Has anyone come across any links between ITP and Tinnitus / hearing loss or hearing problems?

[AnthonyHeard]

This was a question asked by one of our Facebook followers and wondered if anyone can shed any light on this ?

[Hidden]

I've recently developed tinnitus but hadn't considered it was anything to do with ITP. It appeared after an ear infection. Seeing a specialist later this month.

Do you have experience of it?

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association]

Hello CamdenGirl, one of our Facebook Group followers has supplied the following link which I thought was very interesting. Basically it suggests that use of Prednisolone can cause Tinnitus/hearing problems albeit that they tend to correct themselves when Prednisolone is withdrawn.

An interesting link....

chchearing.org/sites/defaul...

Also a further useful link which may be helpful....tinnitus.org.uk/

Hope this is useful and good luck with your meeting a specialist later this month.

Keep us posted.

[mags4743]

I do not know of a connection between ITP and Tinnitus BUT I am currently taking Cyclosporine and Tinnitus is one of the side effects that could occur with this medication. Since prednisolone and cyclosprine are in a similar group of tablets, it could be medication rather than ITP - that is, of course, if you are taking/have taken any of this medication.

Mags

[Hidden]

hello,this is intereresting. my 12 year old daughter has had hearing loss on and off for years with the tv blaring,under audiolgy department for it on and off,I suffer with hearing problems and tinnitus as does my son. daughter been investigated for itp at birmingham childrens hospital,so she has ear probs and maybe bleeding disorder with itp,no medications responsible,dont know if that helps.Can some one tell me if they know why she has all these bruises all the time despite the platelet count having gone up thankyou.

[Hidden]

I really think that some people get tinnitus and some people get ITP and sometimes there's going to be people who get both.

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association in reply to Hidden]

I know what you mean CamdenGirl. One of the many problems about ITP is that nothing is certain so any niggles or illness which comes our way we automatically start to link it to our ITP whether or not there is actually any logical connection. Another issue is that doctors and specialists are not completely clear either so it adds to the confusion. I know that when I was first diagnosed that I suddenly started to get symptoms which did not even exist to the point where I was imagining problems that were just not real at all.

I think that there is a clear link with Prednisolone / steroids producing hearing problems as a side effect but the bottom line is that apart from that it is difficult to pin down any definite link between hearing problems/tinnitus and ITP.

[GretaB]

I have been having ear problems as well, not tinnitus but inner ear. Last year I suffered from a very bad case of vertigo and found out that there is an autoimmune inner ear disorder. The funny thing is - the treatment is prednisone which I was already taking. Since then I have had some ringing in my ears but not bad.

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association in reply to GretaB]

In keeping with your experience Greta a number of people have had hearing problems as a side effect of steroids/Prednisolone prescribed for ITP.

I have not had anything like that but the key lasting side effects for me have been joint and back aches. I had a couple of nasty, unexplained issues with knee swelling and also my foot swelled up completely without any provocation. Literally overnight this swelling just appeared and then within about three days it went away again. In the same way I get back aches again completely without warning and they also go away in about three days.

The mysteries of Prenisolone !!!

[GretaB]

I know what you mean, Anthony. I just wish I could feel as good as I did a few years ago - with no aches, pains or migraines. I don't know whether to blame it on Pred or getting older or both!