Tinnitus

tngirl
tngirl Member Posts: 28
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi,

I have continued to receive support from all of you, even though I do not post much, since my dx in Aug., 2009. You all are blessings!! I am a little over a year post-chem (a blessing to be sure). I have a question - has any one had difficulty with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It began about six months ago, just really not even enough to mention. But now it is really becoming more frequent and an increase in intensity. I am wondering whether to call an audiologist or just talk with my doctor. Any advice would be appreciated!

Comments

  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #2
    Tinitus
    While I was on cisplatin, I began to have this very high pitched, annoying ringing in my ears. It started after the third cycle or so, and would happen only once or twice a day. Then, there were days where I had no ringing. It freaked me out initially, until I realized It basically is nerve damage in your ears from the chemo. I did finish the 6 cycles, although the nausea and vomitting were horrendous. After I stopped the cisplatin/ gemzar, it did go away. I was releived, because I had heard that is can be permanent just like the neuropathy in feet and hands. My neuropathy in my feet kicked in at that point, and has been permanent, but that is a whole different story. The things we put up with to stay alive!!!

    I think is is worth mentioning to your doctor, although, I have heard there is really not anything that will help with tinnitus caused from chemo. Please keep up posted how your are doing.

    kathleen
  • tngirl
    tngirl Member Posts: 28
    #3
    kayandok said:

    Tinitus
    While I was on cisplatin, I began to have this very high pitched, annoying ringing in my ears. It started after the third cycle or so, and would happen only once or twice a day. Then, there were days where I had no ringing. It freaked me out initially, until I realized It basically is nerve damage in your ears from the chemo. I did finish the 6 cycles, although the nausea and vomitting were horrendous. After I stopped the cisplatin/ gemzar, it did go away. I was releived, because I had heard that is can be permanent just like the neuropathy in feet and hands. My neuropathy in my feet kicked in at that point, and has been permanent, but that is a whole different story. The things we put up with to stay alive!!!

    I think is is worth mentioning to your doctor, although, I have heard there is really not anything that will help with tinnitus caused from chemo. Please keep up posted how your are doing.

    kathleen

    Kathleen, thank you for the
    Kathleen, thank you for the information. I was afraid that I may have permanent nerve damage but have been avoiding telling my doc in hopes of it going away. I also have permanent neuropathy in my feet. In fact, during chemo I tripped up and down the stairs all the time, and I even broke my toe and didn't even know it! I do agree that we put up with a lot to stay alive - and I feel extremely blessed. I will keep you posted!

    Carol
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #4
    tngirl said:

    Kathleen, thank you for the
    Kathleen, thank you for the information. I was afraid that I may have permanent nerve damage but have been avoiding telling my doc in hopes of it going away. I also have permanent neuropathy in my feet. In fact, during chemo I tripped up and down the stairs all the time, and I even broke my toe and didn't even know it! I do agree that we put up with a lot to stay alive - and I feel extremely blessed. I will keep you posted!

    Carol

    Ringing in the ears
    The platinum drugs cause hearing loss that happens over many months--the tinnitus is a symptom of the nerve damage.
    Many patients do not make the connection of the symptom with chemo & never report it to their oncologist.

    I have been taking alpha-lipoic acid 100-300mg/day to reverse neuropathy. I noticed that that ringing in my ears has decreased over the course of the chemotherapy rather than increased. I don't know if it has made a difference or not.

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