A Month Since the Start of Tinnitus Post AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Hello Guys,

It's been 5 weeks since I received the AstraZeneca vaccine, as I am a Student Mental Heath Nurse. Since then I have been on a bizarre journey with my physical health.

My current medications are; Amitriptyline 10 mg Nocte (last 5 years) for Hemiplegic Migraine.

• POST VACCINE; usual symptoms, unwell, high temp, diarrhea - then things took a turn for the worse when unfortunately my Hemiplegic Migraine flared up, this indued brain fog, motor and cognitive skills slow, generally unwell, my GP increased my amitriptyline by 10 mg (20 mg Nocte) and also put on an antibiotic as I had a infection on the site of the injection.

• One week after upping my dose of Amitriptyline; my tinnitus started 16/03/21. I spoke to my GP who stated to come down to 10 mg of Amitriptyline ASAP. The GP did not look @ my ears, or reassure me. He only stated I was unlucky. So my first thing to do for research was Google ''how long does tinnitus last." As I have no real information regarding this condition on my nursing course, the words shook me when I read 'NO CURE' - that's when my anxiety rose and rose and rose. I was in a severe state of shock for severe days, felt very raw.

• I then began to experience whooshing in my ear and sensitivity to high pitch noises, sneezing, anything!

With my anxiety extremely high, this then I know now induces the strength and volume of my tinnitus... great!

Tinnitus sounds I am experiencing; high pitch noise 24/7; little specks of ''EEEE''

• I was then the following week I went to an out of hours doctor in Dublin who finally had a peek in my ears and stated I had an ear infection and fluid behind my ear drum, instructed I take an antibiotic & a steroid spray called 'Avamys'. It has been 3 days since finishing the antibiotics, the fluid noise has subsided, the tinnitus remains... I will continue the spray daily for 2 more weeks.

I have been dealing with this by telling myself that I will be okay. I started Acupuncture 2 weeks ago. I am coping with the anxiety this past week by reassuring myself that I am not alone, meditating and walking. At night playing rain while I nod off, I am making sure I am not masking the sound as I need my body to get used to it.

I am having increased trouble concentrating on my college work, I also have been on sick leave from work since this has started due to the noise levels in my job & difficulty with agitation.

I know it's ''early days'', I am just struggling as a 26-year-old woman, as nobody in my network of people have this condition. When I spoke to my GP he told me I am unlucky and just get on with it, which made me extremely uneasy (I am now on a look out for a new GP for your information!)

I have been on to Chime, which is an Irish service. I will be getting an audiologist to test my hearing in the near future and starting counselling via Chime. I just can't seem to stop the tears at present - it's been a hard day today.

Thank you for reading,
E x

 

A couple of thing to look at here.

First, anxiety is known to temporarily increase and worsen tinnitus. The more you focus on it the worse it gets too. It sound crazy, but keep yourself distracted. Try to reduce your stress as much as possible.

Second, antibiotics and anti-depressants are also known to cause tinnitus. The worst offenders for antibiotics are ones that end in "ycin".

Third, if you have fluid behind your ear this can also cause tinnitus. See an ENT about getting rid of it and your tinnitus should improve. Interestingly I have seen many posts on here regarding people getting the vaccine and then developing fluid in the middle year. I am not saying the vaccine is the cause, I am just saying it is interesting that it keeps getting reported.

There seems to be a couple of potential causes so I suggest you address them one at a time to see if the tinnitus improves. I don't think it is fair to blame the vaccine for your tinnitus, since you have many potential triggers, but it could have been. The good news is the majority of people had the tinnitus from the vaccine go away within 6 months.

 

Hey Jack, thank you for the reply!

YES, there are 3 key features going on which could have enraged my tinnitus; vaccine, Amitriptyline increase, infection in the ear! A full mixture in the bag!

I do not blame the vaccine; I do know my tinnitus started post vaccine unfortunately, and that's it.

I have been reading these forums all week, getting research for myself and I am grateful for people disclosing their tinnitus, and what helps themselves.

Unfortunately in Ireland seeing a private ENT may take time to be referred by my GP (who I am not on good terms with!); but I will get on to getting a referral later this week... lucky my ear fluid whooshing seems to have subsided!

E x

 

I'm in Ireland also and wanting to see any specialist is a nightmare.

My tinnitus was caused by ear infection with fluid in the ear, plus Eustachian tube infection. I have seen a retired GP and he figured out what was wrong. He then prescribed a nasal spray. BUT what most doctors don't do is to explain how to spray the nasal med. And that is very important to infection in your ears. The Eustachian tube is connected to the ear.

Now let us explain, when you spray you need to be standing. Let's use the right ear for example. Whilst standing tilt your head downward a bit like looking at the floor, then put the spray into your right nostril but not shoved in too far. Now point the spray toward your right ear and spray, do not snort it inward, just breathe normal. By pointing toward the ear the spray enters the Eustachian tube, which goes to the infected ear.

It took 2 or 3 weeks to clear my infection, unfortunately my GP never looked at my ears, everything looks fine to me he said. The wanker.

 

I am currently using a nasal spray, and I had no idea this is how you’re supposed to use it.

Thanks Elmer x

 

I am sorry to read of this - my tinnitus was also impacted negatively by the Pfizer vaccine, but is showing some signs of improving, which, hopefully, may happen to you in time (mine started after exposure to a very loud sound and will likely remain, but yours - if induced by a medication - may eventually improve significantly or even disappear). In any case - try not to panic - it is still early. Be careful around louder noises, as those can seriously spike your tinnitus. I personally wear ear plugs when driving or going for a walk, or when shopping, etc. The worst part is trying to sleep at night - Mirtazapine and Melatonin (in very small amounts) help me do that. And a sound enrichment device next to my bed helps too.

 

Yes @Steph1710, that is the correct way to get it into Eustachian tubes. That's how the old retired GP explained it. Next time you see your GP tell him you learned the correct way to use a nasal spray.

Keep smiling,
Elmer

 

Thanks guys, trying to take one day at a time.

e x

 

My tinnitus us got 2-3 times worse since Astra Zeneca vaccine. Made my life miserable.

 

Big hugs. I know exactly how you feel. It turned me upside down and depressed me so much. My doctor was basically the same, saying there's nothing wrong with the shot.

But I didn't have these issues till I had my 2nd shot.

 

Unfortunately, AstraZeneca seems to be the worst in terms of side effects.

People getting tinnitus post vaccine all seem to report it happen a week or two later. No sooner no later. It seems to fit the bill that in fact the vaccine did it via an immune reaction or perhaps a clot in your ear.

Is your tinnitus bilateral or in one side only?

Regardless, if it's circulation related you could treat it as sudden hearing loss.

There are apps to test your hearing. I suggest you use one of those. It won't show small variations because you have no control to correlate. If you see a large drop below 12 kHz, it might be worth considering a Prednisone trial.

Ginkgo Biloba Magnesium glycerate also help.

Some people also report months later that vaccine-induced tinnitus decreases.

You might get some residual inhibition if you mask and sleep in earplugs with Melatonin.

If you wake up to quiet but it ramps up later, that is always a good sign.

 

I found this article on the Astrazeneca vaccine and tinnitus:

The reversible tinnitus and cochleopathy followed first-dose AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination

https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/qjmed/hcab210/6326779

Abstract
The current case was the first report demonstrating a single case presenting with sudden-onset tinnitus and cochleopathy after his first dosage of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Audiometry revealed an abnormally high short increment sensitivity index. His tinnitus/cochleopathy was reversible and recoverable under conservative steroid management. The abnormality of the high short increment sensitivity index returned to the normal range after steroid management. This case report aimed to increase the cautionary awareness of clinicians concerning the potential adverse events of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and the new onset of tinnitus/cochleopathy. In addition, immediate treatment is recommended for managing these patients after the onset of tinnitus/cochleopathy. Furthermore, due to the fact that the adverse event of new-onset tinnitus was reversible and recoverable, we still strongly recommend the continuation of the administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, based on its merits and demerits.