Tinnitus post triple Tx

[hepc4Sandi]

I am finding I am experiencing tinnitus. I at first thought it was the Eliquis I have been on for 2 months, my cardiologist put me on Xarelto and it seems to be a little less. But now I am wondering if it isn't a Sx post Tx of Sovaldi/Interferon/Ribavirin. Will it go away in time? Thinking I should probably call my doctor and have my ears looked at. Anyone with similar excperiences?

[dontworry_behappy1]

"What you hear is your immune system killing cells in the brain".
_________________________________

Could you provide a link to validate that statement.

[lookbehindyou]

What you hear is your immune system killing cells in the brain. Try LDN

[hepc4Sandi]

Thanks so much for your research and care, I feel so taken care of. If it would just go down a little bit I would be happier. Alas, the price of SVR perhaps, and getting older too. I really think Xarelto is what made it worse, and since the docs want me on a blood thinner because of my AFib, there is not much choice there. Just trying to safe guard what hearing I have.

[Dee1956]

Hey thanks so much for the update.  Sorry for all of my posts.  I was trying to come up with something that would help you.
In all of my searching I found other people on a tinuiitis support group.
One guy said it does slowly go away.  That gave me hope for you.
Take Care

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi Dee,
I went to audiology today and I do have some hearing loss in the upper range, but not too bad (yet). Probably caused by the Interferon/Ribavirin/Xarelto and the dental stuff I just had done. The ear buzzing started 1 week into Tx, so that tells you something! It may subside as I am not yet 1 year EOT (9 months EOT next week, as I started Tx Feb. 7 last year.) The Xarelto probably pushed it into the really annoying range. They want to follow up with me in 6 months to see if it gets worse. Hopefully not.

[Dee1956]

Hi I found some info relating to magnesium could help this problem.  I also read there can be a connection between the thyroid and/or adrenal fatigue. I hope something will help. Dee

[hepc4Sandi]

Geez, not so sure I want to take more drugs at this point, am willing to see if it will go away over time. Am planning a couple camping trips in a few months, hoping peace and quiet in nature may help. I will keep this info if I need it later, thank you for looking it up. Am 9 1/2 months eot at this point, so still under the Tx influence for several more months. Thank you for your feedback. Have started taking the lipo flavinoids, and it seems to be helping a little, I notice it at night mostly.

[otterwatcher]

thanks Dee,that makes sense to me -chronic fatigue syndrome has similar HPAaxis/cortisol issues and similar causes they believe.

[Dee1956]

Not sure if this will help you, I  sincerely hope so.  I googled tinutitis high cortisol pituitary and found a wealth of information.  This is just one article.

Background

Tinnitus is a frequent, debilitating hearing disorder associated with severe emotional and psychological suffering. Although a link between stress and tinnitus has been widely recognized, the empirical evidence is scant. Our aims were to test for dysregulation of the stress-related hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in tinnitus and to examine ear sensitivity variations with cortisol manipulation.
Methods

Twenty-one tinnitus participants and 21 controls comparable in age, education, and overall health status but without tinnitus underwent basal cortisol assessments on three non-consecutive days and took 0.5 mg of dexamethasone (DEX) at 23:00 on the first day. Cortisol levels were measured hourly the next morning. Detection and discomfort hearing thresholds were measured before and after dexamethasone suppression test.
Results

Both groups displayed similar basal cortisol levels, but tinnitus participants showed stronger and longer-lasting cortisol suppression after DEX administration. Suppression was unrelated to hearing loss. Discomfort threshold was lower after cortisol suppression in tinnitus ears.
Conclusions

Our findings suggest heightened glucocorticoid sensitivity in tinnitus in terms of an abnormally strong glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated HPA-axis feedback (despite a normal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated tone) and lower tolerance for sound loudness with suppressed cortisol levels. Long-term stress exposure and its deleterious effects therefore constitute an important predisposing factor for, or a significant pathological consequence of, this debilitating hearing disorder.

[Dee1956]

I just read that high cortisol levels can cause this problem.  After I read that I remembered someone having problems with their pituitary gland malfunctioning after tx.  It took her a long time to find out what this was.  I am sorry I can't remember but I am going to try to take a look for this information.

[scottie24]

I just read about some bizarre magnetic therapy ("brain zapping")  that is supposed to work to help vets with PTSD.  Docs don't know why it works, it just does, so says patient after patient, family member after family member.  

Also helps with autism and tinnitus, i THINK i read.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/brain-zapping-veterans-say-experimental-ptsd-treatment-has-changed-their-lives/2015/01/12/2fc8b3ca-58aa-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html

[hepc4Sandi]

Thank you for the recommendation, I will loo for such a cd.

[hoping4cure]

Doctors usually recommend turning on the radio or tv to mask the noise which can actually make it worse. Playing the radio doesn't help break the negative limbic system attachment the body has to the tinnitus perception.

When tinnitus is new the brain sees it as a threat exactly as you would respond to the sound of roaring lion. One of the cheapest and best things to do is to find a cd with continues light steady rain or some other environmental noise. Its real important to find a cd player that sounds really good so it sounds real. Pleasant steady environmental noises are natural to the brain and help relax the brain and body.

After a few weeks the brain will not see it as a threat and the sound will retreat into the background. It's real important to stay very hydrated and to stay away from things that restrict your blood flow. Good diet and exercise helps. Believe it or not but if it doesn't go away it just becomes part of who are and it's no big deal.

There is tinnitus retraining therapy which I went through. You wear tiny noise generators for several hours each day. The noise they generate is very relaxing, really does help with bringing the volume down and really helps to reprogram the brain and get some relief. The Neuromoics devices might help which is a much less expensive way to go

[hepc4Sandi]

Thanks Kim, I will get some today! The whole right side of my face is a mess right now. My dentist must have grazed a nerve with novacain (or whatever he used,) when he was treating my gum pockets I got after Tx. So I am having I think nerve pain, and probably an ear/sinus infection. And I had a muscle spasm on the right side of my jaw on Saturday. So am on antibiotics, flonase, zyrtec. More drugs! Not what I wanted! But it seems to be improving. The tinnitus isn't though, will be seeing audiology to check my hearing. I have always had really good hearing, so am not happy about that. That being said, I am so grateful to be cured of hcv, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Unfortunately there is no new Tx for us G4s. Thank you for your valuable advice. ~Sandi

[Livelife777]

Hi Sandi.  The only advice I can give you is to try Lipo Flavanoid.  It's a supplement typically found in the vitamin or hearing aid aisle in your drug store.
While taking chemo I experienced hearing loss and tinnitus.  Proceeded to see an audiologist and an ENT.  It was the concensus that if the ringing post Tx didn't subside within 6 months, it was likely permanent.  Interferon is also considered in some circles to be a form of chemotherapy.
This safe Lipo supplement was recommend by both experts and did help to some degree.  They both agreed that other then this there was really no alternative and to just live with it.  Did talk to the pharmacist as well and he said for many suffering tinnitus that it was a God send.  
Best to you
...Kim

[hepc4Sandi]

Thanks Dee I will check that out with my heart meds too.

[Dee1956]

Hi I just found someone talking about it and how he used Melatonin and it seemed to help with the ringing in his ears.

http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t56913276/how-long-after-treatment-to-get-sovaldi-and-ribavirin-out-of/

[Dee1956]

Hi, you're right, the thinking was the less exposure to interferon and riba the less chance for any problems.
I tried to find something about the exact tx you were on, could not find anything, just found others with problems after the peg and riba.
I will keep looking.  I hope that your  tinnitus gets better.

[HopeInPA]

I treated without interferon, but had several episodes of tinnitus during the treatment (12 weeks of Sovaldi+riba) and then especially during 3rd-5th months _after_  treatment. Never had it before and it was worrisome, when it was occurring in succession but it seems to be gone now.

[smaug48]

The very first side effect after I started interferon was tinnitis, that was January of 2008. I still have it.

smaug

[patra_]

Sandi, I, too, have Tinnitus, and have for 20 years - it started when I was on Interferon, or just after.  As DWBH said, when I think about it, it just seems louder.  i have worked with many clients over the years who had it, and they all got the same advice from their Drs, so I have been doing the same thing:  If it gets bothersome, I just play the TV or radio softly in the background and that helps, either by covering the sound or by distracting me, I don't know which, but it works, so who cares?

I had never associated my Tinnitus with the INF - had no idea where it came from - until I started reading the Forum entries by many who also had it and from INF or Peg, etc.  No Dr has verified I have it or the cause, but since my clients all had hearing specialists pretty much tell them the same thing about tx, I thought why worry and followed their Dr's advice to them.  There may be tx out there now, but I am not sure I would want to pursue it, even if there is -not crazy about taking any more meds than I have to.

Good luck!  Pat

[hepc4Sandi]

Hi Dee, Thanks, yes I read through the tinnitus posts on the hcv forums, I just didn't know if it applied to the shorter Tx of 12 weeks. I think I will text my hcv nurse about it and call my doc for an ent referral. I will let you know what happens. This is all so new for all of us, and as more of us are farther down the line from Tx, I am sure I won't be the only person with this issue.

[hepc4Sandi]

Thanks, your answer is reassuring. I think I will go ahead and get my ears checked to rule out anything there. It does seem to be less noticeable since starting the Xarelto, and that might be in the timing of it as I only take it at night. I just don't want to have any hearing loss. I am 8 months EOT now, so I figure I am still under the influence of the Tx. It is hard to be patient with this stuff, it freaked me out when it was really loud, and now I can't remember if I have always had it or not to some degree. Thank you.

[Dee1956]

Hi I found another person who treated with the peg and riba having the same problem. It is an old post but it looks like one person tried Neurontin to help them with it.  It is so hard, everyone is different and reacts differently to these drugs.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Ringing-in-my-ears/show/1135779