Ritalin and Tinnitus | ADHD Information
Thanks for the feedback. It certainly is an annoying condition that has unfortunetly gotten a little worse from the Ritalin. But I'm enjoying the benefits of Ritalin so much that I don't want to stop it. Hopefully the Tinnitus lessens over time, we'll see I guess. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and put on a trail run of Ritalin(next week Dexedrine) and its working wonderfully. The thing is I've had Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for years now, the result of mild hearing loss. The Ritalin seems to have made it worse, which makes sense in that stimulants are known to aggravate it.My question is, does anyone else have the same problem? Any good ways to minimize or even eliminate it?
*Bump*
Anyone with any experience with this?
Okay. How about New Yourk?Yes. I've had it for years, but didn't notice any difference on meds. We did have a Now Hear This Thread somewhere talking about tinnitis, and how it's manifested in your life.
Didn't know you were so popular, eh? hehe
Here's the link
http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11540& KW=now+hear+this
Wish I had experience to share, but that's not a problem I've ever had. You're right, though, it is a relatively rare but known side effect of all CNS stimulants, even caffeine. I suppose it comes down to the cost/benefit ratio... is it a side effect that's overshadowed by the therapeutic effects?D.O., isn't it about time you became from somewhere else? How about Finland or Sweden? Surely they would be more exciting that Russia...
Here, I couldn't find New York, but did find Jersey...Now I gotta find a befitting avatar...
Cows, anyone?
Mooooo!
Distraction - I hate to burst your bubble of hope but...
I'm 38 and have had tinitus since my teens. It's not gonna get better or more quiet. The hairs are flattened in your inner ear and they don't die there or relax. The noise if anything will become slightly louder - for me 10 percent this last year - and I wear hearing protection.
You can do some things to make life more bearable.
Keep the radio on in every room - very quiet even just white noise. Your ear tends to turn the volume down on all sounds if there's a slightly louder one than in your ear. When really silent my tinitus screams like a fire alarm. Very annoying when trying to sleep.
Make sure your eustachian tube is open and pressure is equal. I found out mine was blocked and it made all the inner noise way louder.
don't let it get worse by getting any severe fevers or taking large doses of amphetamines. Overdoses CAN flatten the hairs - but normal doses won't. They may exacerbate the problem if you're allergic (histamine thickens all fluids including inner ear's) but that goes away.
If the noise is excruciating - call your local VA hospital. Some have a machine that temporarily makes the brain ignore the sound sometimes. They will rent time on it if available - but not every hospital has it. It's built for soldiers who damaged during battle hearing bomb compressions.
Most of all - good luck! With some work - you can learn to ignore all but the loudest tinitus days. It only bugs me when very quiet - like in that damn hearing test booth. Was like someone shouted in my ear just before going in!! Wow it was bad!!