I think a drug I take for RA, methotrexate, caused my tinnitus. My rheumatologist denies it but a oncology nurse I know said "absolutely" as chemotherapy drugs are well know to cause T, methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug so I don't think it takes a brain surgeon to figure that out! I hope gaba doesn't cause worse T as I am getting relief from T from that drug.
Sue

There are many things that cause T. Mine is deprssion induced and I belive its self created. I actually in my depressed state listen for it and get scared of it. I have went months ignoring it and no meds. Gabapentin takes it away for me. It depends on your situation. Everyone is different. If you have true hearing loss, then it may make it worse. Not every drug will effect everyone the same,

While some drugs may cause or worsen tinnitus, the most common cause is associated with hearing loss. There is much that isn't known about drug/tinnitus interaction and ought to be studied. I don't think the medical establishment is any more savvy about this than they are about autism. No one really knows what causes either condition.

mstringert1 Are you suggesting that the medical establishment is involved in a coverup as to the cause of tinnitus? I have not seen the evidence to support that. Please share with us. Although certain drugs are know to induce tinnitus occasionally, they do not induce it all the time and certainly not the most common cause of tinnitus. Hearing loss. noise exposure and head trauma are the common causes of tinnitus.

Greetings, I am new and a fairly new sufferer, i am open for comments and suggestions. I take quite a few meds for different reasons, I should be seeing my ENT next week, They will know all my current meds. Does anyone have any suggestions for relief now ? I notice that i cope pretty well when I am involved in my reading and online activities..But its becoming a problem at work now..

Hi Anthony1975, welcome. Your statement is pretty broad and the treatments and causes if Tinnitus are even broader. I would suggest you search around on this site for info that is relevant to you. Try and educate yourself, there is lots of good info and the members here are very happy to share there experiences. What was the cause//onset of your tinnitus etc? more info please.

I am not really sure what the cause is, I do have LPR, it could be related to that. LPR is a acid reflux disease the acid has eroded my voice box area. Several Months ago I recall that a guy blew a loud horn on His car in my ear, but I dont know if that had anything to do with it since it happened only once probaly over 8 months ago..

I believe my T was caused by loud music\noise while wearing headphones.

I first got T in 2004 after taking the antibiotic Levaquin. That's off the market now I think. A few years ago a friend suggested I stop taking daily extra Vitamin E tablets... which I did. Since then my T improved 90%. Along with a Sound Machine made by Oasis I sleep with no problem. During the day I experience very little T. Hope that helps.

I was taking Ambien, for several years, it works like a benzodiazapene on the central nervous system. If you go to www.hearinglosshelp.com and read the book "Ototoxic Drugs Exposed" by Neil Bauman, you will find a host of medicines that are ototoxic and actually cause tinnitus. The meds you might take for tinnitus can actually cause tinnitus when you stop taking them, such as Klonopin. If you look in a PDR there are a host of side effects for drugs, many times listing tinnitus as a side effect, so be very, very careful about what drugs you take. It can compound the problem. Not taking any medicine for it can be better than the host of problems that occur when you take drugs for tinnitus and it winds up making you feel worse and makes your tinnitus worse. At least you know, drug free, the way you feel is truly how you feel, not all drugged. You are wise to be careful about Rx's. Although, in fairness I can truly acknowledge that tinnitus is a hard cross to bear and I can hardly tell anyone that is suffering not to take something because tinnitus can drive you crazy, and all you want is relief..it is a very individual choice on whether to try something.

May I suggest a website www.hearinglosshelp.com has a lot of helpful info on tinnitus and Neil Bauman who wrote the books on this (his) website is very considerate to answer any questions about any drugs you question as to your tinnitus and wrote a book on "Ototoxic Drugs" and is happy to have you email him and he will answer any questions. He has been of great help to me.

I'm with you mstringer1. I've thought many times its medications, even more so than hearing loss, causing CNS damage that brings on tinnitus. I have heavily researched dozens of medications in all classifications. Every single one of them, without exception, gave some of those in the research studies tinnitus. And for some of those poor souls it was permanent. It really hit home that taking medicine (even over the counter) is a serious business that can have lifelong negative consequences.

I do not think you are correct. that said I cannot prove you wrong.

In my case it was noise damage to the ear that caused my tinnitus. I never had any prescription medication prior to it starting.

who knows what caused mine. It has been so many years. I have been on a ton of drugs over the years to treat Rheumatoid arthritis. have been on various SSRi's for depression and anxiety. tried recreational drugs when growing up. I have been to concerts. listened to loud music. suffered abuse as a kid have eaten crap. have drunk crap. taken supplements. who knows what is the definite cause. My ENT said something it could be about the brain and something misfiring. a misconnection.
Obviously I don't do some of those things now.
I am leaning towards medications though. I do feel a worsening in the past year or so and have been on different meds. I will check that website out.

all I know is I have it and it sucks. Yep!

that is true and there is evidence that proves it. i was on curezone.com and someone posted about the drugs out there that causes tinnitus plus heavy metal toxins. right now, i hear noise again in my right ear. my doc wanted me to see an ENT about my right ear and see why does it keep flaring up.

i have to get my ears cleaned professionally, i do clean my ears out every 6 mos using clove oil it helps with the irritation. my right ear popped so bad it bled a lil bit. this tinnitus started 2 yrs ago i believe my mom and i got into this huge fight she screamed sooo loud making my right ear tingle and it gave me a headache.