posted
Hello Everyone, Happy New Year and for all of us I hope for more effective treatments throughout the year.
Ringing ears is a symptom of Lyme and I've had it before but never more for an hour or two, but for the last month I've had a fluctuating(in loudness) and constant ringing in my ears and what feels like hearing loss in one ear. Has anyone else experienced this? Any Ideas? Thanks Everyone!
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- So sorry to learn of your ear troubles. Of all the symptoms and even with profound fatigue, pain and brain fog, the ear stuff can be the most distressing regarding isolation.
Do you also have sensitivity to sounds? From my personal study in all this, here are some things I consider to be important.
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* See a LL Neurotologist ASAP. I'm cutting and pasting here and describe that below but wanted to be sure that is at the top of the list.
* If you are using "ear buds" stop immediately. Even at low volume, they can cause hearing problems, espeically in those with infections and on antibiotics that lower the decibel threshold at which hearing damage can occur.
* Wear ear plugs when around noise, even a hairdryer, a vacuum, near traffic, etc. Avoid loud concerts until you can get to an ear specialist for further diagnosis. Even ear plugs cannot protect yours ears adequately at loud concerts due to bone conduction and sound traveling though your nose to your ears.
* What medicines are you on? If minocycline or azithromycin (zlthomax) or even Biaxin, those are the Rx used in lyme that can cause tinnitus.
* check all the other meds you are taking as many have tinnitus as a side-effect. Do a google search for each drug, cross searching with the terms "ototoxic" and also "Bauman" as he's the top researcher in this area. (Neil Bauman, Ph.D.)
* LIVER SUPPORT? That is essential to help decrease the toxic load that can contribute to tinnitus. LIVER SUPPORT is required not just for the liver but also for the ears. Milk Thistle is the most common but there's more explained in link below.
* Good FATTY ACIDS: Fish Oil; OmegaBrite, etc.
* Also, be sure absolutely not even a trace of Aspartame/Nutrasweet/Equal is in ANYTHING that passes your lips. Check gums, cough drops and even medicines.
* Google MSG for all its names to be sure you get none of that, either.
I have found that andrographis has helped decrease tinnitus to manageable levels as long as I'm not too active.
Regarding your concern over hearing loss, if you are on Zith, I'd ask for an immediate change of Rx. Immediate.
I hope this gets better for you. So much more in the links below.
Topic: Buhner Healing Lyme Q & A links have changed
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Curcumin might also help as might adrenal support supplements.
Be sure to see a hearing specialist as there can certainly be other things that can be causing your symptoms.
Ask your LLMD if they know of a LL neurotologist.
Be sure to avoid steroids, unless used as an emergency plan and ONLY WITH the supervision of your LLMD. Other wise, steroids can make lyme blossom. You don't want that.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
One treatment I did actually quieted down the ringing in my ears for the first time ever, for six hours. What a quiet world it was!
I treated with a PEMF machine - stands for pulsed electromagnetic frequency machine. It's a box machine that clicks away, putting out magnetic frequencies of various strengths. I like the 500-700 gauss strength machine.
How it works is we hold a white coil plugged into the machine and can place it anywhere next to our body.
What I also liked about it is that it's not a painful or difficult treatment. Rather enjoyable actually, due to its ability to reduce pain.
At first I only handled 20 seconds before my throat tightened up. Gradually I got up to about an hour's time. Pain went way down too. I drank a lot of water as I was doing it and afterwards as well.
I spoke with an LLMD about this result and he said it may have calmed down the C8 nerve root to the ears. Only a guess.
But we are electromagnetic, and this treatments boosts the electromagnetism of the body and helps all things electrical to function better, which means our nerves too.
Medical practitioners can have a machine like this, also they can be purchased.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Robin,
Thanks for your note. Glad to hear you found something that helped calm the nerves.
I tried an earlobe version of a pulsed machine once and did far worse. But it was not the same as you describe.
Lyn,
Robin's note is a good reminder that the cranial nerves are often involved with lyme and ears. C7 and C8 are the two of most concern.
Cranial-sacral treatments, if gentle as with the UPLEDGER INSTITUTE's methods can also be helpful if there is impingement. Google for doctors/PTs and location.
If from lyme, while some things can help . . . until the infection is addressed, nothing will be enough. And if from ototoxic drugs or other ototoxcity, that must also be considered and minimized. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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I have no sensitivity to sound itself, in one ear I am actually pretty close to deaf, if you are speaking to me on the left side I often can't hear you at all. The ringing fluctuates in loudness however generic sound does not.
I love music, however I have not used ear buds for years.
currently I take a fish oil supp, and have since before diagnosis
My PC doctor scheduled me for an CT for monday. I had a bloodtest sent out a last week and my white bloodcells are off the charts (+20,000 mcL) despite being on doxy again. So as always people are convinced I have cancer. Although clearly that isn't the case....I've been through this cycle before.
I need to get a neurologist desperately, often i loose sensation in my limbs or i have this felling like when you tie a string around the tip of your finger and its tingly/painful.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Have you finished treatment for lyme. Lyme, itself, can cause deafness and tinnitus.
How long were you treated? By an ILADS-educated LLMD?
Did you also have other tick-borne infections and were they treated?
Be sure any infection gets treated adequately, and with Rx that don't further bother your ears. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I've been treated off and on since 2007 when i was diagnosed (in conjunction to mono...very unlucky) 8 rounds of antibiotics orally 2 IV since initial treatment, I'm still sick and I still have a concerning wb count. I'm getting a new LLMD because my current one is a joke and takes forever to schedule, my PC is equally are ignorant. My LLMD continues to put me on doxy despite near liver failure in late 2007 and early 2009.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Rife, maybe?
Andrographis has been good for my ears but it's no miracle all by itself which is what matches my budget. Or it may just take longer than the 13 months I've given it to date.
Be sure to get the Neil Bauman Ototoxic drug book from Amazon. I just noticed it's about $32. Seems a lot less than it used to be so I may finally be able to buy it.
He is the primo researcher in this field.
You can look inside of it at the site. -
[ 01-03-2010, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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