Last year I developed back and tendon issues with severe sciatica. Apart from a cortisone injection in my back that I had sourced privately the only help I received from GP and consultant was to take anti inflammatory pain killers like Ibruprofen, Namoxen etc. I took their advice against my better judgement. After some research I see it is clear that this medication and many others can definitely be the cause of Tinnitus. I just hope and pray that mine is reversible in time.
Why isn't there a warning on these over the counter tablets??? Absolute madness. I'm furious
Written by
Soakie
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Sorry to hear of your troubles. Hopefully when you stop taking the meds the T might stop too. As far as I can see .. There's usually a drawback with drugs. I'm not saying people shouldn't take meds. They can be very effective but they often have side effects too. It's a conundrum.
Thank you. Have stopped taking the drugs and so far no improvement.
Re taking meds..... I went in to the pharmacy recently and could not believe the amount of medication that was flying out the door. There were several room with shelves and shelves of prescriptions waiting to be collected. I realise there are many illnesses that call for life saving medication and thank goodness for that. But my mother for instance takes 26 pills a day - she is actually in hospital at the moment because the medication has caused serious side effects. I believe her GP is at a loss as to what she should take. Perhaps if we didn't have a system such as the NHS which is abused by so many people it would be a different story. Having lived overseas I came to realise and appreciate the cost of these treatments.
I feel much the same way as you do. I've got other conditions but I don't take meds for them. I just prefer not to. I think GP's tend to dish them out rather liberally - as in the case of your mum. Hopefully your tinnitus might disappear in time.
I’m interested to see that you’ve read that T can be caused by these medications. This is not shown as a known side effect of ibuprofen in their pack details. So it hasn’t come up on the manufacturer’s research and hasn’t been reported to them as such. So they would not give a warning.
Maybe speak to someone at British tinnitus association and ask them about it?
Any medication has side effects of course. Indeed, anything you put in your mouth has some effect or other. This evening I shall have a glass of wine and hope it has an effect!!
Pharmacists are, or at least many of them, very clued up on medication. Maybe chat with yours?
My own GP took an additional degree in pain relief so I trust him to prescribe. We tried many tablets over the months for arthritis and to counter the side effects of a pill I take to stop cancer returning. We have settled on Butec patches supplemented by ibuprofen, the latter covered by lansoprazole to counter the tummy troubles that ibuprofen might cause.
Thank you for your response. I didn't have Tinnitus until I had been taking painkillers for a while after damaging my back. It's only just recently after doing some research online that the connection was made. You only have to google Ibuprofen and Tinnitus to see there is a lot of well researched information on the subject. I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies don't want any more negative info on their list of side effects - already pretty extensive.
I was surprised that you said T is not listed as a side effect of ibuprofen as it is well known that it can cause or exacerbate it. It isn't listed on the NHS website yet there are many other places online referencing the link. I have taken ibuprofen a lot over the years for other complaints and as my T got worse my mum told me to stop taking it as she'd seen many articles in newspapers and on tv talking of the link. This is something that should be more widely publicised given that there are alternative pain relievers but no relief from T.
It is not listed on the pack insert. The only references I’ve seen - and I haven’t done much searching I must admit - have been from American sites as I said.Ibuprofen certainly didn’t and doesn’t make any difference to my T.
And long may that continue. 😉 I did a quick google of the link and got lots of hits. Unfortunately T doesn't always come on like a light switch so it's difficult to pinpoint the cause. I obviously can't say if mine got worse because of the ibuprofen or if it would have got worse without. However tenuous the link, it should be listed on the packet imho even though the list of possible symptoms is enough to put one off taking anything!
With the anti inflammatory pain killers.Don’t worry or concentrate on it it should pass!
BTA has a very helpful website (Healthunlocked has a community) with lots of info on groups and self help.There’s a very interesting book by a fella called Neil Bauman on ototoxic drugs and not just Pharmaceutical class either
See you have mentioned back and severe sciatica.Mind if I be a nosy sod and ask if you have ever had head/neck/back trauma or minor injury be it even trapped nerve?
Pssst tell me to sod off if you feel that’s to personal.I don’t mind I have that affect on people!
Thank you for your response even if it sounds a little condescending!! I sincerely hope it will pass.
I have looked at BTA website and several others - there's quite a lot of info online concerning the use of anti inflammatory medication and tinnitus from reputable sources. I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies have a hand in keeping any negatives about their products quiet. Will look up the book you mentioned.
Re sciatica - had an MRI recently which showed compression of an S1 nerve root which resulted in having an epidural injection of cortisone. Tripped badly whilst on a 24 mile walk (not in one day) last summer - stupidly I finished the walk! Also some tearing of tendons. Every NHS consultant, doctor or practicioner I have spoken to just prescribe Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc etc. Only when I went privately did I get any real help. Why do you ask?
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