After 14 infusions of chemo over the past 2 years I am beginning to think that my hearing problems may be related. My oncologist also believes this.
Awaking each morning they seem pretty clear but as the day goes I have to yawn to help clear them, which doesn’t seem to help. My right ear continues to buzz, clear some but seems plugged.
Maybe at 79 maybe it’s just time for loss, but I am curious if others have noticed this SE of chemo.
I would see an ear, throat specialist, could be an inner ear issue.
I did that, and they said 30% weak in my right ear, couldn’t explain the amount of phlegm I seem to have in my throat, which I have also heard, is pretty common after having been on Cabazitaxel.
Just when I think this forum can't get any better! Last week my husband (75) developed severe hearing problems. He's had 10 chemo session (7 Docetaxel & 3 Cabizataxel) in the last 9 months. Last Cabi infusion was May 1. His hemoglobin tanked on Cabi so it was suspended. He says he feels like his head is underwater and I have to yell for him to hear me. He's so frustrated! We suspected a cranial nerve issue from skull mets and did not consider chemotherapy as the cause. We reported this to his MO yesterday and we're on deck for a brain MRI. He's also developed a numb chin and a raspy voice, so we'll see what the brain MRI reports. Thanks for sharing this, it makes us feel not so alone on this roller coaster.
I did find this on cancer.net
cancer.net/coping-with-canc...
Thank you for the reply, sounds like some very similar side effects that I have. Raspy voice yes, head underwater, yes. I have considered the MRI aspect also.
Keep in touch on anything new.
Will do!
I also have been having trouble with my blood counts. We've spaced my chemo treatments(Cabazetaxel/Carboplatin-4 since 01/20) out 4 weeks with about a 20% reduction in each chemo product, because of low Platelet counts. Not a whole lot said to me about hemoglobin.
We're scheduled for 1st shot of Pluvicto on June 22, so blood numbers are of concern. (I always say we because after being married for 35 years we're in this together) Also, he's not interested in looking up anything. My beloved was zen before zen was in our vernacular. 😀
Cabizataxel appeared to have worked to some degree according to the PSMA PET scan report we received today, but hemoglobin and platelets both plummeted. He hovers now around 8 and supplemented by transfusions when under 8.0. Platelets recovering well. If Pluvicto is a bust, I'd consult with MO on going on a reduced Cabi dose and longer interval like your regimen. Upwards and onwards.
I started Pluvicto last July but was taken out of the program because PSA continued to rise…stopped at 715 but with the 4 infusions it has dropped to low 200.
Three best to your husband in his LU177 treatment.
Fingers crossed and thank you!
I am absolutely convinced that chemo has had a huge impact on my hearing. I am getting yearly audiograms since my hearing loss was progressing. Last Fall I had Docetaxol for the first time x5 rounds with many side effects. My audiologist listened to my complaints and said come in about 6 weeks after your last infusion. My right ear has precipitously dropped so that at 95db I can understand 12% of the words presented to me. 5 years ago I had a drop in hearing with Carbazitaxol and Etoposide though it was not as severe.
I am now wearing a Cros by Phonak so my right side is just a microphone that picks up sound on my right and transmits it to my hearing aid in the left ear. When driving, I can now hear my passenger which made my wife happy.
I also use a very directional microphone called Roger (by Phonak) in meetings, meals with multiple people, etc. Great technology for my profound hearing loss.
My husband is coming undergoing Cabazitaxal, his 7th is coming up next week. No hearing loss but has noticed the phlegmy throat issue that docbulldog mentioned.
My Onc is recommending chemo,l but I have refused it. Putting off chemo as long as I can.
My Onc is doing the same. I feel pretty good. Am on abiraterone, prednisone, Lupron shots x4 a year. The bone infusion too when ordered. They say as my scans show progression, and my PSA levels are stable that I am now beyond that treatment. I flat out don't want to do anything in the way of chemo. She talks of adding 3-4 months to my life, plus taking away pain. Gamble 730 dollars and win back 120 is how I read it. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK UP?
I got to the point where Lupron was no longer effective. I tried Zytiga/ Prednisone but didn’t like the side effects, so stopped, taking nothing for the PSA. But after the PSA reached 110, I decided to go back on Zytiga/Prednisone 1 tab each instead of the 4 recommended dose. But I also added in Fenbendazole, 1 tab/day. In less than 2 months, I brought the PSA down to 11.8. Now I am only taking the 1 tab of Fenben a day.
I am trying other treatments to kill the cancer. Lowering the PSA only means the cancer is growing at a slow rate.
The use of Fenbendazole is very interesting. I've been researching that a lot recently.
This is the drug that Joe Tippens used, isn't it?
The reason I actually stumbled into this was because I was investigating the possible link with PCa and parasites. Fenbendazole obviously is a treatment for parasites.
I consider a steady PSA as a win, not just lowering it.
Hope it continues to work for you.
👍
I would be interested to know more about this. I am thankful my PSA is going down assuming the chemo treatment is helping. But anything would help maintain.
Thank you for your reply.
I do see some research saying cabazitaxel can be ototoxic:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/371...
...but your description of having clogged ears may be a separate issue. Yeah, seems like a consult with an ENT might be helpful.
From experience with immunotherapy, had some hearing loss in right ear. This was in month after first infusion. Had some hearing loss the year before and ENT told me that any unexplained hearing loss needs to be treated withing days of noticing it. Took a month off from immunotherapy, had immediate steroid injections to ear. This at least stabilized it. ENT said that it was not simply age related as that typically shows up in the higher frequencies first.
After a pretty complete hearing test at Costco I was referred to a medical dr for further evaluation. So I am now looking for a good ENT clinic to get further evaluation. Both ears now seem to have been affected by past Chemo infusions. Probably the Cabazitaxel, as understand it must have more toxicity or maybe it was the Carboplatin.
Is Dairy a problem in PC
Docetaxel and breathing problems?
What’s next? Hearing different approaches from different people. 
problem with urgency to go
