Ototoxic drugs

[Happyrosie]

I was scrolling through some old posts looking for something about habituation.

But what caught my eye was a post about ototoxic drugs - those medications which may have an adverse effect on T, specifically.

Either currently or in the past I’ve been prescribed several of those mentioned and none of these has worsened my T. Indeed I was quite high a few years ago on a dose of steroids and the “high” made the T fade into the background beautifully!

So my conclusion is, not to worry too much if you think the medication might worsen your perception of T we are all different.

A discussion or anybody else’s view on this would be very welcome.

[rabbits65]

Hi Happyrosie,Last week I was prescribed an antibiotic called Erthromycin 500mg for a mouth infection, I looked through the accompanying leaflet and read some of the side affects, low and behold it stipulated tinnitus as a side affect, so I thought , oh well I’ve got it anyway let’s take a chance and hope it doesn’t make it any worse.,, now because I stressed about what I had read I did feel things a bit worse at the time but I am sure it was my fault about my sensitivity to the particular subject. Goes to show how sensitive tinnitus is and how difficult it is to define different situations. Hope your well Rosie .. take care. .

[lilliput]

Half a bottle of wine dampens mine. Also sometimes take low dose of Mirtazapine to sleep, makes no difference.

Sleep though makes condition more bearable.

[Beesmac]

Hi HappyRosie - I am permanently on antibiotics so this does worry me but I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of my problems are more stress related. I am at my best when I am in bed with hearing aids out and absorbed in a really good book in total silence. Can’t live like that forever though can I!! What I can’t make out is when I am having a fairly good day and I sit down to read the paper, if I drop off for even 5 minutes, when I awake my musical tinnitus comes roaring in and I am usually stuck with that tempi and can’t calm it back down. I read an article written by Dr Scurr in the Daily Mail, in answer to someone’s question regarding tinnitus - he virtually confirmed all we know that there is no cure but a drug called Escitalopram may help and for some people dulls the tinnitus. Also helps withOCD which if I am honest I do have a tendency towards this. Just wondered if anyone had heard of this and particularly if it had helped? On another note thank heaven warmer days to look forward to. X

[Acure22 in reply to Beesmac]

What you mention about dozing off and tinnitus is also my experience.So, much as I would love to doze away, free of tinnitus for a while, I tend not to.

I am trying to habituate more these days and only put my aids on if I watch tv. This has upped my level of tolerance, though, at the cost of my ability to hear.

[doglover1973 in reply to Beesmac]

Me too Beesmac T is always loud when I wake up . Early morning or after 40 winks during the day. It's always the same. It's as if while I'm awake the T settles down but when I wake up it's back to square one.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Dear Beesmac

Escitalopram is an anti-anxiety medication - and falls into the category of SSRI drugs: nhs.uk/medicines/escitalopram/

[Beesmac in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks BTAPat - I wonder if any of our members have taken it and whether it helped? x

[Antinni1971 in reply to Beesmac]

I'm using It since the beginning of March. So far no chanching in mood or Tinnitus but the say It needs almost three weeks to give some result. I'm sceptical...

[Beesmac in reply to Antinni1971]

Thanks for your reply and if you do find any change - good or bad - be grateful to know. Good luck.

[Antinni1971 in reply to Beesmac]

My mood now improved a Little bit, but no change in T, but I gave up sleep tablets.

[Beesmac in reply to Antinni1971]

Hi Antinni1971 - I was actually thinking about you this morning and wondered how you were getting on with those tablets. Glad to hear you feel better in yourself even if there’s no change with Tinnitus. I’m sure in time you will be able to cope better with the tinnitus. I had a terrible day yesterday so took a Diazepam - I try not to but it’s not easy is it. Hope you get some good progress soon and thank you again for letting me know x