Pre-Existing Tinnitus and Pregnancy

[Samantha R]

I'm looking for advice from ladies who've had pre-existing tinnitus and become pregnant.
My tinnitus came on after my pregnancies so I'm not really able to help my friend.

I had a friend contact me today, she's got pre-existing mild-moderate tinnitus that spikes during her period. She's having extreme anxiety as she's just found out she's pregnant and she's worried about her tinnitus increasing during the pregnancy. She said she's having those same feeling of extreme anxiety she had in the beginning.
I had to pick her up from the local bank today because she had a panic attack. She's never had one before she said. I feel so bad for her, and can't offer her any advice as my tinnitus came on after my babies were born.
I am worried because she is contemplating ending the pregnancy, but this may not be the best option for her. Obviously I told her she needs to see a doctor about maybe starting some anti-anxiety medication, she got a small dose of Xanax today to get her through the next few days but this can't be a long term solution.

Overall, how do you think the pregnancy affected your tinnitus? Is it the same now as it was before becoming pregnant?

Thanks for any insight you can share, I'm desperate to help my friend as I understand the fear she is going through.

Sam xx

 

[Daniel Lion]

I'm looking for advice from ladies who've had pre-existing tinnitus and become pregnant.
My tinnitus came on after my pregnancies so I'm not really able to help my friend.

I had a friend contact me today, she's got pre-existing mild-moderate tinnitus that spikes during her period. She's having extreme anxiety as she's just found out she's pregnant and she's worried about her tinnitus increasing during the pregnancy. She said she's having those same feeling of extreme anxiety she had in the beginning.
I had to pick her up from the local bank today because she had a panic attack. She's never had one before she said. I feel so bad for her, and can't offer her any advice as my tinnitus came on after my babies were born.
I am worried because she is contemplating ending the pregnancy, but this may not be the best option for her. Obviously I told her she needs to see a doctor about maybe starting some anti-anxiety medication, she got a small dose of Xanax today to get her through the next few days but this can't be a long term solution.

Overall, how do you think the pregnancy affected your tinnitus? Is it the same now as it was before becoming pregnant?

Thanks for any insight you can share, I'm desperate to help my friend as I understand the fear she is going through.

Sam xx

She's pregnant and is going to take Xanax, which means the baby will take Xanax. I usually don't weigh in on stuff like this, but it sounds like a nightmare for her already and lord only knows what the poor child will endure. All that anxiety produces chemicals that the infant is feeding on. If it's early days, as in early on in the first trimester, she may have to make a hard decision, if you know what I mean. Really sorry to hear about your friend, very sad story indeed. She doesn't sound like she's up to the task. Best of luck.

 

[Autumnly]

It seems like tinnitus spikes during pregnancy are usually only temporary but not uncommon. I was quite surprised to read that tinnitus is the most common ear complaint reported during pregnancy affecting over 1 in 3 women.

BTA - Tinnitus and pregnancy
"The incidence of tinnitus in pregnancy is higher than in the general population. It is the most common ear complaint reported during pregnancy affecting over 1 in 3 women compared to just 1 in 10 women of the same age who are not pregnant. Furthermore, 2 out of 3 women who have tinnitus before pregnancy report an increase in their tinnitus during pregnancy, especially during the second and towards the third trimester (months 4 to 6). For those who first experience tinnitus during pregnancy it is often present throughout the pregnancy and resolves or reduces after delivery."

From what I've researched, Progesterone levels (induced throughout pregnancy) can (though that's not always the case) spike your Tinnitus, this is because Progesterone typically acts as a Glutamate inhibitor (It attaches to GABA receptors, GABA being Glutamate's antagonistic transmitter), this means within early pregnancy your tinnitus would typically get lower, the issue however is that the chemistry gets imbalanced and the brain starts deregulating GABA receptors and increasing glutamate productions to counter the effects of Progesterone (in a similar fashion it would for chronic Benzodiazepine users, this is why the use of Benzodiazepine is ill adviced), this has usually no pronounced effects until week 36 when Progesterone levels start going down to reach back to normal levels, this is when the Tinnitus would normally start to spike as you would feel Progesterone/GABA withdrawal effects, if that's the case however, do not panic of feel alarmed as this would be a temporary state which would resolve shortly after pregnancy as progesterone levels get back to normal and withdrawal symptoms would be much shorter and less pronounced than the ones experienced by most other GABA stimulants.

 

[Samantha R]

@Autumnly
That's really interesting. I did see the BTA piece online, it didn't elaborate on what happens to the 2 out of 3 women with pre existing tinnitus though.

That last piece of information is really interesting.
My friend did say that her tinnitus has remained at pre menstrual levels (she said she'd normally get her decrease after her period finishes).
So I said to her not to stress too much because that seemed like what you would have with the high levels of hormones not dropping as they usually would at menstruation.
However, maybe she'll get a decrease for a while and it's reassuring to read it usually goes down.

 

[Samantha R]

@Daniel Lion
Yes it's sad indeed and I do question whether she's going to cope and be able to continue the pregnancy.
She doesn't have children, and really wants a family.
The pregnancy is early on (maybe 5 weeks),
doctor felt sparing use was Ok for the next few days if she has a panic attack. She only got a few tablets.
Might be harder in later pregnancy but I read some experiences on here of women taking benzos occasionally in later pregnancy to help cope.
I am at a loss for her, I feel so helpless and don't know if reassurance will be enough for her.

 

[Daniel Lion]

I am really sincerely sorry. I am not a woman, as you know. I am a dad, 3 kids, and a long time school teacher. Love kids. Your friend is in a tough spot and my heart goes out to her. I can't really advise too much, but she sounds unstable. Pregnancy as you know is long, and hard. And then after birth many women suffer depression. I am open to abortion, I am also open to assisted suicide. I am not part of any organized religion, but consider myself a humanist and lover of all creatures and plants, our planet essentially.

Perhaps your friend could talk to a specialist, or maybe you have advice in your heart that you should give. A doozy of a situation, but I know during pregnancy, especially the first trimester even the smallest bit of alcohol can be damaging. I know benzos are dangerous and believe Xanax is a benzo. Perhaps you could escort your friend to a clinic or seek advice from some women doctors who know more. I really feel for you and know you're busy raising your own little ones as I write this. As I write, my kids are running around me, screaming and battling, so I am losing my train of thought.

Autumnly and annV, OnceUponaTime, Hazel, are some really smart ladies who may be able to help with some guidance and direction. Starthrower is also really clever and sensible.

There are many women I have forgotten to mention, and I am sorry, no offense to anyone intended.

Best of luck Samantha, I hope your friend gets some help and and you can have some peace of mind ASAP.

Sincerely
Daniel

 

[Samantha R]

@Daniel Lion That was such a lovely post, written from the heart.
Children are a blessing and I was wondering what I would do if I was wanting to get pregnant post tinnitus.

I think I'd be nervous too.
I'm so grateful for my beautiful little ones too (who are sleeping soundly now).

My friend made an appointment at a local clinic tomorrow. I think to start with she'll have a blood test and ultrasound and some counselling. Her husband will go with her, but he's not that understanding of her tinnitus. He told her today (in front of me) to suck it up, it's just a noise. I'll see what comes of that appointment tomorrow but I think it will help her to speak with someone neutral.

Yes, Xanx is a benzo. She had to take something today, she just lost it and needed to be calmed down. She is not taking any other drugs or drinking alcohol (that I am aware of).

I am so devastated and it brings back my own feelings of anger towards tinnitus and the lack of treatments and support for people who are suffering greatly.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.

 

[Mathieulh]

There is a relative risk factor of 3 to 5 percent of potential birth defects, as well as, but not limited to, as neonatal flaccidity, respiratory and feeding difficulties, hyperbilirubinemia and hypothermia and of course the good old withdrawal symptoms, attributed to Benzodiazepine intake during pregnancy, and that's only the issues we currently know about.

I would advise against taking Benzodiazepine (or any kind of SSRI) during pregnancy, we know the kind of damages it does to full grown adults, we know it crosses the placenta barrier and there is no telling what kind of damages it could do to an unborn child during its development, which incidentally is much more fragile than a full grown adult.

 

[Daniel Lion]

@Daniel Lion That was such a lovely post, written from the heart.
Children are a blessing and I was wondering what I would do if I was wanting to get pregnant post tinnitus.

I think I'd be nervous too.
I'm so grateful for my beautiful little ones too (who are sleeping soundly now).

My friend made an appointment at a local clinic tomorrow. I think to start with she'll have a blood test and ultrasound and some counselling. Her husband will go with her, but he's not that understanding of her tinnitus. He told her today (in front of me) to suck it up, it's just a noise. I'll see what comes of that appointment tomorrow but I think it will help her to speak with someone neutral.

Yes, Xanx is a benzo. She had to take something today, she just lost it and needed to be calmed down. She is not taking any other drugs or drinking alcohol (that I am aware of).

I am so devastated and it brings back my own feelings of anger towards tinnitus and the lack of treatments and support for people who are suffering greatly.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.

Last post.

Her husband sounds awful, "suck it up"

Get him to watch the video about Gaby the Dutch lady who killed herself.

Tinnitus is no joke, the guy sounds awful and this is before the kid has even arrived.
Perhaps you could have him watch Jazzer's video and a few other videos so the guy can get educated about the gravity of what his wife is dealing with. If she doesn't have the support now.... it's likely in the future the guy will be even worse. Everybody deserves a chance, especially those who are uneducated... he sounds like he may not pan out to be a great catch and a supportive spouse.

Keep us posted, good luck to your friend, sounds like a really complicated situation.
Ok... bye for now

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I would advise against taking Benzodiazepine (or any kind of SSRI) during pregnancy, we know the kind of damages it does to full grown adults, we know it crosses the placenta barrier and there is no telling what kind of damages it could do to an unborn child during its development, which incidentally is much more fragile than a full grown adult.

I agree. I had given a link about Xanax use when pregnant to Samantha under the thread 'Can Tinnitus Cause Dizziness' where she mentions that her friend has used a small amount. A small amount over a few days as was mentioned should not be a problem. I don't think that Samantha's friend should be concerned with her limited use. Doctors on the OB unit where I had worked, did have problems weaning their preterm patients off long term use of benzos.

There are support groups for pre term mothers as well as post delivery mothers. Our rate of tinnitus development among expecting moms was only one percent. The rate for tinnitus increasing was just a little higher, but it was mostly temporary and often during third trimester where breathing among a few became more difficult or they were labor induced. Cesarean section patients has a slightly higher rate for increasing tinnitus and Samantha and I have discussed reasons why before, but it's never the fault of mother or baby.

I think that Samantha's friend will do fine with having her as a friend.

 

[Candy]

There are some posts on mumsnet regarding pre-existing tinnitus and pregnancy.

This condition is so insidious, hate it. Really hard to make any educated decisions and if your tinnitus does get worse, there will be nobody to help you.

Are there any studies? Can the BTA help... that's precisely the sort of stuff they should be studying...

 

[Samantha R]

@

I agree. I had given a link about Xanax use when pregnant to Samantha under the thread 'Can Tinnitus Cause Dizziness' where she mentions that her friend has used a small amount. A small amount over a few days as was mentioned should not be a problem. I don't think that Samantha's friend should be concerned with her limited use. Doctors on the OB unit where I had worked, did have problems weaning their preterm patients off long term use of benzos.

There are support groups for pre term mothers as well as post delivery mothers. Our rate of tinnitus development among expecting moms was only one percent. The rate for tinnitus increasing was just a little higher, but it was mostly temporary and often during third trimester where breathing among a few became more difficult or they were labor induced. Cesarean section patients has a slightly higher rate for increasing tinnitus and Samantha and I have discussed reasons why before, but it's never the fault of mother or baby.

I think that Samantha's friend will do fine with having her as a friend.

Oh Greg, thank you so much for that post.
I'm going to share that with my friend.
I think that will help a lot.
The doctor also thought the benzo use right now was OK, she is in crisis and barely able to function. He felt that would do more damage to her and her baby than a couple of tabs of Xanax.

 

[Samantha R]

There are some posts on mumsnet regarding pre-existing tinnitus and pregnancy.

This condition is so insidious, hate it. Really hard to make any educated decisions and if your tinnitus does get worse, there will be nobody to help you.

Are there any studies? Can the BTA help... that's precisely the sort of stuff they should be studying...

Thanks Candy. I found some posts and quite a few said there was no change, which was reassuring.
This condition is insidious, it may cost my friend her dream of becoming a mother.

 

[just1morething]

Benzos were so popular in the 60's I would suppose some pregnant women took them without harming the baby. I see a psychiatrist tomorrow about diazepam or clonazepam refills. I could ask her. I would think terminating a pregnancy would be so hard on the parents and the child would have no say.

Using street drugs or alcohol would seem to be in a whole different category I would think. I have a nephew that was adopted and has a lot of physical and mental problems. I'm assuming the mother was a heavy user of street drugs or alcohol but am not sure. Best to check with the Dr.'s. @Greg Sacramento's advice seems very good.

 

[Samantha R]

Benzos were so popular in the 60's I would suppose some pregnant women took them without harming the baby. I see a psychiatrist tomorrow about diazepam or clonazepam refills. I could ask her. I would think terminating a pregnancy would be so hard on the parents and the child would have no say.

Using street drugs or alcohol would seem to be in a whole different category I would think. I have a nephew that was adopted and has a lot of physical and mental problems. I'm assuming the mother was a heavy user of street drugs or alcohol but am not sure. Best to check with the Dr.'s. @Greg Sacramento's advice seems very good.

Thanks for your input. Yes, it's only very short term use. Doctor won't prescribe long term.
I've just had coffee with her and she saw a pregnancy counsellor today. Unfortunately she's thinking about terminating the pregnancy as she doesn't believe she's stable enough to continue.
I am very sad for her. Maybe in the future things will be different, I hope for her sake.

 

[just1morething]

Thanks for your input. Yes, it's only very short term use. Doctor won't prescribe long term.
I've just had coffee with her and she saw a pregnancy counsellor today. Unfortunately she's thinking about terminating the pregnancy as she doesn't believe she's stable enough to continue.
I am very sad for her. Maybe in the future things will be different, I hope for her sake.

Well I got my prescription for clonazepam .5mg x 2/day. She actually talked to Dr. Shulman to my surprise. I feel sad for your friend as well and hope she doesn't terminate the pregnancy.

 

[Candy]

All my best wishes to her, this is a sad story x

 

[síocháin]

I felt the same way your friend does after I found out I was pregnant right after I got noise induced tinnitus. I was so scared it was going to get worse, but actually my tinnitus got better during the pregnancy and I hardly ever though about it.
Nothing changed after giving birth either, it was all good.

I found out I was pregnant again last year in May, and even though I am struggling with much louder tinnitus now I do not think my second pregnancy was the reason, as my tinnitus got louder while I was recording my new album.

So for me I don't think being pregnant changed my tinnitus.

Also, I have a friend who felt her tinnitus spiked during third trimester, but after giving birth she felt it went back to baseline after a couple of weeks.

I really hope your friend will be ok! It's such a shame we always have to worry about everything that happens in our lives making tinnitus worse.

Best wishes to your friend!

 

[Samantha R]

@síocháin thank you so much for your reply.
I am going to share your experience with my friend.
I've tried to explain to her that she needs to try and not focus on her tinnitus as the extra focus will certainly make her concentrate on it!
She had a better day yesterday, so I'll just keep doing what I can to support her.
Thanks again, I appreciate you sharing your experience.

 

[Autumnly]

I'm not sure how much this is going to help but I wanted to share it just in case. The first and only treatment specifically approved for postpartum depression (PPD) has been launched in the US. So if she decides to have the child and if she starts showing signs of depression after giving birth, this drug might be an option. However, I couldn't find any information on how it affects chronic tinnitus. (But it might reduce tinnitus since it binds to GABA receptors) It's administered via continuous intravenous (IV) infusion for 2.5 days only, so it's not supposed to be taken long-term.

Sage Therapeutics Announces U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Scheduling of ZULRESSO™ (brexanolone) Injection - On track for full commercial launch in the U.S. in late June

 

[Sam12]

@Samantha R
I know this is an old post but looking for an update about your friend. How is she doing know?
I am in the same boat as her. I just found out I am pregnant and can already feel my tinnitus spiking up. I also suffer from anxiety so this is very difficult for me.

 

[Samantha R]

@Sam12

Well, fate stepped in and she suffered a miscarriage at nearly 7 weeks.
She told me a few weeks ago that she felt ready to try again.
She knows she may have to endure a tinnitus spike, but she is more prepared now and taking some medication for her anxiety.

If it helps, she said within a few days after the miscarriage, her tinnitus settled down to very low levels and has stayed quiet.

So maybe you can take some comfort from this that it is hormonal and only temporary.
I know my tinnitus spikes around a week before and after my period which I believe is hormonal.
I personally think it's progesterone. I recently did two IVF cycles myself and the supplement you with progesterone after they transfer the embryo.

My tinnitus spiked but settled down after I stopped the progesterone.
I am 100% sure that inflammation is at play in my case - I have a significant reduction in my tinnitus when taking prednisolone, and to a lesser degree from taking curcumin.

I believe my hormones cause inflammation and this contributes largely to my tinnitus.

I hope that helps. It's going to be tough, but I'm sure you'll be fine as the hormones settle.
Thinking of you.
Sam

 

[zombiechick]

@Sam12

Well, fate stepped in and she suffered a miscarriage at nearly 7 weeks.
She told me a few weeks ago that she felt ready to try again.
She knows she may have to endure a tinnitus spike, but she is more prepared now and taking some medication for her anxiety.

If it helps, she said within a few days after the miscarriage, her tinnitus settled down to very low levels and has stayed quiet.

So maybe you can take some comfort from this that it is hormonal and only temporary.
I know my tinnitus spikes around a week before and after my period which I believe is hormonal.
I personally think it's progesterone. I recently did two IVF cycles myself and the supplement you with progesterone after they transfer the embryo.

My tinnitus spiked but settled down after I stopped the progesterone.
I am 100% sure that inflammation is at play in my case - I have a significant reduction in my tinnitus when taking prednisolone, and to a lesser degree from taking curcumin.

I believe my hormones cause inflammation and this contributes largely to my tinnitus.

I hope that helps. It's going to be tough, but I'm sure you'll be fine as the hormones settle.
Thinking of you.
Sam

Just be careful about some of the thoughts and advice in this thread. I was on clonazepam with my last pregnancy and tapered down and went on zoloft at 28 weeks after cutting clonazepam down and stopping all together. My tinnitus went crazy.
My son is almost 4 years old. Never had any of the above mentioned issues. Anytime they do a study on affects of medication if one person has baby with a deformity, they put it in there, even if they cannot conclusively say it was the medication. I was on 1mg of clonazepam when I started off with my pregnancy due to having tinnitus 4 years prior to getting pregnant. Again, a sane and good doctor will help a mom taper and not go off immediately causing a miscarriage! I took 50mg of zoloft. No one on this thread is a doctor and she should speak with an OB or midwife who has experience with this to help her with the pregnancy. The mental health of the mother is so important and can actually cause more stress to the baby if she is panicky and unwell. This is first hand experience. My son is happy, healthy and smart. Potty trained before 2 years old and knows more dinosaur names then me. I also breastfed him for two years. This was at the strong recommendation of my midwife, doctor and pediatrician. If I had read any of the above mentioned advice, my son wouldn't be alive.

 

[Candy]

@Samantha R how are you?!
Remember the days when you were the only other mum I knew with tinnitus and you had just givem birth to twins. What a hero!!

Are you trying again?

 

[Samantha R]

@Candy
Hello! I do remember those early days and it was nice to connect with another mum!
They were hard.
We are not really trying.... I had two frozen embryos left after the twins (they are now 3.5 and my eldest is 5).
We had to make a decision on what to do with the two we had left, so we transferred them (separate cycles). Neither resulted in pregnancy.
I'm actually relieved as I'm not sure I would want to be pregnant with tinnitus, three young children and a busy business....
Neither transfer worked, but I'm happy as now I can move on.

How are you these days?
I know things have been tough for you of late. Hope you are ok?

 

[Candy]

@Samantha R

Three sounds like the perfect number... I am very risk averse so didn't go for number three for one or another reason.

Well things have been tricky since May. It got loud, then could hear other sounds which freaked me out and then settled around Sept.

January / February again tricky with weird temporary sounds and some loud days.

Today blocked ear and a wall of screaming.

I thought I knew my tinnitus but it changed after 3 years and now has a life of its own. Will start tracking again as I stopped in Nov and of course it all started to become unpredictable at that time but I have no clue why.

Hope things are good for you? x

 

[Nothisispatrick]

I've had tinnitus since March, it's not as bad as it used to be but I just found out I'm expecting, I'm honestly so f*cking scared. It's kind of taking a toll on my mental health. I really need advice or support. I'm so scared it'll get worse and it's making me dread everything right now... idk if age makes it worse or not but I'm 26...

Any advice, good vibes please just anything to lighten up my day or give me some kind of hope.

Yeah (I'm a girl despite my name and profile pic, thought I'd say that)

 

[Uklawyer]

@Samantha R, wrong thread, but are you the resident expert on changing hormone levels and tinnitus? I am asking on behalf of a woman who thought hers was triggered by lack of production of oestrogen. I recall having seen some stuff from you on IVF treatment and hormones and was wondering whether you had any insight to offer.

Best.