Hi
I have tinnitus that recently got very loud . My doctor sent e referrals to Rhem dept as it’s very hard to get any contact with them myself.
They advised to stop the hydroxy as it was a mild drug anyway ???
I have methotrexate injection once a week but nothing else
It’s been a week now not really any changes except headaches . I was told there would be no side affects . Joints sort of ok
What do you think ?
By the way the tinnitus is still there !
I've also been told that it's a mild drug; one registrar described it as an "enabler" which is thought to make other DMARDS more effective rather than doing much itself. Tinnitus must be horrible 😢
So sorry, I get very mild tinnitus but my OH suffers horrendously! I agree with Boxerlady in that Hydroxy is often given to facilitate the actions of Mtx. I'm only only 4th day of Hydroxy , also taking MTX, and am not liking it much at all! I would just phone the Rheumatology Nurse, if you haven't already, for a second opinion.
Are you taking any NSAIDS? These can cause tinnitus as well
Hiya Liz. Sorry to hear your tinnitus is causing such issues for you. Hydroxychloroquine is most often prescribed as the first DMARD when the disease isn't widespread, (usually in hands or feet or both) certainly why it was my first & possibly why it was yours too. Whilst all the DMARDs are serious meds by comparison HCQ is one of the 'milder' ones & often why other DMARDs are added in time (double or triple therapy, depending on how many), to bolster treatment, increase the arsenal if you like & why you had MTX added. So, since you've been taking HCQ this long this is probably why your Rheumy is thinking along these lines.
As the tinnitus is still a constant it may be that another of your meds is making it worse. Have you been prescribed a new NSAID or anti depressant, not necessarily for depression. Those such as amitriptyline in lower doses are commonly prescribed in RD as an addition to help control it, or help relaxation of muscles/muscular pain. Or has a diuretic or even antibiotic recently been added? Quite a few of prescribed meds can trigger or increase tinnitus.Unfortunately age can come into it too as our hearing also reduces. If your GP has ruled out a build-up or wax or middle ear infection, even hearing loss (however slight), in your position I’d be asking is it time to ask if you should be referred to an Audiologist or at least a tinnitus clinic. You probably know there's no treatment but there are ways of managing it.
I hope you can find the cause, whatever it is. I understand how disabling it can be as my h has it. No once cause has been found unfortunately though he does have diabetes which isn't well controlled at the mo. He finds he can manage it better if there's background noise, something you could try if you haven't already, any source helps. For him bedtime is worst when it's most quiet so when it's particularly bothersome he has TV on low but radio or other noise source helps.
Thank you so much for the information, I am being referred to audiology and I manage the tinnitus most of the time x
Liz018Various sounds emitted by our electronics can duplicate the sounds people hear which can be mistaken as tinnitus.
I had a home with these constant tones in varying frequencies. It was driving me crazy. The conclusion after having engineers in who measured device frequencies and from surrounding equipment that emmissions were from these items.
My phone was a real source of noise as programs are constantly sending out beacons to connect with other smart devices. Shops now employ the use of beacons to read your browsing history, maps send out beacons to know where you are. The "smarter" our world is, the worse this noise will become.
I put all my devices on "mute" and use flash notifications. I avoid "smart" devices to lessen these emissions.
There are videos on youtube, some as long as 10 hours for tinnitus relief. The soundtrack is a series of tones with music or nature sounds added. While I don't have tinnitus, I have these soundtracks playing all the time in the background to cover this noise. DH and dog seem to sleep better with them on as well.
Good luck.
Not on hydroxy but I have had tinnitus for years. Talking to the GP he referred me to audiology who tested my hearing and gave me hearing aids. These aids have a 'masking' function if I press a little button on rhe aids. This generates a sound into my ear which cancels the tinnitus noise. I don't need it very often but it's a great relief when I do.
I can't really help with the medication side but am so glad you posted as I have had tinnitus since childhood and I'm 48 now, I also have a perforated ear drum and that's why I get it. I never knew that the meds could make it louder. I had noticed an increase in the noise I get but didn't think anymore of it.
I hope you can get this sorted, it's annoying but I do find that white noise or listening to music through ear/headphones does help.
Liz methotrexate needs time it's not an overnight cure, like I said on another thread I stuck with it and I'm now 2 years into remission, it's very easy to blame methotrexate for any illness that comes along it gets the blame on here for fungal toenails to almost anything we may have, obviously if you have a real problem talk to the experts, if you take it like I did religiously you can start to manage your meds, any heavy cold flu you can have what's called an holiday from methotrexate, meaning miss a week of taking it allowing your immune system to fight the cold or whatever off, it's always best to talk to your consultant about this but they've always given me the green light to do this, remember there are thousands of RA sufferers relying on methotrexate but not many will be on here, I can only tell you about my experiences I now play golf and walk six miles every time from someone who had difficulty getting out of bed, I sincerely wish you well and hope you get better whatever you do.
ATB
Mike
Hi Liz,I take methotrexate for Rhuematoid Arthritis .I have been taking it for 3 years now and it takes 6-8 weeks when you first star before you will see any changes .That is what it did for me.Methotrexate is a cancer drug it does have side affects all drugs do.
Hydroxy chloroquine and light sensitivity
1St dose of hydroxy taken.
MTX/ Hydroxy/ vaccine 
Leflunomide and Hydroxy
