Ototoxic Tinnitus

[Ahab]

Well, I ****ed up.

I have an ear infection, and I've been taking motrin for it. A lot of motrin. STUPID amounts of motrin. I went to the hospital last night for a quick antibiotic prescription, and they gave me even more motrin.

 

About an hour later, I got a nagging ringing sound in my ears. It got louder and louder for about an hour, and this morning it was a little quieter.

 

I'm pretty sure this is the motrin and not the ear infection, because the ringing is in both ears, but the infection is mainly in the right one.

 

Is ototoxic tinnitus permanent?

[Pangloss]

I don't know but it sounds to me like you need to see a doctor right away.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

And stop taking Motrin. If it's damaging your ears, I'd take temporary pain over permanent hearing loss.

 

But seriously, go back to the doctor. You don't want to risk your hearing over one ear infection.

[GDG]

It can be permanent, but in other cases it is temporary. The Merck Manual indicates that salicylates (like overdosing on aspirin) can cause temporary tinnitus. It doesn't mention ibuprofen specifically, but my guess is that it would behave more like aspirin than most of the other drugs listed (i.e., temporary, rather than permanent).

[Ahab]

I havn't looked at an NSAID since this began, and I have a doctor's appointment today.

The Merck Manual says it's temporary? God bless those Big Pharma bastards.

Thank you, everyone. I used to lurk here, and I'm happy to see it hasn't gone downhill like most forums.

[GDG]

I havn't looked at an NSAID since this began, and I have a doctor's appointment today.

The Merck Manual says it's temporary? God bless those Big Pharma bastards.

Thank you, everyone. I used to lurk here, and I'm happy to see it hasn't gone downhill like most forums.

 

Well, the Merck Manual says that it may be temporary in the case of salicylates. I'm just guessing that ibuprofen acts the same as the salicylates. Your doctor should know for sure.

 

Best of luck!

[Ahab]

Well my doctor (Who is named Dr. Treatman, isn't that awesome?) says I probably haven't had enough motrin to cause tinnitus, and he thinks it may be an infectious block or fluid in my ears. Either way, he says, it will go away within a few days. Antibiotics and lots of water until then.

[GDG]

Good to hear (no pun intended) things looking better.

 

I used to have a dentist named Dr. Payne, and a dermatologist named Dr. Pitts.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

I saw a Dr. Payne's office once and a Dr. Hitchcock's office. Actually I think they were in the same dental practice. Scary.