Ringing in Ears--anyone, anyone?

[kcherub]

Okay, this has been going on since last summer, and most of the time I can just deal with it...

When I am trying to go to sleep, I hear a ringing in my right ear (actually it is more of a varying "tone", and I can't explain it better than that). It started the middle of last summer, so after chemo #3. Some nights, it is something I can deal with, and fall asleep (Ativan-induced, of course). Last night, I literally thought I was going to run off into the woods screaming.

I thought it was only in our bedroom, as I didn't notice it in other parts of the house, outside, at work, etc. However, it was so bad last night that I went up to my son's room and stood in his closet. I could hear it!!! It might just be me zeroing in on it this morning, but I can hear it everywhere! If there is any other noise, I don't. I am so sorry that this is coming out so confusing!!!

You know how you hear of those people who just can't handle the hiccups, or ringing? I can totally relate to them! I just want it to stop, or at least be able to tolerate it. My grandmother and mother have been diagnosed with Miniere's Disease (I know I didn't spell that correctly), but I have not. Tinnitus (another spelling error, I am sure) can be caused by MD, but there isn't any real treatment and I have no idea how to get this diagnosed! My husband said one of the neurologists at his office would be the one to do it, but I just had an MRI in December.

So, last night was the worst. I honestly can't remember if I mentioned this to my ONC. (when it started, or at any point). I think I had too much other stuff to worry about. I thought it was stress, as the Ativan used to make it stop.

I hope none of you are having this, but I do hope that someone can offer me something!!!

Have a lovely day,

[Hopeful]

Krista,

I developed ringing in the ears (tinnitus) about a month after I had started Femara and following my third every-three-week Herceptin infusion. It is hard to say, for me, which is the culprit, but I have always believed it to be the Femara because the ears have ER receptors and there were anecdotal cases of people taking birth control pills who temporarily lost their hearing or had other hearing problems that stopped when the pills stopped. I actually got the drug manufacturer of Femara to write up my symptom as part of their after market study for the drug. I went on Arimidex for a while, and the intensity lessened, but I could not tolerate the arthalgia, so I went back on Femara. I completed my year of Herceptin last July.

At the moment, it seems to get better and worse from day to day or time of day to time of day, with no rhyme or reason I can discern. It is not so bad as when it first appeared; I don't know if my overall hearing is getting worse or the symptom is improving. I have been using Estrace in small amounts for VA since last July, so maybe that is having some effect.

Anyway, there has been nothing I have found that makes it improve - it just goes as it goes. Someone from the board sent me a link last week to a study of Cialis for tinnitus in men. I am not sure anyone knows what truly causes it - it is something that apparently happens in the brain and not in the ears. It can be caused by hypertension, so, if you have not had your blood pressure checked, you can do that. Otherwise, I am as interested in treatments as you are. I find it is loudest when there is absolute silence in the room. Have you tried sleeping with one of those "white noise" machines? I tend to set the timer on the tv, and doze off to that.

Best of luck to us both,

Hopeful

[Terri B]

I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that, but I know that I cannot sleep without the "drone" of my box fan. It has been like that for years and years. I cannot sleep in a quiet room as it sounds like a choir of voices singing to me. UGH!!!

You should get a fan and let it hum you to sleep.

[StephN]

Make an appointment with a good AUDIOLOGIST. Even my daughter had a problem with this and they did an adjustment (something to do with crystals in the inner ear) and she no longer has this.

Good luck. I have the "tones" myself at times. Especially when my head is plugged up due to allergies. I will wake up in the middle of the night thinking that someone is mowing their lawn a couple of yards away!

[swimangel72]

Krista my ears started ringing a couple of years ago, before I was dx'd. I didn't pay any particular attention to it, until I started getting spells of vertigo. My PCP sent me to an ENT doctor who diagnosed a problem with my inner ear "crystal"......he said sometimes it gets out-of-place, due to aging, or whiplash. I believe mine was caused by riding too many roller-coasters that summer! My ENT performed a procedure called an "Epli Maneuver" which totally cured the vertigo. He said ringing in the ears is very common with aging and with this condition - I also had an audiologist check my ears - and I also had an MRI of the brain to check for any abnormalities - but everything was fine. I still get the ringing in the ears - most notably on my right side - and most noticeable at night. Why night? Because everything bothers me at night when there's nothing else to distract me from aches, pains or noises in my ears. It's something I've just learned to live with. But I hope you'll get yours checked out soon - if your ringing is a side-effect to your chemo, then hopefully it'll stop when you stop treatment. Good luck Krista!

[hutchibk]

I have had on and off ringing in my ears since starting my treatments... it has only really gotten better since I stopped Taxol/Herceptin a year ago. I do notice it gets worse when I don't drink enough H2O and when my spring mold and pollen allergies kick in.

[SoCalGal]

I know that clenching your jaw at night can also cause ringing in the ears. I also know that stress is one of the most common causes. I thankfully have not had ringing but my sister is dealing with it and a best friend was driven nuts for several weeks and then it abruptly stopped.

If I were you - I would see about a night guard from my dentist if appropriate. I would also rule out thyroid-or any blood related problems (high pressure; anemia) and any western medicine problems - including calling and telling your oncologist. If nothing is discovered I'd then try acupuncture and seeing a chiropractor and all the alternative things that can help balance your system. I think this is a very common problem yet I imagine it is very hard to cope with it. That's all I can suggest.
Best-
Flori

[Debra]

Yes - The best way to describe mine is a boat-motor sound from a distance. I too thought it was just in my bedroom. I even crawled in the attic thinking it was the attic fan. No one else in my house hears it. If there is noise around me I don't notice it. When it is silent (such as night-time in bed) it is there and won't go away. I am hoping to see the ENT in the next month as my last appt. with him got canceled. As I type this, it is there!!! You are not alone. I would guess it is associated with either chemo or herceptin.

[kcherub]

Thanks, ya'll! We turned the bathroom fan on and that seemed to help! I hope it eventually goes away, though.

I am going to call my ONC. on Monday, and also see about getting in to see an ENT. It could very well be some inner ear thing...

Thank you!

[Bill]

Krista, I'm so glad the advice of your Sisters helped. I have a ceiling fan in my room, and I can't sleep well without it on. I'm glad your fan helps.

[Delaney]

I had tinnitus (probably spelling it wrong) years ago when I perforated my eardrum. Two weeks taking Gingko Biloba (from healthfood shop) and it went away. Dont know if this would work if its chemo induced but it worked for me.