topic Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning in Wellness

Lasix Side Effect Warning

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:42:47 GMT

Just an FYI that if you have any reason to go on Lasix, watch out.

I've been wearing hearing aids for about 7 yrs. without any severe or sudden changes throughout that time period. I recently thought I had an equipment issue with one of my hearing aids, but it checked out fine. Then I noticed when I didn't have the aids in, I felt like my right ear was blocked up like I had a cottonball in it. I made an appointment with my audiologist, saw him Wednesday, and found out I had a significant change that was in accordance with what I said I was experiencing. He wanted to do some further testing to find the source of the loss so we scheduled another appointment.

Earlier this summer I changed my prescription diuretic. I'd been taking a simple Hydrochlorothiazide pill for high blood pressure. For some reason I began retaining fluids and the medication wasn't cutting it. I saw my nurse practitioner and she switched me to Lasix. Boy, it really did the trick.

So when I got home from the audiologist the other day, I started doing some of my own research and found out that one of the side effects of the Lasix is hearing loss! I cancelled the audiologist appointment, quit taking the Lasix, and am re-trying the Hydrochlorothiazide again (different dose). Right now I'm just hoping and praying the new loss isn't permanent, that my hearing will go back to what it was once the medication get flushed from my system. In reading about the side effects, I was surprised to see a couple other things on the list that I've experienced, but brushed off.

Anyway, just thought I'd send out a warning to research your prescriptions and pay attention to your body cues.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

hoosieroriginal — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:46:16 GMT

I was on Hydrochlorithiazide for HBP - it wasn't doing the job, so my doctor switched me to Lisinopril and I just love it! The hydrochlorithiazide made me feel foggy.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:51:01 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I was on Hydrochlorithiazide for HBP - it wasn't doing the job, so my doctor switched me to Lisinopril and I just love it! The hydrochlorithiazide made me feel foggy.

@hoosieroriginal Lisinopril was actually the first medication I tried. It worked great, but I also had that annoying, terrible "Lisinopril Cough". I also tried Norvasc and that made my legs swell and feel so heavy to move. After those two fails, I asked my doctor if I could just take the water pill.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

hoosieroriginal — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:53:55 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I was on Hydrochlorithiazide for HBP - it wasn't doing the job, so my doctor switched me to Lisinopril and I just love it! The hydrochlorithiazide made me feel foggy.
@hoosieroriginal Lisinopril was actually the first medication I tried. It worked great, but I also had that annoying, terrible "Lisinopril Cough". I also tried Norvasc and that made my legs swell and feel so heavy to move. After those two fails, I asked my doctor if I could just take the water pill.

@JeanLouiseFinch - Oh my gosh, I have had this horrible cough, but only at night (I thought it was air conditioning). Didn't know that was a side effect - I'll have to read up on that. Thanks for the warning. Good luck!

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

millieshops — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:56:55 GMT

@hoosieroriginalJust shows how different we all are. When my script was changed to Lisinoipril, I lasted last than 2 weeks before I was so sore from coughing that he changed me once again.

And @JeanLouiseFinchthanks for that Lasik info. I've only had Lasik in an emergency situation, not a script form, but it's some powerful stuff apparently.

I just had my daily meds upped last week - and even that required some counseling from the pharmacist before they'd let me leave the counter with the new strength of the same meds.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Nightowlz — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 18:00:54 GMT

So sorry you are dealing with this. I hope that it's just temporary.

I have taken Lasix in the past & my sister takes it right now so I will send her an email. Thx for sharing the info. I had no idea it could cause hearing loss.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

ID2 — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 18:51:06 GMT

OP, you did all of these medication changes without your doctors approval? Thats just as dangerous to your health. Geez make another appt with your doctors to discuss your findings. Wow

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 19:27:45 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
OP, you did all of these medication changes without your doctors approval? Thats just as dangerous to your health. Geez make another appt with your doctors to discuss your findings. Wow

Of course not! They're all prescriptions so they'd only be obtained via a medical professional ordering them for me at local pharmacy. My primary physician was the one who prescribed the first three at an in-office visit. The Lasix was prescribed by the nurse practitioner in the same office, at an in-person office visit. I called the office yesterday to report my experience to the nurse, who relayed it to the NP, and we decided together to give the original diuretic an second chance.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Kachina624 — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 20:20:50 GMT

I have taken Lasix and am now on Hydrochlorothiazide . Thanks for posting this info. I'll make sure I don't take Lasix again.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

hckynut — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 20:39:14 GMT

@millieshops

The only time I have been on Lasix were during my long hospital stays. With my bleeding colon and on fluid IV and Blood Transfusions, my feet I did not even recognize. Fit in my shoes? Not a chance, I could barely get my hospital socks on my feet.

Then came the IV Lasix, which meant stay close to a toilet. For hours it was about 10 minutes between bathroom visits. I didn't know that prescribed Lasix outside of being an in patient at the hospital.

It has to be a much lower dose or a person would have to insert a catheter. I was on a very low dosage of Lopressor since my 1st heart attack in 2003. I have never had high BP, but my Cardiologist wanted my BP as low as possible, without effecting any of my normal functioning.

That BP ended up being around 90/60. If my Diastolic got below 55, I had to get up fron sitting very slowly and let the blood get back to my head. Was on that until about 3 months ago and my same Cardiologist wanted to see how I would be if I quit taking it.

Working out well as my BP is still around a 104/62-64, which is fine with me. Lasix? That is a new BP med to me. Thought they only used it(illegally) on race horses and hospital in-patients. Danged if that ain't my "learn 1 new thing every single day"! Good and new info for me, and thank you to all who mentioned Lasix as a BP med. Could'a fooled this old man.

hckynut(john)

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

wonderfulworld — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 21:00:37 GMT

Unfortunately, stopping the Lasix and waiting may not be enough to restore your hearing if you suffer from Sudden Hearing Loss.

Regardless of the cause, the best treatment is to see an ENT who specializes in hearing, specifically an Otology/Neurotology specialist as you might find at an Ear Institute if you can find one. Ask your Audiologist.

The reason is that those of us who already have hearing loss are at risk for Sudden Hearing Loss and there is a narrow window of opportunity for treatment to work before it becomes permanent. People with out pre exisiting hearing loss can have it too but we are more susceptible.

Sudden Hearing Loss is a true audiological emergency and is treated with oral steroids and if you can find a specialist who does them...steroid infusions into the ear.

The window is 4 weeks...then the loss tends to be permanent.

This happened to me. I have had hearing loss since birth and wear hearing aids. Mine occurred as a side effect of medication too I think, but it can also be Autoimmune Disease or a virus. I will never know for sure the cause. It is just one ear. That is the usual case.

Sometimes hearing loss is due to a temporary cause such as an ear infection. Since you saw an audiologist you have probably had that ruled out. I am surprised you were not sent directly to an ENT.

The problem I had was inner ear. I was put on oral steroids and had 2 steroid infusions (they will do up to 4 infusions) and then my hearing improved with just a little loss remaining. Stopping the Lasix may not be enough, you may need treatment to calm the inflammation in your inner ear and restore your hearing. I surely did.

Please look up Sudden Hearing Loss and seek treatment if it seems to apply to you.

Let me know how you fare and I would be interested in the comments of anyone else who has had this problem.

Thank you for starting a thread on this important topic.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 21:36:00 GMT

@wonderfulworld wrote:
Unfortunately, stopping the Lasix and waiting may not be enough to restore your hearing if you suffer from Sudden Hearing Loss.

Regardless of the cause, the best treatment is to see an ENT who specializes in hearing, specifically an Otology/Neurotology specialist as you might find at an Ear Institute if you can find one. Ask your Audiologist.
The reason is that those of us who already have hearing loss are at risk for Sudden Hearing Loss and there is a narrow window of opportunity for treatment to work before it becomes permanent. People with out pre exisiting hearing loss can have it too but we are more susceptible.

Sudden Hearing Loss is a true audiological emergency and is treated with oral steroids and if you can find a specialist who does them...steroid infusions into the ear.
The window is 4 weeks...then the loss tends to be permanent.

This happened to me. I have had hearing loss since birth and wear hearing aids. Mine occurred as a side effect of medication too I think, but it can also be Autoimmune Disease or a virus. I will never know for sure the cause. It is just one ear. That is the usual case.

Sometimes hearing loss is due to a temporary cause such as an ear infection. Since you saw an audiologist you have probably had that ruled out. I am surprised you were not sent directly to an ENT.

The problem I had was inner ear. I was put on oral steroids and had 2 steroid infusions (they will do up to 4 infusions) and then my hearing improved with just a little loss remaining. Stopping the Lasix may not be enough, you may need treatment to calm the inflammation in your inner ear and restore your hearing. I surely did.

Please look up Sudden Hearing Loss and seek treatment if it seems to apply to you.

Let me know how you fare and I would be interested in the comments of anyone else who has had this problem.
Thank you for starting a thread on this important topic.

Thank you, @wonderfulworld What I read said hearing would likely return after stopping the medication, but it's a big concern right now. If your information is correct, then I'm out of luck because this began in July.

ETA - I did get an appointment with my primary for Monday morning to obtain a referral to a specialist. I'm willing to try, hoping there's still a chance to regain some of what I lost. Thank you again for bringing this to my attention.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

wonderfulworld — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 21:54:34 GMT

JeanLouise, you have my sympathy and support.

I am almost 2 years since this happened to me and I was just tested and still making progress. Since it is an inflamatory thing healing takes a long time. I have learned the hard way that some medications are ototoxic...maybe not for others but I certainly have to be careful.

You are now off the lasix and I hope that helps. Some people do recover spontaneously I am sure.

Please let me know how you do.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

charlestownliz — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 01:21:20 GMT

In late spring and early summer of 2015, I was hospitalized with severe Congestive Heart

Failure. I recieved many large doses of IV Lasix and was prescribed Lasix by mouth upon discharge.

In mid-July, 2015 I suddenly experienced terrible vertigo accompanied by vomiting. At the same time I lost some hearing.

From ER was referred to an ENT doc and an audiologist. Discovered that I have permantently lost all hearing in my right ear and 60% of hearing in my left. Been told that this loss is permanent and was caused by high doses of Lasix. No longer take Lasix. Perscribed Bumex now.

Have been an RN for 40 years and never encountered this reaction before. Obviously this has had a negative impact on several areas of my life. Can no longer take

blood pressures, listen to lung and bowel sounds and many other clinical tasks.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

wonderfulworld — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 01:46:07 GMT

It is amazing that since this happened to me I have met and or heard of so many others who suffered sudden hearing loss. It is not as uncommon as I would have thought.

At the Ear Institute I went to they said they get about one case a day.

Charlestownliz, I am so sorry to hear your story. I 'think' mine was caused by topical chemotherapy I was using for skin cancer on my face.Just seems too big of a coincidence to me that I would lose my hearing while using the cream. I know it got into my blood stream because I could taste it.

My specialist said it was one of three things. A virus, the topical chemo or Menierres Disease. I know I misspelled it but you know what I mean. I have not had vertigo.

I wonder why Lasix is still on the market?

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Big Sister — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 23:26:47 GMT

Thanks for this thread. I have been on generic Lasix for many years and have not noticed any hearing loss. However, I have been experiencing balance problems when I walk. Sometimes I walk like I am drunk.

I will mention it to my dr. when I see her. I actually hope the poor balance is caused by the Lasix and I can go back to having good balance once I was off the Lasix. We'll wait and see.

The other topic I wanted to touch on is LISINIPRIL (sp?). I developed a chronic cough and just happened to mention it to my dr. She said it is caused by Lisinipril and she took me off of it immediately. No more coughing.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Q4u — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:39:05 GMT

The side effects to some of these drugs is mind-boggling....

I am on Hydro .12 and a low dose of Atenolol and will remember your post regarding Lasix!

9 years ago I was diagnosed with Diabetes. Prior to that I was on Statin Drugs (Simvastatin) for nearly two years and had a very bad reaction to it.

Now they are saying there is a direct correlation between statin drugs and developing Diabetes.... a 50% chance.

http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20150304/statins-linked-to-raised-risk-of-type-2-diabetes

And "they" wonder why there is an "epidemic" of Diabetes after prescribing statins to nearly everyone in the last 20 years!!

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Q4u — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:43:09 GMT

@Big Sister wrote:
Thanks for this thread. I have been on generic Lasix for many years and have not noticed any hearing loss. However, I have been experiencing balance problems when I walk. Sometimes I walk like I am drunk.
I will mention it to my dr. when I see her. I actually hope the poor balance is caused by the Lasix and I can go back to having good balance once I was off the Lasix. We'll wait and see.

The other topic I wanted to touch on is LISINIPRIL (sp?). I developed a chronic cough and just happened to mention it to my dr. She said it is caused by Lisinipril and she took me off of it immediately. No more coughing.

That's another one I was on..... developed a cough so bad my best friend thought I had something horrific going on..... it was so horrible I would often gag and throw up. I didn't even make the connection immediately.... but I finally did and was taken off the stuff.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

Golden_Oldie — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 18:18:16 GMT

I consider myself very lucky. I take many medications.

I was put on hydrochlorothiazide at first, it did nothing. The Dr. changed to furosemide (40mg) and my BP med, 200mgs. of metoprolol tartrate

There have been no side effects I can attribute to these meds. My BP and leg edema are in complete control.

Re: Lasix Side Effect Warning

NAES1 — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 21:02:53 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch,

I had made some notes in reference to your sudden after effects from the medication you referred to. Was I surprised that ' yours may have caused hearing loss to some degree? NO. I have many reports from our patients who notice or complaints FROM different medications.

Unfortunately many health providers pass over the real problem or send

_ patient _ to either a specialist, or you are left to figure out on your own.

The most recent post medication complaint was a diuretic. This was given after an outpatient procedure\ laser eye\. As I understood, the technician called the specialist( another hospital) had left w\o checking patient.

Patient's eye level was seriously very high. The instructions were to take 1 very powerful diuretic, wait one hour, then released to go home.

Word was received from patient within "3" hours to staff members of severe cramping throughout the pelvic area, along with severe pain and complications ref: urinary tract.

Patient ended up being seen by PCP, then referred to an urologist. No indication of any bacterial infection but all the earmarks of damage spasms of bladder and nausea.

Patient had to undergo a cystoscopy and was put on at least six different medications. The symptoms lasted over 1.5 years.

From last follow up - after ( almost ) 3 years, the symptoms returned.

Patient from last recorded information is now under an urologist's care.

Absolutely, I believe your keen observation.