Hi, I'm new to this site as of yesterday...not sure if I'm doing this right, so please let me know if I'm posting OK .

Has anyone with C-spine problems experienced ringing in the ears (tinnitus)? I have spondylolysthesis as well as slightly herniated discs. This loud ringing in both ears started up with a strain to my neck in January, and severe upper back/neck spasms. The spasms wouldn't stop in spite of 2 trigger point injection series. So, in the past few weeks I've had 2 epidurals, but only about 50% improvement in pain.

If anyone has ear ringing, what pain meds do you use? A lot of pain meds can cause tinnitus such as NSAIDS, Aspirin, etc. Tylenol doesn't seem to do anything for my back pain or headaches. Unfortunately, that's the one pain reliever that is listed as not causing tinnitus. Very frustrating. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks, Suz

I also have c-spine problems and tinnitus. I have congenital fusion at C2-3 and C4-5, with a bulging disc at C3-4. I'm not sure what is causing the tinnitus. I've had it as long as I can remember (I'm 44). As a kid I just thought that everyone heard the same thing I did! I think it has actually gotten louder in the past few years.

I also have KLIPPEL-FEIL SYNDROME (KFS), which was recently diagnosed. This is characterized by congenital cervical vertebral fusion along with a host of other anomalies that go along with it. It can also affect a persons hearing.

I often wonder if the tinnitus is caused by the problems in my cervical spine, or perhaps something else related to the KFS.

I take Celebrex but I had the tinnitus prior to taking any medications.

I also have severe muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders.

I will be seeing a new doctor in the near future and plan on addressing the tinnitus. I'll let you know if I get any good advice!

Good Luck,


Rhonda

Thanks Rhonda.
What do you use for your spinal/back pain? Are there any good meds out there that you've tried that don't make the ringing worse? This morning I took 2 Alleve and the sound got really loud. It happened a couple of days ago also when taking Alleve. May be just coincidence. I have migraine and occipital headaches and am nervous to take any migraine meds or pain meds. I just started the antidepressant Celexa and am not sure if it's making the ringing worse, since the ringing was there anyhow before taking it. Lamictal is another drug I'm taking for depression. It did start up worse after getting the Lamictal up to 150mg. Now the Lamictal dose is being reduced gradually.
At least the Celexa makes it easier to cope with the ringing! It was driving me crazy for awhile. Mixed bag though if it's making the ringing louder. Masking noise now makes the tinnitus emphasized a bit, which is weird.
The neurologist just Rx'd a muscle relaxant, Tizanidine, so I'll try that tonite. Have you heard of it? I suggested to the docs that the ringing might be caused by the spinal problems, but they seem pretty clueless about it. Think I've had slight ringing ever since being a kid, but this is pretty intense at times and sometimes difficult to mask.
Susan

Hi!!
I am 43 years old, and wear 2 hearing aids. I have had severe tinnitus for 5 or more years. My hearing loss was caused by my job, (I am a printer,and run loud equipment) I recently had ACDF at C5/6, 6/7 for herniated discs and bone spurs. The first thing i noticed after being rid of my pain, was how much less my ears ring. my tinitus is 24/7 and after a test for tinnitus, they said anything oer a 30 score was bad, my tinnitus scored at 78....mine kept me awake at night. now it doesn't. Keeping clear of caffeine also helps greatly. Hope that helps!!

Dave

SuzeQ,

I had this going on prior to my first fusion (C3/C4). I had never had this in my life! But my PM explained that the next is like a fusebox...full of wires (nerves). When they are compressed as in arthritic facets, they "crosstalk" to the auditory nerves. I thought I was losing my mind...it was all the time. Plus, it SEEMED the anti-inflammatories meds made it worse. Anyway, after the fusion the tinnitus completely stopped. So, what Printerhead said about his fusions is pretty close to what I experienced. And I could hear my heartbeat loud and clear...that kept me awake at night. Then this past September I had the C5/C6 fused but it was the higher level that caused the tinnitus. All gone now though, thank goodness! I hope the med(s) work for you.

I developed tinnitus after the accident that ruptured my C5-6-7 disks. The ACDF surgery made the ringing worse. The only med that I found that would help with the tinnitus was valium. 1/2 of a 5mg tablet will bring it down to tolerable levels.

I am new , so please excuse me if I am not posting correctly , could use help . I woke up from my first cervical surgery 2 years and 8 months ago with this noise in my head that sounds like a thousand locust . Dr. keep sending me to ENTs , I keep telling them I need a dr. that treats tinnitus from a nerve or muscle that is compressed going to my brain stem that causes it also , now my brain stem shows up abnormal . The noise has amplified at least 20 times and never goes back down . It is so loud now I don't know how much louder I can stand it . I need help !

Hi cowgirl,

That must all be terrible for you and I am sorry to say it is outside my realm of experience. All I can offer is sympathy and to ask whether your Drs are taking you more seriously now it shows up that you have an abnormal brain stem.

Dave.

I have very similar symptoms. Neck spasms due to stenosis, bone spurs, instability, straightening, etc.. with cord compression. However, I didnt have tinnitus until I fell and hit my forehead twice in a minute, a year ago. It started immediately, it is intermittent. I do not take any pain rx other than meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) and flexeril 3X day, so I can't help with relating it to meds. Good luck!