posted
Does anyone else feel like their ears are clogged or plugged? Kinda like when you're on a plane only they never pop. I know zithro can cause this and i am on it, but i also know some people complain of this with lyme and co-infections so i'm not sure how to know the difference. It is uncomfortable and only started since I've been on Azithro. My LLMD keeps saying to keep taking but I'm worried I am doing damage to my hearing.
Posts: 53 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- GINGER CAPSULES . . . and MAGNESIUM should help. Liver support, too, to help protect ears.
Avoiding gluten and dairy should also help reduce phlegm / inflammation.
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Personally, I'd stop the zith and see how you feel.
LLMDs have been THE WORST for me in ignoring adverse drug reactions. Not everything is a herx.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
just want to recommend you read Keebler's notes on protecting your ears. I got tinnitus that never left on zithro, I didn't protect my ears soon enough.
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Oh man. Did you never get rid of it? This is what concerns me about Azithro, I think it might be causing the hearing issues. I'm not sure whether to stop, and I am worried too my LLMD puts everything down to a herx. Thanks for the recommendations.
Posts: 53 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you sense any kinds of hearing / balance / ear damage, STOP the Zith. Just stop it. When you first mentioned clogged ears, I thought it might be just inflammation. But that you mention you sense some other hearing issues, that is a clear sign.
Zith can cause deafness and permanent tinnitus so it's nothing to just wait and see. I would stop it. Read more about why I say all this in the EAR THREAD posted earlier.
Quite frankly, I am too hesitant to suggest what my gut is telling me, however, I would consider other ways to approach treatment. Zith can damage ears big time and while liver support MAY help, no guarantees.
I will never take zith again, ever. I usually try to keep my personal opinion separate from informational links - but I feel it's time to include that. Zith caused me lots and lots of damage - not that I'm hard of hearing but the HYPERACUSIS has been devastating as have the other BALANCE and NYSTAGMUS issues.
As I started to learn more, it all made (sad) sense. It's ototoxic. And the entire inner / middle ear system needs to be in good shape for all that we do: walking; talking; reading; writing; thinking . . . everything.
I would still get GINGER CAPSULES - TODAY . . . and go gluten-free & dairy-free, and avoid all dust and fuzzy things around you (as they harbor dust) . . . also go SCENT FREE, no sprays or powders.
All that is to REDUCE INFLAMMATION.
Why I jump then to other non-Rx ways is that if your ears react to Zith that way, and since so many other drugs are also ototoxic, it's going to be harder to find drugs that are not going to compound the ear issues.
When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways. Proper ASSESSMENT of not just lyme but coinfectoins is vital. Someone trained by ILADS is best to assess.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.)
Links here to two major sources: Buhner, & Zhang. Be sure to get their books.
RIFE Machine - Reference LINKS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Forgot to add the importance of getting magnesium into you - THREE x DAY, never all at once - helps reducing that inflammation that can contribute to that clogged feeling.
Inflammation happens as a response to DAMAGE or deficiency, allergies, etc.:
See post: Caution: Aspartate; Glutamine; and Phenylalanine (3 excitatory amino acids that can be wrong for us when added as supplements, beyond a normal dietary level)
Seaweed has its own natural MSG (monosodium glutamate) and can be very excitatory -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Oh man. Did you never get rid of it? This is what concerns me about Azithro, I think it might be causing the hearing issues. I'm not sure whether to stop, and I am worried too my LLMD puts everything down to a herx. Thanks for the recommendations.
Posts: 53 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2015
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posted
Thank you for all those links! Very helpful. Not sure why my post posted twice. Do you know if it's too late to stop the symptoms of ear issues once they have started? My hearing is okay at the moment, but just wondering now I have symptoms if they are permanent or might cause hearing loss in the next few days
Posts: 53 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Likely your ear issues can improve. But it could take time.
GINGER CAPSULES are still my #1 suggestion to help lessen the clogged feeling.
Be sure liver support is on board, good antioxidants and lots of bright and deep colored veggies / and some low sugar berries - these kinds of antioxidants are needed by the ears.
Even after stopping
for the next couple weeks, maybe months, ears can be much more subceptable (?) to damage not just from noise -- but to sounds that are not loud --
after having taken any ototoxic drug / OTC product (such as contains acetaminophen, etc. -- but ibuprofen constricts blood vessels and delays healing so that's rough, too)
So, yes, even if you stop it, damage could happen if you are exposed to sounds even in the range of the 85 dB. So be very protective even if it does not sound loud.
Ear plugs for hair dryer, those and maybe decibel rated ear muffs for blender, vacuum, house or lawn / snow tools. Avoid motorcycles, heavy traffic, sporting events, concerts, etc. Earplugs / dB rated muffs might not be enough protection as sound travels through our sinuses and bones, too, especially heavy beat / bass.
Avoid in the ear buds or even on the ear headphones, unless you need to block out traffic, etc. but keep any music soft in volume and very light on any beat / bass impulse to the ears.
Avoid other ototoxic Rx / OTC, etc.
Get good nutrition, keep steady with meals & snacks so that blood sugar stays even.
Qigong is excellent for gentle movement that helps with circulation.
Do enjoy some good music, as softer volume without it being right at your ears / head, though. If you have a bass switch on your stereo or speakers, keep that low.
Get good rest. I know this is a lot but it's so very important. Take care. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you stop the Rx, something else that can address lyme should be on board as lyme, itself, can damage ears. It's a catch 22, I know.
Allicin, Berberine are a couple things that come to mind but allicin contains salysilates (sp?) so that can push tinnitus. So, Berberine, or Olive Leaf Extract just as a temporary bridge might help. You might start here:
Judie posts this the other day:
Otoba bark extract and cat’s claw treat all three forms of the Bb germ.
- Olive Leaf Extract, SEAGATE brand or other with same top notch practices. Most in the vitamin stores is not good.
Herb Pharm tincture is good - in many real food markets. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you use a cell phone, try to limit that and do not keep it near you unless you have no other choice. Certainly, do not sleep with it in your bedroom.
Try to land lined phones where possible. This really matters to those with tender ear tissue. But, if those who call you are on cell phones, that kind of digital mayhem can irritate the nerves in the ears, too.
A lot depends on how clear a signal they get, how well charged their phone is, etc. but that digital hitting pulses and erratic "warp" (I call it) can be very much a hit to the nerves in one's ear canal. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thank you for all those links! Very helpful. Not sure why my post posted twice. Do you know if it's too late to stop the symptoms of ear issues once they have started? My hearing is okay at the moment, but just wondering now I have symptoms if they are permanent or might cause hearing loss in the next few days
Posts: 53 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- No one can ever be certain but it's very likely that the symptoms you describe will improve with the kinds of attention detailed in my posts above.
Limit sound exposure is vital now. In addition to notes above, do not shout, scream, sing loudly . . . do not play a wind instrument or drums. You might need to postpone that rock 'n roll / Hip Hop concert you had scheduled to perform for New Year's Eve, eh?
AVOID ALL MOVIE THEATERS. Even with dB ear muffs, it's just too potentially damaging. dB muffs have been flung off my head by some of the sudden jolts in what I had thought would be quieter movies. Just don't go for a couple months and then that's still a road to plan with great care.
Go over all your Rx, though, to be nothing else is ototoxic. See the last few posts in the Ear thread for Bauman's pdf and book "Ototoxic Drugs, etc. . .."
And be sure to include some kind of herb for lyme to hold you over until you can figure out your next move.
Rest matters for healing. Put your head at a 30 degree angle / feet lower. that angle provides the best circulation for the ears. But keep your body in line, raise your torso / head, not just your head.
Take care. And, you know, I really hate having such long and involved suggestions. Yet, I've found it all matters where the ears are concerned. FYI, I'm no kind of medical person in any way. All this is just from my own experiences and study over the years. I do hope to help prevent such stuff for others.
So you take care and put on some nice enjoyable light music. Enjoy a delicious and healthful dinner. Breathe.
Do not make this a time of fear, make it a pause . . . make it a time to let in healing foods, healing light and healing energy in all ways. If you start thinking too heavily or feel uneasy, breathe in light and soft healing energy.
The ears need your body to be relaxed. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Just so you know, this can also be due to Lyme and Co and not just due to drugs.
What keebler says is true. Zith can impact the ears.
But for me, full years = Lyme Disease and co infections like Babesia. Zith hits Babesia. It could be a flare.
B
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3139 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- bcb makes good points that I'm glad to see so that it is clear to all that lyme, other infections can cause all sorts of hearing troubles / damage, too.
Just to be clear that some of my posts not be taken out of context because I don't say this in every post . . . I am not suggesting to not treat lyme or to not consider other stealth infections that often go alone with it,
but just to step back a bit a few days or a week -- and then consider all options to very directly and intentionally target infection(s) along with key supports.
Treatment is not only about what you take but also about what physical habits you develop to protect ears for this coming new year and decades ahead. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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