5 months ago I started a very small Lasix dose and was given Tobradex (aminoglycoside) for an eye infection.
There is a small percentage of people genetically susceptible to the ototoxicity properties of that glass of antibiotics. I'm probably one of them. I've read about a dozen anecdotal reports of hearing problems after use of the eye ointment.
I was put on a course of steroids when this first happened, the tinnitus improved but did not resolve.
I started getting fullness/plugged ear feelings that would wax and wane. I couldn't discern a pattern, it was way worse after I would eat so I thought it might be because I was chewing a lot.
I went to an ENT and after describing my fullness he was ready to do a Eustachian balloon dilation. I held off. Plugged ears was a SENSATION that can be caused by different things. Not everything's a nail if you only have a hammer.
I went to an ear institute that ONLY treats ears.
I happened to mention I don't get outside a lot during the exam and walked out of there with scripts for vitamin god damned D. Idiot.
I made another appointment at the same ear institute with another specialist. I left with a cream for the eczema I've had in my ears for 40 years. He was pretty proud of himself for solving all my problems. Idiot.
I work in emergency medicine and starved myself the entire shift to avoid my ear symptoms at work, and when I finally stuffed myself with food I felt so much discomfort in my ears I got dizzy and ended up throwing up in the parking lot.
Ok. I get it. I took ototoxic medications 5 months ago. It can make you deaf, but wtf are my insane symptoms??
I have to kill myself. It's the only way.
I left work early.
I called the ear institute one last time. A different provider.
I explained my ridiculous symptoms and how they would come and go. Thinking he commits me.
He handed me a sheet of paper. My symptoms exactly.
Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops. Induced after trauma of the medication.
Worse after salt, caffeine, meals. Fullness in both ears. Dizziness. Nausea.
I would feel normal at times and then have horrific flare ups throughout the day. All described to a T in the handout.
I received an intratympanic steroid injection in the ear that was more severe and the tinnitus almost completely resolved. I was prescribed a non ototoxic diuretic and a diet plan with low sodium.
Time will tell, but I have some relief and now a game plan.
I would be rubbing cream in my ear canals, taking vitamin D and getting a Eustachian tube dilation right now if I listened to these arrogant, ignorant doctors.
You have to protect yourself from some physicians while desperately searching for answers and relief.
Even on these boards, be careful of the side you take while desperate.
I read an entire post about someone on here who claimed to be cured of tinnitus from Flomax.
People were lining up to get their hands on it to try. Come to find out he later decides it was a benzodiazepine he was taking and not the Flomax at all.
I'm far from being cured but I have a working diagnosis and a plan at least.
Please protect yourself from ignorant doctors and BS 'cure' pseudoscience from people on the internet.
Be safe.
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