60-70% Tinnitus Reduction After Lidocaine Trigger Point Injection

I had a lidocaine trigger point injection on my lower neck and shoulder..... first time I can actually say that something has worked on lowering my tinnitus. I have had tinnitus for about 2 years and I have seriously lost count on how many physicians, specialists, naturalists, TMJ specialists, MRI, MRA, diagnostic tests, supplements, detox, acupuncture, herbs, yoga, spiritual gurus, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, sugar free, and all other 20+ list I have tried. I told myself if something is to work on my tinnitus, I will share my experience on this forum. The success stories by others have helped me pass some dark days.

It obviously took me a while to find something that I can actually say it works. I went to see a rheumatologist a few days ago, and got a trigger points injection on my shoulder and lower neck (doctor described my pain was caused by myofascial trigger points in trapezius muscle). Doc also said that the injection may help reduce my tinnitus, and if not, the neck pain at the minimum. He was right on both, the volume on both ears decrease significantly by 60-70%. Tinnitus hasn't went away completely and I heard people saying that the reduction maybe temporary. REGARDLESS....for however long this will last, I am extremely grateful for a huge break! It also serves as a proof that there is something out there that can help lowering and eliminating the volume. At least I know my tinnitus is connected to nerves and neck, not strawberries and avocado (you know what I mean....)

Initially, I was going to cancel my rheumatologist appointment, I just got so tired seeing doctors that didn't help. Plus, I didn't even know that rheumatologist was, and he was referred by my ophthalmologist (I know, sounds weird). But If you have already seen by at least 3 ear specialists and 5 ENTs like me, maybe you can book an appointment with other non-ear related specialists. I can also contest to the common statement that you (actually it's your brain) will eventually adapt and habituate to the sound, and the first year is the hardest. I know how you feel, I mean it,....but all the worries, fears, and sadness can be significantly reduce or gone, because T does get better with time, and DON't give up finding ways to help yourself.

The Rheumatologist also prescribed naltrexone 1.5 mg (need certain pharmacy to make it at this low dosage). I have not use it yet, will let you know if it helps.

 

How many days ago was your treatment?

 

4 days, but the reduction in tinnitus happened a few hours after the injection. I saw some other postings on the lidocaine injection, where it lowers their tinnitus as well (temporarily). I had one injection and it works, will keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

I hope your reduction lasts. I know sometimes it only lasts a couple hours. Keep us updated on your length of reduction, any dangers, etc. Thanks.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30282144

 

Hi @ping@LA -- Thanks for sharing your success story! -- I've been getting weekly physical therapy treatments recently, and today my therapist worked fairly extensively on my right shoulder, right arm, and right neck area. This evening as I was resting, I noticed almost a "cooling" sensation of energy running through those parts, along the the right side of my face and ear area. -- I also noticed my tinnitus was noticably softer than normal (which I hope continues!) -- We may have gotten somewhat similar results from working on similar areas, but by different therapies.

I admire your persistence--which apparently eventually paid off big time!

 

This 2018 study seems to be saying that 80% report an improvement one month after treatment. This is incredible!

 

Tried Naltrexone last night, made T noticeably worse. Read some other postings on naltrexone saying it helps with tinnitus distress, not volume. The drug also helps people with autoimmune issues. I probably won't try it again, would not recommend it (unless your blood work shows some autoimmune issues that may connect to your T). My blood work was normal. Need to flush the drug out of my system today....

 

@Lane, I also was referred to see a PT by my rheumatologist. Thanks for your note, I will share my PT experience after a couple months.

 

I would recommend doing some "homework" to try to find a therapist that might be better suited for treating tinnitus. The one I"m seeing is an absolute gem; very intuitive, very gentle, and incorporates cranial sacral work in her practice (which Julian Cowan Hill says is what helped him so much).

Interestingly, the first session I did with her, she worked extensively on my right knee (which puzzled me). But I soon experienced a loosening in my lower back, and then up my spine, all the way to my neck area. My tinnitus was softer for about a day or so afterwards.
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@Arseny, @Mathew Gould, @Bam, @Greg Sacramento, @jmasterj, @Ozwel -- You may find this thread of interest.

 

Finding doctors, dentists and therapists that have an interest and understanding of tinnitus is key. I had posted a study for those with physical tinnitus, where it said that healthcare needs to address the physical issues associated with tinnitus. They often say that 25% could receive a 50% deduction and almost 50% could receive up to a 25% deduction with proper care. 12% can be cured completely and 15% more can be almost completely cured.

 

Spoiler alert : chinese study...

 

@ping@LA did the lidocaine injections continue to work?

 

@Matthew Garrett . I had another injection last week, and again it works immediately lowering the ringing by 70-80% this time. I went to a rheumatologist at USC and the doc suggests I get one every month and see how it works.

Since it is highly possible that the chronic inflammation on my neck makes my ear ringing worse, I'm going to get a cervical facet block injection on my C3, which I heard that inflammation on C2 C3 can cause ear ringing. I will post my result afterwards.

I would said that lidocaine injection seems like a great temporary relief, temporary like 4-5 days based on my experience. I'm grateful for the break.....

Good luck and let me know how that works out.

 

Hi @ping@LA -- Thanks for keeping us informed on your progress. And congratulations on your improvements! -- To briefly mention, I've had serious neck issues for many years, and accompanying chronic head pressure and inflammation as well. In the past couple of years, I discovered that regularly applying a mixture of DMSO & Magnesium Oil on my neck significantly reduces that inflammation and the symptoms they cause. My tinnitus started after starting on DMSO, so haven't been able to guage whether or not this mixture affects it. -- Best...

 

What is DMSO?

I started taking Kali Mur 6c, 5 pellets by Boiron before bed and noticed the "ringing" sound (I have both ringing and humming sound) has reduced by about 40-50%. I have been taking it few hours before bed for about 10 days and it works every time. I read article that Kali Mur helps tinnitus with recurrent cold and blocked eustachian tube and swelling in internal ear. I don't think I have any of the symptoms and my ear exams were fine, so don't really know why it works for me.

I know sometime its hard (especially for the new tinnitus ppl) to listen to your own ear ringing, but I did just to pay attention and see if Kali Mur works or not. For me it works noticeably on the "ringing" sound and on the first or second night I tried.

You can search articles on homeopathic medicines. These are the ones I've read and prompted me to try.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-success-story.18086/#post-210070

https://homeopathica.com/homeopathic-medicines-tinnitus/

http://www.homeopathyforwomen.org/tinnitus.htm

 

How long do the benefits last?

What kind of doctor is this that he repeatedly will give you injections? Was the initial reason tinnitus or something else?

 

@Jack Straw

kali mur last maybe 8 hours.... if I need it I take another 5 pellets. So far I have only been taking it a few hours before bed. It lowers the ringing volume for me (don't know why).

Lidocaine injection - last 4-5 days.

I think pain management doctor does lidocaine injection. I went to a Rheumatology, but just search pain management MD / specialist. I got the injection for neck and shoulder pain, and just noticed it did work for tinnitus as well (temporary). I didn't get the injection because of the tinnitus. If you don't have neck and shoulder pain, not sure if the doctor will do the injection.

 

Where should the trigger points be, or how were they "determined"?
A trigger point is a rather vague term in orthodox medicine, a "tinnitus trigger point" even more so.

 

@Tinniger

The one I had was on neck and shoulder.... not Tinnitus specific, more on the sore spots on upper / lower neck and shoulder areas. The relief is temporarily, lasted about 4-5 days for me.

Kali Mur 6c Boiron works for me consistently. I take between 5-7 pellets (pellets dissolve under tongue) a few hours before bed. It's like it "turns down" the volume. Homeopathic takes 1-2 hours to work, and works every time for me.

 

If you have a tinnitus where homeopathy helps, - I can only congratulate you.
As we all know, the only mechanism of action of homeopathy is the placebo effect - and an effective placebo effect is absolutely not a bad thing ... without any question.

 

Hi @Lane , how was your experience with physical therapy? Did your t reduce?

 

@Tinniger

I have tried Silicea, Psorinum, Viscum Album, Chininum Sulph, Salicylic Acid, Kali Mur, China, Graphites, Kali Phosphoricum, Pulsatilla, which all claimed to be helpful on tinnitus. Most of the ones I have tried made it noticeable worse where I stopped.

So far lidocaine injection and Kali Mur are the ones that I have noticeable reduction in T.

I'm only here to share my own experience and hopefully be helpful even to just one person who might find it beneficial. Please don't try and don't judge if in doubt. I am pretty certain I can tell the differences between placebo effect and reality... the sound of T is real enough.

 

At the very least Salicylic Acid is a compound known to be ototoxic.

 

However, there is also the view that low dosages, such as 100mg/day for inhibition of platelet aggregation are harmless.

 

I had trigger point injections 2 days ago in my neck and it's helped. My neck is not as stiff and my range of motion is better. When she injected me in my neck, my opposite arm flinched and I felt it all the way over there.

My tinnitus is from neck and jaw issues and I hope this loosens everything up.

She did Lidocaine I think and didn't use much of it because it was the first time.