I’m pretty sure the new spike was caused by painkillers

[Bowler200]

Hello all….about 3 weeks ago I had sciatica so initially I took lots of ibuprofen,I was fine at that point but then I received naxproxen from my GP and having only taken 3 tablets I noticed a spike in my tinnitus which was worse than the previous spike.I’ve had tinnitus for many years but it’s never affected my life until these last 3 weeks.I haven’t had a decent nights sleep and zopiclone just don’t seem to be effective,I am getting mild anxiety worrying about sleeping and my plans fore the future,I work in a noisy factory so I now wear ear defenders but I’m not sure if that’s like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted

[Happyrosie]

Hello Bowler. You’re in the right place to get sympathy and we know what you are feeling.

I often think it’s not always wise to worry about what caused the tinnitus - you’ve got it.The best resource in my opinion is to look on British tinnitus Association website and especially go through their “take on tinnitus” course.

Other posters here will, I’m sure, join me in giving you their sympathies and tips. Mine is to go for a walk and listen to the birds, trees, rain - somehow this takes some of the worry away.

[Bowler200 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you happyrosie….whilst I’m still waiting for an ENT appointment I,ll just soldier on and at least then I,ll know if it’s nothing more serious or not and live on…..you’re right though I’m thinking too much about the cause and I shouldn’t…….my dad who suffers too is managing ok and told me it’s early days etc……my biggest anxiety is sleeping though,I have new medication to try from tonight ( nothing ventured nothing gained) but I’m sure that some day I,ll get a decent nights sleep again

[Griffiths30]

I feel for you. When my tinnitus seems louder my anxiety goes through the roof! I try to relax and do things that hopefully take my mind off it. I love that I can go on here and have other folk to talk to!

[purenostalgia]

I am starting to cope with sleepless nights without medication, I was like you could not sleep, I spent a whole night sat on the side of a hospital bed.

I now go to bed after midnight and usually sleep till about 5am. this is starting to form a pattern now, as my Audiologist said it would.

I am not sure but I think Zopiclone is banned in the USA.

Take care

Mike

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Bowler - I don't think that you were imagining a spike in relation to Naproxen. Tinnitus is stated as a common side effect in the NHS guidance - nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/

[Bowler200 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

I don’t think so too….it definitely happened after the 3rd naproxen tablet,I’m sure

[doglover1973]

Hi Bowler200 I would say it's never too late to protect you ears. Keep up the good work!

[Bowler200 in reply to doglover1973]

I will for sure…I went to a football stadium last night…not too bad but I think I,ll wear trendy ear protectors next time……

[doglover1973 in reply to Bowler200]

It's a good idea. I've got Alpine music safe ear muffs. I wear them in all noisy situations - like the dentist . They cost £20 from the Alpine website.

[1966366]

Naproxen and Sertraline both sent my T crazy for days without a shadow of doubt. In fact, I have already made the same statement regarding Sertraline on this forum: in the list of possible side effects "ringing in the ears" is listed. I will not be touching either of them two medications ever again!

[Bowler200 in reply to 1966366]

Funny thing is I used a full course of naproxen 2 years ago and i was ok ……my T is not too loud but my ears feel sore sometimes,almost like they are dying to pop

[777john]

I also suffer at times with sciatica i take codeine phosphate which is also known as solpadol i take 2 tablets every 6 hours but never take more than 4 in a day and they work for me and they have not made my tinnitus any worse i have bad tinnitus which i can hear 24/7 so i am very cautious of tablets i have taken zopicione which is also known as naxproxin with anxiety tablets and they have given me a spike when i have taken zopicione with out taking any other tablets they have been great and i have slept well i took them for 4 weeks and they helped me to sleep then i came of them and i have been on mirtazapine 15 m for the last 6 months and i have slept great. Mirtazapine is given to treat anxiety but is also given as a sleep aid and its been brilliant for me.