Annoying Ringing

[Duchess]

Does anyone have ringing in their head/ears. I have an almost chronic ringing sound in my head.
Occasionally, it is quiet in my head. The levels vary. I use the pain scale to describe the frequency of the sound ( 0 for quiet and 10 for the worst ). The frequency correlates with how I feel. When I am in pain, fatigued, can't sleep, too much activity, the frequency is higher. I try rest, relaxation techniques, pain pills, and it helps some. As I sit here now, I hear a low level of noise in my head.


Duchess

[grammad97]

Every day it is happening. Sjogrens does that to some. Plaquenil does not make it better.  I see my rheumy in March to address it. I have hearing loss too.

[Reanne]

I've been off Plaquenil for about a month.  I don't have the ringing nearly as bad as when I was on it daily.  I can't even recall the last time I remember hearing it.  My pain levels are increased off the Plaquenil though. 

[Duchess]

My Plaquenil dosage has been decreased from 200mg twice daily to 200mg once daily - no change. Maybe I should have a hearing test too.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I think what you are describing is tinnitus. Tinnitus is listed in possible side effects of Plaquenil. It's a rare side effect but an unpleasant one when it happens. Too often rheumies and ENT docs are actually unaware of this.

Take care - Scottie 

[SjoGirl]

Sounds like tinnitus which can be from hearing loss (maybe SjS affecting ears), vitamin deficiency, or other causes. ENT said is was hearing loss, but like you, the level varies which I don't believe is the case with hearing loss related tinnitus.

It started long before taking Plaquenil. Still trying to figure out what seems to trigger it. Have been told to try bioflavanoids, a form of vitamin with herbs, but I'm concerned about the many things it in causing possible allergic reactions. Would love to hear if you find and answer.

[LonghairWolfe]

I have ringing too, probably caused by the Plaquenil which I stopped after 6 months of use, which has been 4 months now, but the ringing is still there. The sound varies in intensity.  I can't seem to make a correlation based on fatigue or pain.  I had a hearing test prior to stopping the Plaquenil and there was no hearing loss.  It drives me insane sometimes.  I only hope it goes away soon.

If you try the flavanoids and they work, then please let me know and I will try it too.  Trying not to start anything new right now. 

Any idea how long it takes to get Planquil out of your system?  It never seemed to help me, only caused the ringing!

[SueAnn]

 I had the ringing way before I started Plaquenil,   but the Plaquenil has made it worse.

Tinnitus runs in my family and all my siblings have it to some degree. 

[Duchess]

Thanks to all

I am trying also to figure out just what triggers the ringing. As I sit here typing, the level is about a 2 out of 10. I will address this issue on my upcoming appts. and I will keep you all abreast.


Duchess

[MaryBee7]

I blame Plaquenil for my ringing ears, it got super bad.  Opted out of taking it for several reasons and almost never notice any BELLS in the ears anymore.

[eija]

Yep, it's there.

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE............... 

And yes, sometimes in harmony. But what's even more annoying is The Little Drummer Boy who's practising on my eardrum at times. Like a myokymia, but inside the ear! 


The first time I had it they gave me muscle relaxants for it. They did nothing so I just gave up. Since then it hasn't been so persistant, only a couple of hours at time, so I've let it just be. But it sure is annoying!

Wondering if my ringing has gotten worse with Oxiklorin. I think it might be but can't be sure. How long does it take to notice the difference after stopping the Plaquenil/Oxiklorin?

[gloria]

Hi I started having tinnitus in both ears about ten years ago. I was diagnosed with Sjogrens about 16 months ago.
The ringing is 24 hours a day and is worst when the weather changes. Sometimes there is pain when the ringing is
6/10  but most of the time the ringing a 3-4 on a 0/10 scale. Increase depression and confusion seem to be worse
when 6/10.

[pattie]

  Hi,

Perhaps this information may be helpful. I noticed that a number of you guys suffering with tinnitus have listed the meds you take. Many of those meds cause or contribute to tinnitus. All of the NSAIDs do with tylenol and aspirin leading the pack. In fact the lastest studies on Tylenol are finding some very nasty even dangerous side effects. ie elevated liver function test which in women especially leads to cirrhosis. tinnitus that often can be permanent, gastritis issues. Some of the other meds you guys have listed also have many of the same side effects. Tramadol, vicodin plus it also has a pretty hefty dose of tylenol in the formulas. Of course the plaquenil family can be a great contributor. Some time when you have a bit of time goggle your meds asking for side effects Boy oh Boy I'll bet there are a few surprises for you!!

OK so the good news/bad news is Often times you can illuminate the homesteading bell ringing choir in your ears by cutting down, substituting or discontinuing the guilty meds. I mean look at how many different ones we take that
have the same side effect. That could be why cutting down or discontinuing one doesn't seem to make much of a difference. The choir might jump ship and find anew home, but that just means the back up choir can take center stage. But (of course there is always a but) if the meds have caused permanate damage you better polish up your bell and wash your white gloves cuz kiddo you have a new career case in point I have taken tramadol, tylenol, ibuprofen cocktails for years for my inflammatory arthritis. back in  Sept We had a bit of a come to Jesus meeting, and I gave the bell ringers their eviction notice. I stopped taking all the NSAIDS and rely sole on the tramadol for pain relief ( that has taken a lot of adjusting), but I have to say it really has helped with the tinnitus!! But we figure that I took them so long that I do have some permanate damage

Ahhh jeez if you are still awake and reading this I got ta say "You are a better wo-man then I am Ghuga Din"!! So quickly before you all slip into comas here are a couple of things that might help muffle out some of the ringing. The sounds of silence seem to amplify the ringing for me. So I tend to use some kind of background noise. Music or tv on low. If I'm by myself (people already think I'm a bead or two off center) I hum in a low monotone tuneless tune. But I have to say that the best I have come up with is an appliance that emits "white noise" And since I would much rather buy a new pair of Danskos then a "white noise" appliance I just turn an electric fan on low!! Helps with those evil hot flashes also. The fan works really well at night since for some reason  my husband can't sleep with my tone deaf humming. Can you imagine.....??

So maybe somewhere in this mess you might have found something a bit worth wading to. But I would be very negligent if I didn't remind you that your first move before you start playing around with your meds it talk to your doc and together come up with a game plan. Be sure to take a complete list of your meds because many meds react differently when put together. Until then you could do what Pooh does and huummm huhu hummm

P;)

[Joe S.]

I keep wanting to respond, "Just hang up the phone".

I know this is a challenge to live with. I have had it since Grade 6 when two horn players thought it would be fund to blow their horns into my ears. The noise from the ringing makes it difficult to understand what others are saying. Often it is like white noise. Sometimes I can pick out specific frequencies. I was told that the damage could not be corrected with hearing aids.

Has anyone tried the supplements for this that are advertised on TV?

[Duchess]

Pattie, thanks

Joe, I like "Just hang up the phone" LOL! Will be looking into supplements.

Duchess