My Pain Hyperacusis 100% Resolved from Tamsulosin (Flomax)

[Philip83]

My sex drive was fine! Truly... I'm sorry if you're going through that. It can cause you to have less semen production but it's a side effect for only some. But I was fine!

So just an update... my pain is still gone... my inflammation is still gone... my sensitivity is gone besides a slight amount of sensitivity with really loud sounds. And the crazy overwhelming fullness and desire to pop my ear because of the pressure is gone still.

Still can't believe it... haha.

Also going through posts I just wanted to say that my tinnitus is also about 25% better. It's not as loud and more tolerable. Somehow something happened in my ear that helped everything in different ways. But I'm ok with the tinnitus, it was the hyperacusis that was killing me. But still to get the noise level down on the tinnitus is also a major blessing for sure! Super excited to keep reading these posts!

I also encouraged someone else who wasn't getting relief to try Flomax together witg 500 mg of Ibuprofen and 500 mg Acetaminophen. I had that for my first two days on Flomax only but possibly it helped in the combo? I am unsure but it's worth a shot and is over the counter.

What was the dose you were taking? If I'm correct, you took it for 7 days, but what was the milligram dose? Thanks!

 

[twa]

So far we have had two people get good results from Flomax? I'm going to try to get a prescription soon.

@New Lionel,

Who was the other person?

 

[Philip83]

@Jesse Brinck , may I also ask if you had/have TTTS?

 

[Philip83]

@NewLionel, did you get a hold of any?

 

[NewLionel]

@NewLionel, did you get a hold of any?

Nope not yet, I had somewhat of a setback and had to go on antibiotics so getting Flomax has been delayed.

 

[Daniel Lion]

I've been taking it for three days now. It seems to be working. There are sounds I couldn't tolerate before that doesn't hurt anymore. I'm still wearing NC headphones and I'm on a benzo too which could also help. A bit too early to be sure, but I'm feeling positive it does something

Holy shit... keep us posted.

1 month will be a major test.

Good luck.

 

[Ryan Edwards]

I have Alfuzosin which is similar I believe, so I'm going to try that and will report back.

 

[Ryan Edwards]

I have Alfuzosin which is similar I believe, so I'm going to try that and will report back.

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

 

[ajc]

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

Which pretty much means your hyperacusis is psychological.

Every drug will take some time to kick in, and get absorbed into the bloodstream. If you get immediate relief, it's placebo.

 

[Philip83]

Which pretty much means your hyperacusis is psychological.

Every drug will take some time to kick in, and get absorbed into the bloodstream. If you get immediate relief, it's placebo.

He didn't specify how long it took. This is a drug you only take for 7 days for kidney stone problems, it could easily kick in within hours.

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

When did you take it and when did you start feeling relief?

 

[Marin]

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

Wow! Can I ask, what is the cause of your hyperacusis and what symptoms do you have?

 

[chinup]

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

Wow. Starting to think I should give this a shot. Please keep us updated.

 

[Pulsing Ear]

So I tried it (Alfuzosin) last night and got almost immediate relief from the hyperacusis in my left ear.

I take Flomax (Tamsulosin) for an enlarged prostate. It is an alpha 1a selective drug, so doesn't lower blood pressure much at all. You might have to watch Alfuzosin if you already have low blood pressure. If it gets too low, you get dizziness and can feel nauseous.

Good study here:

"Conclusion: Tamsulosin is the first adrenoceptor antagonist that is selective for the alpha 1 A-subtype; this specificity may explain its lack of effect on blood pressure compared with alfuzosin, an agent that is not receptor subtype specific. Moreover, this finding may partly explain why tamsulosin, in contrast to other currently available alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, can be administered without dose titration. Another advantage compared with alfuzosin (and prazosin) is the once-daily dosing regimen of tamsulosin."

Comparison of tamsulosin with alfuzosin in the treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction (symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia). The European Tamsulosin Study Group - PubMed (nih.gov)​

I'm wondering though, for treating hyperacusis, Alfuzosin might be better because it isn't 1 A-subtype specific. Just might have to watch that your blood pressure doesn't get too low.

 

[Ryan Edwards]

It's a slow release tablet over a 24 hour period and it started to take effect within an hour of me taking it.

Unfortunately for me, any advantage I had earlier was taken away when I managed to get my MRI for my ears brought forward to today - it was the loudest MRI I had ever experienced (maybe because it was a mobile one?) and they only offered earplugs, not earmuffs. I won't be going back there again, that's for sure.

I just hope any spike the MRI has now caused will only be temporary? It was only around 10 minutes in duration. Sigh.

 

[Sevv]

It's a slow release tablet over a 24 hour period and it started to take effect within an hour of me taking it.

Unfortunately for me, any advantage I had earlier was taken away when I managed to get my MRI for my ears brought forward to today - it was the loudest MRI I had ever experienced (maybe because it was a mobile one?) and they only offered earplugs, not earmuffs. I won't be going back there again, that's for sure.

I just hope any spike the MRI has now caused will only be temporary? It was only around 10 minutes in duration. Sigh.

If the setback is serious, I would consider getting Prednisone as soon as possible. And also taking NAC and Magnesium.

The damage is done though. MRIs are loud and there are a few members here who got tinnitus from it or had significant setbacks (some also didn't have any problems, so it doesn't necessarily have to lead to setbacks).

 

[Philip83]

It's a slow release tablet over a 24 hour period and it started to take effect within an hour of me taking it.

Unfortunately for me, any advantage I had earlier was taken away when I managed to get my MRI for my ears brought forward to today - it was the loudest MRI I had ever experienced (maybe because it was a mobile one?) and they only offered earplugs, not earmuffs. I won't be going back there again, that's for sure.

I just hope any spike the MRI has now caused will only be temporary? It was only around 10 minutes in duration. Sigh.

Ah man, I'm sorry to hear that. If you had earplugs I think there's a good chance there was no actual damage but only irritation. Fingers crossed.

 

[Ryan Edwards]

Thanks. Yes at least I used the earplugs! As for my hyperacusis, it's in my left ear that also has the tinnitus and certain sounds set it off, putting cutlery away, putting glass into the recycling, Christmas crackers (I have discovered).

 

[chinup]

Thanks. Yes at least I used the earplugs! As for my hyperacusis, it's in my left ear that also has the tinnitus and certain sounds set it off, putting cutlery away, putting glass into the recycling, Christmas crackers (I have discovered).

Please keep us updated on whether you continue treating your hyperacusis with the same medication and if you continue to improve (or worsen). Good luck!

 

[Ryan Edwards]

Prostate medication has since proved to be unnecessary for me and makes me quite unwell. It's mostly the tinnitus that bothers me so I won't be continuing the medication, but I think there is something to it...

 

[Pulsing Ear]

Prostate medication has since proved to be unnecessary for me and makes me quite unwell. It's mostly the tinnitus that bothers me so I won't be continuing the medication, but I think there is something to it...

Curious, what were the side effects for you that made you feel bad?

 

[chinup]

Curious, what were the side effects for you that made you feel bad?

I'm also curious. Maybe low blood pressure sides?

 

[Ryan Edwards]

Prostate meds give me congested sinuses, headaches, and elevated heart rate.

 

[Philip83]

No one else has tried this yet? I'm hopefully going to get some next week. Will give an update once I have it.

 

[Marin]

I tried Flomax, and I do think it helped a very small amount after the first dose. Sadly, I did not see any more improvement after that first dose despite taking it for a whole week. I also had side effects like headache, low blood pressure, and accelerated heart rate while I was taking it.

I still have severe hyperacusis, and the improvements were so minor that's it's hard for me to even say if they remained after discontinuing the medication.

Before trying Flomax, I tried Terazosin which is a similar medication. I also felt a tiny bit of improvement with that medication, but had to discontinue after the second dose because that medication made my blood pressure much too low.

 

[Philip83]

I tried Flomax, and I do think it helped a very small amount after the first dose. Sadly, I did not see any more improvement after that first dose despite taking it for a whole week. I also had side effects like headache, low blood pressure, and accelerated heart rate while I was taking it.

I still have severe hyperacusis, and the improvements were so minor that's it's hard for me to even say if they remained after discontinuing the medication.

Before trying Flomax, I tried Terazosin which is a similar medication. I also felt a tiny bit of improvement with that medication, but had to discontinue after the second dose because that medication made my blood pressure much too low.

Thanks for the info. That's a bummer you didn't see more improvement. :/ May I ask how you knew/noticed that your blood pressure got very low? Did you go to the doctor to check it while you were on it?

And may I ask if you are on any other medication?

 

[Marin]

Thanks for the info. That's a bummer you didn't see more improvement. :/ May I ask how you knew/noticed that your blood pressure got very low? Did you go to the doctor to check it while you were on it?

And may I ask if you are on any other medication?

Thanks. I was so hopeful that first day after feeling a tiny bit better, but was crushed when I didn't see any more improvement.

Symptoms of low blood pressure are dizziness and elevated heart rate. My arms also felt very weak. Drinking an electrolyte drink with extra salt helped to bring my blood pressure back up, but the symptoms were still uncomfortable. I do think I am prone to low blood pressure because I've had this happen with other medications or supplements in the past.

I was not on any other medication at the time.

 

[Philip83]

Thanks. I was so hopeful that first day after feeling a tiny bit better, but was crushed when I didn't see any more improvement.

Symptoms of low blood pressure are dizziness and elevated heart rate. My arms also felt very weak. Drinking an electrolyte drink with extra salt helped to bring my blood pressure back up, but the symptoms were still uncomfortable. I do think I am prone to low blood pressure because I've had this happen with other medications or supplements in the past.

I was not on any other medication at the time.

Ok, thanks. I was trying to keep my expectations low, but of course it's a bummer to read it didn't work for you. I'm usually prone to slightly elevated blood pressure so hopefully a potential lowering of it won't be an issue for me. I still think I might give it a shot if I can get it prescribed.

 

[Marin]

@Philip83 no problem; I'm hardly to share my experience. We're all suffering! I think it's definitely worth a shot. You never know, you might get more out of it than me.

 

[Philip83]

@weab00, did you ever end up trying Flomax?

 

[FGG]

Really interesting and glad to see people getting results from this drug.

The question now is whether this can shed some light on the underlying pathology of hyperacusis. It seems that Tamsulosin is a selective α1 receptor antagonist. A quick google search suggests that

"α1A-adrenergic receptor subtypes increase inhibition at dendrodendritic synapses".

Apparently, these type of receptors are found throughout our nervous system and in the cochlea as well. What isn't clear is where exactly in the cochlea these synapses are found - are they the same the ones connecting OHCs to the type II afferents?

Here's some more info on these type of synapses for those interested.

@100Hz, @serendipity1996, @FGG thoughts?

For some reason, I rarely get notifications when I'm tagged anymore.

The only place I can find that these receptors are in the cochlea are in its vascular supply. I can't off hand think of a reason reducing cochlea blood pressure would help noxacusis unless the pain was from hypertension. But there may be receptors elsewhere and I can't find the info.

But this has me wondering if some of the "pain hyperacusis" people in this thread have more of TTTS type pain. Because I could see that possibly having an effect there.

Maybe if the people this has helped could describe their type of pain in more detail?