Can Diamox (Acetazolamide) Make Tinnitus Worse?

I have idiopathic intracranial hypertension. My doctor wants me to start taking Diamox, but it’s ototoxic. I’m so scared of my tinnitus getting worse, but now I also have to worry about spinal pressure.

Any advice? Does anyone here take Diamox? What was your experience with it?

Thank you so much for the help!

 

What does your tinnitus sound like?

 

Shit, Diamox is ototoxic?

I was misdiagnosed with IIH after bad headaches in August 2020. I was on Diamox for 2 months before I was taken off and told by a neuro it was a misdiagnosis. My ears were ringing then but stopped when weaning off the drug.

My bad headaches started up again late November. My GP told me to start taking the Diamox again whilst I wait for a neuro appointment which I did for 2 days on the 17th and 18th December 2020. I was so terrified of the ringing coming back I decided to ignore her advice. The ear ringing was one of the most hideous things I had ever experienced.

Then, guess what, my ears started ringing on the 23rd December but stopped after a day. They have been permanently ringing since the 29th December 2020.

Neuro thinks it was the headaches causing the ringing, not the Diamox.

 

Thankfully mine isn't bad. I want make sure it stays that way!

Left ear: fuzzy, static like sound and ringing. The ringing can be somewhat high-pitched and I especially don't want that sound to worsen.

Right ear: Beeping and sounds similar to left ear. Nothing high-pitched.

I also sometimes have pulsatile tinnitus, probably due to my intracranial hypertension.

GOSH, that's scary! Did you ever find out the cause of the headaches?

I'm so scared of taking Diamox, augh!

IIH can cause tinnitus. It hasn't worsened mine yet, thankfully. Also mine started before I developed IIH. I think ibuprofen and/or loud sounds are to blame. I just don't want it to get worse.

I read that Diamox can have tinnitus as a side effect. If anyone has more information, that would be great!

 

Your ringing might actually go away tbh.

 

Wow, really? How? I've had it before the IIH. Dear gosh, that would be amazing!

Also, I accidentally switched my ears! It's my right ear that rings and buzzes, and my left ear beeps. Oops.

 

Yes. It is listed as a side effect and I sure got tinnitus when I was on Diamox. The thing is, if you have IIH, you really need to take it. You have to preserve your vision. Your vision is most at risk with IIH. I think other than Diamox, I believe shunt surgery is really the only other thing.

 

Did your tinnitus go away/lessen after stopping Diamox or do you still take it?

 

My tinnitus went away when I stopped taking it. I no take it as IIH was a misdiagnosis. I ended up with tinnitus one way or the other 2 months later.