MRI's and TINNITUS

[Chloe2009]

I have NO doubt the MRI caused my tinnitus.  It's been close to one year since I've had ringing in my ears, on and off, since the day of the MRI.

I had the sensation of my lungs being constricted also right after it...but that went away quickly.

My intuition and theory is this - I think there are some delicate tubes in my ears, or one of the tubes leading down the throat (which does the draining), and the width was somehow  narrowed by the MRI.  So, when fluid builds up too much I get a slight popping/cracking sound and I notice the tinnitus is louder.  This July will be one year since I had the MRI --  the thing is, I do believe it's getting better...very slowly...there's a HUGE difference between the way I feel now and one year go....Last year was awful!!!

Yes, I did feel out of it for several days after the MRI and it actually felt like someone removed by brain...shook it up a bit...then put it back.  It was a really awful feeling.

Watch - it'll be another 20 years before the medical community will own up to the risks associated with MRI's....because there's only a small percentage of people with side effects, they think it's doesn't matter.

But, the thing is, we had the right to know the risks BEFORE we had it done.  Awareness is everything and then if we choose to do it anyway, then at least we're not going in blindly.

After being told by three doctors that it was SO impossible for ears to be effected by an MRI and how SAFE that awful machine is, I was so aggravated.  Never had ringing in my ears in my life until that day....I knew I wasn't crazy....but if it's not in some medical book or documented somehow, they don't care what a person's experience is!!!

Well, after ENDLESS searching online looking for a connection, I came across this:
http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/3/1/11
From  ^
Magneto hydrodynamic forces and pressure

"When a static magnetic field is applied to a biological tissue, and ionic currents are present, a net force, whose vector can be calculated as , is applied to the moving ions.

Although these forces principally act on flowing liquids, such as blood, research has shown there is no requirement for increased cardiac activity in order to maintain a constant cardiac output when an external magnetic field is applied to the body [45,46].

On the other hand, a very small magneto-hydrodynamic force operating on the endolymphatic tissues of the inner ear may be the source for the sensations of nausea and vertigo sometimes reported at higher field strengths [23,36]."

So, this engineering report is discussing the same magnetic fields used in MRI's and the hydronamic forces at work and their effects on tissues.
Wish these engineeers would send this to the medical community!!

Now, to be proactive for awhile, if you have tinnitus, or some other long term effect from the MRI you had ---

Here's what's helped me:

1) I've practically eliminated salt and sugar from my diet.  I was already a vegan...so dairy and animals were out anyway.  Because I suspected this had to do with improper drainage in my ears, I figured the thinner my inner fluids were, the better.  (all dairy and animal products create mucous and slows drainage etc)

2) I get huge amounts of sleep...when I don't, the ringing is louder.  I also take 1-3 mg. melatonin every night,  usually by 'Source Naturals' or you can get the one by GNC (sub-lingual is best)

3) I drink tons of bottled water...again, keeping all the fluids moving.

4) I take Ashwagandha tincture.  (liquid form by HerbPharm)  This is the number one tinnitus remedy in Ayurvedic Medicine (Indian medicine) and I really think it helps.  "Holy Basil" tincture is also very calming to the mind and that can help too.

5) I make shakes with organic rice milk and a product called "Amazing Green Superfood"...loaded with nourishing grasses, and anti-oxidants etc....plus I take a multi amino acid supplement...so wonderful for calming the mind and keeping you thinking straight and this in turn, benefits the tinnitus.

http://www.amazinggrass.com/green-superfood-powder.html

6) I also put some hemp protein in the shake by 'Manitoba Harvest'....the pure raw protein calms the body and mind also.

You might also try these two aminos in addition to the multi-amino supplement:  GABA and L-Phenylalanine.  They both keep your neuro-transmitters in your brain firing correctly...so, this can help too.  This is based on the fact that the sound doesn't really exist...it's just perceived by your brain.

Take only the recommended dose of the GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)....it's very calming, but too much makes you sleepy.

More on aminos:

http://www.raysahelian.com/aminoacid.html


I know this sounds like a lot...but you'll feel better overall and it's worth it!!!

I truly hope our collective experiences will be TAKEN SERIOUSLY one of these days....since we are the ones having these tests done and being seriously effected by these machines.

Maybe I'll live to see the day that the only place an MRI machine exists is in a MUSEUM -- along with another barbaric devices....like 'cancer causing' mammogram machines.




This discussion is related to MRI effects.

[Skyhighblue52]

Thank you so much for your input, very helpful even 9 years later. I have suffered from tinnitus for almost thirty years following a head MRI for, of all things, my ears. I have researched tinnitus causes repeatedly and have also found some nutrients to add to my diet that I am working on now. In addition I have tried ear poppers, ear infection home remedies, and much more to try to reduce my tinnitus. I have been seen by ENTs who inevitably want me checked for Meniere's Disease, the broad term used now for "have no idea".  Today as I was having an MRI done for my knee it occurred to me that I had never seriously considered that my MRI done thirty years ago had caused my tinnitus. But it is completely plausible, because I did not have tinnitus until shortly after my MRI.  I am just beginning to explore this possibility. I am not pleased with this angle, because it opens up the idea that my tinnitus may be permanent, but it may lead to some resolution on my part. What frightens me now is that my 20 year old son also developed tinnitus after have a head MRI for his neck.
I am curious how you are making out now after 9 years.