Painkillers and Tinnitus — What Is the Risk Profile for Tinnitus/Hyperacusis/Hearing?

I have back/neck problems and sometimes they get pretty bad. I have started physical therapy but it may not alleviate the pain altogether, and I sadly think I am bound to develop chronic pain eventually.

I try not to take painkillers, but when it's bad I just can't help it. How high is the risk of taking painkillers? In terms of affecting hearing/tinnitus? I read that Paracetamol is better than Ibuprofen, but I think it still carries risk

Anybody here who have taken painkillers regularly without a bad effect on tinnitus?

 

Damn. The powers of this site work fast!

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The risk depends on what, how much and how often. What are you thinking of taking? How much? How often?

 

I don't have a definitive plan, but I envision something like: Paracetamol 2 x 500 mg, 2 days a week on average.

 

I've done a much heavier dosage recently without any issue, but YMMV: we're all different.

 

Not much response. Not many who has experience with this??

 

Hi @TheDanishGirl how are you?

There are links between those who take Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen etc and hearing loss in the long run which could affect tinnitus. From what I remember the study said those who take them 2 times a week or more for long periods of time, are at an increased risk. There’s a lot about it online. I’m kind of in the same boat as you for some joint pains and I take Tylenol sometimes. I’m sure dosage and frequency really matter also.

Curcumin/Turmeric with black pepper really helped inflammation and pain in my fingers.

It’s worth a shot if your pain is due to inflammation.

Love and respect
Stu

 

It sucks that they are a risk, but depending on the risk percentage, the possible benefit vs. the risk may be worth it.

I already take curcumin regularly and it sadly doesn't help my pain. The pain is low today, but that's how it is for me: I have good days and bad days with it.....today was a good day, yesterday was bad.

 

Agreed.

 

I’m happy it is low today and I hope for more days like today to come

 

My dentist told me he developed a pulsatile tinnitus from heavy use of Brufen (ibuprofen). Aspirin is also known to have an association with tinnitus onset, but I think that's related to long-term, regular use.

Acetaminophen/paracetamol isn't associated generally with any kind of ototoxicity at normal doses. Your liver mightn't like it though.

 

Once you normies realize pain killers do nothing to repair nerves, nothing to block noiceptors but simply work by surpressing the entire CNS you'll realize how pathetic and primitive medicine really is having so many side effects.

 

Hi @PaulBe i personally wish what you’re saying is true because I need tylenol these days
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831770/

 

NSAIDs will usually spike T for me. I avoid it unless I really have to take one for a headache or something. It's never caused a permanent spike for me though.

 

I get a direct result when taking ibuprofen for pain: 200 mg = head explosion via T.

 

Is NSAIDs or Tylenol okay if taken temporarily i.e. for a short period, for headaches and ear pain?

I currently have a painful ear and headache. I don't know what else to do but I am desperate.

 

I was very, very afraid of painkillers, but I tried paracetamol (Tylenol), actually the second time I took quite a lot 4x500 mg in 1,5 days, because I couldn't get rid of a nasty headache for 4 days and it didn't spike my tinnitus. (Didn't do much either to be honest for the pain).

I also took ibuprofen. First time it did spike me, but it could have been, and possibly was, because I was unbelievably anxious about it. Since then I've taken Advil a couple of times and no spikes.

I think it's best if you start with a smaller dose to see how you react.

 

I *believe* that Paracetamol is fine for Tinnitus, but Ibuprofen is not. That's the rule I've been going by anyway. Someone can correct if wrong.

 

Yes, I heard that paracetamol is the safest option. But unfortunately it doesn't do anything for me. So I would definitely recommend @PeteJ to try that.

 

Thanks Kriszti, that's a very helpful and reasonable reply. It makes sense.

I am paranoid about getting worse and before I got tinnitus, I got frequent headaches and migraines. I took ibuprofen and Advil a lot. I really want to avoid getting worse and I don't know if Advil or Tylenol would do that but realistically and rationally, it shouldn't if taken only on occasion.

I need to find a source of the headaches though.

Thank you for your reply!

 

Yeah, I just read that Advil is often more effective than Tylenol for a lot of people. My doctor prescribed it so I was wondering if I should bother picking it up.

 

Stick to Paracetamol, 1000mg a time, for more "regular use" with pain. Avoid NSAIDs and ibuprofen. IMO. Especially NSAIDs, such as Voltaren, have a history of potentially triggering tinnitus.

 

I have a true story to share about pain and what worked for an elderly gentleman.

One morning this man was out feeding his cattle in the barn, when he walked behind one of the cows kicked him, right square in the knee. The knee had swollen and walking was limited. Then he told me one evening sitting at the kitchen table he thought of how to ease the pain. So being a country man and having contacts he purchased a jar of moonshine with alcohol at 110 proof. With that he took olive oil and warmed it on the stove, then added the moonshine. He slowly rubbed it into the knee, doing so twice a day, being sure to rub it in prior to going to bed. 2 weeks passed the pain and swelling disappeared. "I was able to walk no pain, try it next time you got a bad pain."

So I did, I was in an accident that tore my knee cap away from the knee. The pain would come and go. So I found moonshine from a friend and used it like the old gentleman said. It worked and it worked better than any pill.

Just thought I'd share this bit of information.

 

I took a total of four Ibuprofen 200mg x 2 and then again. My headache was really bad though.

My headache gradually got better. I think the ibuprofen helped but I wouldn't take it for chronic pain though. I doubt it would help anyway.

 

They all have statistical risks associated with them, but NSAIDS carry an added risk of acute renal failure with heavy use in some circumstances.

 

Tylenol ought to be safe. However, I've seen several horror stories about permanent spikes following one dose of NSAIDs...

 

It is my understanding that the best painkiller for a headache is Tylenol
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=what+is+the+best+painkiller+for+head+ache

 

I've had chronic tension headaches for 25 years or so. So for 25 years, I've been taking Advil Cold and Sinus multiple times per day. It was really the only way I could be functional at work. I've also had Tinnitus for 20+ years and just never knew that Advil could cause or exacerbate Tinnitus. Obviously, I'm a newbie on here or I would have known a long time ago.

Anyway, I'm now managing to get by with very minimal Advil (maybe once or twice per week). Hoping that the tinnitus will subside over time, but I realize 25 years is a long time to overcome. We'll see!