Tinnitis
I had a valve replacement and pacemaker installed in July of "09 and at the 3 month post surgery mark, an annoying ringing started in my ears. I have had hearing tests etc and there is no physical reason why this is happening. I feel like I am going crazy sometimes and don’t even know how to talk to people about it after they supported me throughout my heart issues. This is not painful, just makes me not be me, always feel like I have one nerve and my loved ones are on it?? Dr has perscribed atavan and zanax and that helps a bit but makes me like a Zombie (a sleeping one). As you know, after heart surgery, I have been given a "do-over" and want to live life to the fullest but ... I would love to know how you cope or if there is a way to find out if it is caused by my pacemaker??
4 Comments
Hi
by Pookie - 2010-10-14 09:10:28
Hi
You say you have had hearing tests but you didn't say if you were seen by an ENT (ear,nose,throat) specialist. If you haven't, perhaps that is a good place to start. This is only my non-medical opinion. Then, if I were you, I'd be asking to be referred to a Neurologist.
I am stumped as to why you are on Ativan and Xanax for this as both those drugs are used for stress, it won't help with the ringing in your ears. Ativan is highly addictive too.
Sometimes, we as the patient, have to do a lot of research on our own, as these days I find a lot of the doctors don't have much time to spend with us.
Did you google Tinnitis to see what the causes are? I always use the Mayo Clinic website as I trust it.
Good luck.
Pookie
Tinnitus
by lenora - 2010-10-15 06:10:11
Unfortunately tinnitus is a side effect of the benzodiazepines such as Ativan and Xanax. Perhaps you need to ask your MD about easing you off of one or both.
tinnitus
by jessie - 2010-10-15 12:10:02
my husband suffers with tinnitus among other much worse medical conditions. he was told that it was caused by being exposed to the loud machinery in chemical plants long before safety equipment for ears was mandatory. he just lives with it and how he does that is a mystery to me. he says different medication increase his tinnutis. he uses noise in the background to help him focus on other things. he is happiest when he has a focus in his life. you need a full workup regarding the cause and so see an eent person for this .you need a referral from your family dr. welcome to the site and hoping you get some help. jessie
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Tinnitus
by SMITTY - 2010-10-14 08:10:49
Hello Bneuf,
I have tinnitus and I get relief from my hearing aids. I can increase the volume to the point I cant hear the ringing in my ears but then the entire world becomes too loud. I tell my wife I can hear the pissants walking across the kitchen floor. But hearing aids are the only sure help I have found. Because of the high volume setting required I am limited to the amount of time I can use them to block out the tinnitus. It becomes a simple case of the cure being worse than the illness. Now there is more to my story if you have time.
As I have said many times, I'll never say what a pacemaker can or cannot do. But I had tinnitus long before I got my pacemaker, but not nearly as bad as it is now. Initially it was just in my left ear continuously and in the right ear occasionally. I've had countless ear tests and it is always the same old story, there is nothing physical causing the problem.
I've been going through an especially bad and long time of it for several months and I have found some medications that are a contributing factor.
Because of arthritis I have disabling back pain and I have tried several different medications. I have discovered there are some medications that will make my tinnitus much worse. One is Celebrex. I can take 100mg of Celebrex for two or three days in a row and the tinnitus is unbelievable. So I had to park that one and then tried Alieve, but the tinnitus, while not quite as bad, is worse than the backache. I am have taking trying 1,800mg of ibuprofen a day and tomorrow I will be off it and try something else to see backache becomes worse than the tinnitus over the next few days.
A couple more thoughts. I list several medications I have tried. All of these have been used with approval of my doctor. I know I have not helped you any, but if I were making a list of possible causes of the tinnitus my pacemaker would not even be on the list.
If you find anything that works please tell me what it is and Ill be forever in your debit.
Good luck,
Smitty