Short course of Prednisone

[CBME]

I have developed some ringing in my ears and exploring all kinds of reasons for why. Had an episode of Nystagmus (dizziness) in Feb but it went away. Also seeing an eye doc to make sure eyes not related to ear ringing. Still on W&W 2.5 years. WBC is at 20. Primary care doc wants me to take a 6 day course of prednisone. Just wondering if anyone has any comment on that good or bad. Thanks in advance for any comments/

[scryer99]

I was put on the standard 6-day pack of methylprednisolone (a similar corticosteroid) after hospitalization for spleen issues. It is great stuff! Felt the best I had in a while.

Expect your blood work to go haywire for a while. My ALC doubled in two days (to near 300).

It is strong stuff, but side effects can be severe and accumulative so they will only put you on for a short time. My father was on it for years due to other hard-to-treat medical issues and it caused other significant problems over time.

I have also seen clinical trial intake criteria excluding significant steroid treatment history. My 6-day course was not an issue for the trial I eventually entered, but it may be worth checking with your oncologist on this.

[CBME in reply to scryer99]

Thanks!

[Ibru]

Some drugs (esp certain older antibiotics, but other categories too) can be ototixic. Be sure your docs are aware of everything you have taken, even several years back. Effects can be cumulative.

[CBME in reply to Ibru]

Thanks

[GMa27]

I have had tinnitus for 40 years. Most times we won't know why we get it. It's a mild case. I don't hear the "noise" until I am in a quiet room. After all these years, I got used to it. No one ever suggested prednisone for that. Can't hurt to try for short period of time. I would suggest seeing an ENT doctor.

[CBME in reply to GMa27]

Gonna see ENT also. Thanks for caring to reply.

[Hidden]

95% of people that have tinnitus are insulin resistant. It is a symptom of metabolic dysfunction. Are you overweight? I would look at your fasting insulin levels and A1C. Easily cured with low carb diet.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Over 25 million Americans have tinnitus in some form. Is there some evidence that 95% of them are insulin resistant? What about the impact of excessive noise caused by high volume music, industrial exposure, pharmacological reasons or genetic predisposition? Stress is also known to stimulate/aggravate tinnitus.

I’ve had tinnitus for 30 yrs and it continued even on a low carb diet. The ENT surgeon I consulted felt it was caused by a congenital condition. I actually believe it was caused or exacerbated by the use of salicylic acid contained in anti-inflammatories. I’d also suffered ear damage on a plane journey. Even now Naproxen or Ibuprofen can increase its intensity. It was very bad whilst on Ibrutinib even though I was not in diabetic range.

I’ve never been offered treatment for tinnitus and it’s an incredibly common condition which is difficult to identify and successfully treat.

Newdawn

[Big_Dee in reply to Newdawn]

Hello Newdawn

I would agree. I have had tinnitus for so many years I have no idea how long. I am not insulin resistant but am very hard of hearing. It is rare that it bothers me, mostly just blend it into background noise.

[GMa27 in reply to Hidden]

No doctor has ever said that to me. Its probably the loud concerts I attended or some say certain antibiotics.

[Hidden]

Dr. Ben Bikman, Ph.D. Researcher focusing on role if insulin in disease. Cited a study. I don't have any more details than that.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I’m aware that there is an identified link between Hyperinsulinemia and Tinnitus. It’s characterised by a reduced biological response to insulin at the cellular level because the inner ear is dependent on glucose metabolism in the bloodstream.

However, your statement that ‘it’s easily cured with low carb diet’ is as bold as it’s inaccurate and fails to consider the complexities. For example, tinnitus can be caused by auto-immune conditions, damage and can be a feature of conditions like MS as well as certain medication regimes. Stress also raises cortisol levels which in turn impact on insulin resistance.

Tinnitus, (whatever the underlying cause), can cause a level of distress that leads to utter despair in some people. Reports suggest that 9% of women with significant tinnitus had suicide attempts. Of the men with severe tinnitus, 5.5% had attempted suicide. A survey of 2,600 people found that 10% of people with persistent tinnitus had experienced suicidal thoughts after being diagnosed. It’s important therefore not to suggest simple dietary changes can reverse what is often an intractable and multi-faceted condition. However, I do support some of your nutritional views particularly on a low carb lifestyle and the link of high carb to metabolic disease generally (but not exclusively). It’s just important not to suggest it’s a panacea for all ills.

Newdawn

[Hidden in reply to Newdawn]

Insulin resistance is easily curable with a low-carb diet. It's not something that you "catch". It is self-inflicted. 85% of americans have some degree of metabolic dysfunction/insulin resistance. And if 85% of people with tinnitus are insulin resistant, there is a very good chance that correcting your diet will correct the tinnitus.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Yes there is some link for some people but it’s shamefully insensitive repeating your one size fits all ‘solution’ to what is clearly a much greater subject than you appreciate. You’ve plucked the scientifically unsubstantiated percentages out of the air to press home the self blame conclusion you clearly prefer.

You’ve made a simplistic association with little regard for all the other possible causative reasons and factors. For goodness sake, don’t take your views onto the HU Tinnitus Site! 😱

Newdawn

[Hidden in reply to Newdawn]

I am not pulling these numbers from thin air. They are based upon studies.

Maybe it seems difficult to you, but I have spent a long time studying nutrition and to me it is very simple.

Its so funny that you wouldn't want to hear this. A 30-day trial of a healthier way of eating would be all it would take to see if there is improvement. I would do it in a heartbeat.

When I went Carnivore my GERD completely disappeared. My doctor thought it couldn't be cured. It turned out to be diet. My allergies disappeared. Many of my friends got off of their T2 Diabetes meds. I've heard some amazing stories from others in my Carnivore meetup groups. I've seen the results so don't tell me I'm making it too simple! It is simple.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I know these things LionShaman. I also agree with them having spent nearly 10 years on a Diabetes Site discussing, supporting and researching all these nutritional methods and trials you mention. I’ve done them, lived them and understand the processes at play. I got my own diabetes under excellent control without meds, achieving a remission until CLL treatment scuppered it! However, that’s now back under control. But we are discussing tinnitus here and my objection is your almost automatic and exclusive link with metabolic syndrome as it relates to insulin resistance. Health isn’t a one trick pony and whilst I can totally understand the link, there’s other ‘runners and riders’ in the formation of tinnitus. Ask all the hard rock musicians who suffer with it and the heavy machinery operators who are now plagued with it. Plus the CLLer’s who developed it during treatment despite no hyperglycaemia or insulin resistance.

Don’t assume you’ve discovered the holy grail of health that others can’t possibly understand but please try to demonstrate some empathy rather than a judgemental attitude. We are all fighting a hard battle and some having a tougher time than others.

Newdawn

[Hidden in reply to Newdawn]

You seem to be having a really hard time with the "85% of tinnitus sufferers also are insulin resistant" statistic. 85%. That means that there is a really good chance that insulin resistance is the reason. It also means there is a 15% probability that it is not. I am not claiming it is 100%. Don't put words into my mouth.

It is worth looking into for anyone given the probabilities. If you have T2 diabetes and you also have tinnitus and you aren't a rock musician, then, gee, maybe it could be diet -related.

Wouldn't it be great if you could solve your problem in 30 days through diet? Seems like its worth a try to me. Maybe you're in the 15%. But the OP should still consider it.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I’m afraid your last response lost you any remaining gravitas with me LionShaman. It demonstrates a total lack of empathy and a self interested condescending tone. It’s certainly not an approach we welcome on this site.

Newdawn

[Newdawn Administrator]

Aologies CBME for diverting from your presenting issues. I really hope the cause of your dizziness and tinnitus can be found and sorted. Also worth considering an inner ear infection if they haven’t already. It’s more unusual to be given a course of steroids but it will be interesting to see if they effect an improvement.

Best wishes,

Newdawn