Tinnitus from diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or duloxetine/cymbalta?

[jp619]

Hi everyone. Can you help me?

About 4 weeks ago I developed what doctors think is peripheral neuropathy. That's still being investigated, I'm a type 1 dianetic (although quite well controlled so it's a bit of a mystery).

The doctor has subsequently put me on duloxetine to manage pain. About 2 weeks in, and I've developed tinnitus which has got progressively worse. I've had it for about 2 weeks now. It's tolerable in the daytimes when I'm in noiser environments, but is interrupting my sleep at night.

So I'm trying to work out which of these things has caused the tinnitus - diabetes, neuropathy or duloxetine/cymbalta? Has anyone else had an experneience with either of these?

I feel as though it may be the duloxetine/cymbalta, but also confused because doctors actually prescribe it to treat tinnitus. That would certainly be the easiest to fix, as I can speak to the doctor about changing the tablets. I've not really been able to find any threads from anyone who has had tinnitus from peripheral neuropathy.

Any ideas?

 

[Docb]

Hi @jp619. First off is that I am not T1 so my underlying problems might not be relevant to you but my experiences might.

I have some sort of neuropathy in my face and tinnitus and an acquired nystagmus. All kicked off together about 12 years ago. The neuropathy and tinnitus have got more pronounced over the years whereas the nystagmus (weird eye movements) have not. Been seeing a neurologist on and off and lately an eye specialist.

The pros have no explanation for what is going on and the neurologist says he does not think he will ever find an underlying cause and its not for the want of trying. I think he is resigned to doing the medical thing and waiting to see if it gets really bad to the point when something might show up in scans and the like.

Over the years I have tried all the medications for neuropathy, including duloxetine, and nothing had any lasting effect. Some might have done something in the short term but nothing really significant or long lasting. Never been offered anything for the tinnitus, and as far as could see with good reason because there isn't anything.

I am resigned to the fact that these things are permanent features of my life and rest in the knowledge that there is nothing sinister going on. No cancer, no strokes no rampant MS, just tiny progressive changes in my brain which are too small to show up on scans. I just have to live with it.

Tinnitus is the biggest practical problem. We live in a noisy world and communicate using noise. Tinnitus interferes with that. The most significant problem I have is losing the "cocktail party" effect where you can focus on one sound source in a noisy environment. Totally impossible for me. In a noisy pub or cafe all I hear is hubbub unless shouted at from nearby. "Pardon", and "I am sorry I did not catch that" have become my catch phrases.

Not a lot of practical help to you I know. My only thought is to be prepared for a long road which might not go anywhere!

 

[jp619]

Thanks Docb.

Do you have peripheral neuropathy anywhere else?

I don’t have anything in my face, it’s my feet that are currently affected (and occasionally strange sensations in other places that come and go).

 

[Docb]

Nothing i would describe as neuropathy, just the creaking of an ageing body.

The coming and going I can relate to. My facial sensations come and go over the months but what I find is that when they come, they are worse than last lime they were at their height and when they go, they settle at a higher level than the last time they were at a low.

 

[Leadinglights]

My other half has had tinnitus of varying intensity for years but the brain learns to adjust and sort of ignore it most of the time but as said being in a noisy environment is difficult. He tends to notice more if somebody mentions it.
It can be a side effect of some blood pressure medications or historical damage by being exposed to noisy industrial work places.

 

[jp619]

Thanks Leadinglights.

Hopefully my brain will learn to ignore it if it doesn't go away. It's kinda OK in the daytimes - there's more to be occupied with so it's easier to ignore. But night-times are a struggle at the moment. It gets louder when I lay my head down, so not easy at all.

I am interested in experiences specifically with Duoxeline/Cymbalta if anyone has them. I'm thinking of asking the doctor to come off those meds, as I'm not sure I need them. If there's a chance they've caused this (it seems quite coincidental), then I'll stop them.

 

[Sueted]

Hi everyone. Can you help me?

About 4 weeks ago I developed what doctors think is peripheral neuropathy. That's still being investigated, I'm a type 1 dianetic (although quite well controlled so it's a bit of a mystery).

The doctor has subsequently put me on duloxetine to manage pain. About 2 weeks in, and I've developed tinnitus which has got progressively worse. I've had it for about 2 weeks now. It's tolerable in the daytimes when I'm in noiser environments, but is interrupting my sleep at night.

So I'm trying to work out which of these things has caused the tinnitus - diabetes, neuropathy or duloxetine/cymbalta? Has anyone else had an experneience with either of these?

I feel as though it may be the duloxetine/cymbalta, but also confused because doctors actually prescribe it to treat tinnitus. That would certainly be the easiest to fix, as I can speak to the doctor about changing the tablets. I've not really been able to find any threads from anyone who has had tinnitus from peripheral neuropathy.

Any ideas?

 

[Sueted]

Hi l to have diabetes,at 75 only for 2 years,and now neuropathy,and Tinnitus,got Pregabalin for the neuropathy,not helped,said get ears syringed to help the Tinnitus,,not help,so now just given up,seems when your over 70,no one cares,sorry l haven’t helped you,try soft music at night to try to sleep.Try magnesium for the Neuropathy,keep trying.