Pepto and ear ringing

trialanderror · Post by **trialanderror** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 5:46 pm

I have been on a gluten free (or mostly gluten free diet for about 1 month) and have been taking 8 pepto bismol tablets a day for about 2.5 weeks.

My MC was never severe relative to what some on this site report, and the gluten free / pepto treatment is working well. I am not sure if it is the gluten free, the pepto, or both that is working -- but I suspect it is the pepto.

At any rate, one of the side affects of pepto is ringing in the ears. I don't notice any ringing in the ears during the day, but I think I notice a little bit of ringing when I am lying in bed at night, and when I lie in bed in the morning. That said, I am not sure if it is my imagination or if my ears are really ringing. I suspect that I wouldn't even notice if I didn't read the warning label -- so it could just be my imagination.

So that gets me to my questions:
* Does anyone know what the negative effects of this ear ringing is? Is the ear ringing harmless? Will it just go away when I stop taking pepto 6 weeks from now? Is it a sign of serious damage such as hearing loss or neurological damage?

I plan to call my doctor and ask, but doctors don't always have all the answers so I am collecting more info here.

I would like to continue the 8 pepto tablets for 8 weeks as that has caused many people's MC to go away according to Dr. Kenneth Fine's studies.

Thanks,

Post by **tex** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:05 pm

Unfortunately, that's known as a serious side effect of bismuth subsalicylate which can affect some people. Please call your doctor tomorrow. He or she should be able to tell you what the risks are, if you continue to take the Pepto-Bismol. I'm guessing, but I would assume that the risk may well be permanent hearing damage. I've had tinnitus for 30 years now, (caused by firing a single shot from a very powerful handgun, without hearing protection, because I thought that one shot wouldn't matter

), and the ringing has never stopped, though it sometimes varies in intensity. Trust me - it matters.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Bismuth Subsalicylate:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever; hearing loss; nausea; ringing in the ears; severe constipation; vomiting.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/bismuth-subsal ... fects.html

While taking Kaopectate Liquid Regular (bismuth subsalicylate), you may notice a temporary, but harmless darkening of the stool and/or the tongue. However, if your symptoms get worse or you experience ringing in the ears or hearing loss, you should stop using Kaopectate Liquid Regular (bismuth subsalicylate) and call your doctor.

http://www.northwestpharmacy.com/produc ... nline.aspx

Tex

Sharaine · Post by **Sharaine** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:44 pm

Hi Trial and Error,

As someone who works in the field of hearing loss, and having lived with tinnitus on and off for 37 years, I can tell you that tinnitus is an issue that should be taken seriously. Tinnitus can be caused by medications, exposure to loud sound (such as a gun shot, concerts, listening to music at a very loud volume, etc.) or illness. Interestingly, with regard to MC/LC, aspirin can cause tinnitus and it can make it worse. Since that is also true of MC/LC, it's good to avoid aspirin as much as possible.

Tinnitus will come on suddenly and stick around, or even disappear as suddenly as it came on. It can be a nuisance as you seem to be experiencing, or it can be so serious as to interfere with work and personal relationships.

I agree with Tex: Call your doctor tomorrow.

Sharaine

garina · Post by **garina** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:04 pm

Trialanderror,

I also have had tinnitus now for several years due to lots of heavy doses of antibiotics because of Lyme Disease from 2002-04. It has resulted in some hearing loss, and sometimes to get to sleep, I use my trusty
"white noise" machine.

In my case, at least, the drug induced tinnitus is permanent. I just live with it.

I keep pepto on hand, although, I have never used it, yet; gluten-free is working.

No one wants the dreaded D ... but, tinnitus I wouldn't wish on anyone.

garina

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:21 am

I, too, have had tinnitus for many years. Not sure the cause but it doesn't get any better. Sure gets irritating at times. I also believe I have developed hearing loss over the last few years. I am having a hearing test later this year. Can't remember the date. My Mom has bad hearing loss. Wears 2 hearing aids and still has trouble. I sure hate the idea of following in her footsteps.

Love, Shirley

mar516 · Post by **mar516** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:57 am

I just started the 8 wks of pepto after 6 wks of entecort. Hope is works!

Post by **tex** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:55 am

Good luck with it, Mary.

Keep us posted on how it works.

Tex

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:59 am

Mary, I hope it does the trick,

Sara

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:53 am

I have had tinnitus for many years. I don't know what caused it. I first noticed it during the Gulf War, when I kept hearing my pulse beating in my left ear. I wasn't on ANY meds at the time. Now it's constant, and I have significant hearing loss in my left ear.

Good luck with your program.

mar516 · Post by **mar516** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:19 am

Thanks, Sara, I hope it does too. Will keep you posted.

mar516 · Post by **mar516** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:54 am

Not feeling the pepto working so much. Day 4. still have a lot of gas (both ways)