Study, May/19:Impact of Pharmaceutical Side Effects - Audiological/Vestibular...

[[La...]]

The full title of this American study is "The Impact of Pharmaceutical Side Effects on Audiological and Vestibular Measurements".

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31036987

 

Abstract

 

There are over 2,000 drugs with a combined total of over 400 side effects that could result in obtaining inaccurate case history information or inaccurate test results that may lead to misdiagnosing the patient's hearing or vestibular problem. The recommendations that are made could be inappropriate and thus can lead to management errors. A review of the auditory, vestibular, and cognitive side effects of many of the drugs patients take regularly (including drugs that can cause tinnitus) is provided. This article offers suggestions to obtain a more accurate case history. A review of preferred Web sites to obtain drug side effect information is included. Suggestions for improved communication strategies between the audiologist, the physician, the patient, and the pharmacist are highlighted.

 

Full Study:

 

http://sci-hub.tw/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31036987

 

 

I found this paper really interesting since it very much speaks to what happened to me. Benzodiazepines and SSRIs can affect balance and hearing (e.g. they can cause dizziness, disequilibrium, tinnitus, etc.), and they can affect the outcomes of the tests that one needs to take in order to measure balance and hearing. Usually, if you're on a benzo and you need vestibular testing, then you're supposed to stop taking the medication for the test.

 

Right. That's cold turkey. Just stop.

 

So, there's a catch-22 there, in that you may need the testing, but the medication can affect the outcome of the testing, so you need to stop taking the medication, which can worsen your vestibular problems.

 

The paper also notes that some medications that affect the central nervous system can affect a person's ability to understand or react to the instructions in an audiological exam, which further complicates the picture.

 

Suffice it to say, I wish I'd had this paper with me when I first went to the doctor about my balance and tinnitus problems.

[[Li...]]

You always find and share the best articles!  I also appreciate your thoughtful commentaries. Thank you.  FYI I got an error message when I tried to open the link to the full study. 

[[La...]]

You're welcome, Libertas! I'm glad to share such useful info. I'm really sorry you can't access the link. I've just tried it again, and it works for me, so I'm not sure what might be going on in your case. It's a great article. I'd copy and paste it, but it wouldn't work due to the formatting.

[[Li...]]

Thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty, Lapis!  I suspect a tech issue (I’m using an iPad and Safari).  I’ll try alt tech.

[[La...]]

Yes, it may be fine on a regular computer. Do you have access to one?

[[Li...]]

I do indeed.  Thx for asking!