Tinnitus from Cisplatin chemotherapy

[greenpink]

Hello Ovacome community,

Has anyone experience of tinnitus as a result of receiving Cisplatin, or another chemo ( seems to be side affect of platinum chemos). This hissing started last Thursday, it’s loud and distressing causing hearing impairment. It’s constant. I had cycle 2 of Cisplatin & Etoposide on Monday 14 th & this started few days later.

I’m Stage 4, diagnosed May 2012 and this is my 6th line of chemo, a last ditch attempt to control cancer pain, which it has done, but I don’t want to loose my hearing, this will surely get worse, if I continue Cisplatin. Besides 6 lines of chemo, I’v e also had 3 major operations to remove OC & 13 months of Olaparib, since 2012, when diagnosed at 48. BRACA 2 positive. Any experience, advice, please let me know. I can’t live like this. All the best, to everyone. Thanks

[Lyndy]

Yes unfortunately tinnitus is a side effect I have had on carboplatin. It does recover afterwards but I find I get it now if I am tired xx

[greenpink in reply to Lyndy]

Hi Lyndy, thanks for your reply. Good to hear tinnitus has got better for you and can resolve after treatment, though occurs sometimes.

I’ll see ENT, hopefully. Will probably stop/ reduce Cis if tinnitus doesn’t improve. It’s trade off, as it’s controlling pain. Best wishes

I‘ve had 4 previous lines of Carboplatin and never experienced tinnitus— lucky I guess. And until this year, I haven’t experienced much actual cancer pain, apart from when diagnosed years ago. I’ve been very lucky, in that I’ve responded to lots of treatment, surgery.

[Twinning]

Hi greenpink,

I experienced tinnitus after 3 infusions of Cisplatin and the treatment was discontinued after the hospital detected a 10% hearing loss

(I was tested after each infusion as a previous patient lost her hearing). My tinnitus is also quite loud but it has become part of my life and I really only notice when I am ill or very tired.

I hope an ENT can help you. I found Cisplatin to be quite harsh and was relieved when treatment was stopped. But I am now being treated for my 1st recurrence. These medicines help extend our lives but we must endure their after effects. Hoping to avoid anything major this time round.

Wishing you peace this holiday season.

[FlowerRose in reply to Twinning]

Hello Twinning. I'm afraid this won't help greenpink much but what you said about side effects resounded SO loudly to me! Yes, thank you medicine for giving me more time on this planet but omigosh, if I were to start seeing another specialist for every side effect I'd be a full time patient for a living. Arthritis, stenosis, chronic constipation (sorry), pulsatile tinnitus, muscle pain, joint issues. Good heavens! Comes with the territory I guess, but my body feels like it has aged about 20 years over the past 12 months

[SheilaAD]

I haven’t had that problem it affects my Potassium and magnesium mostly so have to take supplements. Only having Etoposide cycle 1 now because of the problems it causes me. Stay strong all , one good thing is my CA125 is reducing. Merry Christmas all x

[Marzipan]

Hello greenpink,

Unfortunately, yes I have tinnitus from Cisplatin. I noticed it on my 5th round and chose to go ahead and finish my last round anyway.

Since then I have tested hearing loss and ongoing tinnitus for the past 4 years. The high pitched whistling faded, but the high frequency noise continues. My brain usually just ignores it except occasionally when my brain tunes in and realizes what a racket is going on in my ears. It was suggested to play background music to distract me. It does seem to help.

The funny part is the hearing loss. I am 10 years younger than my spouse but we now both have the same level of hearing loss with exchanges like... “What did you say, you are going to the ... smorgasbord?” “No, no, I am going to the SOBEY’s store.” “Oh, ok, can you pick up some fresh fruit then? “ 😆

I know it’s not fun to have high pitched squealing in your ears, but I hope that it can fade a bit and your brain adjusts to tune most of it out.

Best of luck and Happy Christmas to you!

[Bettyxxx]

I too got it during treatment, it was only after i sent my hubby down to see what he left on every night for a week we realised it was my ears 🙈 i have been left with a bit of hearing loss but i have not had it investigated. Its good for getting to sleep i put my bad ear up xx

[LavenderLu]

I have tinnitus after have treatment with cisplatin. My hemotologist disregarded my concerns about it and I can find no help anywhere, neither from medical staff nor internet! I would love to hear about anyone who had this side effect and had it resolved.