Help help

[yanloomey]

HI all .

I recently had a stent fitted in my cartonoid artery left side , the operation went good , after 3 weeks into my recovery ,I have devolved tinnitus ,I have been prescribed aspirin 81mg and plavix 75mg, can this medication be causing my tinnitus ? my surgeon has said no , but i think it may be the culprit ?

thank you for any feedback

[Happyrosie]

is this a carotid artery? If not, what I’m going to say doesn’t apply!

The carotid is very near your ear. Your brain is now hearing a different noise from this artery because the blood flow in that area has changed. So the brain has compensated by adding a noise of its own.

But, I’d have assumed the surgeon will have explained that to you when you asked about tinnitus after the procedure, so I’m baffled.

Whatever you do, do NOT stop your medication without a thorough discussion with your medical team.

[yanloomey in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi. Thank you for the reply. I did mention to the surgeon? Could this be now because I am taking blood thinner "the blood is flowing now much quickly. His response was no. I then went to see the ear doctor. He checked my ear for wax and infection. All was good with my ears. So what you are saying to me makes sense. Do you think over time it will go away? Or would you suggest I ask to change my medication. I was almost afraid the stenting caused damage to my ear. But if that was the case I would have noticed tinnitus directly after surgery? 🙏

[Happyrosie in reply to yanloomey]

With tinnitus, you never know whether or not it will go away. BUT you will get used to it in time.

As far as I’m aware there is no alternative to Clopidogrel and aspirin, though after twelve months on this regime they might change the dosage or remove one of them. My husband is on this regime so I know about it!

I can’t be sure of my “diagnosis” about your brain’s reaction to change in its perception of blood flow, and I stand to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable about anatomy than me.

[yanloomey in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you again for the reply , the surgeon told me I will stop the plavix after 6 months ,continue with the small dose of aspirin , but what baffle me is - the tinnitus started 3 weeks after surgery . I have read that aspirin can cause tinnitus . You learn so much after medical issues after you face them yourself , I did not even know what tinnitus was until I suffer. I feel so sorry for people that has this condition .it is scary. you are a strong Lady ,I wish you peace and happiness .

[Happyrosie]

the absolute joy of tinnitus is that it comes (and occasionally goes) without a discernable cause. It gets louder, it retreats till you think you’ve got it licked, then all of a sudden - wham! Sneaky. I think of it as a small imp that sits just behind my shoulder near the ceiling, I think I see it occasionally but when I turn it giggles nastily and vanishes from sight - but. It from hearing.

But I’m lucky that, because I’ve habituated, it rarely bothers me. It’s just part of life, and I infinitely prefer it to other chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke and what have you.

[yanloomey in reply to Happyrosie]

What baffles me is. I never had this prior to surgery. Yet after my surgery 3 weeks after getting out of hospital. I have now this buzzing in my ear. It is so annoying. I am half think now. Did the surgeon do damage when he fitted my stent. I will probaly have to have another scan and see what the underlaying cause it. I don't beleave it to be tinnitus. Yes tinnitus now for sure. I think something has gone wrong during surgery. I am sorry now I had the stenting. I should have went for the other option. Completely remove the plague artery and have the artery replaced with a vein from my leg. I did not want to go for this option. I would have had a 7-10cm scar on my neck. I'm really baffled. The stenting operation cost big money out of my own pocket. I only wish I had of returned to my home country and got it done on my insurance.

[Ana20]

Hi! If you read the prospect of Aspirin, they say T may be a side -effect. It depends in the quantity.

I take Aspenter(70 mg aspirin) every other day. My T doesn’t disappear when I interrupt it.

So, you can take it for as long as the doctor says.

Good health!

[yanloomey in reply to Ana20]

Thank you. They say you have to complete stop it for 72 hours for it to leave the system. But like you say. A small doses it probably won't effect me. Thanks for your help.