Re: Tinnitus

Posted By Sandra on July 19, 1999 at 09:16:33
My husband has tinnitus which has resulted in a neurosensory hearing loss in his right ear.  He had surgery on his inner ear to determine if there was some type of fluid leakage causing some of his problems. He also had an MRI to rule out a neuroma.  In addition to the tinnitus, he suffers from dizziness and a feeling of pressure inside his head.  The dizziness and pressure are the things causing the most distress currently.  We've tried to see if there is any correlation between weather pressure systems and his extreme dizziness/pressure, but can't seem to pinpoint anything.  Mainly, I want to know if anything can be done to reduce or eliminate the dizziness and pressure.  Could he possibly have tubes placed in his ears?  We have tried some medications, such as cortizone(?spelling) but it made him sick and really affected his mood.  We have also tried many natural medicine and vitamins such as, magnesium, ginkgo, and kombucha.  Some things help slightly but nothing has shown any long term relief.  I really want to find some type of solution and not just the answer, "There's no cure for tinnitus, people just learn to live with it".  Again the tinnitus is minor, the dizziness and pressure are major.  There must be something out there in medical science that can help.  Please let me know of any treatments or research so that there is hope at the end of the tunnel.  Thanks for your time, it is really appreciated.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD RPS]

Posted By CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on July 19, 1999 at 12:01:05
Dear Sandra:
Sorry to hear about your husband's hearing problems.  Was there intense nausea that accompanied his tinnitus and dizzy feelings?  I imagine that he has seen a neurologist.  What was the diagnosis?  Given all that he has had done to him, it is difficult for me to say what he might have as an etiology of his hearing problem.  It sounds like it is a peripheral problem, meaning that it is not something in his cerebellum or brainstem.  Did he have a preceeding viral illness prior to his symptoms?  How long did he have his symptoms before the surgery?  Since the MRI was normal (?) then he doesn't have a schwannoma (often called neuroma) or a mass affecting his cranial nerve.  He might have a process called vestibular neuronitis.  However, without all the information and an actual neurological exam I can't say with any assurance.  
I would see a neurologist who is an expert in dizziness.  There are several centers around the country.  There is one at UCLA, another here at the Cleveland Clinic, and another at Harvard.  
There are medication to help with the nausea and dizziness, but few that I know of that would control tinnitus.  Tricyclic medication might help the former and neurontin might help the latter.  But again, one needs to try and find the etiology and not just treat symptoms.  So, I would recommend a second opinion at one of the major centers if you can affort it.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD










Follow Ups:


Tinnitus Loretta 8/09/1999
(0)


Tinnitus Follow Up to  Continual Numbness for RPS 7/19/1999
(0)


Tinnitus Connie 7/19/1999
(3)

Re: Tinnitus CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 7/19/1999
(2)

Tinnitus C. Journalist 7/20/1999
(1)

Re: Tinnitus CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 7/20/1999
(0)