Hi everyone, my name is Ray. About 10 days ago, my ears suddenly started ringing. The ringing continued for a full 7 days. I immediately got in to see a specialist and had all the tests done, including a CT scan. I have a full brain MRI scheduled for Dec 7, 2025, which isn't far away. I have done nothing but read and research this thing since it started, and I'm more scared than I have ever been about anything, period.
For context, I'm 74 and have been taking 20 mg of Hydrocodone for over 12 years due to chronic arthritis pain that has nothing to do with my ears or brain. Of the 3 doctors I've seen, including the ear specialist, they all said that this dose is nowhere near considered too high or dangerous. The Hydrocodone pills are the 5-325 type, and I have never abused them or taken more than prescribed. On good days, I've even taken less.
A couple of months ago, I also started taking a muscle relaxer called Tizanidine. That's when I learned the word ototoxic. So, that's a brief history of my medications that fall under the ototoxic category.
Then, the night before Thanksgiving, the ringing stopped. The silence continued throughout Thanksgiving Day for a total of 29 hours. However, that night I was awakened by the ringing again, and it has continued for a full day at the time of this writing. I know my experience is nothing compared to the stories I've read on here, but I have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to share their insight with me, as I've read that this might be a lifetime condition.
I'm doing everything I can to avoid aggravating my hearing. I use white noise at night and even bought a sound therapy pillow with built-in speakers. It has helped me sleep a little, but only for an hour or so at a time.
Here is my question. Since I got after the problem within 3 days of when it started and had that 29-hour relief period, and since I've cut back my Hydrocodone intake by over 50 percent until I can get a non-ototoxic pain reliever and have completely discontinued the Tizanidine, doesn't that suggest there should eventually be some relief after stopping those medications? Have any of you experienced relief after discontinuing an ototoxic medication?
I'm trying to remain optimistic, but I am very scared and anxious. Is there any hope in jumping on the problem so soon after it began?
Any reply will be greatly appreciated. I will answer any and all questions from anyone on here.
For context, I'm 74 and have been taking 20 mg of Hydrocodone for over 12 years due to chronic arthritis pain that has nothing to do with my ears or brain. Of the 3 doctors I've seen, including the ear specialist, they all said that this dose is nowhere near considered too high or dangerous. The Hydrocodone pills are the 5-325 type, and I have never abused them or taken more than prescribed. On good days, I've even taken less.
A couple of months ago, I also started taking a muscle relaxer called Tizanidine. That's when I learned the word ototoxic. So, that's a brief history of my medications that fall under the ototoxic category.
Then, the night before Thanksgiving, the ringing stopped. The silence continued throughout Thanksgiving Day for a total of 29 hours. However, that night I was awakened by the ringing again, and it has continued for a full day at the time of this writing. I know my experience is nothing compared to the stories I've read on here, but I have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to share their insight with me, as I've read that this might be a lifetime condition.
I'm doing everything I can to avoid aggravating my hearing. I use white noise at night and even bought a sound therapy pillow with built-in speakers. It has helped me sleep a little, but only for an hour or so at a time.
Here is my question. Since I got after the problem within 3 days of when it started and had that 29-hour relief period, and since I've cut back my Hydrocodone intake by over 50 percent until I can get a non-ototoxic pain reliever and have completely discontinued the Tizanidine, doesn't that suggest there should eventually be some relief after stopping those medications? Have any of you experienced relief after discontinuing an ototoxic medication?
I'm trying to remain optimistic, but I am very scared and anxious. Is there any hope in jumping on the problem so soon after it began?
Any reply will be greatly appreciated. I will answer any and all questions from anyone on here.
