Ringing in ears .. web md article from a

[Guest guest]

This is from WEB MD...I'm not sure how melatonin would affect r/a and or meds

for r/a...but thought this interesting and I know some people this has

helped...

a

Melatonin Pills May Help Ease Tinnitus

Study Shows Biggest Benefit in Tinnitus Patients With Worst Sleep Quality

By Miranda Hitti

WebMD Medical News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Feb. 24, 2006 -- Melatonin supplements might curb tinnitus, possibly by

improving sleep, a new study shows.

Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain's pineal gland. Natural melatonin

helps regulate cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Levels of natural melatonin tend

to fade with age. Melatonin is also sold as a supplement.

People with tinnitus sense ringing, roaring, or humming sounds in their ears.

About 15 million people in the U.S. consider their tinnitus to be a

significant problem, according to statistics cited in the new study.

The study appears in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The researchers

included Jay Piccirillo, MD, FACS, of Washington University School of Medicine

in St. Louis.

Tracking Tinnitus

The study included 18 adults with tinnitus. On average, the patients were

about 61 years old and had had tinnitus for 11 years. All were seen at

Washington

University's department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

First, patients rated their tinnitus symptoms and sleep quality. Then, they

took 3 milligrams of melatonin every day for four weeks. The patients were

monitored for four more weeks after they stopped taking the melatonin

supplements.

The patients' ratings of their tinnitus symptoms and poor sleep improved

during the study, even after they stopped taking melatonin. Perhaps the

melatonin

pills had long-lasting effects, the researchers note.

Sleep's Role, Study's Limits

Tinnitus eased most in patients with the worst sleep ratings at the study's

start. Severity of tinnitus symptoms didn't affect the results.

Possibly, melatonin helps tinnitus by improving sleep, write the researchers.

However, they also note several limits to their study.

The study was small and brief. Also, all the patients knew they were taking

melatonin, which could have created a self-fulfilling belief that their

condition would improve. The study didn't include a comparison group of patients

taking empty pills (placebo).

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