Warning - Inner Ear side effects of prostate antibiotics

[gl0342]

Soon after chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome started, I started to suffer from two unrelated disrupting symptoms - constant ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and impaired balance while walking (mainly outside the house). At first I thought this is because of the stress, or maybe Alpha Blockers.

While investigating the issues this week with my doctor, she asked for a list of all medications I have been taking. When I mentioned Cipro (which I took for 20 days right after chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome started 7 months ago), she jumped and said that inner ear damage (such as tinnitus, hearing loss and balance impairments) are WELL KNOWN effects of Cipro and other potent prostate antibiotics of the same family - fluoroquinolones, that in many countries those antibiotics are not approved as first line treatment, and that unfortunately the symptoms might be permanent. And the sad part is that I had no sign of bacteria and that the urologist just gave it to me out of routine.

More can be found at wikipedia: Adverse effects of fluoroquinolones

So be careful, my symptoms affect my quality of life (more than chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome now) and are depressing but still manageable, but the Internet is full of stories with much more severe long term effects.

Not to mention the fact that unless there is a clear diagnosis for bacteria, those antibiotics are useless.

George