High blood pressure can cause tinnitus and controlling this will also help control your tinnitus.

Lidocaine has actually been shown in research to be of benefit for tinnitus - however, the practicalities of using it means it isn't used in daily life! So don't worry about that. It is MUCH more likely that the extra physical and mental stress of the surgery triggered the tinnitus response.

Neither should you worry about MRI scans. They can be used to visualise the inner ear, but this doesn't affect the fluid on a long term basis.

In terms of drugs, the usual doses of NSAIDS are not regarded as ototoxic - aspirin is sometimes cited as causing tinnitus, but this is in massive amounts (overdose level).

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk

- particularly tinnitus.org.uk/drugs and tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-an...

takeontinnitus.co.uk

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Radiogirl in reply to NicBTA]

Thanks so much for your reply. Good stuff! I will definitely check out the links as well. xxx