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Have Ringing In Ear. Noticed Swollen Glands, No Congestion. Have Cold, Strange Taste In Mouth And Throat. Started Loestrin. Suggest?
Question: Hi,
I have had ringing in my right ear for the past two months (very high pitched, more like a steady high tone than "ringing"). It started when I was otherwise healthy (no head cold, congestion, etc.) and has continued for the past two months. I think I did perhaps have some slightly swollen glands when it started, but no congestion. I have had a cold in the past two weeks, and it has not changed the ringing at all. I have also had some headaches (which I would ordinarily dismiss as stress or hormones), and for the past few days I have had twitch in the muscles under my left eye (i.e., NOT the same side as the ringing). I have some residual congestion/fullness from the cold, but it just feels "different" than past colds -- more pressure with less actual discharge, lots of pressure when I bend forward, and almost a strange "taste" coming from my sinuses into the back of my throat/mouth. The only thing that has changed in my overall health in the last several months is that I started Loestrin FE about 4 months ago now (due to heavy bleeding and anemia). I missed my period this past month, but had negative pregnancy tests (two tests, one during the time my period should have arrived, one a few days later), and have read that missed periods are common with this pill, so I am confident that I am not pregnant. I have read that ringing in ears can happen with BOTH ears would occur, not just one.
I have had ringing in my right ear for the past two months (very high pitched, more like a steady high tone than "ringing"). It started when I was otherwise healthy (no head cold, congestion, etc.) and has continued for the past two months. I think I did perhaps have some slightly swollen glands when it started, but no congestion. I have had a cold in the past two weeks, and it has not changed the ringing at all. I have also had some headaches (which I would ordinarily dismiss as stress or hormones), and for the past few days I have had twitch in the muscles under my left eye (i.e., NOT the same side as the ringing). I have some residual congestion/fullness from the cold, but it just feels "different" than past colds -- more pressure with less actual discharge, lots of pressure when I bend forward, and almost a strange "taste" coming from my sinuses into the back of my throat/mouth. The only thing that has changed in my overall health in the last several months is that I started Loestrin FE about 4 months ago now (due to heavy bleeding and anemia). I missed my period this past month, but had negative pregnancy tests (two tests, one during the time my period should have arrived, one a few days later), and have read that missed periods are common with this pill, so I am confident that I am not pregnant. I have read that ringing in ears can happen with BOTH ears would occur, not just one.
Brief Answer:
Your suffering from the symptom tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting,
It is quite clear that you are suffering from a condition known as tinnitus. It is not known exactly what causes a person to "hear" sounds with no outside source of the noise. However, tinnitus can be a symptom of almost any ear problem, including:
- Ear infections (most common)
- Foreign objects or wax in the ear
- Hearing loss from loud noises
- Meniere's disease -- an inner ear disorder that involves hearing loss and dizziness
- Idiopathic or psychologic
- Alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, aspirin, or other drugs can also cause ear noises.
Tinnitus may occur with hearing loss. Sometimes, it is a sign of high blood pressure, an allergy, or anemia. Rarely, tinnitus is a sign of a serious problem like a tumor or aneurysm.
Tinnintus is not listed like an adverse effect of loestrin 24 FE. As you rightly mentioned, missed period could be side effect of loestrin.
If you had swollen glands at onset, then we should be looking at an infection and perhaps figuring out if the untreated infection has not lead to a serious complication that is now presenting as tinnitus. Coupled with headache.
You will definitely need to see an ENT sepcialist at this point. You will need a complete blood work, full physical examination especially ENT, maybe imagery study too. After which you might be put on full course of antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah
Your suffering from the symptom tinnitus
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting,
It is quite clear that you are suffering from a condition known as tinnitus. It is not known exactly what causes a person to "hear" sounds with no outside source of the noise. However, tinnitus can be a symptom of almost any ear problem, including:
- Ear infections (most common)
- Foreign objects or wax in the ear
- Hearing loss from loud noises
- Meniere's disease -- an inner ear disorder that involves hearing loss and dizziness
- Idiopathic or psychologic
- Alcohol, caffeine, antibiotics, aspirin, or other drugs can also cause ear noises.
Tinnitus may occur with hearing loss. Sometimes, it is a sign of high blood pressure, an allergy, or anemia. Rarely, tinnitus is a sign of a serious problem like a tumor or aneurysm.
Tinnintus is not listed like an adverse effect of loestrin 24 FE. As you rightly mentioned, missed period could be side effect of loestrin.
If you had swollen glands at onset, then we should be looking at an infection and perhaps figuring out if the untreated infection has not lead to a serious complication that is now presenting as tinnitus. Coupled with headache.
You will definitely need to see an ENT sepcialist at this point. You will need a complete blood work, full physical examination especially ENT, maybe imagery study too. After which you might be put on full course of antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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