Lidocaine Neck Patch Silences Ear Ringing Agony of Tinnitus (DailyMail / March 30, 2019)

#32
#33
#34
ajc said:
Transdermal lidocaine as treatment for chronic subjective tinnitus: A pilot study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2019.03.009Get rights and content

Abstract
Objective
To assess the efficacy of transdermal lidocaine as a treatment for chronic subjective tinnitus as measured by the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).

Study design
Pilot, prospective efficacy trial.

Setting
Tertiary care hospital.

Patients
Men and women, over the age of 18 with chronic subjective tinnitus for >6 months.

Intervention
Daily application of commercially available transdermal lidocaine patch.

Outcome measure
Change in the TFI.

Results
The average pre-treatment TFI score was 56.2. After 1 month the average TFI decreased to 41 (p < 0.05). The scores dropped to 34 and 35 after 2 and 3 months of treatment respectively. Despite improvement in symptoms of tinnitus, most patients did not continue the study after the first month, dropping out due to the size, discomfort, and appearance of the lidocaine patch, failure to follow-up and lack of perceived benefit from treatment.

Conclusions
In this preliminary study, 5% transdermal lidocaine appears to be a potential treatment for chronic subjective tinnitus. The majority of subjects who completed 1 month of treatment had clinically significantly improved tinnitus. These findings are confounded however by the small sample size and significant drop out rate.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070919301796
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These results put the MuteButton claims to shame but no one seems to care. I guess it's hard for people to get excited about a treatment if it doesn't cost $3000+.
 
#35
Hi guys. I just bought some patches (4% IcyHot brand from CVS) and plan to start using them beginning tomorrow morning.

I plan to cut them in half (as they seem large enough for the neck for this to be done) and I will provide you all with results.

The reason I decided to buy them is that even though my Tinnitus was not directly caused by any neck issues etc, I have noticed that when I have a stiff/sore neck my Tinnitus is significantly worse. I've had neck/back issues for most of my adult life (started when I was 21).

I'll keep you all updated, with as much detail as you'd like. Here's hoping for positive results.

I also plan to use ACRN in conjunction with the patches. Figure it can't hurt.
 
#36
Paul Montaperto said:
Hi guys. I just bought some patches (4% IcyHot brand from CVS) and plan to start using them beginning tomorrow morning.

I plan to cut them in half (as they seem large enough for the neck for this to be done) and I will provide you all with results.

The reason I decided to buy them is that even though my Tinnitus was not directly caused by any neck issues etc, I have noticed that when I have a stiff/sore neck my Tinnitus is significantly worse. I've had neck/back issues for most of my adult life (started when I was 21).

I'll keep you all updated, with as much detail as you'd like. Here's hoping for positive results.

I also plan to use ACRN in conjunction with the patches. Figure it can't hurt.
Click to expand...

I've been toying with using the full size on the back of the neck. Right now I'm about a week into usage of the patches. Please keep us updated on your progress.
 
#38
If I remember correctly this was done by injection long ago and the lessening of the tinnitus didn't last long. Hope this isn't similar and get everyone's hopes up. Plus there were numerous side effects.
 
#40
Just bought it myself. It´s called Emla here in Norway.
It says: 25 mg lidocaine and 25 mg prilocaine on the box.
Got it OTC.
Gonna try it from tomorrow.
 
#41
I will be following this thread. I am interested in the results.
 
#42
Updates from anyone?
 
#43
Jack Straw said:
Updates from anyone?
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Hold your horses:)

Gonna try it tomorrow as I do not have any appointments and can try it all day.
Don´t think it will do wonders for my tinnitus after one day but hopefully something for my strained neck muscles.

Only got 4 patches to the cost of $40, so if it does something I better get it on "blue prescription" as we call it here in Norway. Means reduced price.
 
Last edited:
#44
Jack Straw said:
Updates from anyone?
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I'm almost at the 2 week mark. I just switched over to 1 full size patch daily. It seems to have at least taken the edge off of my tinnitus, especially the high frequency whining. They said 1 month was the big difference and then slightly less at 2 and 3 months. I am planning to stick with it for now.
 
#45
Bndsmheowqhe said:
I'm almost at the 2 week mark. I just switched over to 1 full size patch daily. It seems to have at least taken the edge off of my tinnitus, especially the high frequency whining. They said 1 month was the big difference and then slightly less at 2 and 3 months. I am planning to stick with it for now.
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What exact brand are you using?
 
#46
Just read the info pamphlet. Remove the patch if you experience "ringing in the ears" it says.

LOL. Is there anyway we can try and help ourselves without risking getting what we try to alleviate?
 
#48
Bndsmheowqhe said:
CVS Lidocaine Patch Max Strength. The only problem is that they don't stick well. I'm going to buy the name brand version next time.
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Where do you put it and what kind of sensation do you experience?
Just numbing of the skin or does it have some muscle relaxant effect?
 
#50
Bndsmheowqhe said:
I'm almost at the 2 week mark. I just switched over to 1 full size patch daily. It seems to have at least taken the edge off of my tinnitus, especially the high frequency whining. They said 1 month was the big difference and then slightly less at 2 and 3 months. I am planning to stick with it for now.
Click to expand...
I don't want to rain on your parade but my tinnitus has improved in 2 weeks time without any patches. Only medicine I've taken has been prednisolone and few times pseudoephedrine for my sinuses.

It's good though your tinnitus has gotten better.
 
#51
Strife_84 said:
I don't want to rain on your parade but my tinnitus has improved in 2 weeks time without any patches. Only medicine I've taken has been prednisolone and few times pseudoephedrine for my sinuses.

It's good though your tinnitus has gotten better.
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After 3 years I'm excruciatingly aware of the dynamic of my tinnitus. This appears to be having a general calming effect that I haven't experienced this consistently before. It's still not a major improvement however.
 
#54
This has been a well known phenomenon for decades now for people with somatosensory tinnitus. Go to PubMed and do a search for lidocaine and tinnitus and you'll find dozens of papers on it. The patch would be applied to the back of the neck to numb the capitas and cervicis muscles. Every time I go for a massage - once a month - I get them to work the shit out of my neck/mastoid/traps and my tinnitus always goes down to a 1 or 2 usually for a day or two. Same thing in reverse when I'm working out and doing back and neck excercises, I always end up getting spikes - which is effing annoying. Yet my Neurosurgeon feels that pushing through the pain, so to speak, will provide long term gain and help end my somatosensory tinnitus sooner rather than later. I have no doubt this would help but would only offer a very short term benefit. Best to be used only when you're having a bad spike. I believe regular exercise and stretching - yoga and pilates in particular - along with proper diet will do more overall in the long run.
 
#55
Bndsmheowqhe said:
After 3 years I'm excruciatingly aware of the dynamic of my tinnitus. This appears to be having a general calming effect that I haven't experienced this consistently before. It's still not a major improvement however.
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Excruciatingly aware just about sums it up, and like you I am also at the 3 year mark. Thanks for experimenting with the patch and sharing results. I'm going to try one next time I have a spike.
 
#56
BuzzyBee said:
Excruciatingly aware just about sums it up, and like you I am also at the 3 year mark. Thanks for experimenting with the patch and sharing results. I'm going to try one next time I have a spike.
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I'm at week 3 and have continued to see a very gradual decline in intensity. I'm now at a 4-5/10 as opposed to 6-7.
 
#57
Bndsmheowqhe said:
I'm at week 3 and have continued to see a very gradual decline in intensity. I'm now at a 4-5/10 as opposed to 6-7.
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That's great! For me the biggest challenge will be patience and waiting to see long-term results. I wonder how the lidocaine works to calm the tinnitus.
 
#58
Any updates?
 
#60
Hi all, just wanted to provide a quick update.

They haven't done anything for me personally. I've been using them for I believe over 2 weeks. CVS 4% brand. I would cut the patches in half and put them at the base of my skull for about as long as they'd stick (6 hours generally).

I never at any point noticed my ringing reduce. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you though, so if you have the money and are desperate I'd say give it a shot.

The only downside aside from cost is that it's a pain in the ass to get them to stick there. Might want to try using some sports tape or something with it.
 

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