Plaquenil and increased tinnitus, anybody had this?

[Jade]

I got tinnitus nearly a year ago and jury is out as to why. One very loud west end musical? hearing loss ( confirmed) or APS Dr Hughes theory.

Anyway over the months it improved to bearable levels and I thought I was on the home straight.

I started plaquenil in January and now my tinnitus is getting louder again.

I really don't know if its the plaquenil but to be honest if I thought it was I would give it up as I prefer pain to mental torture and spending my life with an internal orchestra.

Has anybody else had this problem?

[london-lass]

Hi

I am not on Plaquenil, but had bad tinnitus. Was referred to Audiology for a check up. I have mid range hearing loss, and the consultant thought that it was due to the Hughes compromising the blood flow to the hairs in the ears. He said my ears were working too hard. 2 hearing aids later, my tinnitus is gone, but it returns if I forget to wear them.

Just a thought, but I don't know about the Plaq connection.

Take care

[Jade in reply to london-lass]

I have low range hearing loss and they will not consider a hearing aid for me at all. I had been told by a friend with hearing loss and tinnitus that an aid would solve my tinnitus but they wont let me try them.

[Coppernob]

Not aware of a Plaquenil/tinnitus connection. Except a positive one. I had quite bad tinnitus at one point. Was told it was Eustachian Tube Disorder. Turned out to be a neurological symptom of APS/SS, and went away with increased Plaquenil. Many docs are not aware of the neurological implications of APS etc.

[Jade]

My problem is just the not knowing. I do know that medications can cause tinnitus and as I have had plaquenil 2 months and a spike in tinnitus I am worried about a connection as tinnitus is noted as a side effect. I have APS and SS but the audiology dept dont accept there is any connection, I was just told it is always a loud noise which does it. I sincerely hope this a blip and the plaquenil helps.

[sangje]

Hi Jade

There are many different types of hearing loss and sometimes the hearing loss would not be improved by a hearing aid. On a different tack -have you tried a sound spa ? These are fairly cheap machines - about £20-30 a bit like a clock radio that you keep by the side of your bed and turn on at night or quiet times. They play broad spectrum white or pink noise (can be like waterfalls or woodland sounds) The theory is that they 'retrain' the brain's interpretation of sound and therefore decrease/remove the tinnitus. Many people find a great improvement in their tinnitus and sleep. They are lovely and relaxing anyway.

Hope you get some relief soon .

Sanj x