tinnitus

[Parker19]

in my third week of treatment when my tinnitus became almost unbearable and a fullness in my ears.  I went to Urgent care and no ear infection.  My doc stopped my pegasys this week and may stop treatment completely.  I think it is because I have chronic sinusitis anyway.  I didn't take my pegasys and my ear is not better.  Any help would be appreciated
Really don't want to stop treatment, I already failed incevek for a rash so this is my last chance.

[Parker19]

thanks to everyone for your great advice.  I am seeing an ENT doctor tomorrow morning.  I hope he says I just have an ear infection and can continue my injections.  I am still taking the ribavirin and my gi doc says he can rev up my injections if the ent says he can move forward.  I told my GI doc that I would rather have some hearing loss vs liver failure, but he still wouldn't not restart my pegasys without the ent docs eval.  thanks everyone and hope you all are doing well, and have a successful treatment.  

[stormy456]

My husband had mild to moderate tinnitus throughout most of tx, and felt (or heard) it most intensely after each riba dose for some reason.  I agree with posters above that you need to see an ENT doctor before you quit tx altogether, there may be a solution available to you that will allow you to complete tx.  I'm hoping by now you've already discussed with your doctor.  

[pooh55811]

I should add, in case you did not see my post in your other thread, that I have had rather annoying and loud tinnitis almost my entire treatment. Started about week 1, maybe 2, and has been steady for the past 31-32 weeks. I hope it goes away after treatment, but I will take the tinnitis over Hep C any day.

[LookingForward12]

Sorry, bumped the post button. I agree with pooh...go to an ear, nose throat doctor.

[LookingForward12]

I have had tinnitus the entire time I have treated. It is worse after my I terceron shot, yes. But, for me, not worth giving up treatment.

[pooh55811]

If you did not see a doctor who specializes in Ear, Nose, and Throat  (ENT) when you went to urgent care, I would recommend seeing an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist before stopping treatment. Just because there is no ear infection does not mean there is not some other ear problem that a specialist may be able to diagnose and treat.

General Practitioners/Family Practice doctors have basic general education and training but they are not specialists and they are not trained/educated to diagnose or handle any of the less obvious ear problems

I am a bit surprised your treating doctor did not refer you (on an urgent basis) to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist before stopping your Pegasys.

As you stated in your post, you do not want to stop treatment. If it was me with the ear problem, then I would see a specialist before stopping treatment. It would be a shame if you have to stop treatment if an ENT specialist could diagnose and treat your ear problem. It is worth a shot. You have a lot at stake.

I hope this works out for you.